Ray McKinnon revealed Dundee United are still proving to be a big draw as he made Stewart Murdoch his first signing as Tannadice boss.
McKinnon, who hopes to make further progress on the recruitment front this week, was delighted to get the man he described as “everything we are looking for in a player.”
The Tangerines may be playing in the Championship in the coming season but they were still an attraction to the Ross County midfielder as he agreed a one-year deal yesterday.
McKinnon said: “I think the biggest thing – and we spoke about it – is the draw that is Dundee United.
“No disrespect to Ross County and I know they are in a higher league than us but I think we are probably a bigger club than them.
“So that’s an attraction.
“I think everyone is aware of that – and it goes for us and Hibs.
“Mind you, it still sometimes comes down to cash.
“Some players just won’t entertain certain things but other players will.
“Fortunately for us, we could do a deal with Stewart.”
McKinnon revealed that he became aware of Murdoch several years ago, mainly through his friend Graham Alexander – then boss at Fleetwood Town – quizzing him about Murdoch when he was at Falkirk.
“I had known about Stewart for a while now,” he said.
“Graham Alexander, who was manager at Fleetwood Town, is a pal of mine.
“He was always asking me how Stewart was doing at Falkirk before he signed him for Fleetwood.
“So we were well aware of him.
“I had heard on the grapevine that he was wanting out (of Ross County) because he wanted to play more regularly.
“So we are delighted to have him on board.
“He is experienced, having played in England and up here.
“He is a player who is going to protect the back four, sit in front of the defence and win tackles.
“He will free up other players in the game, ie Scott Fraser and boys like that.
“He will allow them to be more offensive.
“Stewart is everything we are looking for in a player.
“He is a good age, a good athlete, has a good attitude, a good type and a good footballer.”
McKinnon is looking to boost all areas of his team – including the midfield despite Murdoch’s arrival – and goalkeeper Cammy Bell remains on his radar, although he wouldn’t comment on that.
“We are looking and I am trying to add another midfielder,” he added.
“I spoke to the player and hopefully we will get something done.
“Everything is taking time because a lot of people are under contract and are having negotiations at the moment.
“Even strikers we are interested in bringing in from abroad are under contract. You can just bring in people who are free just now but they would be the wrong choices.
“So we just have to be patient and hopefully we get the right people here.
“I am meeting a striker on Thursday and another player comes back from his holiday tomorrow, so hopefully I can get a chat with him sometime this week.
“Again, they are attached to clubs.
“We are identifying the people and that’s one we’ve got up to now.
“Hopefully, we can get the next two or three we have identified.
“Things should speed up over the next couple of weeks.
“Players are coming back from holiday, as are managers and chairmen.
“So it should get easier.”
Murdoch (26), whose Dingwall exit was confirmed on Monday, said: Murdoch said: “I am delighted to be joining Dundee United.
“It was an easy decision to make.
“It’s a massive club and I want to help them get back to the Ladbrokes Premiership where they should be.”
Meanwhile, United’s new home kit goes on sale for the first time at 10am today within the newly-refurbished club shop.
McKinnon, assistant manager Laurie Ellis and legendary former players Paul Hegarty, John Holt and Hamish McAlpine will also there to meet and greet fans.
