Dundee United hold out and reject Rangers' £1m David Goodwillie bid

Rangers manager Ally McCoist moved for 22-year-old Goodwillie yesterday after United chairman Stephen Thompson revealed that no contact had taken place between the clubs since the Ibrox club's initial interest on 20 June, with the Ibrox club also believed to have made a fresh bid for Hearts defender Lee Wallace.

That prompted the Ibrox side to mobilise in an attempt to beat off competition from Cardiff and Blackpool, who have both also held negotiations with United about the Scotland international.

McCoist is understood to have offered the Tannadice side a package which would be worth over a million, although that still falls well below United's valuation of their player.

Thompson initially quoted Rangers 2 million for Goodwillie, who is with his team-mates in Dublin after Tuesday's friendly draw with Bohemians, but that figure was dismissed last week by new Ibrox owner Craig Whyte.

With Cardiff and Blackpool still firmly in the frame, United are confident they will get what they are looking for so knocked back Rangers first firm bid and are waiting to see if they return with an improved offer.

Hearts turned down an offer of 300,000 for Wallace last week, but it is understood Rangers have made an improved bid for the 23-year-old.

Speaking on Monday, McCoist confirmed Wallace was a target. "I make no secret of the fact that the first bid has been rejected and Lee is a player we would be keen to get here," he said.