Dundee manager Jocky Scott finally got his man last night when he signed former Hibernian defender Steven Tweed in a #150,000 deal from Stoke City.

The 26-year-old, who had been chased by the Dens Park club for more than two months, has signed until 2002 and could go straight into the side for tomorrow's north-east derby with Aberdeen.

Tweed, who had a spell in Greece after quitting Hibs under the Bosman ruling, admitted that his four-month-old son Conar and former Easter Road team-mate Willie Miller had both helped persuade him it was time to return to Scotland.

The defender said: ''Because there were a number of English clubs interested in me, there was an impression that I would stay down south, but that was never the case and I was interested in Dundee as soon as I knew they had asked about me.

''Willie Miller got in touch with me and basically told me to get myself up here. He spelled it out that he was enjoying training and playing at Dens and that the club were showing a lot more ambition with the Marr brothers in charge.

''Having a young baby was another factor. We had nobody down in England to help look after him and coming back to Scotland made good sense in that respect.''

Tweed added: ''I worked under the manager here when we were both with Hibs and I know he is very professional and good at his job. Now I am just hoping to get picked for the game against Aberdeen and I believe I am fit enough because I have been playing recently at Stoke.

''I realise I have a lot of catching up to do with Scottish football after being away for more than two years. There are a lot of foreigners I don't know anything about in the game here now.''

Jocky Scott made it clear he was delighted to finally clinch the Tweed deal. He said: ''This is a good time to add to the squad because we have six months of the season left.''

qMaurice Malpas could be back in action for Dundee United before the end of the year.

The 36-year-old defender sustained a knee injury as he made a goal-line clearance in the 1-1 draw with Celtic at Tannadice.

However, there was good news after he underwent exploratory surgery on Wednesday night.

United manager Paul Sturrock said: ''The specialist has made it clear he was very happy with what he found when he operated. There was a slight tear on the cartilage and he has put that right. He could be back in a couple of weeks.''

Last night's result

Scottish professional youth league

Cowdenbeath 2 (Trialist, Carnie), Berwick Rangers 0.