Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon will continue to work around the clock in order to get the players he wants before the transfer window shuts.
The Tangerines have handed a trial to American-based striker Mason Robertson – son of former Aberdeen, Rangers and Scotland defender David Robertson – and will give him a chance to impress.
Even if the 22-year-old Washingston State University player does enough to earn a deal he will be a supplemental signing, that is over and above McKinnon’s hoped-for acquisitions of a striker and winger.
“It can be a lot of work dealing with the transfer side of things as well as preparing the team for a big game at Dunfermline on Saturday but we are still trying very hard to get something done,” said the Tannadice boss.
“We have tried a couple of things that didn’t come off but we are still working behind the scenes and will continue to do so.
“We have our fingers crossed that by the time the window closes the hard work will have been worth it.
“We have our targets but things need to fall into place for the moves to come off.
“As well as that, Davie Robertson’s kid is over from America after playing college football.
“He has asked if he can train with us and, you know me, I will have a look at any striker.
“Young Mason is with us now and hopefully we will see him in a game.”
McKinnon also addressed the Cammy Smith situation, with the loan player having returned to parent club Aberdeen to train.
Dons boss Derek McInnes had stated he was “disappointed” the frontman hadn’t been given the game time he hoped for at United and returned up the road.
However, McKinnon explained: “The difficult thing for Cammy is that he has Tony Andreu ahead of him in his position.
“So I have tried to do him a favour in the hope that he goes and gets himself something.”
Meanwhile, United’s players have picked over the bones of their 6-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Ross County on Saturday.
The match video wasn’t comfortable viewing for anyone.
McKinnon said: “We had a good meeting today and covered the game in depth.
“After the analysis, I don’t think anyone could have any quibbles as regards what we expected from them in the game compared to what they delivered.
“Had anyone been of a different opinion then they would not have had a leg to stand on in terms of the goals we lost.
“They accepted it and have taken it all on board.
“They have taken responsibility and put their hands up.
“We gifted Ross County four goals and that’s disappointing.
“It was not down to one particular player because we were fragmented and everybody was to blame for that.”
The full-back areas have been problematic for McKinnon all season and he made changes again in Dingwall, bringing in Jamie Robson on the left and Frank van der Struijk on the right for Paul Dixon and Lewis Toshney respectively.
It was all to no avail, however, as they conceded four goals in the first half-an-hour.
However, McKinnon didn’t think they should shoulder all the blame, arguing that there was more to the defeat than just being vulnerable down the flanks.
“We have been chopping and changing all the time in the full-back area,” he said.
“As much as the ball did go down the line there were gaps left elsewhere on the park and we had people not matching runs.
“So there were a whole host of things contributing to Ross County getting the four chances that led to those goals going in.
“We addressed those things in training and the players are under no illusions that they have to improve off the ball.
“Every player has a responsibility to do their own job off the ball but that didn’t happen on Saturday.
“There was even one where (goalkeeper) Cammy Bell has taken responsibility by saying he should have tipped the ball over the bar.
“The goals were avoidable but we got punished.
“So we have to address what contributed to our defeat then move on as a team.”