Dee move to see off Saints’ McGowan interest

DUNDEE have moved to see off any advances from St Johnstone for influential midfielder Paul McGowan as he signed a new contract with the club.

The 30-year-old’s previous deal was coming to an end in the summer, leading to Saints boss Tommy Wright making a move to snap him up.

The McDiarmid Park gaffer was open with his interest in taking McGowan to Perth earlier this week.

He said: “We have put an official request in to speak to Paul.”

With less than six months remaining on his deal, the club were within their rights to speak to the player about a possible move, providing they notified Dundee, which they did.

However, the Dark Blues have now tied their man down to an extra year on his current deal with the option of a further 12 months.

That could extend his stay at Dens Park to the middle of 2020.

McGowan was one of a number of players with their contracts coming to an end this summer.

Discussions have been ongoing for some time with fellow-midfielder Mark O’Hara, though the Tele understands they stalled a few weeks back.

O’Hara has stated his desire to remain at the club and has attracted interest from Motherwell this season.

Also out of contract are Kevin Holt, Genseric Kusunga, Elliott Parish, Jon Aurtenetxe, Julen Etxabeguren, Josh Meekings, Jeremy Malherbe, Nicky Low and Lewis Spence.

Meekings and Spence have been in talks over extensions with the former Inverness defender having the option of an extra year in his contract already.

Meanwhile, Simon Murray and A-Jay Leitch-Smith’s loan deals will come to an end, too.

Kerr Waddell