Dave Mackay has returned to Scotland, just two days after playing in the first half of the pre-season friendly at Yeading. Mackay had originally declared his intention to return north of the border earlier in the summer, leading to Brian Talbot’s decision to offer Lee Mansell a contract. Mackay then declared that he was going to be staying after all, presumably because he couldn’t find a club prepared to match his current wages, despite his wife’s alleged home-sickness. No club has been specified as Mackay’s destination, but today’s Daily Record reports that Livingston are close to signing the former Dundee right back, while last week the same paper linked Mackay with a move to St. Johnstone.

Meanwhile, while the senior squad were being thoroughly beaten by a side two divisions below them, United’s youth team secured their second victory out of two on Saturday. Two goals from scoring sensation Billy Beechers, plus an own goal from Ian Smith, were enough for United to beat Milton United 3-2. Beechers achievement is even more impressive when you consider that he didn’t come on for the first hour of the game, eventually replacing Ryan Brooks up front.

Milton took the lead shortly after Beechers’ arrival, when Ian Smith diverted Garry Hartley’s effort past Gareth Tucker, but Beechers equalised eight minutes later. Beechers then gave United the lead before Hartley converted a penalty in the 89th minute. Smith then diverted a cross into his own goal in the final minute to give United the victory.