Goodwillie set for Rovers move

31 July 2011 14:42
Dundee United manager Peter Houston expects David Goodwillie to complete his move to Blackburn on Monday.[LNB] Goodwillie was left out of the United squad for Sunday's 1-0 win at Hearts after Rovers agreed a fee - believed to be £2million up front, another £800,000 of potential add-ons and a sell-on clause - with the SPL club.[LNB]Houston spoke with United chairman Stephen Thompson after Sunday's match, who confirmed the deal is set for an imminent conclusion.[LNB]"I'm led to believe he's just about there with Blackburn," said Houston, who knew nothing of reported fresh bids from SPL champions Rangers.[LNB]"I told the chairman from yesterday I didn't want to hear anything that was going on.[LNB]"I know I'm losing David, I knew David wasn't going to be playing and I wanted to focus on the Hearts game.[LNB]"I just spoke briefly to the chairman and he says it's almost there and it could happen tomorrow. I don't think it will happen today.[LNB]"It's getting there."[LNB]Houston believes Rovers are getting value for money in Goodwillie, citing the recent switch made by Connor Wickham from Ipswich to Sunderland as the type of money the striker could have commanded. Sunderland paid Ipswich an initial £8.1million for Wickham.[LNB]Houston added: "If he'd been playing in England in the Championship the way he has been playing in the SPL, a Premiership club would probably have paid more money.[LNB]"I think they've got a bargain."[LNB]Goodwillie scored 19 goals for United last season and made his Scotland debut in a friendly win over the Faroe Islands in November.[LNB]The striker's Scotland career was put on hold after he was charged with a serious sexual assault in January, but the charge was dropped last week because of insufficient evidence.[LNB]That development sparked increased activity on the transfer front for Goodwillie, who has two years left on his Tannadice contract.[LNB]He now looks likely to move to Ewood Park, unless Rangers can make an 11th-hour attempt to recruit the striker.[LNB]Due to Goodwillie's off-field issues, Houston advised the striker to move away from Scotland and it was advice he repeated on Sunday.[LNB]The manager added: "It would've been David's decision.[LNB]"The only point I made about the Rangers or Celtic thing was the fact I didn't think Glasgow would be the right place to be.[LNB]"In normal circumstances, David Goodwillie, Rangers or Blackburn - there's only one decision I would make in my opinion.[LNB]"Rangers are a massive club and Rangers are a bigger club than Blackburn in my opinion.[LNB]"But the reason I said David should get away out of the road is because of his off-field problems and I still say that."[LNB]Houston is unsure if Goodwillie will have an immediate impact in the English top flight.[LNB]He said: "I don't know if he'll play every week in the Premiership. I think David will become a Premiership player in due time, if he's going to the Premiership.[LNB]"It might take him a wee while to get used to, but if you ask me if he has the talent to, I'd say yes, in the near future."[LNB]Houston will have little room to add to his squad, even if Goodwillie's move goes through, but praised Thompson for sticking to the asking price.[LNB]He added: "If David goes, I'll get some salary, but I won't get anything to buy anybody.[LNB]"He (Thompson) had a number in mind. Teams tried to come in way, way below, but I think he's done well to hold out.[LNB]"He's always had the £2million figure in his mind and I think he's done well.[LNB]"If David's going to move on, good luck to him.[LNB]"Wherever he goes I'm thoroughly delighted and wish him good luck."[LNB]Scotland manager Craig Levein, at Tynecastle for United's match with Hearts, confirmed Goodwillie would be in his squad for the August 10 match with Denmark.[LNB]Levein, who is set to name the full playing party on Tuesday, is pleased Scotland's players are being coveted by Premier League clubs and believes Goodwillie is capable of performing in the English top flight.[LNB]Levein said: "If any team gets David Goodwillie for £2million, I think that's a steal, knowing his capabilities and the fact I believe he'll score goals wherever he goes."[LNB]Levein has one wish; that Goodwillie is given regular action.[LNB]The Scotland boss added: "Regular football has improved him enormously and wherever he goes I would hope he gets a regular game."

Source: Team_Talk