Dundee United sign Billy Mckay for rest of season

Billy Mckay of Wigan has signed on loan for Dundee United. Picture: Getty Images

The Tannadice club had a £200,000 bid accepted earlier this week but the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker has now returned north on a temporary switch until the end of the season.

Hibernian had also been interested in the Northern Ireland international international but he has opted to move to United.

Mckay, 26, has struggled to fit in at the DW Stadium, starting just once for the Latics following his £150,000 switch in January. But United manager Jackie McNamara will hope he can rediscover the form with which he scored 62 goals in 141 appearances for Caley Thistle.

The club said in a statement: “Dundee United can confirm, subject to international clearance, the loan signing of striker Billy Mckay from Wigan Athletic.

“Billy will wear the number seven jersey throughout season 2015-16 and should be part of Jackie McNamara’s squad for the trip to Dingwall on Saturday.”

The player himself tweeted: “Happy to have joined Dundee United on loan for the season. Can’t wait to get back to playing and enjoying football.”

United could do with Mckay’s extra firepower having won just one of their five Ladbrokes Premiership games so far.

Speaking before confirmation of Mckay’s signing, United defender Paul Dixon said: “I don’t think I’ve played against Billy too many times. It was only once I’d gone to England he turned into the prolific goalscorer he became at Inverness.

“But if he can come here and score goals that would be great. That’s exactly what we want.

“But there is still goals in the guys here. We just need to make sure we make those chances. If we make those chances then hopefully they will take them.”

United play Ross County away today.