Dundee United captain Jon Daly believes the incentive of European football will help entice more talent to Tannadice.
The Tangerines are in for a busy summer as manager Peter Houston strives to add to his squad before the tilt at the Europa League third qualifying round on August 2 and 9.
By then, keeper Dusan Pernis, full-back Paul Dixon, central defender Garry Kenneth and midfield duo Scott Robertson and Danny Swanson are all expected to have found other clubs.
Houston has already been busy lining up Polish keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak to takes the gloves from Pernis, Michael Gardyne from Ross County as a replacement for Swanson, Richie Ryan has already shown what he can do in the centre of the park and Barry Douglas is expected to assume Dixon’s left-back role.
There are still pieces of the puzzle to find, though, and Daly is confident the lure of continental competition can help United’s cause.
”We are always looking to strengthen the squad and I am sure the gaffer has his eye on a few targets,” said the big Irishman.
”Hopefully, he can bring a few new boys in over the summer.
”The fact we have European football to offer might help him do that.
”It is a nice carrot to dangle when you are looking to sign players.
”The boys who are going have been brilliant for the club and are a great bunch.
”It is a shame the way it has worked out and that they will be leaving because we would have loved to keep them here.”‘Great season’He added: ”That’s football and contracts run out and people look to move on.
”We wish them luck, wherever they end up.
”Even without them, we will be looking to get off to a better start than we did last summer.
”The younger lads will be a year older with that little bit extra experience so that will help.
”We probably won’t have to blood so many young players so, hopefully, we can hit the ground running when it all starts up again.”
Daly put some personal polish on what has been a terrific campaign for him when he scored United’s second goal in the 2-0 win at Motherwell on Sunday.
That was his 22nd in all competitions over the campaign and 19th in the league, just five behind Golden Boot winner Gary Hooper of Celtic, who netted 24 SPL goals.
Daly managed to find the net despite agreeing to start at centre-half to replace the injured Garry Kenneth.
He said: ”I just went up for the corner.
”Gary (Mackay-Steven) swung his right foot and shanked it a bit and it just dropped for me.
”I managed to put it away and it was nice to finish things off with a goal.
”I knew it was going to be tough to catch Gary Hooper, playing at the back.
”He is a fantastic striker and to be anywhere close to him means it has been a great season for me.”Youngster’s chanceHe added: ”I have had quality service all year thanks to Paul Dixon but hopefully Barry Douglas, in what will be a big season for him, can do the same.
”We wanted to win the Motherwell game so that we could round it all off on high.
”It was a nice way to finish the season, really satisfying.
”If anyone would have offered us fourth place after the first few weeks of the season, we would have definitely taken it.”
While Daly is seen as the senior statesman and leader of the team despite being only 29, at the other end of the experience scale is young left-sided midfielder Ryan Gauld, who made his debut as a substitute at the age of just 16.
The striker gave the youngster a special mention.
”It was nice to see young Ryan Gauld coming on near the end of the match,” said Daly.
”I think he has earned that opportunity because he has been doing so well in the youth team.”