Sean Dillon would love John Souttar to stay at Tannadice, but insists he would never try to advise the in-demand youngster on his future.
The Dundee United skipper is a big fan of 17-year-old Souttar, who again showed why top English clubs are circling to try and secure his signature with a faultless display beyond his years in their 1-0 SPFL win over struggling Kilmarnock.
Souttar performed as though speculation over his future was non-existent at the end of a week in which the Tangerines had accepted an improved £600,000 offer from Sunderland for the youngster, who must now decide whether he leaves Tayside behind for a crack at top-flight English football.
Harry Redknapp’s QPR were just the latest club to run the rule over the Brechin-born stopper after a representative from the London club took in Saturday’s game, which saw Jackie McNamara’s side continue their recent revival thanks to Nadir Ciftci’s splendid second-half winner.
Captain Dillon made it clear afterwards the last thing he wants is to be dragged into a debate on what’s best for the youngster, as only he can make the final decision as to where he’ll be playing his football.
Dillon said: “He is pretty chilled out and is a great fellow. He showed again how composed he is. Soapy has the ability he is comfortable at centre back or central midfield.
”He is comfortable on the ball and confident in his own ability. For such a young guy that is a great asset to have. As far as I am concerned, I hope he stays.
“I have no time for speculation, so as far as I am concerned he is not going anywhere. There are a lot of opinions out there and I wouldn’t dare say what is best for him. That is up to him and his family.
“Sure, I think John has all the tools to make the step up, like I do all the boys. When you look at the squad and how young we are, they all have the opportunity to do better things.
“There is a huge amount of talent in the squad. That seems to have been the way since I came to Dundee United.
“When we first signed we were given the whole ‘shop window’ shout and that is just the way it is. There are only a handful of clubs in the world who can hold on to their players.”
It has become something of a trend for the cream of young Scottish talent to be lured down to England in recent years, and Souttar certainly falls into that category, as illustrated by another composed performance as he succeeded in quelling the threat and experience of Killie’s Kris Boyd.
Should Souttar be the next rising star to take the plunge and head south, he would be following in the footsteps of former United midfielder Scott Allan, who left in 2012 for a dream move to West Brom.
Dillon regards it simply as part and parcel of the modern-day game, where players have to deal with being linked with bigger things, all because they’re doing the business for their club week-in week-out.
He said: “Everyone will have an opinion on it take Scott Allan for example. Some said he shouldn’t have gone while some said he should have taken the opportunity.
“Who is to say he would have continued his form at Dundee United after the four or five games which got him his move.? There was a chance that if he hadn’t taken the opportunity to go when he did he might not have fought back into the team.
“It is up to the individual to make the decision. It happens every year. You start in the summer and then the speculation starts. That is football.
“Even at the huge clubs it happens. I am sure the Spurs fans are saying it happens. Obviously, Gareth Bale goes and it happens when teams build something up and then, all of a sudden, he is gone.
“I have been here from the start Barry Robson, Noel Hunt, David Goodwillie, Johnny Russell, Prince Buaben, Morgaro Gomis and Paul Dixon all went on to bigger things.
“There are so many you could say: ‘If we’d only kept hold of him for another year or two’.”