The former Manchester United youngster bagged 13 goals last season and was actually offered to the Tannadice boss when he was in charge at Caley, after County got into financial problems.

But, with the likes of Black and Proctor in the ICT midfield at the time, Craig decided he had adequate cover in that area.

However, Rankin’s name is definitely among the United gaffer’s list of possible targets, with St Mirren also said to be interested in the 22-year-old.