Dundee United defend sales of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic

Dundee United have insisted that manager Jackie McNamara is happy with the club's transfer dealings, despite the deadline-day sales of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic.

The pair were sold to the Glasgow club yesterday, in a combined deal thought to be worth £2m.

"The manager himself is happy with the result of this transfer window and fully supported the board's action," said a statement on the club's official website.

The statement adds that Dundee United had signed "six new high-calibre" players, highlighting Paul Dixon, Henri Anier and Ryan McGowan, who have all represented their countries.

It also cited Robbie Muirhead's Scotland Under-19 caps and Simon Murray's 18 goals for Arbroath this season.

Dundee United will meet Celtic in the League Cup Final next month, but Armstrong and Mackay-Steven will both be cup-tied.