Tannadice chiefs look to settle Falkirk claim

By Sean Saranczuk
February 4 2003

Dundee United have expressed a willingness to avoid an ugly legal battle with Falkirk as they seek to reach a quick agreement over compensation for departed manager Ian McCall.

Dundee United have expressed a willingness to avoid an ugly legal battle with Falkirk as they seek to reach a quick agreement over compensation for departed manager Ian McCall.

Tannadice chairman Eddie Thompson finally got his man at the second time of asking last week which resulted in the sacking of Paul Hegarty.

Angry Falkirk chief Campbell Christie also felt aggrieved with the dramatic events and over the weekend he signalled his intentions to pursue a figure of £500,000 for the loss of the manager and threatened legal action if Thompson dug his heels in.

But United, who climbed off the foot of the Scottish Premier League over the weekend by beating Motherwell, are hoping to bring the matter to a close with very little fuss.

A spokesman said: "The fact is that obviously we understand where Falkirk are coming from and we understand they will be seeking compensation.

"But unfortunately it will have to be discussed between the lawyers and from that point of view we are waiting to hear from Falkirk officially about that and then the discussions will start.

"But it's too early to say how it's going to be resolved, but in the circumstances we hope it can be resolved quickly and as amicably as possible for the sake of everybody concerned.

"That's fine (the threat of legal action and compensation figure from Christie), but I'm not going to comment on that. The simple fact is that I presume they will contact our lawyers soon. But it's business as usual as far as Dundee United are concerned."