In and out and maybe another out – Dundee United’s goalkeeping situation feels a bit like the hokey-cokey right now.
The biggest loss of it all, of course, would be Benjamin Siegrist.
News emerged this week of Rangers interest in the Swiss goalie.
And it’s no surprise to me other clubs are taking a serious look at the 29-year-old.
It won’t be a surprise to United either and they have already brought in another goalie in Carljohan Eriksson and are reportedly interested in St Johnstone’s Zander Clark.
It’ll be disappointing for the Tangerines to lose such a consistent performer in Siegrist.
But I think, on the whole, United have done well to keep him for this long.
Worries over Siegrist?
With only a few months left of his contract, the Swiss can sign a pre-contract deal elsewhere.
If that happens, I don’t see the same kind of issue that Motherwell are having with the Tony Watt situation.
Obviously, he’s signed a deal with United to come to Tannadice in the summer.
Having read Graham Alexander’s thoughts on the matter, I have to agree with him that these deals shouldn’t be allowed to go through until the end of the season.
A player signing a pre-contract with another club in the same league, fighting for the same position, creates an awkward situation for everyone.
Do you continue to play the player? What happens when you face the club he’s already signed for?
It’s tricky.
But I don’t think United would have that issue with Siegrist if a move to Rangers, or elsewhere, does come about.
Professional
Throughout his time at Tannadice, the goalie has been nothing but professional.
He’ll have had interest from elsewhere already but that’s not affected him on the pitch.
And I’d expect that to continue, even if he knows his future is elsewhere.
I think it is slightly different with a goalkeeper compared to a striker, too.
Even if he signs for the Gers, I’d expect him to relish a chance to go to Ibrox and put on a show later in the season.
The other out was obviously Trevor Carson. He’s too good a goalie to be on the bench for me so good luck to him down south.
Kerr Smith
Could Kerr Smith be leaving?
Premier League Aston Villa could be his destination and that would be a good move for Kerr, in my view.
If you asked me a year ago, I’d say he’s better off staying where he is.
But if he’s not getting a huge amount of first-team football here, he’d be better off in Villa’s U/23s than United’s U/18s.
He’s a player with such potential, I wouldn’t want to see it wasted, whatever choice he makes.
Shankland?
In terms of signings, I still hope United can add a bit of attacking quality before the end of the window.
A return for Lawrence Shankland has been mooted.
How much that would cost I don’t know but they need someone like him to come in.
That would be a huge boost.
Dundee United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist on Rangers radar for pre-contract swoop
