Dundee United have beaten off competition from near neighbours Dundee to win the race for highly-rated youngster Blair Spittal from Queen’s Park.
Both city clubs had agreed personal terms with the 18-year-old but The Courier understands the meteoric rise of Spittal’s former team-mate Andy Robertson at Tannadice has been the deciding factor in him opting to pledge his future to Jackie McNamara’s side.
Robertson, of course, has firmly established himself as a fixture in the Tangerines’ first-team and has also been capped twice by Scotland boss Gordon Strachan since his summer switch from Queen’s Park.
Spittal, who was formerly a youth player at Ibrox, will now link up with another ex-team-mate Charlie Telfer, who signed for United earlier this week from Rangers.
However, with McNamara currently on holiday, Spittal may not officially put pen to paper until next week.
Meanwhile, United have been linked with a move for Kilmarnock’s Kris Boyd.
The prolific former Scotland striker netted 22 times last season and McNamara is believed to want to bring the experienced front man to Tannadice.
Boyd will soon be out of contract at Rugby Park, with former club Rangers as well as Aberdeen also believed to be keen to capture him.
Another player who has just left United, Dale Hilson, has been asked by newly-promoted Hamilton Accies to join them for pre-season training.