Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin acknowledges that most Scottish Premiership clubs face significant financial challenges when competing with teams in England - and he thinks this is even the case as far down as the National League.
Goodwin admits that it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract players from England due to the higher wages offered even in the fifth tier of the English football pyramid.
Despite these obstacles, Goodwin has managed to bring in some new faces, including Will Ferry after his departure from Cheltenham and Jack Walton on loan from Luton. However, the majority of Goodwin's recruitment efforts have involved scouring the European market, with additions coming from North Macedonia and Croatia.
Goodwin is not content to stop there, as he continues to look for ways to strengthen several areas of his Dundee United squad with their Premier Sports Cup campaign beginning on Saturday before they return to Scotland's top-flight next month.
“The challenge we always have in Scotland is that everything boils down to finances," Goodwin confessed.
Read more:
-
No standout Scottish Premiership players worth Celtic or Rangers signing
-
Scotland target Nations League promotion with ruthless approach
"We have spoken to a number of players in England but unfortunately League One and League Two sides there have massive budgets. Even some National League sides are paying more than 75 per cent of Scottish Premiership sides.
"That’s just to give an understanding as to where we are in the financial scheme of things – but that is nothing new and is something we need to deal with.
“It’s why we put such an emphasis on bringing Michael Cairney (new head of recruitment) to the club.
"But the business we have done so far is a really good sign of intent. Ryan Strain is an Australia international, Vicko Sevelj looks a real quality player, (Kristijan) Trapanovski, I believe, will become a North Macedonia international by playing regularly. That’s good quality, and that’s what we continue to aim for, not just adding players for the sake of it.
“We are not done (in the transfer market), by any means. We are all working really hard, and we do want more strength in depth. We want to have fierce competition for places.
“In this group stage, we have four games in a fortnight and not everyone will be fit enough to play 90 minutes in all four games. We need options throughout the squad – to be able to change things up – and that’ll be the case throughout the season.
Read more:
- England goalkeeper relishing ‘pressure’ of Euro 2024 semi-final
- Emma Raducanu knows mixed doubles withdrawal left Murray disappointed
“We’re a little bit light and I’d like more options at the top end of the pitch. We’ll keep working on that. Prior to the Falkirk game might be a bit early though.
“Even if we did manage to get someone in later in the week, I don’t think that it would be fair to chuck them into a competitive game after not much training and fitness work.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel