Aberdeen manager Craig Brown and his Hibs counterpart Pat Fenlon have confirmed they are hoping to sign Dundee midfielder Gavin Rae.
The former Scotland international recently extended his short-term deal at Dens Park through to the summer, but he has a gentleman’s agreement with boss Barry Smith that allows him to move on if he chooses to do so.
Both managers declared their interest in Rae on Thursday, with Brown saying: ”If I can get Rae he will be a good acquisition. He’s a player I’ve always liked and he’s done a great job for both Cardiff and Dundee in recent seasons.
”I have not put in an offer for Rae yet but we would need to get him in before the window closes if anything was to happen.”
Fenlon said: ”I watched Gavin Rae play a couple of weeks ago in their cup replay and he did quite well. He is one who fits the bill in relation to experience, his know-how and his knowledge of the league.”
Meanwhile, teenage striker Leighton McIntosh would benefit from being sent out on loan, Smith has admitted, but the size of his squad is preventing it at the moment.
The Scotland youth international is down the pecking order behind more experienced forwards at Dens Park. But Smith is wary of cutting him loose for a few months in case McIntosh suddenly found himself further up.
He said: ”I like to have four strikers. If I loan Leighton out and one of my strikers gets injured that’s me down to two.
”He’s a young boy and is still eligible to play for the under-19s. He’s still learning his trade.
”In an ideal world I’d loan him out because he needs to play at a good level to get experience.
”It’s the same with Kyle Benedictus, who made his debut here at 16. He’s never actually got a run of games.
”But unfortunately I need him as cover for injuries as well. I’d certainly have no qualms about playing either of them. It’s unfortunate for them.”