Can Dundee United cope with yet another sale?

It was saddening to learn Johnny Russell looks to be on his way out of Tannadice.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for young footballers bettering themselves in their careers.

That might be the case were he to go to Celtic, depending on the number of first-team opportunities that came his way.

That might even be the case were he to go to Derby County, depending on how he was to take to the English Championship.

My problem with this move is what it does to United.

This will be another example of an outstanding young talent leaving Tannadice.

I really like Russell as a player. He is young, enthusiastic and has lots of quality.

He has already made a big impact for United in the SPL.

It is not hard to imagine him thriving at Celtic and scoring even more goals next season. Or to picture him being a big success with Derby County.

What is harder to figure out is how the Tangerines will go about replacing Russell?

I believe they deserved a transfer fee well in excess of £1-million by way of compensation for the loss of his services.

Instead, they will have to make do with some £750,000.

Admittedly that’s better than missing out almost entirely, as they did with Scott Allan, their very promising central midfielder who quit for West Brom.

But it’s not up there with the seven-figure return they made on David Goodwillie when he was lured south to Blackburn Rovers.

That is one move which definitely hasn’t worked out.

The plus side is that if any club can replace from within, it is United.

For decades the club has had a terrific youth policy. The current team is no different.

Stuart Armstrong is getting better and better all the time, and rightly featured in the Young Player of the Year Awards.

I like Ryan Gauld, too, who burst into the team towards the end of the season.

More encouragingly still was the introduction of 16-year-old central defender John Souttar.

These young players are proof the scouting and development systems at Tannadice are in fine working order.

It is always harder, though, to bring through regular goalscorers.

Personally, I think their best hope may be to look for more from a player already in the side.

When Goodwillie moved to England, Russell stepped up and accepted more responsibility for delivering goals.

Now with Russell apparently on his way, it could be time for another young Scot, Gary Mackay-Steven to carry more of the load.

He has already captured the imagination with his outrageous ball skills.

Now it is time for him to use his skills to add more goals and assists to his game.

I am also keen to see more from Aiden Connolly, one of the young lads brought into Tannadice from Queen’s Park by Jackie McNamara.

He is, of course, the son of Paddy Connolly a name that should bring a smile of reminiscence to the lips of all United fans of a certain vintage.