By Sean Saranczuk
July 10 2002

Dundee United manager Alex Smith believes the experience of defender Kevin McGowne can help develop his young players. Dundee United manager Alex Smith believes the experience of defender Kevin McGowne can help develop his young players.

The 32-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal at Tannadice after being released from the one remaining year on his deal at Kilmarnock.

And the United boss believes McGowne can bring added steel to his backline.

Smith said: "Kevin will give us a solidness, presence and a bit of extra height at the back.

"He is also a very experienced player and we were a relatively young side last year so we needed a bit of experience.

"Players like Stuart Duff, Jamie McCunnie and David McCracken will all benefit from Kevin's experience.

"Jim Lauchlan is always termed as experienced but he is still only 24 so we needed a bit more experience."