'Terrific' Dolcek named Premiership player of the month

Dundee United's Ivan Dolcek has been named as the Premiership player of the month for August, with manager Jim Goodwin saying the Croatian winger has taken to Scottish football "like a duck to water".

The 25-year-old joined from Slovakian club Dunajska Streda on a season-long loan in July and has made an instant impact in the Tannadice side, scoring four goals in three league appearances as United sit fourth in the table.

Dolcek scored in United's opening-day draw with Falkirk, netted twice in their defeat by Hearts and scored the second goal in a derby victory over city rivals Dundee.

"You are always a little bit unsure about how the foreign players are going to settle in and sometimes it can take a little bit more time for them to get adjusted to the culture and the style of play," Goodwin said.

"But I have to say Ivan has taken to the Scottish game like a duck to water in terms of his goal return in particular. The most pleasing aspect of it is that I believe there is so much more to come from him as an individual."

Goodwin has indicated to the player they would like to take up the option to make his Tannadice stay permanent.

"He has had a terrific start, he has made that position in the team his own at the moment, but it is important he doesn't get comfortable in it," the United boss added.

"I want him to keep pushing in training, keep trying to improve, keep trying to get better, because we can all see the qualities he has in front of goal. It is now trying to get that development into him in terms of the one-v-one situations."