The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Reality check’ for United boss
McKinnon finds Championship status a stumbling block
Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon admits the January transfer window was a big “reality check” for him and just how much of a hard sell the Championship can be.
The Tannadice boss added Thomas Mikkelsen and Alex Nicholls to his squad during January. However, he missed out on several others including former Tangerine favourites and current Celtic duo Gary Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci as well as Hearts Conor Sammon, who has gone on loan to Kilmarnock.
All three were not willing to take a step down to play in the Championship, with other players in England refusing to move north for the same reason.
While naturally disappointed to miss out on his targets, McKinnon has not given up hope of further bolstering a squad he believes is definitely capable of going on another long unbeaten run to challenge Hibs at the top of the table.
The manager said: “The transfer window was very frustrating and it has been a reality check for us a bit.
“We have found ourselves in the Championship because of what happened last season and that makes it difficult to sign people.”
“We agreed deals with clubs for three Premiership players but none of them wanted to come to the Championship.
“One of them we thought was in the bag but the player decided to go elsewhere at the last minute and the other two didn’t fancy stepping down a league.
“We also had deals for two players in England which we thought were getting done, but they fell through for the same reason.”
McKinnon added: “Players want to play at the highest level and you can understand that, but it’s massively frustrating.
“We targeted quality players because that’s what we need. There’s no point in just bringing people here for the sake of it.
“But the recurring theme was that people don’t want to step down.
“When you are a Championship club it’s difficult to attract players, that’s the reality of it.
“It has taken Hibs three years of building to get to where they are now, but we put a team together quickly.
“We were desperate to add to it in January but it just wasn’t possible to get the players we went for.
“We have managed to bring in two players and they will be good additions.
“What we have to remember is this team went on a great run not too long ago and I believe they can go on another one like that.
“We will still be looking if there’s anyone out there who was released, so the process doesn’t stop just because the window is closed.”
Having suffered January frustration, McKinnon is now doubly determined the club will have everything in place when the transfer window opens again at the end of the season.
He said: “What we need to do is make sure we’re ready for the summer and have identified players who can come in and do a job for us.
“Recruitment is going to be huge for this club in the next window so we have to work really hard at it over the next few months to get it right.
“My job has been to get the recruitment right, so it will be up to me to sit down with people and persuade them to come here.
“That’s easier in the summer than it is in January where everything is being done on the phone.”
Nicholls has joined United on loan from Barnet and McKinnon is pleased to add a versatile forward to his squad.
He said: “Alex is a solid attacker who came recommended from a contact I have in England. He can play both sides on the wing and up front, which is the kind of versatility we need.
“He’s got good experience from playing at a decent level in England.
As Nicholls was arriving, front man Tope Obadeyi was leaving and he has now joined Oldham.
McKinnon said: “Tope didn’t work hard enough for our team.
“We talked to him about it but it didn’t change so we told him his time was up.
“He’s got a move away now, so best of luck to him.”
McKinnon is relishing the visit of his former side Raith Rovers tomorrow for what will be the Tangerines’ first home league match since they drew with Queen of the South on January 14.
He said: “We are looking forward to being at home because it seems like ages since we last played at Tannadice.”