Dundee United legend Paul Hegarty has cemented his coaching role at Tannadice by agreeing a three-year deal with the Scottish Cup winners.
One of the greatest players ever to don the club colours and a former manager, Hegarty returned to United in January as part of boss Peter Houston’s backroom team on a short-term contract.
Having played his part in the march to cup glory and the securing of third-top spot in the SPL, he has been rewarded with job security.
Chairman Stephen Thompson met Hegarty on Thursday to agree a deal until 2013, while his fellow first-team coach Gary Kirk is expected to also sign his new contract soon.
Houston said, “Heggy has met the chairman and everything is agreed.
“They have sorted out a three-year contract and it will be drawn up in the next few days.”
He added, “Gary is going to see him tomorrow and I expect he will sign as well.
“I am delighted to get it sorted out because they have been invaluable to me.”
Houston said, “I have taken all the plaudits but they have played just as big a role.
“It is important to have people around you that you trust and these guys are perfect for me.”
Meanwhile, United have been ordered to change their goalposts before they enter the Europa League.
UEFA have told the Tangerines to replace their old steel posts with modern aluminium at a cost of just over £2000.
Thompson said, “We had an inspection by a UEFA official last week and the outcome of that was that we need to buy a set of aluminium goalposts.
“There are loads of little rules you have to abide by to play in their competitions.”