He’s wanted by Manchester United – but Kerr Smith says his sole focus is on becoming a regular at Dundee United.
The teenage centre-back featured in five matches for the Tannadice side last season after signing his first professional contract. He had trials with Manchester United last term and several other English Premier League clubs are still keen on signing him. But addressing last season’s interest and form, Smith is focusing on the here and now.
Leicester City and Manchester United are after Kerr Smith. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
He’s aiming to become a first-team mainstay under new Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts (DUTV): “Looking back on last season I would’ve liked to have played more. But maybe I just wasn’t ready. I think that run of games towards the end of the season proved I’m ready to play first team football.
“I’m ready to get more games under my belt heading into the new season. The back-to-back starts against Motherwell and St Mirren hit home how tough senior matches can be on the body. On the Sunday, down in Paisley, I felt was tiring a bit but it’s all in your head. It’s always going to be difficult playing against men at 16-years-old.
“I got to play against top strikers like Kyle Lafferty and yeah he got a few goals but that’s a learning curve for me. I think, apart from those, I dealt with him pretty well for my first start and then in the Motherwell game I thought I built on that and did really well, being calm on the ball.
“Then against St Mirren, I kept my first career clean sheet which was a good achievement. To get five games in the Premiership at 16-years-old is a pretty good return, but I want to get more. I’m looking to get 10/15 games a season.”
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