Dundee United have made an official approach to Raith Rovers for permission to speak to Ray McKinnon.
Since the sacking of Mixu Paatelainen this week it has been an open secret that former United player McKinnon has been top of chairman Stephen Thompson’s list to be his next manager.
The Tannadice club did not want to make their move until Rovers’ involvement in the Premiership play-offs was over, and that happened today with a 2-0 defeat (2-1 on aggregate) to Hibs.
A short club statement read: “Dundee United have made an official approach to Raith Rovers to seek permission to speak to their manager Ray McKinnon about the vacant managerial position at Tannadice Park.”
Raith have yet to issue a comment of their own.
Their last word on the matter was that they would not entertain any approach while their season was still alive.
Now that it is over though, Courier Sport understands that the talks with United are all but certain to take place and that the Raith directors suspect that McKinnon has managed his last game for them.
Speed could be crucial for United as it is thought there is interest from elsewhere in the former Brechin City boss, who has worked wonders to get Raith into the play-offs on a small budget.
Hibs, should Alan Stubbs head back down south in the summer as has been rumoured, are admirers of McKinnon’s work.
