DUNDEE United chairman Jim McLean yesterday called in one of his

former pupils to lead the team out of the relegation zone and bring it

back to prominence in the premier division.

The appointment of 36-year-old Billy Kirkwood, who has been reserve

coach with Rangers for close to four years, comes just two weeks after

the dismissal of Croatian Ivan Golac.

Kirkwood has been favourite for the job, but it was thought that the

caretaker co-operative of Gordon Wallace, Paul Hegarty and Maurice

Malpas would continue untill the end of the season.

Instead, Kirkwood, whose first game in charge, ironically, will be

against Rangers at Tannadice this Saturday, has been brought in after

only two more games, which have yielded just one point.

McLean insisted that the club were now satisfied they had found the

right man, but refused to reveal the length of contract.

Kirkwood said ''I have had one or two offers to go on my own, but this

is the sort of challenge that appeals to me. I have learned a lot,

particularly in the last four years at Ibrox.''

McLean said: ''Billy was always one of the most committed players and

we are confident that commitment still exists.''

Rangers manager Walter Smith said: ''He is ready for the job and will

do it well. He has had a lot of success with Rangers' reserve team.''