Without wanting to put pressure on his new buy, Argyle are getting a five-figure fee for a player they signed for free, the United gaffer admitted the prospect of his teaming up with the free-scoring McIntyre was mouth-watering. “I knew I’d be asked to make the comparison between Crawford and Brewster and Crawford and McIntyre. I am really looking forward to seeing him team up with Jim McIntyre here,” said Ian.

“McIntyre and Craig Brewster are not identical in style, but, like Brewster he is more than just a goalscorer. He is a clever player and he and Crawford can work well together for us. I certainly see Crawford coming here as a help for McIntyre because, as well as he has done for us, he has never had a regular partner in my time here.”

Delighted as he is to have won a battle for a player who had also been linked with Aberdeen and even city rivals Dundee, with whom Plymouth were keen to do a player swap involving Steve Lovell, Ian made it clear there would be no automatic choices in his attack.

“We’ve got other strikers here who I expect to be fighting hard to be in the team. James Grady is an excellent striker and Jason Scotland is a big favourite with the fans. For me, though, I’m just happy to have added a quality player to the squad.”

On being unveiled as United player, Crawford revealed that, having taken the weekend to consider his options he was convinced this was “100% the right football move” for him. “The chairman sold United to me with his ambition for the club and we spoke about the early 80s when United won the league. I regard them as one of the top teams in Scotland.

“Obviously, the club’s current league position was a concern but, having heard at first hand the plans and ambitions for this club, I am confident that I have made the right choice.”

And he had no regrets about trying his luck in England with Plymouth. “Everyone knows my family did not settle but I’ve ended up coming back to a big club up here so maybe things have worked out even better for me.”

Tannadice chairman Eddie Thompson was delighted at getting one of his top targets. “A few weeks ago, myself and Ian McCall sat down and drew up a list of players we would like to bring here. Up near the top of it was this gentleman and I’m delighted to get him. This is without doubt a major signing for Dundee United. A few weeks ago we might have been considered to be the rank outsiders to sign such a quality player, however we were absolutely determined that once we had made our minds up to go for Stevie we were not going to lose out.”

Callum Macdonald, Bobby Mann and Stephen McNally have joined the list of those facing a fight to be ready for the visit to the capital.

In Macdonald’s case, an old knee injury has flared up, Mann suffered a groin strain at East End Park, while McNally has been laid low with a virus.

With the likes of Kelvin Jack, Ian Anderson and Neil Jablonski already ruled out, manager Jim Duffy does not have his problems to seek as he tries to put a team together to deal with one of the country’s form sides.

The Dark Blues have at least received something of a boost with the news opposition midfielder Craig Rocastle has returned to Chelsea and won’t be facing them.

The 23-year-old joined up at Easter Road in the summer on a six-month loan deal and that was expected to be extended until the end of the season.

After impressing in Edinburgh, however, and with Chelsea hit by injuries over the Christmas period, he has been told to report back to Stamford Bridge. That’s pleased Rocastle, who still believes he can make his mark with the Barclays Premiership leaders.

“Chelsea have asked me to come back down and train with them because they have got a few injuries at the moment.

“If there’s any chance for me to play in the Chelsea first team, then I don’t think anybody could begrudge me that,” he said.

“Obviously, I want to try again with Chelsea. But, if it does not work out, I would never say I wouldn’t come back to Hibs. I got on very well with the manager, the rest of the players and the fans there and I enjoyed my time in the SPL.”