| Instead of being offered a contract, though, the former Scotland Under-21 has been told to go and find that sort of money elsewhere — if he can.
Nephew of former Leeds United and Aston Villa boss David, the 22-year-old had an eight-game loan spell at Dens towards the end of last season.
He did well, but not so well that he could help the Dark Blues to promotion or earn himself a new contract in the SPL with permanent employers Kilmarnock.
Since the end of the campaign, he’s held talks with manager Gordon Chisholm about a deal for next term, but it’s understood Dundee have been left staggered by his demands.
He asked for a guaranteed four-figure-a-week wage, plus appearance money of several hundred pounds — win or lose. While that would not have made him the highest-paid player, it would have put him on almost double what the average first-team squad player earns.
And seeing as he was being invited to come and challenge for a place in the team, he has been told thanks, but no thanks.
Now he is understood to be headed for talks with Ross County, who needed to replace Dunfermline-bound Dundonian Alex Keddie.
If the Scottish Cup finalists want to pay him that kind of money, Dundee’s attitude is ‘good luck to them’.
Should they also knock back his demands, the door is still open for him at Dens, but only for sensible negotiations.
And that means a lot less than £1500 a week for a player who has made just 40 starts in five years as a senior pro.
Meanwhile, another potential signing target, Gavin Skelton, has signed a deal for Hamilton Accies. |
