Article: David Goodwillie cleared of sexual assault, now for transfer race | Football, Dundee United, Rangers, Cardiff City

The hunt for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie is likely to heat up after the 22-year-old was cleared of a serious sexual assault.

Clubs north and south of the border - notably Rangers and Cardiff City - are known to be interested in the player. Perhaps understandably, the possibility of Goodwillie facing a jail sentence after being charged with offence has not encouraged any of his suitors to part with their cash.

But a spokesman for the Crown Office said: "A spokesman said: "The Procurator Fiscal at Livingston received a report concerning a 21-year-old male, in connection with an alleged incident on January 2 2011.

"After full and careful consideration of all the facts, Crown Counsel has instructed no proceedings on the basis that there is insufficient evidence in law.

"The case is now closed."

That news will probably signal the start of a race for Goodwillie's signature. What happens now will probably indicate how much preparatory work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare for this eventuality.

Rangers are arguably the favourites to capture the forward, but some commentators are suggesting the chance to move away from Scotland would be a good opportunity for Goodwillie to draw a line under his off-field controversies.

The general consensus seems to be that he has the ability to make an impression in England at some stage. The biggest decision will be whether to make the move now or use the traditional Old Firm step-up of Scottish talent to put himself in the shop window over the next season or two, with the intention of earning a move to the Premier League.

If you were Goodwillie's career advisor, what would you be suggesting to the youngster? Back yourself and make the leap to English football now? Or develop further in Scotland and try your luck a bit further down the line?

 

Of course I am biased, but I think Cardiff would be the perfect move for him, better standard of football than the SPL but not as intense as the Prem, also Cardiff are a team re building with a new stadium and manager and he could really make an impression and help this competitive side realise their ambitions and reach the promised land. Also he would be away from all his off the field problems in Scotland and would probably be on better wages. Seems like a match made in heaven, lets hope i am right!!

 

You are right. Whether David is clever enough to work this out for himself remains the key.

Hopefully he is getting some good advice.

 

With Rudy, Miller, Earnie and Mason (not to mention Parkin) do we still need another striker?

 

The thing is he could make more money at Cardiff and he might never reach the Premier League. He is a boyhood Rangers fan so he could like many do, use the Old Firm as a stepping stone into the Premiership. He could spend a few years winning trophies and playing in Europe, possibly the Champions League group stages against some of the best teams in the world, before moving on to the Premier League.

But like you say he would be escaping the Scottish media and possibly some of the thugs that he hangs about. Think he would be a great addition to our squad and hopefully we snap him up. Just wondering, what type of wage Cardiff can offer him. The Rangers wage budget could possibly stretch to £25k.

 

Doubt we'd offer that. We've off loaded all our big earners. Not sure what Miller would have come in on though.

 

Is he definitely a Rangers fan?

 

Get to ****

 

He rejected about £18k or so when he left us in January and was on £50k a week after tax at Bursa, so I would imagine he would be on a decent wage.

Yeah. Supposedly one of his mates posts on FF and showed the admin something to confirm that he wasn't talking ****e.

 

Medro Pendes!
The guy will get just as much crap from opposing fans and beer fueled idiots down this way if he doesn't start changing his ways.

He probably now knows what we are prepared to offer,so if he starts playing games to start a bidding war we will more than likely walk away.

The ball is in his court (no pun intended) now.

 

He'd be perfect for Rangers...


McGregor and him out on the town...bonding!

 

Word is we have "cooled" our interst in Goodwillie and other targets are in the frame, also due to Miller being signed.(reported on AAMB)
Think this one is put to bed for us, there will be no Goodwillie in Cardiff

 

How will HT manage .....

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/14270967.stm

the man in action

 

I can't be bothered starting a new thread, but is the game on anywhere tonight?

 

Its on Rangers TV and live on the daily record website, thanks for your help...****ers!

 

I think she is too busy practicing for when Super Kev scores.

 

BBC say Blackpool now in the frame and will pay the £2m asked - looking to splash some of their parachute payment with Campbell likely to go to QPR. Blackpool also looking to get Drinkwater and another youngster on loan from Man U.

 

Dont think we need him now to be honest, we have 2 proven goal scorers in Miller and Earnshaw and Goodwillie seems sort of in the same mould as them. Fingers crossed that Miller will have more of an impact than the last SPL golden boot winner Kris Boyd. Also cant see us shelling out more than £10k per week for someone of limited experience and unproven.

 

Agreed City Ace

I am wondering why there is a delay in completing the Miller and Gestede moves. All reports said they would be done and dusted yesterday but nothing reported or mentioned on the club's website.