The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Callachan agrees deal to make Dens move Clubs
DUNDEE: ‘digging their heels in’ when dealing with Dark Blues – McPake
Dundee have agreed a deal with St Johnstone to bring midfielder Ross Callachan to Dens Park.
The 26-year-old is the first success story of the January transfer window for manager James McPake, who has worked hard to persuade Saints to part with their player.
Callachan, who counts Raith Rovers and Hearts among his former clubs, has featured only four times for the Perth side this season but the Dark Blues see him as an ideal addition to their squad as they aim to finish in a Championship play-off spot.
McPake finally got his man after admitting that he was finding transfer dealings frustrating.
Indeed, McPake had made accusations of an attempt to “bully” the Dark Blues.
The Dens boss was speaking in the wake of the doomed attempt to take former Dundee striker Craig Wighton on loan from Hearts.
He feels the Dark Blues are viewed as being able to pay more than other sides who are chasing the same players.
McPake said: “We are trying to get people in but it is proving to be difficult.
“I can see now why, when the question is asked about this transfer window, people say it’s more difficult to deal in.
“It is a lot harder and teams are digging their heels in a lot more.
“Teams are trying to bully us because it’s Dundee.
“They are trying to bully us into paying extra money, which isn’t going to happen,” he added.
“There is a structure here that we are not going to go away from.
“If that means we are priced out of a player then so be it.
“We certainly won’t be bullied into signing players just because, in some people’s eyes, we are a bigger club than other clubs who are chasing certain players.”
Speaking specifically about the Wighton bid, McPake added:
“I am not naming names but I have had conversations – certainly not with (Hearts owner) Ann Budge, who has been great to deal with – where it has been said that we can pay more than other teams.
“It seems a player can go to one club for the money they are offering but not to us for what we are offering.
“It is the same amount of money but they think we can afford more.”
One man who looks to be on his way out of Dens is Josh Todd, with Greenock Morton and Falkirk seemingly keen on him.
McPake said: “There is loads of interest in him. I have had a few phone calls about him.
“He did great in the game on Tuesday and attitude-wise he has been great.
“He doesn’t look like a player who wants to leave.
“Maybe he has been saying that he has not been getting the game time but he needs to ask himself why that’s the case.
“Can he get himself into the team or is he looking to go elsewhere? I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, frontman Danny Johnson missed training because of illness but McPake is confident he will be fit for Saturday’s home William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Motherwell.