The Irishman had an honest conversation with the experienced defender over his future.

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has revealed why he released Charlie Mulgrew.

The Irishman has claimed that he wanted to bring down the average age of his squad. He had also brought in Kevin Holt to play on the left-hand side of the defence and Goodwin claimed another reason behind the veteran’s departure was that he also didn’t want to block up the first-team pathway for young Ross Graham.

Former Scotland and Celtic defender Mulgrew left Tannadice after agreeing an early pay-up from the final year of his contract last week .Goodwin explained: “I can only speak about what Charlie was like from the point I came to the club — and he was brilliant around the place. He was very professional and well-liked in the dressing room. A lot of the squad looked up to him as a quality, senior player who has performed at the very highest level. He managed the dressing room along with Steven Fletcher and one or two others, but I had a conversation with Charlie at the end of last season when relegation was confirmed.

“I told him we were going in a different direction — we had Ross Graham, I knew I was going to sign another left-sided centre-half, so we didn’t need three. That may have also blocked things up for Ross Graham, too, and I don’t want to do that. Ross is a player who I’ve got high hopes for. He’s got everything to have a real chance in the game — left-sided, 6ft3ins, very comfortable on the ball.”

Mulgrew still felt he could play a part in getting United back to the Premiership but Goodwin praised him for the way he handled the situation. Goodwin added: “Charlie wanted to stay and felt he was good enough to play, but another of my thoughts this summer was about reducing the average of the squad and that was the thinking behind some of the business.

“Charlie accepted that. He knows that’s football; it’s about opinions. Sometimes, unfortunately, things need to come to an end and I know Charlie enjoyed his time at the club. I’m sure people will speculate about this, that and the other, but I can only speak for the period of time I worked with him — and he was as good as gold.”

Meanwhile, Ilmari Niskanen is expected to make his move to Exeter City over the next 24 to 48 hours. The English League One side have agreed a fee with United for the Finnish international. The winger is currently in England putting the finishing touches to a two year contract with the Grecians.