However, with MacFarlane at Tannadice undergoing a medical as the Tangerines rushed to beat the clock, someone at Tynecastle had a change of heart and the deal was dead.

That left Gordon dumbfounded as, earlier in the day, all parties involved had seemed happy to allow the 27-year-old to make the switch.

“I’m totally disappointed and frustrated,” said Gordon this morning.

“I’d spoken to George Burley and he said Hearts were willing to let Neil go. The player was here for a medical and we’d agreed terms and conditions, but we then got a call from Hearts saying they wanted him back.

“I don’t know what their reason was behind it, but, obviously, I’m disappointed and I also feel sorry for the lad, because he was looking forward to coming here. Now he has to go back to Tynecastle, which can’t be an ideal situation.”

Although the transfer window is now closed, Gordon can still sign out-of-contract players, but he won’t be rushed into deals just for the sake of it.

“We’re always looking for players and we’ll see what happens, but I certainly won’t be signing anyone if I don’t think they are better than what we already have.”

Meanwhile, Gordon spoke of his reason for allowing Crawford to leave after only eight months at the club.

“It is, obviously, unfortunate for Stevie that things didn’t work out here and there are no hard feelings between us,” he said. “But I had to let him go because that was the only way I could get someone else in the door.

“I looked at the squad and we were pretty top-heavy with strikers. Lee Miller and Jim McIntyre were already ahead of him in the pecking order, so, when David Fernandez arrived a few weeks ago, Stevie’s chances were going to be limited even further.

“He will be the first to admit that his form here was not as good as it had been at other clubs, but you won’t hear me criticise him.”

Crawford had made a dash back from United’s training camp in Spain to complete the formalities of his switch to Pittodrie. The remainder of the Tannadice party are due back tomorrow. Youngster Graeme Holmes has also left the club by mutual consent.

Alan Kernaghan still appears to be favourite to land the post, although it’s believed Tommy McLean and Antonio Calderon are also in the running.

With no game until Saturday week, the Dens Park squad have been given a couple of days off.

Meanwhile, the club have revealed their reason for allowing Gerry Britton to leave Dens.

“We informed Gerry that he would not be considered for the manager’s job and he decided he would prefer to leave in order to give the new man a clear deck,” said chief executive Peter Marr.

“We agreed to release his player’s contract so he is free to join another club.”

Ex-Dundee striker John Sutton has joined St Mirren on a two-year deal, while Charlie Adam joins the Buddies on loan from Rangers.

Receiving treatment for knocks today were Mark Paston, Kevin James and David Hannah.