Language no barrier at Dens Park

Language will not be a barrier to success for Dundee, according to French midfielder Elton Ngwatala, writes Ian Roache.

Having spent the last three seasons in England with Kidderminster Harriers, Ngwatala himself speaks excellent English.

With so many clubmates with French as their mother tongue – Kharl Madianga, Jean Mendy, Faissal El Bakhtaoui and even Sofien Moussa – there may have been some worries about instructions and chat being lost in translation.

However, Ngwatala met that suggestion with a Gallic shrug.

The 24-year-old said: “We know each other now and are speaking well together.

“Language is not a barrier for us because all the French players can talk in English and have made a real effort to do so.

“We are definitely getting better and you can tell that just on the evidence of the last two weeks or so. We have improved a lot.”

The Dark Blues lost the first proper match of their pre-season trip to Portugal, going down 4-0 to Portimonense yesterday.

They face a second match against another local side, Farense, tomorrow before the real action gets under way against Stirling Albion in the Betfred Cup at Forthbank on Saturday.

Ngwatala is upbeat about the campaign ahead, saying: “I know that I have a lot of quality players around me.

“I feel there is no limit for us next season and we will be pushing for the very best position we can get in the table.

“What I would love is a long run in the cup.

“You want to start well and that means playing a strong match on Saturday.

“We are going to do everything to get the win. I want to tell the fans that I think it is going to be a good season.”

Picture: SNS. Elton Ngwatala: Has high hopes for the season.