Dundee Utd V Motherwell - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Watson ignores transfer talkKeith Watson insists no one at Dundee United is taking any notice of the transfer talk sweeping the club - because it happens all the time.Winger Gary Mackay-Steven has penned a pre-contract agreement with Celtic while the Hoops are reportedly also interested in his Arabs team-mates Stuart Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci.But Watson has seen it all before.The defender has watched a string of talented Tangerines make their breakthrough at Tannadice and then win themselves big moves.He said: "Gary has signed a pre-contract and is still out there giving 100 percentThen there is the speculation with Nads and Stu as well."But these guys come in every day, train away and work hard, then go out and deliver on the pitch as well."I've grown up through it all at United
It happens all the time."We've had Johnny Russell, David Goodwillie, even Scott Allan, all break into the team then move on
Last year we then had Andy Robertson and wee Ryan Gauld too."It's good to see them moving on to better things
United is a good club for producing players and long may it continue."It's always nice to see your players getting recognised for their performances and it's a pleasure to play with them."But it's now the norm here so no-one really gets distracted by it."Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara is hopeful he has no fresh injuries ahead of Saturday's Tannadice clash with Motherwell.Former Motherwell striker Henri Anier could now make his home debut against Well while Callum Morris (Achillies) is close to a return
John Souttar (ankle) and Mario Bilate (hamstring) are still sidelined, however.Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough has revealed he has lost Stevie Hammell for another four weeks after the left-back was sent for groin surgery.The Fir Park boss is already without the suspended duo of Henrik Ojamaa and Mark O'Brien.Now Hammell - who has missed the majority of the season - will remain alongside Iain Vigurs (sciatic nerve), Zaine Francis-Angol (groin), Paul Lawson (calf), Jack Leitch (knee) and Bob McHugh (groin) on the sidelines, although Baraclough says Keith Lasley is making decent progress after missing Wednesday's 4-0 defeat to Celtic with a broken toe.Baraclough claims he knows exactly how Dundee United's Celtic-bound midfielder Mackay-Steven must feel ahead of his Parkhead move.But the Motherwell boss does not expect the continued speculation about his Tannadice future to reduce the winger's effectiveness when the Steelmen travel to Tayside on Saturday.Mackay-Steven has penned a pre-contract agreement with the Hoops and will join up with Ronny Deila's squad in the summer.The Parkhead boss would like to take the 24-year-old now but so far the Scottish champions are unwilling to meet the B#250,000 fee United want to release him early.That has left the Scotland international in a tricky position, with Jackie McNamara hoping he can help keep United in touch with the new Scottish Premiership leaders.Baraclough had a similar experience during his days as a defender with Notts County when QPR came calling with an offer to move to Loftus Road in March 1998.The deal went through but Baraclough admits it is not easy putting your body on the line for one club when you have pledged your future to another.He said: "It's difficult for Gary Mackay-Steven now he has got his move to Celtic
He knows he is going there in May."I'm sure it has not bothered him one bit and he looks like he's enjoying his football."But there is a danger when you sign a pre-contract and you've got a foot in both camps that it may distract you."I'm sure the people at United will have been through this with the player."I was in this sort of position myself as a player
There was a lot of speculation about my going from Notts County to QPR."It does play on your mind and it does affect you a little bit
Experience gets you over that."I would like to think that I didn't go into challenges half-committed but I also remember thinking 'there might be a deal for me tomorrow, I hope I don't get injured'."I'm not going to speak for how Jackie McNamara has dealt with it but Gary seems to be playing okay."I fully expect him to play and him to be a threat."
Source : PA
Source: PA