Tangerines closing in on naming their new manager

DUNDEE United are closing in on appointing their new boss.

The Tangerines have managed to keep his identity secret but the Tele understands talks with a specific candidate are now at an advanced stage.

Barring any late hitches, the new man could be in place in the next 48 hours.

That would give the new manager the chance to start with a bang by beating Championship leaders St Mirren in what will be a massive game at Tannadice on Saturday.

Over the weekend, the Tangerines board conducted more interviews in their search to find a successor to Ray McKinnon.

But the list of candidates is now very short and they have identified the man they want.

Talks with him are continuing and United are determined to keep his name under wraps until an official unveiling, hopefully by Wednesday at the latest.

The big question, though, remains who is he?

Jim McIntyre, John Hughes and former United assistant Gordon Young remain on the list of possibles but several other candidates have been interviewed for the post.

They include at least one name that has not been publicly linked with the post, meaning United could be about to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Whoever it is, caretaker boss Laurie Ellis has handed them the chance to make a flying start.

Saturday saw him steer United to a victory at Dumbarton that leaves them just three points behind the Buddies.

A first-half double from Sam Stanton secured a first win in three league outings and the feeling was the margin of victory could have been greater.

“In the second half I think we probably could have scored another couple and I think, if I’m super-critical, and we’ve aways got space to grow into, that would have been my only thing,” he said.

Ellis’ handling of a difficult situation has been impressive and while his contiuing in his normal role as assistant boss is a matter for the new manager, ideally the club would like to retain his services.

Although he’s repeatedly ruled himself out of the running for the top job, he is seen as having a bright future as a coach and eventually a manager.