| Despite posturing from the Highland club and threats that if a deal was not struck today Brewster would be remaining at the Tulloch Stadium, the Tangerines were confident of getting their man — he has already agreed terms.
Negotiations resumed early this morning and continued throughout the day. They were described as being at “a delicate stage”.
It is understood Caley had been seeking somewhere in excess of £250,000 for Brewster, his assistant Malcolm Thomson and coaches Peter Davidson and Stevie Campbell, while United were offering £100,000 less.
A figure somewhere between the two sums is close to being agreed upon, though Caley chairman David Sutherland has warned he will not let talks drag on.
“Today is the time limit. If that doesn’t happen, then Craig Brewster will remain manager of the team and is welcome to be manager of the team. We have great belief in this young man,” he said.
“There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and we need to get a settlement agreed one way or the other. We have made a pretty reasonable request.”
He stressed he felt the money being asked for was not excessive and made it clear he did not view his club simply as a breeding ground for managerial talent — the last three years or so have seen ICT lose Steve Paterson, John Robertson and now probably Brewster to more established outfits.
“We have made him the manager he is. Bigger clubs can’t waltz in, they have to pay the right compensation. He is still manager of Inverness Caley Thistle and I hope we can sort this out quickly for the sake of Craig, the fans and the Dundee United fans.”
As things stand, Billy Dodds remains interim manager and will be taking charge of the team against the Bairns.
If that is still the case come kick-off, the fact it will be his one and only game as boss will not dilute his desire to pick up three points.
“I am a winner, I always have been — you saw that at the final whistle last week, even if I did show it in the wrong way,” he said. “Until I am told otherwise, I will prepare the players and doing everything I can to win this game — that’s called professionalism. If we can win and results go for us elsewhere, we could be back on the coat tails of the top six.”
Missing on Sunday will be midfielder Barry Robson, who begins a two-game suspension, while a bout of flu means teenage defender Garry Kenneth is not yet certain to make the squad.
Pencilled in for a starting place is full-back Mark Wilson and, this time, it does look like he will be making his final appearance as a Tangerine.
Although they are also speaking to Hibs defender Gary Caldwell about what, for the moment, is being viewed as a summer switch, Celtic remain keen on Wilson and intend making a £500,000 move for him early next week.
United fans attending Sunday’s match will receive a £10 voucher, which they can redeem in the club shop if they spend £20 or more. |
