I know what you're thinking - the regular DUFC news is exciting enough, but a transfer deadline day special!?!?! Holy moly that's exciting!!!
Anyway, Tannadice was busy yesterday with transfer movement and after much debate on this site elsewhere about the value of loan signings, United showed our feelings on it by only dealing in loans. Late last week of course we captured Billy McKay on loan for the season, although that was due to him being unable to agree a pay off which would have led to the signing becoming permanent.
Yesterday our first move was a strange one in my opinion. Robbie Muirhead, signed late in January for £150k to try to offset the loss of "the two" was sent out on loan to Partick Thistle to "gain experience", despite the fact that when he signed it was claimed he "had experience of the top flight". Much was made on social media of our league position and what may end up being strengthening a team that is around us in the league, and comparisons were being drawn with the Brian Graham situation last year, where his goals helped St Johnstone finish above us. A very strange one.
Muirhead was replaced in the squad by Adam Taggart, who was signed on loan from Fulham until January. Taggart is an Australian international who has 3 goals in 7 caps, and interestingly enough used to play for the Newcastle Jets, who of course Stephen Thompson is actively trying to acquire. Taggart was injured for the entirety of last season so who knows where his fitness is. He apparently can play wide as well as up top so could be a good signing.
He was joined by another loanee, Aaron Kuhl from Reading. Apart from having a sub-editors dream name, he also has a magnificent, Sideshow Bob style hair cut. He's highly rated down at Reading and given how Football Manager is absolutely accurate in every sense, so much so that Sky Sports now use the stats for transfer chat, in my current save Kuhl plays for England (I'm in 2026). Good stuff.
I would have liked some experience in the team but it's youngsters again. I personally don't like these kind of loans if I'm honest but what can you do? I certainly wouldn't have loaned out Muirhead, but rumours abound that a falling out has happened between Robbie and Jackie.
Elsewhere, and perhaps more importantly long term, I noted that Stevie Frail has lost his job as youth coach at Celtic. I think we all know what that means. I suspect Stevie Campbell will be stepping into that role and you can understand why Celtic would make that move. It would be a disaster for us if he went there. I'm bracing myself for the inevitable.
DUFC News - Transfer Deadline Day Special
posted on 2/9/15
I don't know if there are rumours or not, but it would make sense.
Stevie Campbell is universally regarded as one of the best, if not the best, youth coaches in the country. I know Dundee have been active in trying to recruit him and the only thing that's stopped him moving before is that he wants to remain local. If he's been sounded out about moving to Celtic, and was receptive to it, then it would absolutely make sense for Celtic to make a move.
It might well be me (and others) putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 5, but it just seems obvious to me that he's going to Celtic. Why else would they have got rid of Frail?
posted on 2/9/15
No mention of getting rid of Anier? Thought you would be doing cartwheels at that one, Ivan!
posted on 2/9/15
7returns, I totally forgot!!!!
Yes, delighted. Can't believe Hibs picked him up as he's utterly woeful. He was totally out the picture at Tannadice so it's good to get his wage (assuming Hibs are picking it all up) off the books.
posted on 2/9/15
Think Hibs in panic mode....picking Anier who is mince and Feruz who is a dressing room nightmare (previous loan move lasted a week ) Anyways well done on getting rid of Henri
posted on 2/9/15
The Feruz loan is very interesting. I can understand Celtic fans not exactly feeling sorry for the boy as to how his career has gone, but from my perspective he's clearly a talented player who, if he fulfils his obvious talent, could help the national team (if he decides he wants to play for us after all).
I hope he does well and sorts his attitude out. He's got to realise he's moving towards last chance saloon in terms of his career.
posted on 2/9/15
I hope he is working in McDonalds this time next year
Hibernian have certainly added to their squad, whether most of them will do a job remains to be seen but they can't afford to slip further behind Rangers until Xmas, they will need to go on the type of run they did last season.
I think it was 21 games unbeaten or something along those lines?
posted on 2/9/15
Yeah they went on a great run, but you can't afford a slow start in a title race, especially since Rangers look like they've got a strong team this season.
I'd expect Rangers to run away with it if I'm honest, but we'll wait and see how the players react when things aren't going well in the dead of winter.
posted on 2/9/15
Or when Warburton rocks up at Tannadice to replace the outgoing McNamara.
Strange dealings on the last day. No idea why Muirhead has been sent on loan, unless he's just unhappy that he came here with the promise of first team football, and instead looks to be behind a loan signing, a plumber, a guy who isn't a striker and a guy with paper hamstrings.
posted on 2/9/15
I was on a stag with 18 other Rangers fans at the weekend there and was made to sit and watch them against QOS
I think they will win the league, unless Hibernian can go on a great run again then I think it will be over by December.
St Mirren are struggling big time, I said in the summer I didn't fancy them to offer much but I still thought they would do better than this.
posted on 2/9/15
St. Mirren have all the best players of the mid-2000s - Jamie Langfield, Andy Webster, Alan Gow and Steven Thompson.
Just a shame for them it's 10 years later.