Tangerines closing in on Quinn capture

DUNDEE UNITED: McKinnon keen to add former Staggies captain to his squad

Dundee United are poised to sign former Ross County captain Paul Quinn as boss Ray McKinnon continues to reshape his squad.

The Tangerines made the right-back, who can also play in central defence, a prime target after he left the Staggies at the end of last season.

The 31-year-old, who counts Motherwell, Cardiff City and Aberdeen among his former clubs, is understood to have teamed up with United at their St Andrews base yesterday on their first day back at pre-season training.

Quinn, who was part of the Dingwall side that lifted the League Cup in March 2016 by beating Hibs in the final, will be joining other new faces Tam Scobbie, James Keatings, Billy King and Paul McMullan at Tannadice.

McKinnon is also still hoping to complete a deal for former Easter Road midfielder Fraser Fyvie.

Meanwhile, new boy McMullan has revealed he snubbed an opportunity to remain at Celtic for another season to pen his two-year deal at Tannadice.

The 21-year-old emerged through the youth ranks at Parkhead but failed to make the first-team breakthrough, instead enjoying loan stints with Stenhousemuir, St Mirren, Morton and, most recently, Dunfermline.

He starred for the Pars last season – bagging seven goals in 39 appearances and earning a maiden Scotland under-21 cap – and boss Allan Johnston was keen to take him back to East End Park when his deal with the Hoops expired.

Despite the offer of a new deal with Celtic, McMullan was adamant it was time for him to break out on his own and he decided United were the best option.

“I could have stayed at Celtic for another year, they told me that option was there if I needed it,” said McMullan. “But I just felt it was time to move on.

“When Dundee United got in touch, given they are such a big club, I thought that was a great opportunity to go and show what I can do.

“I just felt like this was the perfect time to leave and stand on my own two feet and get away from that association with Celtic.”

McMullan became United’s fourth summer signing and boss Ray McKinnon is in the market for more as they seek to cement their place as Championship title favourites.

“It’s a really strong squad here and, speaking to the manager, he is looking to strengthen again,” added McMullan.

“That would make us really ready for the season and hopefully it will be a very successful one.”

Despite the rigours of fitness tests and conditioning work on the return to pre-season training, he cannot wait for the campaign to begin in earnest when Raith Rovers visit Tannadice on July 15.

“I don’t think anyone really enjoys pre-season, to be honest, but it is something that needs to be done and the games will come around quickly enough with the Betfred Cup,” said McMullan.

“It’s not too bad once you get the first couple of days out of the way.”

Gareth Jennings. Dundee United got back to work yesterday at their training base at St Andrews as manager Ray McKinnon and his coaching staff put the players through fitness tests and conditioning work.

Picture: SNS. Paul Quinn: a Tannadice target after leaving Ross County.