Ex-United striker’s derby controversy splits opinion

a handful Ciftci is as a player, particularly during that game.

In fact, that was the former Portsmouth man’s final match for Dundee United.

He served his ban as a Celtic player before heading out on loan to Turkey with Eskisehirspor, then Poland with Pogon Szczecin, England with Plymouth Argyle and back to Scotland with Motherwell.

None of those were particularly fruitful before he headed home, following his Parkhead exit, to sign with Genclerbirligi.

The Ankara side won promotion back to the top flight in his first season, finishing second with the former United man their top scorer on 11 goals.

Their return to the Super Lig was a tough one and so was Ciftci’s but Genclerbirligi finished in a respectable 12th position with players like ex-Rangers winger Daniel Candeias and former PSG, Sunderland and West

Brom ace Stephane Sessegnon in their ranks.

He may not have scored in his 14 appearances last season but he remained a regular player in a division that boasts the likes of Radamel Falcao, Ryan Babel, Arda Turan, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.

Ciftci left Genclerbirligi for another top-flight side in Caykur Rizespor just last month but is already available again after just a few weeks.

And he has come to the attention of the Dark Blues.

The big question now is, do they risk incurring the wrath of some of their support at a time when there is positivity around the club? Or do they concentrate solely on football matters and bring in a talented player who would give their promotion ambitions a huge boost?

It is an early-season dilemma, albeit an intriguing one, for McPake and Dens Park chiefs.