Partick Thistle 2-2 Dundee Utd: Mackay-Steven vital to us - McNamara

Mackay-Steven scored the opener in United's 2-2 draw with Thistle

Jackie McNamara says Dundee United want to keep Gary Mackay-Steven but admits the club have "prepared" themselves for losing the winger in the summer.

Mackay-Steven, who is out of contract in the summer, scored one and created another in United's 2-2 draw with Partick Thistle.

"I'd like to keep him here," said McNamara. "You could see how important he was to us here with the two goals today.

"I want to keep what we've got and make them better. I'd like to add one or two - not lose anybody.

"We knew last summer that he'd be walking away for nothing.

"Everyone talks about the younger ones we've sold because we've had to - GMS we've prepared ourselves for losing for nothing in the summer.

"I want to keep them all until the end of the season. For me, we have to weigh up what is best in terms of the financial side of a bid or what he could bring by helping us get to a cup final or up the league. It has to be right for the club first and foremost."

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald was "happy with a point" but slightly frustrated the Jags had not added to their lead after Ryan Stevenson and Kris Doolan scored following Mackay-Steven's opener.

"We had a spell in the first half and if we could have got to 3-1 at half-time it would have been a different game," said Archibald.

"The young boys came in and done well and I thought the experienced ones helped them as well."