Dundee United new boy Jesse Randall has revealed that Elijah Just played a key role in convincing him to make the move to the Scottish Premiership. The New Zealand international is set to make his debut in the Premier Sports Cup clash at Montrose on Tuesday evening.
World Cup hero's advice sealed the deal
Randall, 23, spoke at length with fellow All-White Just, who impressed last season at Motherwell. Randall said: "I spoke to him (Elijah) quite a bit about what to expect and if he had any advice. He's obviously a top player and there’s no better person to ask about what to expect and what to do on the football pitch. So, I did speak to him. I won't share all the advice he gave me! But he obviously had an amazing impact and I'm super pleased for him."
Randall was part of New Zealand's World Cup squad, playing in all three group games — a draw with Iran and defeats to Egypt and Belgium. He described the experience as "bittersweet" but "incredible". "Playing in front of 70-something thousand people was incredible; the noise was insane and also, just coming up against some big players – the players I watched on TV," he added.
From A-League champion to Scottish Premiership
Randall starred for A-League champions Auckland last season alongside former Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove, who also offered insight into Scottish football. "Sam Cosgrove had a great impact here with Aberdeen. He's another person to take advice from after scoring a lot of goals in the Premiership. I've got a few people in my corner I can ask!" Randall said.
He acknowledged the step up in physicality and schedule: "I know the physicality and speed of play, and the number of games, compared to the A-League, is a lot more. So, managing your body and, yeah, everything that comes with it."
A journey of resilience
Randall's path to professional football was far from straightforward. He had trials at Barnsley, Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday, Torquay United and Irish side Dundalk, but faced repeated rejection. "It definitely has been a different journey to a lot of players. There was no real academy – just small academies here and there that would contribute to maybe one training week extra," he explained.
He spent time in the United States playing college football and turned professional later than most. "I was 20, trialling with U/21s and it was very difficult because I was a bit on the older side, and that gets taken into consideration. Mum and Dad helped me a lot, spending money to get me over here. Then I was paying for hotels and stuff and staying with my family down south in between trials. So, it was a bit of a full-on time – but it really helps with resilience and just appreciating everything else a lot more now."
Eager to make an impact
Randall's senior career began in New Zealand with Island Bay United, North Wellington, Wellington Olympic, Charleston Battery, and back to Wellington before joining Auckland. Now at Dundee United, he is determined to succeed. "It (this move) has felt like a long time coming. But I was also very focused on my football in New Zealand and then the World Cup, so I haven't had too much time to think about coming here. Now I'm here, I'm super excited," he said.
He added: "I’m hoping that the club can do incredibly well, first and foremost and that I can contribute to that in whatever way that looks like. Hopefully, I can keep my form from last season going here and really help the team with goals and assists."
