Dodds ends Rangers nightmare and returns to Dundee United

Veteran striker Billy Dodds agreed to rejoin Scottish Premier League relegation candidates Dundee United and end his nightmare stay at giants Rangers.

The 33-year-old former Scottish international will also team-up again with United manager Paul Hegarty, under whom he played at Aberdeen in the 1990's - Steve Thompson is likely to make the opposite journey to Rangers on Tuesday.

Dodds left United three years ago to join Dick Advocaat at Rangers, but fell out of favour when Alex McLeish replaced the Dutch national coach last season.

Dodds remains a Rangers player until January 1, but his contract will transfer to United on that day and he has signed a pre-contract agreement with United.

He will be available for the visit of Kilmarnock on January 2.

Hegarty was delighted to have pulled off his first transfer target and said he was not concerned about Dodds' age.

"Billy is an excellent player who will bring a lot of qualities to the team," he said.

"He is 33 years old now, but I think he is a young 33-year-old.

"He has proved over the last 6 or 7 years that he is a top quality player and proven goalscorer.

"He has scored goals wherever he has played and hopefully his time back here will be as successful as his first spell at the club."

United, who won their only title in 1983, face a tough battle to preserve their elite status as they are presently bottom of the table one point adrift of Motherwell, who also have a game in hand.