The transfer window has shut but Dundee United’s attempts to strengthen their squad are not over.
Manager Ray McKinnon knows he still has two avenues open to him as he looks to add further quality to his dressing-room.
Free agents can still be signed up until towards the end of next month and as a Championship club, the Tangerines can still make use of the emergency-loan system.
It was under that system Ray made moves in December to fix up first old boy Nadir Ciftci from Celtic and then Conor Sammon from Hearts.
They were unsuccessful but the gaffer still has the option of using that route to bring a player in.
And with a sizeable number of players being released in the days and hours leading up to Tuesday night’s deadline, Ray will also look at who’s available.
One notable name with United connections who is in that boat is defender Ryan McGowan.
He’s left Henan Jiayne because of changes to the rules regarding the number of foreign stars Chinese clubs can use.
However, another of his former Scottish clubs — Hearts — could be a more likely destination. The last month or so has seen them lose defenders Callum Paterson and ex-United man John Souttar to long-term injuries and McGowan could return to Tynecastle to help out.
Souttar is unlikely to play again until next season after damaging an Achilles in Sunday’s defeat at Celtic.
Back at United, meanwhile, the chairman of Sean Dillon’s testimonial committee has thanked Hearts for agreeing to provide a star-studded line-up for the skipper’s benefit game next month.
Gordon Deuchars has highlighted the fact Tynecastle director of football Craig Levein, who signed Dillon for United, is pushing the boat out to make sure the March 21 event is special for fans as well as Dillon.
“It’s great that Craig Levein, the man who signed Sean for Dundee United, will be involved in the game,” he said.
“We have a lot of United and Hearts legends who played with Sean who are keen to take part and it is going to be a special night.
The feedback and commitment from players past and present that have played with Sean has been fantastic as has the response from sponsors and local businesses to help support and participate in Sean’s testimonial year.”
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