Alex was delighted to hear Deasley had won the Bell’s award and is keen to see the form that earned him that recognition continue next term.

“It’s great news for him and shows he made an impression last season. Like most of the young players at the club, I have only really heard about him,” he said.

“What I’ve been told, though, is the likes of Deasley, (Kevin) McDonald and the goalkeeper (Scott Murray) all have big potential and I have been doing my homework on them.

“The DVDs I am watching will give me an idea of what they can do and I am looking forward to getting down to working with them. By the time that happens, I want to have added experience to the squad, because that will help bring them on.”

Deasley himself, meanwhile, has admitted, had he been given a say, his award would have headed to another young Dark Blue, but that won’t stop him giving the man concerned some flak.

“I would have voted for Kevin McDonald, but I don’t like saying that because his head is big enough as it is,” he said.

“Out of all of us, he is the one who played the most and was most consistent. He never won a single Player of the Month award, even though a few of us did, and we all knew he was the best player.

“The boys have been giving him stick about it and he won’t be happy to see me with the trophy. He’s spent the last few weeks saying he’d better win it, so now I think I’m going to put it in my suitcase when we go on holiday next week, because that will really sicken him.”

The search for experience to blend with the youth already on the books could bear fruit as early as next week and chief executive Dave MacKinnon has admitted deals with two SPL players are in the pipeline.

He has also now informed Charlie Duddy, agent of senior players Lee Wilkie, Tam McManus and Steven Robb, of the wage cuts they are being asked to take.

The agent will now discuss the situation with his clients and give their thoughts at another meeting next week.

Despite the minor haggling, though, a price is very close to being agreed and, once it is, the young Irishman will put pen to paper — he has already agreed personal terms with his former East End Park team-mate Craig Brewster.

As United look to boost season ticket sales in advance of the first of their cut-price deadlines this weekend, there is even a chance he will be paraded at Tannadice tomorrow.

With the manager on a coaching course at Largs and chairman Eddie Thompson only back from a short break in Spain today, it remains likely the fans will have to wait until the beginning of next week for confirmation the new man has arrived.

While he appreciates fans want to see signings made as soon as possible, and shares their eagerness to see new faces come through the doors, Craig is happy progress is being made and is relaxed about the delays there have been so far.

“There have been no developments in the last 24 hours, but, with the Hunt deal, it is now pretty much just a case of the two chairmen agreeing something. Everything else is almost done,” he said.

“There have been delays with it, and some of the other deals I’d like to do, but that is normal. Particularly at this time of year, when you have people away on holiday or, like me, doing coaching courses and other stuff, things do tend to take a wee bit longer.”