Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara believes new signings Paul Paton and Chris Erskine will prove to be a hit with the Tannadice faithful following their move from Partick Thistle.
McNamara raided his former club to sign the Jags duo on pre-contract agreements and the ex-Thistle boss is sure it will be a shrewd bit of business as his preparations for next season continue.
Twenty-five-year-old Paton, who started his career with Queen’s Park, can play in either defence or midfield, while 26-year-old Erskine has blossomed with Thistle after joining from junior outfit Kilbirnie Ladeside in 2009.
“From our point of view, I’m delighted that they have decided to sign with us,” McNamara said.
“I think their quality and versatility will improve the squad, which is the most important thing. They are two different players.”
McNamara added: “Paul can play a few positions. You’ve seen the problems we’ve had of late with different positions, and Paul can cover a few for me and he’s very versatile.
“Chris has got something different that I think people like to watch and he’s scored some great goals this year. I think United fans will take to him as well, so I’m delighted that they are joining us.
“I like to try and get things tied up nice and early that’s how I like to do things.
“I did the same last year when I was at Thistle and when I went away on summer holiday I had everything tied up and the squad all set, so I knew exactly what was happening in the summer.
“That’s something I want to do here as well.”
News of the signings was broken by Thistle chairman David Beattie in a radio interview prior to Partick’s game against Raith on Tuesday, and McNamara admits he would have preferred to have kept it quiet just a little while longer.
“I think it was one of those ones where we were going to wait until Partick had clinched the league, for the club and for the players, but obviously the Partick chairman came out and said that they’ve signed with us,” he said.
“On the back of that, we’ve responded to that. I would rather have waited until they had won the league and it was all done and dusted for the players and the club but that’s the way it is.”
More new faces are likely to be added over the coming weeks but McNamara’s main priority at the moment is looking at his current squad.
“The important thing is we’ve got to sit down and talk to the players,” he said.
“We’ve spoken to some of the players about extending their contracts, so we’re in the process of seeing what ones are staying and what ones are going to go.”