Pre-contracts really are a load of pish, aren't they? I've just read that Hamilton are being linked with a move for Clyde's Craig McKeown, despite the fact he's signed a pre-contract with Dundee.

The rumour mill has SPL-bound Hamilton being linked with a last-gasp move for McKeown, but the Dark Blues are confident of seeing the deal through.

The Courier

I wonder if that is why Dundee are now showing an interest in Allan McManus, as you'd assume McKeown was the replacement for Palenik.

I saw that earlier as well, I presumed Hamilton were only sniffing about in the hope Dundee decided to pull out given McKeown needs another operation.

How immoral!



nay luck Dundee.

Well Accies certainly need cover at CB with Swailes retiring and moving to Gran Canaria.

Apart from Marko and Elebert, the other CB's at the club are all untried youth players, although Easton can play there if required.

Be a bit surprised if Billy was in for McKeown, although is he one of the players who was at Clyde when he was there??

Would expect Accies to be looking to bring in a player with SPL experience at CB TBH.

Dundee only have one centre-back signed for next season so need at least two more. McKeown and McManus would do fine.

No.

Blah, blah, blah, YAWN.............. How predictable to find you here ...the obbsession continues

you would appear to be confising me with mr roberts.

my you must be thick.

Was he one of the guys playing in the title clinching game? cause him and mcgregor both didnt impress me.

No, he's been injured for months.

so is he on par with guys like mclaughlin and palenik?

When McKeown doesn't play, our defence falls apart. He's a great player, albeit a bit injury prone this season

I've read this too. Really hope it isn't true because I think we need McKeown for next season. Didn't realise that players could renenge on PCAs.

From today's tully

"Meanwhile, plans to sign centre-half Craig McKeown are proceeding, despite the player needing surgery on a hernia problem that has troubled him in the past.

He is expected to make a full recovery and the Dark Blues are not envisaging any problems when he has his medical later in the summer."

Would be more interested in Palenik to be honest. Has he signed for anyone yet?

He's expected to move back to the Czech Republic as he and his family haven't settled in Scotland.

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I would assume that this is spot on. Players can only sign for the club who have given them the pre contract or their current club. The fact that there has been rumours of Dundee possibly pulling out of the deal due to his injury has more than likely alerted Accies to him possibly being available.

cause were the new boys in spl we will be getting linked with everyone and anyone, we are also meant to be interested in stewart kean.

I always believed if a player signed a PCA he could only sign for that club or his present club, i am probably wrong though.
Anyway, McKeown is a great player, he has been our best and most influential player for the past 3 seasons or so, the downside is he is regularly injured. He has missed the 1st couple of months and the last couple of months of this season through injury and he also missed a fair chunk of the previous season through injury. It would be a risk for anyone signing him, but well worth the risk, imo.

palenik wouldny sign for shit like use

hamilton can keep there hand of McKeown he is ours f**k off

Premier shit if you don't mind.

McKeown will be at Dens him and Rae have a great friendship

best buds

and just think ...you were trying to pinch one of them

If he's as injury prone as what has been said then i don't think signing him would be worth the risk.We struggled for most of last season at the back when big Marko was out and need someone who is going to be fit when called upon.

I may be half cut but that is fucking hilarious!

heres eck and fellow teammate outside a saltcoats nightclub in 89..... he seems happy enough

Mensing and Stevenson can also play at centre-back.

But I agree that we should be aiming to replace Chris Swailes with an experienced centre-back, who has played in the SPL or at a decent level in England. Despite Marko and Elebert being our preferred pairing, Swailes played quite a few games this season, and his replacement is likely to get even more opportunities next year, as we are likely to get more injuries and suspensions.

So you asked him directly yesterday then did you?

He wants to be in the SPL ffs Why do you think he signed the PC?

If DFC are stalling then I'm sure he is entitled to secure his own future with a club of his choice. A PC works two ways remember.

Brilliant Badgers! Laughed long and hard at those pics

If Clyde lose to Airdrie watch out for a bid (derisory) for Hutton!!

Albeit, even if you lose there is a decent chance you will still be in SFL 1 ?

If it is derisory then i assume it will be refused ?

PS is he any good.

A bit like when they offered Pat Keogh to us in exchange for Craig Bryson

A PCA means that he can only either sign for us or Clyde unless both sides agree to tear it up.

Why would he sign a pre contract if he wanted to be certain he was going to be playing in the SPL next year?

Surely waiting till the season is over then signing for a club would of been a smarter move if thats the way he was thinking.

Your manager chose him as his 'keeper of the season.

Not true, a pre contract is exactly what it says on the tin, an agreement to sign a contract but until he's actually signed on the dotted line he's free to change his mind. Some pre contracts are just verbal agreements and can be turned back on. You would have to question a player's integrity if this happened and probably accept you've had a lucky escape.

its all getting a bit much for eck...some are saying he might not be in the dens park hot seat for the new season.

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Wattie is correct, McKeown has to sign for either ourselves or Clyde.

I've posted about this example before, but you should look up the Roberto Ayala pre-contract he signed while at Valencia. That whole saga confirms the rules.

No he isn't, well maybe! I heard Dave McKinnon on Radio Scotland a month or so ago. He was questioning weather a pre-contract was actually legally binding. He basically thought that it wasn't although there may be different sorts - i.e. those that are more water tight than others. The conversation ended with them all basically saying it would be interesting if someone wanted out (club or player). I think the point was made that the SFA don't actually officially recognise them. Maybe this affects things?

I thought a player can put his own terms in a pre contract as in "IF" they get to the SPL and obviously Dundee didnt so he is free to tell them to shove it!

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Well that was my point, it did happen with Roberto Ayala. He signed a pre-contract with Villarreal whilst with Valencia. However, Valencia later decided that they wanted to
keep him. They were told they'd have to pay 3m to keep him. He decided not to stay but wanted to move to Zaragoza. Real Zaragoza then had to pay a fee to Villarreal, not Valencia. Hope that helps and isn't too confusing.

I can guarantee one thing for certain........he won't be signing for fucking ross county!

Where's that come from, all i was saying is that im sure a player can sign a pre contract on the condition that the club is promoted, you wernt get over it ya fud!

Its no my fault your team wernt good enough this season and by the looks of the players going out the door you'll present fuckall of a challenge next season.

Surely he could sign for no one, leave the club then sign for anyone he likes as a free agent?

you cant keep a player at a club against his will when he's not actually signed a contract?

Thinking about it- a pre-contract agreement seems a bit flimsy. I've signed a contract that says I'm going to sign a contract with a club. Why wouldn't you be able to do this longer in advance than the 6months? Where has this six months come from?

I can gaurantee one thing for certain.......we'll be putting up a better challenge than your lot teuchter boy.