Byrne and Marshall join up at Dens

Dundee have proved that relegation isn’t going to be a barrier to good business in this transfer window, with the Dark Blues beating off top flight competition for an impressive double signing yesterday.

Livingston midfielder Shaun Byrne and Queen of the South left-back Jordan Marshall have been brought in.

Byrne has agreed a three-year contract with the option of a fourth season, while Marshall has penned a two-year deal. The capture of Byrne, in particular, is a real coup.

Courier Sport first exclusively revealed Dundee’s interest in one of Livi’s best players a fortnight ago.

Both Paul Hartley and Jim McIntyre have shown an interest in him when they were manager, but James McPake has now been able to get the transfer over the line.

Byrne had concrete offers from St Mirren and Motherwell, as well as Livi.

But Dundee were the first club to match the fee the West Lothian side were seeking for a player who still had a year left on his deal and McPake has persuaded the former Dunfermline man that he is putting together a squad that can make the 26-year-old’s return to the Championship a short one.

McPake said: “Shaun is a player we identified very early on as a top target and I’m delighted the club have backed me and got the deal over the line.

“His performances in the Premiership last season and the Championship the season before make him a fantastic addition to our squad.

“His attitude and work ethic along with those type of performances he consistently produces give him every chance to have a successful period at this club.”

On the recruitment of Marshall, who spent four years with Queens after starting out at Carlisle United, McPake said: “I’m delighted Jordan has decided to come to our club amongst interest from a number of Premiership sides in this window and the last.

“He’s a player that has played a lot of games and has consistently performed at a high level in this division.

“At this age we believe we have a player that is already proven in the Championship and had the potential to play at the highest level.

Shaun Byrne has signed three-year deal.

Defender Jordan Marshall.