Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara insists that if Gary Mackay-Steven leaves the club for nothing, it will be a “financial hit” well worth taking.
Celtic announced yesterday that “GMS” had signed a pre-contract agreement with them and will be joining the Hoops in the summer when his deal at Tannadice runs out.
However, Parkhead boss Ronny Deila intimated earlier this week that he would like to prise the 24-year-old from United, who last night confirmed the arrival of striker Henri Anier, during this transfer window.
McNamara though insists that Mackay-Steven will be going nowhere this month and instead he believes the winger still has an important part to play in United’s season.
And the manager also hit out at his opposite number at Celtic Park for publicly speaking about the United player before yesterday’s confirmation of the move.UPDATE: Saturday’s Dundee United v ICT match has been postponedMcNamara said: “The club was always prepared for him leaving for nothing in the summer because it’s worth every penny of that financial hit to keep him here until the end of the season.
“He’s crucial to us. You can see that in the last three games where he’s been a huge influence on us getting points. So there’s no change.
“Obviously the fans will find out that he’s going and he has to accept certain things may come with that.
“But he’s a good boy and been a great servant to us so we are hopeful after he goes at the end of the season he’ll go on and be successful in his career.
“I’m not going to go into what’s there for him in the future. For me, he’s focused now on the task at hand and handling everything that goes with it.
“Next season is a different issue altogether.
“He’s a sensible boy who has always had his head screwed on so I have no doubt he’ll be focused purely on Dundee United for the rest of the season.
“Regardless of their manager wanting him now, that’s not the case for me. He shouldn’t be speaking about that.
“I’m not comfortable with it. I don’t think it’s right to speak publicly about it.
“He’s got his own way of doing things but I wouldn’t want to speak about one of his players under contract.
“From the start of the season we have been preparing ourselves to lose GMS for nothing in the summer. He’s our player, he’s an important player and we have a lot of important games coming up starting with this next one against Inverness.
“So would I go out and speak about another player under contract and say I want to take him just now? No.
“He obviously has his own way of doing things but for our club and for our fans to see that isn’t good.”
McNamara acknowledged that there will be pressure on Mackay-Steven now it has been confirmed he will be leaving for Celtic.
However, the manager believes it can work to United’s advantage that the player will be determined to end his stay at Tannadice on a high.
McNamara said: “From pre-season he’s said that he wants to win a trophy with United so in his mind nothing has changed and in my mind nothing has changed.
“It will possibly help him to have his future settled rather than the uncertainty of running down his contract. That’s the other side of it that could work in our favour for the run-in.
“I’m sure every United fan, like myself, will want him to finish this season strongly and be successful with us then go with our best wishes.”
While one of his players will eventually be departing, McNamara is hoping to welcome a new arrival in the shape of Estonian international Henri Anier.
The former Motherwell striker has recently been playing for German Bundesliga 2 side Erzgebirge Aue but is looking to come back to Scotland.
He was due to meet up with United yesterday although McNamara insisted it was unlikely he would feature against Inverness.
He said: “It’s been well reported for a few days that Anier is a target for us. He’s one we’ve been trying to pursue for a few days.
“First and foremost we think he’ll bring goals and he’s a little bit different from what we’ve got in terms of getting in behind with his pace. He’s an international player and a good age having just turned 24.
“He gives us a different option up front.
“I doubt though he’ll be involved in this game. Obviously he’s been in Germany and there are still a few things to be done before it’s completed like medicals and everything else.
“He’s an international player with Estonia and has scored a few goals for them. He has a good record and strikers, as we all know, are quite difficult to find so this is a good chance for us.
“He’s got a fair amount of experience for a young lad so it’s a good addition for us.”
Meanwhile, McNamara poured cold water on speculation linking him with another player, Partick Thistle’s Stephen O’Donnell.
He added: “There has been speculation about the lad O’Donnell but as far as I’m concerned there’s nothing at the moment and I don’t see anything happening with that.”