Jim Goodwin drops weighty Scottish Premiership confession and claims most CAN'T outspend English National League

Jim Goodwin reckons most Scottish Premiership clubs struggle to compete financially with teams in England’s National League.

The Dundee United boss admits it is getting ever harder to lure players from south of the border because of the wages on offer even in the fifth tier. Goodwin has still managed to bring in Will Ferry after his exit from Cheltenham and Jack Walton on loan from Luton. But the rest of his recruitment has come from the home market and others like Macedonia and Croatia.

Goodwin said: “The challenge we always have in Scotland is that everything boils down to finances. We have spoken to a number of players in England but unfortunately League One and League Two sides there have massive budgets. Even some National League sides are paying more than 75 per cent of Scottish Premiership sides. That’s just to give an understanding as to where we are in the financial scheme of things – but that is nothing new and is something we need to deal with.”

New United head of recruitment Michael Cairney has helped open up other markets for Goodwin. The Irish boss added: “It’s why we put such an emphasis on bringing Michael Cairney to the club.

“But the business we have done so far is a really good sign of intent. Ryan Strain is an Australia international, Vicko Sevelj looks a real quality player, (Kristijan) Trapanovski, I believe, will become a North Macedonia international by playing regularly. That’s good quality, and that’s what we continue to aim for, not just adding players for the sake of it.”

Goodwin is still looking to add four or five new signings with the majority of them to boost his options in the middle and top end of the park. He doesn’t expect to have anyone new in his team for the Premier Sports Cup