Big Lee Wilkie is the type of player you either love or loathe. In many ways he's the typical Scottish Central defender, big, strong, excellent in the air but with a subtle touch on the deck that is often lacking in such a tall guy.
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Lee, who turned 22 recently had a rollercoaster last season at Dens. Out of favour with the boss over a schoolboy tiff, loaned to Notts County, Plymouth and Falkirk.
Though the Courier reported on the 20th February that Plymouth and Notts County had tabled bids for him, and they were accepted by Dundee, Lee chose to stay at Dens.
Then came Dundee United's insulting bid of £25,000, almost as petty as Fast Eddie's bid to take control of that club. I remember Lee's words at that time. He said Dundee were the team he played for and the only team he wanted to play for at this time.
Brought back into the plans, reputedly on the insistence of Chairman Peter Marr he finished the season in champagne fashion, playing superbly in the heart of our defence and gaining a cap for Scotland against South Africa.
Heading off on holiday this Monday he returns on the 24th in time to return to training on 2nd July.
I for one am delighted at Lee's attitude and loyalty towards the club who brought him up through the youth teams and hope he goes on to fulfill his true potential.
When he made his return in March I remember a headline to an article I wrote "6 feet four, eyes of blue, big Lee Wilkie's After You." Well, the colour of his eyes had to fit the old Jim Holton song the Scots fans used to sing in the 70's. If they're not blue, that's no problem - his heart is most definitely a dark shade of that colour.