Dundee United completed the Robbie Muirhead transfer with one minute to spare last night.
Tangerines’ fans are still coming to terms with the double departure to Celtic of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.
The arrival of highly-rated Kilmarnock striker Muirhead has softened the blow, but sources at the club have confirmed that the deal was perilously close to not beating the midnight transfer window deadline.
In fact, It was only ratified at 11.59pm.
The 18-year-old said: “It has all happened very quickly but once I knew United were in for me, I couldn’t wait to get up here and sign.
“I enjoyed my time at Kilmarnock immensely but this is progress for my career. The opportunity to play in my preferred position was a major factor in coming to Tannadice.
“I know what I can achieve here and I have watched others come here and excel.
“The manager has faith in players of all age as long as they are good enough. This is the perfect club to develop at and I look forward to being a United player.”
Manager Jackie McNamara added: “Robbie is someone we have been watching closely and he is the perfect profile of what we want to bring to Tannadice.
“He has an excellent pedigree and, although only 18-years-old, he has played a lot of first team games in the Scottish Premiership.
“He is a big, strong, confident lad who likes to attack goal. He can continue his development here at Tannadice and will be someone who will have an immediate impact in the first team.”
Courier Sport understands that McNamara is totally supportive of chairman Stephen Thompson’s decision to cash-in on Mackay-Steven and Armstrong for just over £2 million.
As deadline day progressed, it is believed that the pressure from the players themselves escalated, culminating in personal pleas from both of them to their manager.
McNamara, who has also brought in Simon Murray, Paul Dixon, Henri Anier and Ryan McGowan, noted: “This window has witnessed a lot of business and I am happy with how the squad is as we look towards achieving our goals in each of three competitions we are heavily involved in.”