EXCLUSIVE: Dundee Utd's Danny Swanson interview
Swanson hopeful of Scotland call-up
Exclusive By GARY LINTON
The Away End were fortunate enough to have a chat with Dundee United star Daniel Swanson. The 24 year old attacking midfielder from Edinburgh has recently been tipped for a call up to the Scotland national team.
It's not always been plain sailing for him though, as an illness from an early age could have stopped everything that he has achieved in football so far. At the age of 13 he had a heart bypass operation which to this day he tries not to think about too much.
As one of the most exciting talents in the Scottish Premier League Danny knows how lucky he is to be playing at such a high level.
Gary Linton: When you were younger you had a number of operations, does thinking back to those days just make you stronger today?
Danny Swanson: I don't really think much about it these days to be honest. I recently visited a young boy at the sick kids where I had my operations and it brought back a lot of memories. It's not something I think about but I know how lucky I am to be playing at such a high level after everything I went through when I was young.
GL: How did it feel going from the third division in Scotland to the top division?
DS: It was a great feeling when I finally signed for Dundee United. I worked hard and really enjoyed my time at Berwick but I always knew I was good enough to make the step up, I just needed other managers to think the same. Thankfully for me Craig Levien did that and I had no hesitation about signing for him.
GL: At the time you signed for Dundee United there were stories about you possibly going to Hamilton? Any truth or was it always Dundee United for you?
DS: Well Berwick played Hamilton in the cup which we got beat 3-2, the next day I got a phone call from the manager saying Hamilton had put a bid in for me which Berwick accepted.
As it was on the last day of the transfer window I went to meet Billy Reid and was very happy with what he was saying. I shook his hand and done my medical and agreed to sign the next day.
I got so many phone calls that night from well respected people in the game telling me to hold out for an SPL team. I then just panicked and basically went back on my word with Billy and didn't sign.
I haven't spoken to Billy since as I was too embarrassed and felt really bad about the whole situation.
He's proven how good a manager he is with what he's done in the game. A few days later I got a phone call saying Berwick have accepted an offer from Dundee United, I immediately thought of Craig Levein and I didn't even give it a second thought, I just wanted to sign and get started.
GL: You've spend nearly four years at Dundee United, what's been the highlights?
DS: I've loved every minute at United, there are so many highlights. I've managed to play with some great players like Barry Robson, Lee Wilkie and David Goodwillie. Making my debut against Hearts was an unbelievable feeling, as was scoring at Easter Road, but none of them comes close to winning the Scottish cup!
GL: On that note, what was it like winning the Scottish Cup?
DS: It was the best day of my life without a doubt! At the start of the game with all the fireworks and seeing my family and friends in the stands was a great feeling but lifting the trophy is a feeling I can't even describe.
GL: With the season just started, you've already got two goals to your name, is it a thing to come this season?
DS: I hope so, I want to get eight goals this season that's the target, so I've started well, I'm feeling a lot better fitness wise so that is a massive plus for me and I'm just happy to be enjoying it all again after my past injuries.
GL: Recently Craig Levein has spoken about you getting a call up for Scotland. How happy are you by that and how important has Levein been to you and your career?
DS: He has been amazing, even when I wasn't playing under him he always kept at me to keep going. I will always be thankful to him for what he has done for me so far in my career. To hear him say I'm in his plans for Scotland if I can keep up my form and stay injury free is a great feeling.
It would be a dream come true if I could pull on that Scotland jersey at Hampden.
GL: To finish things off Danny I recently saw a video of you on youtube, it was last year on BBC Scotland and you were playing air guitar, got any better recently?
DS: (Starts laughing for a while) I was more embarrassed what I was wearing that day than anything else, I recently bought a real guitar though and I've been trying to learn it, but the air guitar is a lot easier!
After speaking to Danny one thing was made clear, that is the love he has for football and how much he just wants to get out there an play. I'd like to thank Danny for the time he gave to conduct this interview and wish him all the best for this season ahead and the rest of his career.
