Dundee boss Paul Hartley has revealed that he has offered Martin Boyle a new deal for next season.
The pacy front man’s days at Dens appeared to be numbered when he was sent out on loan to Hibs at the start of January in a swap deal, with Alex Harris heading in the opposite direction.
Boyle made 17 appearances for Alan Stubbs’ side, scoring three goals before his season was brought to a premature end at the beginning of this month when he suffered a knee ligament injury that required surgery.
However, Hartley has now given the former Montrose striker the chance to resurrect his career with the Dark Blues.
The manager said: “Alex Harris is back with Hibs but we have offered Martin Boyle a deal for next season.
“He’s going to be out injured for three or four months but he’s someone we believe has a good future because he’s got pace and did well at Hibs during his loan.
“I think that time away from here has probably helped him but we’ll have to wait and see what he wants to do.”
While Hartley has firm plans for Boyle, he admitted he is in the dark over what Stephen McGinn intends to do next season.
The former Sheffield United midfielder is out of contract soon but the manager said: “I don’t know what’s happening with Stephen yet. He’s gone away to think about things.
“He’s a player we like but I’m not sure what he wants to do. He’s going to decide on his future next week.”
While Hartley is unsure whether McGinn will be at Dens next season, there is no uncertainty over another player, Bulgarian Kosta Gadzhalov, who signed a new deal with the club this week.
Hartley said: “Kosta has signed a new one-year deal and I think we’ll see the best of him when his English gets a bit better.
“He’s going back to Bulgaria for the summer but he’s got someone across there helping him learn the language.
“I think once he gets up to speed with that, things will be a lot better for him because there’s definitely a player in there.
“I see him as a centre-back, even though he’s played in midfield a few times.
“We have Kosta, Daryll Meggatt and Kevin Holt who I all expect to make an impact next season.
“We have more left-footed players in the squad now last season I think we only had one but now we have five so the balance is a lot better.
“I’m looking to bring in another keeper now that Kyle Letheren has left and I’d like another midfielder as well.”
One player who will definitely be at Dens next season is Falkirk striker Rory Loy who has signed a pre-contract with Dundee.
The front man hasn’t played since suffering a stress fracture in his leg at the start of March against Queen of the South.
However, there is a chance that Bairns boss Peter Houston could hand him a recall in today’s Scottish Cup Final against Inverness.
Hartley added: “Rory has been away doing rehab so fingers crossed he’s OK.
“He’s been out for over two months and that’s a long layoff, so hopefully he doesn’t rush himself back.
“Falkirk have missed him. I spoke to Peter Houston about him the other week, so they are desperate to get him back for the final.
“I can understand that from their point of view.”