DUNDEE CHIEF executive Dave MacKinnon last night questioned the “morality” of First Division rivals Hamilton Accies’ move to open talks with star striker Derek Lyle, writes Ian Roache.

Correspondence from the New Douglas Park side arrived at Dens yesterday, informing them of their intention to discuss a pre-contract agreement with Lyle.

Dundee’s dismay at the prospect of losing the frontman deepened when news of Accies’ action appeared to be leaked in the west.

Hamilton, of course, sit three points ahead of the Dark Blues in the race for promotion to the Premier League and would see the recruitment of their competitors’ frontman as a massive psychological boost.

Also, it is the last thing boss Alex Rae and his squad need in the build-up to tonight’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Huntly.

The episode has left MacKinnon querying Hamilton’s motive.

“You have to question the morality of approaching your promotion rivals to speak to one of their players at such a delicate stage of the season,” he said. “It perhaps tells you more about their squad than ours that they feel the need to do this.

“We offered Derek a good contract but the transfer system allows this to happen and it is his prerogative to speak to another club.”

Lyle (26), whose Dens deal runs out in the summer, joined Dundee from Queen of the South in August 2006 and was top scorer last season.

He has been offered fresh terms by his present employers but a move to Lanarkshire is now on the agenda.

This development comes on the back of a dispute between the two clubs following a match at Hamilton in October, which Accies won 2-0.

Dundee named only one goalkeeper, Craig Samson, in their squad because of an injury to Ludovic Roy.

That left defender Danny Griffin to provide cover for Samson but he later came on as an outfield player for the injured Milan Palenik.

Accies took exception to this and raised the matter with the Scottish Football League, who later dismissed the complaint.