Tony Asghar confident Lewis Neilson's Hearts transfer will see Dundee United compensated at SPFL tribunal

Tannadice chief Tony Asghar insists he remains confident Dundee United will be compensated for their work rearing Lewis Neilson.

The former Tangerines kid has joined Hearts on a three-year deal, with the Jambos adamant they have landed the promising defender on a free transfer after he knocked-back the offer of a new contract on Tayside. But United argue they should be weighed in having spent almost a decade developing Neilson, who first joined the club as a 10-year-old school boy before going on to make 10 top-team appearances last term.

The wrangle will now have to be settled by a SPFL tribunal but United sporting director Asghar expects the Hampden panel to find in the Terrors' favour. He said: “There’s been a lot of talk about Lewis Neilson. We have a case that I assume will next go to tribunal. We feel that we’re due compensation as a football club.

“That’s with our legal team and the SPFL at present. Are we confident? Very confident.”

Asghar’s Tynecastle counterpart Joe Savage said earlier this month: “We were interested in Lewis as soon as we heard there was a chance he might not renew his contract at Dundee United.

“To get him on a free transfer is great business from our perspective. We’re overwhelmed by it, to be honest.”