Dundee United to release trio at the end of the season

Keith Watson (pictured), Michael Gardyne and Brian Graham will not be offered new deals

Dundee United are to release Keith Watson, Michael Gardyne and Brian Graham at the end of the season.

The trio will not be offered new deals by the Tannadice club.

Defender Watson, who was part of the Scottish Cup winning team of 2010, has been on loan at Hibernian since January, making nine appearances.

Gardyne has spent the season on loan at former club Ross County, while Graham has scored eight goals on loan at St Johnstone.

In recent days manager Jackie McNamara has had to fend off rumours that striker Nadir Ciftci and defender John Souttar could be transfer targets for Celtic, who signed Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong in January.