Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has defiantly insisted the club will continue to seriously challenge on three fronts this season despite the loss of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic.
The duo were snapped up by the Hoops on Monday, the last day of the latest transfer window in a combined deal believed to be worth close to £2 million.
The loss of two of the club’s prize assets to one of United’s main rivals understandably upset a large section of the club’s support.
However, while McNamara was also disappointed to see them leave, he believes that his squad, which has been bolstered with the recent additions of former Tannadice favourite Paul Dixon, Ryan McGowan, Henri Anier and Robbie Muirhead, can cope with their loss.
The manager also pledged that United will continue to battle away at the top of the Premiership, in the Scottish Cup and in next month’s mouthwatering League Cup Final against Celtic.
McNamara said: “I totally understand the fans’ frustrations, especially because they have joined another Scottish club.
“They might see it as a negative and that we’re giving in on what we’re challenging for right now.
“But that’s down to me to make sure I get the players challenging.
“I have great belief in this group and we’ve brought a few international players in.
“I look at the positives rather than the negatives. We’ve brought in Paul Dixon, Robbie Muirhead, Henri Anier and Ryan McGowan.
“We have Blair Spittal, Charlie Telfer, Aidan Connolly and other young players coming through.
He added: “The squad is good, I’m happy with what we’ve got and we have always planned for people leaving because that’s what happens at this club.
“The fans and other people might look at it and think we’ve given up on what we have.
“But I can tell them there’s no way that’s true, because I have great belief in what we’ve got here.
“I’m really disappointed to lose Stuart and Gary, as the supporters are, but it’s my job to make sure the team keeps moving forward.
“We do that by bringing through more players, signing the right players and keeping the club going in the direction we want it to.
“Of course Celtic have got a good deal, they have signed two fantastic young Scottish players.
“But the most important thing is that they’ve got two great lads.”