He was surprised to learn Firhill chairman Allan Cowan had been quoted publicly as saying his board would do the Dark Blues the “favour” of considering it, but that it would be knocked back.

Cowan has not taken the trouble to contact Dens with that news and that’s disappointed the manager.

“If what people are telling me is true and someone from Partick has said that, then that’s just ignorant,” he said.

“When we’ve made a bid — we have contacted them and made sure they had it before we’ve made any comment because that’s the right way to do business.

“All I know officially is that (manager) Ian McCall said his directors would consider our offer today and then get back to us — I know he’ll do that.

“Ian has told me he does not want to lose the player and I can fully understand that because he is their best player.

“I, though, could see how he would fit in here and that is why we tried to get him. I feel that £100,000 up front is an excellent offer, particularly to a First Division club.”

It’s understood Thistle want almost double that and, while such an unrealistic demand leaves the door open for Dundee to rekindle interest later in the summer if, as is likely, no one else matches their bid, that’s not on Jocky’s agenda.

“It is highly unlikely my directors will come up with any more money because what we have bid is the right price,” he added.

“I’m disappointed not to get him, but it is not the end of the world and we are not going to dwell on it. I have one or two other players I am in talks with just now and I’ll be pressing ahead to get the people I know will improve the squad.”

“Obviously, I knew that not making the top four would mean there was less money available, but what there is should still allow me to get four players for definite and it could be we add a fifth to that,” said Craig.

Two of those players, striker Danny Cadamarteri and goalkeeper/coach Steve Banks are already as good as done deals, and now Craig will look to add another keeper and one more outfield performer.

Given the work he has done on his squad over the past couple of seasons and, in particular, when he tied a string of his best players to long-term contracts around the turn of the year, he is happy with the number.

“These things tend to be cyclical and some years you are going to need more bodies than others,” he added.

“Like almost every manager, I am always keen to improve the quality and increase the size of the squad, but, right now, I am pleased with what I have.

“During the season, we got a lot of the boys who were doing well on new deals. That was good for us and a fitting reward for the work they were putting in.

“That means, in terms of changes in personnel, four or five is about right and I have a few ideas about the people I want to bring and who will add something to the squad.”

Right now, the chance of there being a total of five new additions as opposed to four looks reasonably good. Early season ticket sales at Tannadice have been excellent and that money could help fund the arrival of an extra new face.