Callum Morris
The start of the season has seen Jackie MacNamara attempt to address Dundee United’s problems at the heart of the defence. Last season United were calling for an aerial winning, leader of a centre half who could also talk young players like John Souttar through the game, which the likes of Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning did not do with effect.
On the 17th of June Dundee United announced that they had signed out of contract defender Callum Morris. Morris left Dunfermline after 2 years at the club and Jim Jeffries seemed disappointed in him leaving for nothing.
Morris the Irishman was signed for Newcastle United aged just 13 and featured in all youth teams and the reserves but failed to make the first team. He was described by reserves coach Adam Sadler as “the next big thing”. Failing to break into the first team he was released by the club in 2010.
Shortly after being released by Newcastle he had short stints at Gateshead and Blyth Spartans but was released by both clubs after failing to impress in his short time there.
In August 2011 Morris joined The Glenn Hoddle academy in Spain and began playing full time again. Playing for the Glenn Hoddle Academy the coach of Hayes & Yeading became interested in Morris who he described as “Occasionally headless with a lot to learn, but the potential is certainly there”. After making two appearances for the club he was released and without a club for 6 months.
On 31st of August Dunfermline Athletic signed him on a 2 year deal as his career had been saved from the Fife club. In his first year at the club he bulked up a lot and became one of the most physically imposing players in the league. He was in the Scottish First Divison team of the year. The next season Morris again was a main stay in the Dunfermline squad until December when he was out for 2 months when he was out with an Achilles problem. He was offered a new contract by the club and if signed potentially could have been the second highest paid player at the club behind captain Josh Falkingham. However, he rejected the contract offer which resulted in interest from Dundee United, Kilmarnock and Rangers.
United will be hoping he will come to the club and perform like he was in the early months of 2013 at Dunfermline. If Morris is to succeed at United and for the fans to regard him as a valuable signing he will need to help the defence defend better against set pieces and crosses and help develop young talents like John Souttar and Andrew Robertson. Sean Dillon wasn’t a natural captain last season and with Morris being the captain of the Newcastle reserves side he is a natural leader. He is known to be a very strong and aggressive tackler with a decent turn of pace; however, he is apparently prone to the odd defensive mistake.
#Whatdoestwittersay?
@alanftemple- “Raw, but huge potential. Decent speed, good jump and decent distribution. Can be lax/positionally suspect. But worth a punt”.
@doelcmila- “Decent defender but can lapse quite often and his distribution not as good as he thinks it is. Worth a punt though”.
@alanftemple- “I'd like to see him be more aggressive, given his size. But looking forward to seeing how he does in top flight.”
Article by Joseph James
The start of the season has seen Jackie MacNamara attempt to address Dundee United’s problems at the heart of the defence. Last season United were calling for an aerial winning, leader of a centre half who could also talk young players like John Souttar through the game, which the likes of Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning did not do with effect.
On the 17th of June Dundee United announced that they had signed out of contract defender Callum Morris. Morris left Dunfermline after 2 years at the club and Jim Jeffries seemed disappointed in him leaving for nothing.
Morris the Irishman was signed for Newcastle United aged just 13 and featured in all youth teams and the reserves but failed to make the first team. He was described by reserves coach Adam Sadler as “the next big thing”. Failing to break into the first team he was released by the club in 2010.
Shortly after being released by Newcastle he had short stints at Gateshead and Blyth Spartans but was released by both clubs after failing to impress in his short time there.
In August 2011 Morris joined The Glenn Hoddle academy in Spain and began playing full time again. Playing for the Glenn Hoddle Academy the coach of Hayes & Yeading became interested in Morris who he described as “Occasionally headless with a lot to learn, but the potential is certainly there”. After making two appearances for the club he was released and without a club for 6 months.
On 31st of August Dunfermline Athletic signed him on a 2 year deal as his career had been saved from the Fife club. In his first year at the club he bulked up a lot and became one of the most physically imposing players in the league. He was in the Scottish First Divison team of the year. The next season Morris again was a main stay in the Dunfermline squad until December when he was out for 2 months when he was out with an Achilles problem. He was offered a new contract by the club and if signed potentially could have been the second highest paid player at the club behind captain Josh Falkingham. However, he rejected the contract offer which resulted in interest from Dundee United, Kilmarnock and Rangers.
United will be hoping he will come to the club and perform like he was in the early months of 2013 at Dunfermline. If Morris is to succeed at United and for the fans to regard him as a valuable signing he will need to help the defence defend better against set pieces and crosses and help develop young talents like John Souttar and Andrew Robertson. Sean Dillon wasn’t a natural captain last season and with Morris being the captain of the Newcastle reserves side he is a natural leader. He is known to be a very strong and aggressive tackler with a decent turn of pace; however, he is apparently prone to the odd defensive mistake.
#Whatdoestwittersay?
@alanftemple- “Raw, but huge potential. Decent speed, good jump and decent distribution. Can be lax/positionally suspect. But worth a punt”.
@doelcmila- “Decent defender but can lapse quite often and his distribution not as good as he thinks it is. Worth a punt though”.
@alanftemple- “I'd like to see him be more aggressive, given his size. But looking forward to seeing how he does in top flight.”
Article by Joseph James