DUNDEE United are ready to include top front players Robbie Winters and Andy McLaren as part of a summer clear-out at Tannadice - even though they still have considerable time left on their contracts.
Manager Tommy McLean announced last night that he is ready to entertain offers for the former Scotland Under-21 forwards and four other experienced United players.
The Tayside club clearly believe they should have had more out of Winters and McLaren this season as they once again found themselves fighting against relegation from the premier division.
United's move is a surprise, particularly for Winters, who was tipped earlier this season to be included in Craig Brown's Scotland squad for the World Cup. However, he was not even in the 14 at Easter Road on Saturday, when United beat Hibs 2-1 to secure their top 10 status for next season.
McLaren is another United player who has not found form or consistency this season and now both could be used to raise further cash for an influx of new players over the summer months.
Striker Winters has scored 41 times in 115 starts for United, while winger McLaren has netted 18 in 145 starts. Both players have been linked with major clubs in the past and now United are ready to deal.
Manager McLean has decided they are also prepared to allow Davie Sinclair, Magnus Skoldmark, Neil Duffy, and Goran Marklund to leave. He said: ''We are willing to listen to offers for these players and will see how the situation develops. But, if it turns out that they stay here, there will be no grudges held against them.''
Other players could be made available depending on how things develop with seven out-of-contract players - Steven Pressley, Mark Perry, Maurice Malpas, Dave Bowman, Ray McKinnon, Ally Maxwell, and Stewart McKimmie. They could all walk out for nothing because of the repercussions of Bosman.
United have also moved to secure the future of some of their their young players. Andy Stewart, Dale Gray, Paul Walker, Barry Donnachie, and Chris Devine have all been handed extended contracts.
Meanwhile, Tannadice chairman Jim McLean has thrown down the gauntlet to the action group calling for major changes in the way the club is structured.
United for Change - headed by Lord Watson of Invergowrie - want unissued shares in the club to become available along with the appointment of new directors.
Chairman McLean and his board have already ruled out a share issue and last night he said: ''I want Lord Watson to name the individuals who want to make major investments, and I want him to name individuals who he claims have been turned away by us.
''The supporters should be told publicly the exact facts, and given details of what kind of categoric guarantees concerning the sums of money these individuals are prepared to invest which would change the direction of the club.
''If there are people ready to invest substantial amounts of money in Dundee United then we would want to speak to them.''
qCLYDEBANK have put on hold their proposed move to Dublin.
The first division club will today ask the Scottish League management committee to defer their application to play next season in the Republic of Ireland. It is believed that the club wish to wait, as the European Court could yet become involved in the issue.
Since Clydebank raised the prospect of a move to Dublin, there has been opposition from their supporters. The continued demonstrations have put pressure on the club's players. The team has slipped from top of the second division to third and now faces the possibility of missing out on promotion - the results on Saturday determining their immediate future.
qFIRST division Airdrie are breaking new ground with the name of their stadium - and are boosting their bank balance with a six- figure sum.
The club's new 10,000, all-seated stadium will be open for the start of next season, and it will be known as the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium. Shyberry, a building company, have their head office in Luton, but also an office in Glasgow. They are paying out a six figure sum for a five year deal for their name to be involved.
This follows a trend that began with major sporting venues in America and has been followed at football grounds in England.
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