Dundee United in line for Russell windfall if Derby County are promoted

Dundee United will receive a significant windfall, possibly as much as £250,000, if Derby County are promoted to the English Premier League.

Courier Sport can reveal that when Johnny Russell was sold to the Rams last summer, there was a clause included in the deal to trigger the payment should the striker help take the Midlands side up from the Championship.

The figure is thought to be around the quarter-of-a-million pound mark.

That’s what they would have been due from Reading after they were promoted in 2012 with Noel Hunt in their side, had it not been for the fact a similar clause to Russell’s expired three years after he left Tannadice for the Royals.

Russell set up one of the goals in the 2-1 defeat of Brighton in the first leg of the play-off semi-final on Thursday night.

The second leg is at Pride Park tomorrow and if Derby progress, the Wembley final is on May 24.

If United fans weren’t supporting their former favourite already, they will be now.