And he’s aware that, if speculation concerning the likes of Garry Kenneth, Craig Conway, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis is accurate, there will be more players with Tangerines connections plying their trade south of the border soon.

Having spent most of the last 14 years down there himself, Dailly obviously enjoys it, but the only advice he’s prepared to give the current crop at Tannadice is to trust their instincts.

“When I left United for Derby County, I’d been involved at first-team level for six years and I’d had a very good grounding,” he said.

“It would have been easy for me to sign on again for United, because I was from Dundee and a fan, and it was very tempting to stay.

“I’ve never been one for remaining in my comfort zone, though, and, at 22, I felt I could handle the challenge of moving to England.

“I thought it through and decided the time was right for me. I was 100% convinced of that and what I’d say to any player with the chance to move is to make sure you feel the same.

“When the chance to move comes, you get advice from people, but you have to make your own mind up and, if you are going to go, be prepared to give it everything. The standard down here is good and no-one is going to give you success, you have to work for it.”

Although he saw plenty of United while playing at Rangers the season before last, he stops short of naming which players he feels would be the biggest hits in the English game.

“What struck me most when I played against United was how well organised Craig Levein had them and by their teamwork.

“It wouldn’t be right to say this or that player is best suited and it’s usually a case of seeing how players settle when they come down.

“And I have to say, my experience has taught me that speculation at this time of year usually comes to nothing and it’s better not to count on anything until something concrete has happened.”

When the new season kicks off in August, he will pass the 20th anniversary of his debut for Dundee United as a raw 16-year-old.

Since that day, when he scored against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, his career has taken him to Derby County, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Southampton, Rangers and now Charlton.

It’s seen him play well over 500 games at club level while 34 Under-21 caps were a record and his 67 at full international level for Scotland make him the most capped Dundonian ever.

And he sees no reason why he won’t keep going for several more years.

“Last season, I played over 50 games and did not miss a day’s training. I feel fine and my plan is to continue for quite a while because I feel there is plenty left in me,” he said.

“The chairman at Charlton has said they want me for next season and I like it here, so, over the next few days, we plan to sit down and get something sorted out.”

That he will continue into his late thirties leads to the inevitable comparison with his former team-mate at Rangers, David Weir, who has just turned 40 and is set for another season as skipper at Ibrox.

Dailly, though, shies away from any talk of emulating fellow pros.

“I’ve never been one for looking at other players and comparing myself to them. What I have done since I was a boy was study training methods from different sports and get to know what suits me best.

“When I was at Rangers, the deal was I stayed down here in London mostly and flew up for games. That meant I did a lot of training on my own and it was something that really suited me.

“I still do work out regularly by myself, and, over the summer, it’s about doing a lot of base work and making sure your body is right.”

Evidence of that philosophy comes from the fact that while he is already a qualified coach, his badges are not for football.

“I’m actually an athletics coach and I work with a very good group at Chelmsford — it’s something I can see continuing for years.

“I was involved in a few sports when I was a kid and had a grounding in athletics work from Dundee United when I worked with the sprint coach Stuart Hogg, who has coached athletes up to Olympic level.

“What started it down here was when my kids got to an age of wanting to take up sport and in their case it was athletics. From taking them along to Chelmsford I got involved myself and I’m now a qualified coach.”

Love that as he does, when his playing days do finally come to an end he admits he’ll give serious thought to football coaching or management.

“I get a great deal of enjoyment out of the work with athletes, but, from the point of view of making a living, it’s something there is no money in.

“Over the next couple of years, I’ll probably do my football badges and going into that side of the game is a possibility.

“Right now I see that as being a way off because I’m feeling good, I’m still enjoying playing and I see no reason to give up.”