By Tom Mackinnon

JIM McLean is to have a statue erected in his honour, if the club and fans can raise the funds.

Dundee United, alongside ArabTRUST, will have to raise £75,000 for a statue of their greatest ever manager. ArabTRUST, the Dundee United Supporters Society, have agreed to lead the fundraising efforts.

ArabTRUST member Stuart Gray has raised his concerns with the fundraising; “£75,000 is a lot of money to raise, particularly when times are tough. It will take a massive effort from not just the committee but also the community to get the required amount.

“I am confident as a fan base that we can secure the money. Jim has done so much for the club and while the stand being named after him is nice, a statue would go some way to show just how much appreciate him.

“He is our greatest ever manager, so much of what we have done as a club is down to him, he deserves to commemorated in this way. A real legend of not just our club but of Scottish football in general.”

The 80-year-old managed the Tayside club for 22 years, the only team he managed in his career. The Scotsman won the league cup twice and the league in 1983, the club’s finest hour to date. He also achieved success on the continent, taking the club to UEFA Cup final in 1987, eventually losing to giants IFK Goteburg. As well as manager of the side, he took up positions as a director, managing director and chairman of the club during his near 30-year association with the Dundee United.

Potential cites for the statue have already been discussed with the entrances to the Eddie Thompson and George Fox stands at Tannadice being two that have been discussed, as well a potential area inside the stadium.