Meet the Highland League star Dundee United and Inverness CT want

Few players make a direct step up from the Highland League to the Ladbrokes Championship, but there’s no brighter talent in the junior game than Blair Yule.

And a host of clubs – including Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dundee United – want his signature.

The 25-year-old broke through the ranks at Cove Rangers in 2010, and has only gone from strength to strength with the Aberdeen club – and enjoyed a trial with English Football League stalwarts Doncaster Rovers last summer.

However, the now out-of-contract midfielder is believed to be on course for a move closer to home.

Peterhead boss Jim McInally is reported to have offered the playmaker a contract at Balmoor, but while the Blue Toon would represent a step up, both Inverness and the Tangerines are now in the running for Yule.

So, what would the Wee Rangers’ ace bring to the Championship duo?

He seems a more obvious fit for Ray McKinnon’s men, with United solid last term, but lacking a creative, dynamic presence in midfield – an issue which proved crucial in their 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat to Hamilton Academical last month.

And with McKinnon – a former Lochee Rangers manager – having frequently brought in players from lower down the pyramid in his days as Brechin City and Raith Rovers boss, he could well be the ideal man to continue Yule’s upward trajectory.

As Inverness, there’s more of a question-mark over what kind of side they’ll be in the coming campaign, with a high turnover on the cards following relegation, and the club yet to appoint a permanent successor to departed boss Richie Foran.

However, fans of the Highland outfit will no doubt be pleased to see their side being active in the transfer window despite the current uncertainty in the dugout.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing