BILLY Kirkwood, the Dundee United manager, made his first signing for

the Tannadice club when he bought out-of-favour Rangers keeper Ally

Maxwell in a #250,000 deal.

Now, Kirkwood will try to follow up by taking another former Ibrox

player, Scotland Under-21 defender Steven Pressley, to Tayside. I

understand that the one-time Rangers' coach, who worked closely with

Pressley, is pursuing his earlier interest in the player.

He remains hopeful that he can persuade Coventry manager Ron Atkinson

to allow the youngster, who captained his country in the recent Toulon

Tournament, to return north.

And after having sorted out the Pressley situation, Kirkwood could

then divert his attention to yet another ex-Ibrox favourite, Derek

Ferguson, the Sunderland midfield player.

Yesterday, though, the Maxwell deal reached completion and gives the

30-year-old keeper the opportunity to make a new beginning after having

apparently dropped to the third keeping slot with the champions.

When the season ended, Maxwell looked to have lost his place to Billy

Thomson, while international keeper Andy Goram will begin the new season

free of the injury problems which plagued him throughout the last

campaign.

After having joined up on Tayside, Maxwell said: ''I want regular

first-team football and I will get it with Dundee United. Billy Kirkwood

knows me from his time at Ibrox and I know him.

''He is a demanding taskmaster but that suits me. What I want to do

here is help the club back into the premier division where they belong

and resurrect my career. I have been in Scotland international squads

and also have played for the country's B team against Wales. I want to

get back up there.''

Added Kirkwood: ''We are delighted with this signing. I know what he

can do because I worked closely with him at Ibrox. He has the right

attitude and I know this move will work for him and for this club.''

Kirkwood now will aim to bring Pressley to Tannadice in a deal which

could cost him around #500,000.

Again he will be getting a player he knows well after having worked

with the defender at Ibrox.

Meanwhile, Rangers remain certain that they will complete the signing

of Romanian internationalist Florin Raduciou next week. The #2.7m deal

has been agreed with his Spanish club, Espanol, and while the player has

suggested that he may be happy to remain in Spain, the Glasgow side are

ready to welcome him to Ibrox. They reckon the deal will be concluded by

midweek.

* ST Mirren will travel to Northern Ireland next month for a

four-match tour. The Paisley side will play Glenavon, on July 25,

Ballinamellard (26), Derry City (27), and Ards two days later.

General manager Jackie Copland also is hopeful of attracting an

English side to Love Street before the start of the new season.