Dean Keates tells Walsall fans to get ready for 'Rambo: Mark II' after signing Andy Cook
Dean Keates has told Walsall supporters to get ready for ‘Rambo: Mark II’ after comparing new man Andy Cook to cult hero Andy Rammell.
Cook yesterday became boss Keates’s first signing for the Saddlers when he agreed a two-year deal at the Banks’s Stadium, joining on a free transfer.
The 27-year-old has an impressive record in a career until now spent in non-league, netting 28 times this season while helping Tranmere win promotion from the National League Premier.
Keates, who played against Cook while with Wrexham, is now backing him to make the step to League One, claiming his attributes bear more than a passing resemblance for former Saddlers star Rammell.
Affectionately nicknamed Rambo, Rammell famously netted 20 goals for the Walsall team which won promotion from Division Two in 1999.
Keates said: “He reminds me a lot of Andy Rammell. He will help us get up the field and the ball will stick.
“He wins headers – in both boxes – and likes to put himself about. Defenders will know that he’s there. Put balls in the box and he’ll score goals.
“He’s my first signing for the football club. I’ve watched him as a manager and I’ve played against him; he’s big and strong and he will score goals.”
Cook, who began his career at Carlisle, has passed the 20-goal mark in each of his last four seasons, the previous two of which were spent with Tranmere.
His goal-scoring exploits caught the eye of several clubs, including the Saddlers, with Keates delighted to get the deal over the line.
Keates added: “As soon as I got the job here and knew Andy was out of contract; I made him my primary target.
“I’m delighted to have gotten this over the line as there were plenty of clubs in for him – his record speaks for itself – and I’m looking forward to working with him. I have no qualms about him stepping up to League One.”
Cook is the first of what promises to be several new arrivals in a busy summer for the Saddlers, as Keates looks to rebuild a squad which only just avoided relegation this term.
Former Villa and Wolves star Michael Oakes is expected to be confirmed as goalkeeping coach in the coming days, while the club are also set to unveil their new kit.
