This week Dundee boss Paul Hartley has described attacker Greg Stewart as irreplaceable.
I’m tempted to say if I’ve told him once to stop exaggerating I’ve told him a million times.
But while I wouldn’t go quite as far as to use “irreplaceable”, the Dens Park gaffer does have a point.
Because against Dumbarton last Saturday, when his team were toiling for a time, once again Stewart showed his worth with a hat-trick
And even in shock defeat at Peterhead the other night he was Dundee’s star man with another goal.
That the 26-year-old scores regularly and comes up with almost as many assists is easy to see.
With a closer look, though, you see he has the knack of producing goals, or at least creating them, at vital times.
That’s why he is worth his weight in gold to the Dark Blues, particularly with Kane Hemmings gone.
It’s also why words like irreplaceable are used by his manager when he’s referring to him.
Thing is, such statements better not be 100% accurate because the day is coming when a way of replacing Stewart will have to be found.
Whether it is because of a large offer from a bigger outfit here or down south, or via freedom of contract next summer, his days are numbered.
Before we get too depressed by that thought, we should remember while it might seem like it when he does go, it won’t really be the end of the world.
No disrespect to an excellent performer who can be a joy to watch but better players than him have moved on and Dundee have found ways of filling the hole they’ve left.
And the one thing Stewart demonstrated against the Sons is that, however strong his desire is to go now, it will not prevent him doing a good job for Dundee while he remains there.
That in itself is a credit to the boy, because it would be very easy for him to down tools in a bid to force a move or simply be distracted by the speculation that’s been surrounding him for months now.
My guess is he will get his move sooner rather than later because a big bid will be forthcoming between now and the transfer window closing in a month or so.
When that happens Paul Hartley will have to find a way of replacing the irreplaceable.
United lifting my normal gloom and doom
As a rule I don’t do optimistic.
If something can go wrong it will go wrong. That’s long been my motto and I don’t see any reason to change it.
But I can’t quite believe how upbeat I am about Dundee United’s prospects for what lies ahead in the coming Championship campaign.
It’s going to be tough and Hibs, with their bigger budget, have to be considered promotion favourites.
Even so, I really do like the way Ray McKinnon’s team are shaping up.
The new gaffer’s made good signings and in a very short space of time has his team looking well organised.
It’s still early with challenges ahead. Only time will tell how things pan out.
For now, though, I’m just enjoying this strange sensation.
Where are all the big signings?
Last week I had a pop at our cousins over the border for a lack of inspiring transfer business this summer.
In the interests of fairness, I should probably have conceded it’s hardly been a vintage year up here.
At the very top end of our game and, with little over a week to go until the first league ball is kicked in anger, I have to say I’ve been underwhelmed by the arrivals so far at Celtic.
Nothing personal against the two biggest names to be added, Moussa Dembele and Kolo Toure, and both could do a good job.
But Dembele is a kid with his best years ahead of him and Toure (above) a veteran with that period of his career behind him.
That means what they’re not are the kind of marquee signings we expected to follow Brendan Rodgers’ arrival as manager.
Whether that’s because he’s taking his time to get the right players or is down to a lack of cash, we will find out over the next few weeks.
• The new League Cup group stages have not reflected well on our Premiership clubs. Holders Ross County are already out and it will take a miracle for Dundee not to follow them. That’s down to one thing and one thing alone — they’ve not been properly prepared.
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