St Andrews United: Boss Garry Wright 'gutted' by Scott Reekie departure but may not sign replacement

“Scott leaving is a massive loss,” Wright said. “But at the same time he’s gone to play at a higher level so I’m feeling a bit mixed.

"I’m gutted that we lose a player of his calibre but to see him go and get the chance at that level – where he’s played before – is good to see and I wish him all the best because he’s a good guy.

"Scott knows he’s got loads to learn but he’s a good defender first and foremost and he’s really comfortable on the ball, taking it from the back.

"He will be a good addition for Forfar I’m sure and I think he’ll cope at that level no bother. I’m not saying we’d made plans for Scott leaving, but we’d added another defender – Daniel Hall – into the club anyway.

"He wasn’t going to be a direct replacement for Scott, he was just coming into the squad.

"Daniel is a completely different type of player from Scott. He’s older, he’s got plenty experience and is an aggressive centre-half.

"He’s a good leader – I’m not saying Scott wasn’t – but Dan’s got that presence, he’s been about at a higher level.

"At the moment I’m happy with the squad. I would maybe look at adding one other player but we’ve got players which can play in a lot of different positions which is pretty good to have.”

Having first joined United in February 2022 after gaining considerable experience with Dundee United's youth team, Falkirk, Brechin City and Edinburgh City, classy stopper Reekie quickly became a popular figure around The Clayton Caravan Park Recreation Ground and his departure is likely to irk many among the Saints support.

However, boss Wright stressed that, with club captain and last season’s player of the year Ryan Roche still at the club and stalwarts like Tom Milne also providing United with strong central defensive options, new arrival Hall – who previously served Kirkcaldy & Dysart – would still be no guaranteed starter.

Saints’ first pre-season friendly of this summer saw them win 3-2 at Broughty Athletic last Saturday.

The hosts – with recently departed Saints striker Ryan Dignan in their ranks – were dominant in the first half but had to settle for a 1-1 half-time scoreline after Kyle Sneddon’s header equalised Broughty’s 18th-minute penalty opener by Jamie Reid.

But an improved United went 3-1 up thanks to Lewis Payne’s penalty and an own goal, before Darren Watson pulled one back.

“We rode our luck in the first half,” Wright said. “We could have been a few down at half-time and we would have had no complaints. Our goalkeeper made a few good saves.

"We were a wee bit off it and Broughty were a really good side with some very good players.

"Ryan Dignan was good in the first half and he was a really good player for us so I wish him all the best at Broughty.

"But we got a really good reaction and were a lot better in the second half. So I was quite happy, especially with the second half performance.”

Saints’ pre-season schedule continues with away games at Broxburn Athletic this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm and Tayport next Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm.

The newly released fixtures for the East of Scotland Football League have handed United a Premier Division opener at Dunipace on Saturday, July 27, kick-off 2.30pm. And Saints have been drawn away to Preston Athletic in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup second round on Tuesday, July 30.