Dundee United have seen three bids for Falkirk midfielder Brad Spencer dismissed as 'embarrassing' by the player's manager. John McGlynn's strong criticism came after the Premiership club made a series of six-figure offers for the 30-year-old, all of which were rejected outright.
This transfer saga unfolds as Dundee United sit second in the Premiership, having taken six points from their first three matches. Their next challenge is a home fixture against Hibernian on 30 August, a game you can see on our fixtures page.
Why were the bids rejected?
Falkirk manager John McGlynn left no room for ambiguity regarding Dundee United's approach. He stated the offers were not nearly enough to tempt his club into selling one of their key assets. Spencer has almost two full years remaining on his current contract, with the club holding an option to extend that deal by a further twelve months. This strong contractual position gives Falkirk significant leverage in any negotiations.
McGlynnsaid the person who drafted the offers must have felt ashamed. "I know the guy who wrote them and he must have been embarrassed when he was writing these offers, he must have been embarrassed," McGlynn told the BBC. The Falkirk boss made it clear that selling a top performer to a direct league rival while he is under a long-term deal is not something his board would consider.
What is Brad Spencer's situation?
Brad Spencer is a 30-year-old central midfielder who remains a fundamental part of John McGlynn's plans at Falkirk. His contract situation is a major factor in this story. With nearly twenty-four months left on his deal and a club option for another year, Falkirk are under no financial pressure to sell. McGlynn explicitly stated that Spencer is not available for transfer.
"Brad Spencer will be at Falkirk unless the board accepts an offer," McGlynn said. He then added that the board has no intention of accepting the proposals tabled by Dundee United. The club's firm stance highlights Spencer's importance to their squad as they compete in the same division as their suitors.
How does this affect Dundee United's plans?
Dundee United's pursuit of Spencer indicates manager Jim Goodwin is looking to add experience and depth to his midfield options. The club's early season form has been solid, with two wins and one loss from their opening three fixtures. They have scored four goals while conceding just one, giving them a healthy +3 goal difference that places them near the top of the standings.
However, this public rejection complicates their recruitment strategy. McGlynn's comments suggest United's valuation of the player is significantly out of step with Falkirk's. "I don't think it would matter [if Dundee United came back], they are miles off, embarrassing," McGlynn stated. This leaves United needing to either substantially increase their offer or identify alternative targets as the transfer window progresses.
What happens next for both clubs?
For Falkirk, the message is clear: Brad Spencer is staying put. The manager has the full backing of the board, who have shown no willingness to entertain Dundee United's advances. Their focus will now shift to preparing for their own league campaign, knowing a key player is committed to the cause.
Dundee United must regroup after this very public setback. Their immediate focus is on maintaining their strong league position. The upcoming match against Hibernian at Tannadice provides a chance to build momentum. You can track the team's performance and squad details on our stats and squad pages. While midfield reinforcement may still be an objective, this particular avenue appears firmly closed following John McGlynn's unequivocal comments.
