Neilson: United ready to move to boost squad

LAWRENCE Shankland has been the model signing for Dundee United.

And Robbie Neilson admits the Tangerines are already looking to snap up their next superstar-in-waiting.

United will return to training later this week ahead of their big Premiership kick-off.

Football Writers’ Player of the Year nominee Shankland will be among the players reporting to Neilson.

But the United gaffer insists work to recruit the club’s next saleable star is not being prevented by the 28-goal striker’s continued presence at Tannadice.

Asked whether repeating the Shankland model – sign, develop and add value – will be the club’s transfer market principle this summer, Neilson said: “Yes, that is the plan we are looking at.

“That is the strategy of the club and the model that Tony (Asghar) is trying to use.

“There are a number of players we are looking at who are all at a good level. The club wants to get players in that we can develop.

“We have brought in a core group of players, with (Mark) Connolly, (Mark) Reynolds, (Callum) Butcher and (Peter) Pawlett, etc., who we believe will give us strength and we want to bring others in who we believe we can improve, will do well for the team and then move on again.

“That is the plan and the type of player we are targeting.

“The players have to have experience, whether that be in the Premier League or at the highest level.”

Plans are all well and good but without the cash to implement them they are worthless.

Fortunately for United fans, Neilson revealed Tangerines owner Mark Ogren has indicated a willingness to keep investing when the transfer window opens.

“The chairman is keen to strengthen and improve the team to give us a chance for next season,” said the manager.

“The chairman has a vision for the club that he wants to get to.

“He wants to take the steps to get there and the chairman is a clever guy and sees a great opportunity to invest in the team and to give us a chance for next season.

“I am not going to say we are going to spend X, Y or Z but there

Robbie Neilson is looking at ‘a number of players’.