United begin rebuilding with capture of Keatings

Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon wants to do his transfer business as early as possible after snapping up James Keatings on a precontract.

The Tangerines handed themselves a big boost ahead of tonight’s Premiership play-off quarter-final first leg against Morton by signing the Hibs frontman on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old has put his faith in United despite not knowing whether they will be playing Championship or Premiership football next season.

They kick-off their promotion bid down at Cappielow this evening and Keatings has given them a huge vote of confidence ahead of those crucial clashes.

McKinnon, who has also been linked with Inverness Caley Thistle’s Billy King, was delighted to get such an important bit of business done so early and he aims to keep it going.

The manager said: “We are looking to next season.

“There is a certain type of player we are looking at and there is an age bracket we are looking at.

“We need to restructure the team completely, we feel. We think there’s a lot of work to be done.

“We’ve obviously started that recruitment side of it.

“We are trying to get a lot of our business done so we are not rushing around in the middle of July and August trying to find players that other teams do not want.”

“We are trying to do our business early and especially in the areas where we feel we need to strengthen the team,” explained McKinnon.

“The people we have identified we feel can play in both divisions – that’s key.

“But there are other aspects that come into it of course.

“We are speaking to people in England right now as well but, yes, there’s a better chance of us signing them if we are in the Premier League.

“We are working really hard to improve the squad.”

As for the player himself, he is looking forward to the move regardless of which division United end up in.

Keatings said: “I look forward to joining Dundee United.

“I have enjoyed playing at Tannadice and I know I am joining a fantastic club with a great reputation, who are set up to be in the Premiership.

“My goal is to be scoring in the Premiership for United whether it is next season or beyond.”

James Keatings: two-year deal.