Mccann set to do bulk of his recruitment at end of month

Neil Mccann has not enjoyed a “crazy” first taste of the January transfer window as a manager but the Dundee boss feels his recruitment processes are coming together.

Mccann did not have much time to prepare his summer signing plans after being appointed on 1 June and has remarked at the sheer numbers of players looking for new clubs this month. But he feels he and his staff are starting to build up some momentum in their strategy.

Mccann has replaced goalkeeper Scott Bain with french keeper jeremy Malherbe and renewed A-jay Leitch-smith’s loan deal, but believes most of his business will be done late in the month.

Mccann said: “We are not in a position to pull the trigger too early because finances dictate that, and we have so many games coming up that things can change. Positionally, if you get injuries you then have to change your focus.

“It gets busy towards the end of January. This is my first January and it’s not been enjoyable because it can be absolutely crazy, the amount of players that are thrown your way.

“I think we are getting traction in terms of recruitment, which is good. We didn’t have any in the summer. We had a build-up through the months of players that could become available, and we will be better-placed come the summer again.”

Mccann confirmed a deal had been agreed to allow Nicky Low to extend his loan spell with Derry City and stated that he had heard nothing about Crystal Palace’s reported interest in defender Jack Hendry, who will return from illness against Hibs.

Mccann is looking for his team to build on a decent run before New Year. “The message is to improve,” he said. “Anybody that stands still and thinks they have done it, goes backwards, because everybody is trying to add to their squad and add strength in depth.

“There are also things I am looking to implement. You can only do it in layers, there is only so much you can hit a team with.”