| Alex believes the former Falkirk, Aberdeen, Rennes, Hibs and, most recently, Cowdenbeath man can challenge for a first-team place, even when there is a full squad available, and can also provide injury cover for his entire back line.
In the summer, the 35-year-old dropped down to the Third Division to help his former Easter Road and Pittodrie team-mate Mixu Paatelainen at Central Park, but was overlooked in favour of ex-Dundee United man Brian Welsh for the manager’s job there when the Finn left for home last month.
Since then, it has been widely expected that he would be on the move shortly and a switch to Dens will give him the chance to focus solely on playing again. His new manager thinks that would be a big plus for the Dark Blues.
“He is a player who adds a lot of experience to the squad,” said Alex.
“He’s played most of his career in the Premiership up here and I believe he is still more than capable of doing a good job in the First Division.
“He can play in every position in the back four and that is important when you have a small squad like ours.
“When Paul Dixon was out on Saturday we asked Craig Forsyth to fill in and he did very well, but if you were looking at cover for a prolonged period it would not be fair to ask kids to do it.”
The deal has been done via the emergency loan system that is now open to clubs between the transfer windows and, if everything does go to plan, Smith will make his debut at Queen of the South on Saturday.
Where exactly he plays is likely to be up for debate, but chances are it will not be at left-back, where Paul Dixon is expected to be ready to retake his berth from young Forsyth. |
