David Goodwillie does not have his sights set on a move to either half of the Old Firm, Dundee United boss Peter Houston has confirmed.
Player and manager agree that he would be better off heading to England, which has always appeared to be the likelier move given the fact that Rangers have shown no signs of getting close to United’s £2 million valuation of the Scotland striker, while Celtic have not made any bid whatsoever.
Houston described a report that they had entered the race as “absolute nonsense”, adding, “In my honest opinion, with his off-field problems, coming to Glasgow isn’t the best thing. I said that and I still stand by that.
“You know the troubles that can happen in Glasgow and I’m a Glaswegian. I think he would be better served going down to England or abroad and proving himself and I believe he wants to do that as well.
“It is a crucial move he has a decision to make. He has to grow up and be a mature person and I think he is getting there. I think he has had a couple of frights recently. He has to move on and think solely on a football career that can be a very good career.”Thompson praisedHouston has praised United chairman Stephen Thompson for standing firm over the last few days. The club have knocked back a £1.6m bid from Blackpool for the young forward, who had a rape charge against him dropped this week.
Thompson has insisted he will not budge until the money is right. Houston said, “It is not up to me it’s up to David where he wants to play and first and foremost it’s up to a club to pay Stephen Thompson the money he and I think he is due.
“The chairman is asking for £2 million and we don’t think it is an awful lot of money compared to some strikers who have moved in England. Goodwillie is good enough to be a £2 million player.
“Let me tell you, David will be right out that door as soon as a club pays the right money and I admire the chairman for holding on with some of the offers that some clubs have put in because they are ridiculously low.”