Falkirk will be all Dwight with Theobald
By Gary Ralston (The Daily Record)
FALKIRK manager John Hughes reckons his club are laughing after agreeing an18-month deal with the new Dwight Yorke.
Hughes insists Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Densil Theobald doesn't just have the same infectious grin as the former Manchester United star - he can play like him as well.
The ambitious Bairns board have agreed to loosen the purse strings and fund up to four new signings during the January transfer window.
Theobald, who plays for Caledonia AIA Fire in his homeland, impressed during trials at Westfield this season and will be the first recruit to arrive in the New Year.
He has been capped 35 times for his country and is almost certain to be named in Leo Beenhaaker's squad for the World Cup finals in the summer.
Unsurprisingly he has been brought to the club by assistant boss Russell Latapy, who reckons Theobald can take the Scottish gameby storm Hughes said: "Densil is only 23, a non-stop talker and has a smile like Yorkie. He wants to play football, is comfortable on his left foot or right and we could hardly get him off the training ground when he was over here.
"I asked Russell if he was better than we've already got and he thinks he is. He doesn't think we'll be able to hold him back and that can only increase competition for places in the squad.
"He can play anywhere across the midfield and has a wee bit of Yorkie about him to tell you the truth, even though he doesn't play in that goalscoring position.
"But when I saw Yorkie play recently in the World Cup qualifiers he was playing wide left and I see that as a role Densil can fill as he can break from midfield and score goals.
"The board have come up trumps again and Densil will be the first of up to four new players we hope to bring in during the window.
"He has come to us through Russell, who has proved he has a good eye for a footballer. He can also play in behind the strikers, though I think that's the position big Marvin Andrews plays for his national team.
"Seriously, all these boys are good footballers and I always remember Russell was amazed when he first arrived in the Scottish game to find Tony Rougier playing outside right for Hibs - he was a right-back and central defender for Trinidad.Densil meets the work permit requirements and we had him over for a couple of weeks earlier in the season when he did well.
"I told him once my budgets were open at Christmas I'd look to get him across again and get a deal done.
"He's hungry with something to prove and we'll get plenty of mileage from him.We're not looking for players simply to tide us over in the transfer window but players who will boost our squad in the long term.
"There was another player from Trinidad and Tobago I'd been sniffing around but he doesn't meet the permit requirements at this stage.
"But I may push to sign him again if he has a good World Cup and gets on the bench or the pitch with the team.
"Hopefully Densil brings with him a desire to go on and do something for himself and we'll certainly give him the platform. If he goes to the World Cup and performs well it will be great for Falkirk as well as the player himself.
"If he performs as well in Scottish football as players such as Russell, Marvin and Tony we'll have signed a real ace in the pack."
Hughes, meanwhile, has pulled the plug on Dutch duo Fouzi Mesquodi and Thomas Litjens as they are not any better than players already at the club.
He is also keen to promote his top youngsters and has already been on to the SFA urging them to look at five of his Under-19 stars with a view to giving them international experience he feels they deserve.
A couple of players may be leaving Falkirk next month but the Bairns board have also backed the appointment of sports and conditioning coach Dave Clark, who has worked with Olympic champions such as Chris Hoy and Jonathan Edwards
