Dundee United star Emmanuel Adegboyega is more than prepared for derby noise - 'I need to be part of this'

Emmanuel Adegboyega watched the first Dundee derby of the season on television and said to himself: “I need to be part of this!”

The on-loan defender will get his chance when Dundee United take the short walk up the road tomorrow afternoon. Adegboyega was still at Norwich City when United and Dundee drew 2-2 at Tannadice in the Premiership opener and it whetted his appetite to make his own move to Tayside.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 cap admitted: “I watched the first derby of the season on TV before I came up to Scotland. I saw that atmosphere and just thought: “I need to be part of this!”

“There had been a bit of communication before that game, but nothing was set in stone.

“I was still trying to make up my mind about my next move, so I watched that game.

“It was an easy decision after that – “I fancy some of that”.

The 21-year-old is hoping that his move to the City of Discovery will bring a change in fortune in his derby experiences. He was a regular in the Louth derby but he didn’t get much joy as he ran the wrath of his hometown by making the move from Dundalk to Drogheda.

Adegboyega explained: “That was my first experience of a derby, having moved from Dundalk to Drogheda, and I did get a bit of hate from people in my hometown.

“The rivalry wasn’t on the biggest scale – like the derby here – but it was very strong and a lot of passion.

“I’m not sure what the history is but they are side by side and really don’t like each other.

“I played in that derby four times with Drogheda and unfortunately didn’t win any – they got the better of us.

“But I’m hearing the Dundee derby is next level to be involved in. It’s something I can’t wait to experience; the game, the atmosphere, the walk to the stadium.

“I’m going to