Alex Smith last night snapped up Jim Lauchlan for £100,000 - then tipped him to become Dundee United's next captain. The out-of-contract Kilmarnock defender finally signed on at Tannadice after a week of uncertainty. A cash dispute between the player and Killie almost wrecked the move but yesterday he claimed nothing would have stopped him teaming up with his old Scotland Under-21 boss. The 23-year-old won all his international honours under Smith and admits the former Aberdeen and St Mirren boss was the key factor in his decision to join the Premier League's bottom club. Lauchlan played more than 100 times for Bobby Williamson's side but fell out of favour after refusing to sign a new contract. The Rugby Park club were entitled to compensation because he's still a few months short of his 24th birthday. Smith praised Killie for their handling of the situation, admitting they could have held out for nearer £300,000.

He said: "Jim has signed for us until June 2003 which means we'll get the rest of this season and at least another two out of him. "He was under freedom of contract but Kilmarnock were due money because of his age and for his development and we paid them £100,000. "Normally they would have been entitled to something like £300,000. "I'm delighted Jim has decided to join Dundee United and from a personal point of view I'm pleased to be teaming up with him again. "He got his 13 Under-21 caps under me and I know he's played over 100 games for Kilmarnock. He's very experienced for someone of his age. "Jim is the ninth Under-21 international we've got at the club and that's very pleasing." Smith's side lacked spirit in the opening quarter of the season - something he hopes Lauchlan will be able to put right. He admits if things go well for the centre-half he could eventually replace Jason de Vos as skipper. Smith said: "I know Jim's nature and his character and that's a big part of his game. "We've been needing someone to come in and add steel and character to the team. I'm sure he'll come here and help the morale in the dressing room.

"The younger players will benefit a lot from him being around and his support on the park. Whether it's something he does physically or verbally, I'm sure the rest of the players will realise he's a leader. "The captaincy could be a possibility for Jim although maybe not immediately. "I made him captain once for the Under-21s. He was very much in contention along with Gary Naysmith and there was very little to choose between the two in terms of leadership. "If I decided to make him captain of Dundee United then he'd be able to do that without any problems." Lauchlan denies joining United is a backwards step - especially because it means working with Smith. He knows he's stepping into a frantic survival battle but claims the future is still bright for the worst side in the SPL. He said: "I'm happy to be linking up with Alex again. I have a lot of respect for him and Maurice Malpas after working under them with the Under-21s. "It made joining Dundee United at this stage of my career an easy decision. "The main attraction was working with Alex but Dundee United are in a false position.

"When I came into the Kilmarnock team we were in a similar position but we worked hard and things improved and that's what we'll be aiming to do here starting with Saturday's game. "There was never a stage when I felt this move would not happen. "I have no problems with Kilmarnock. I enjoyed my time at Rugby Park and it's great to see them up there doing well. But it's not about them now it's about United." Lauchlan faces a battle with the likes of de Vos, Stephen Wright and Danny Griffin for a place in the side but knows if he starts well he'll be in pole position. He said: "It's going to be difficult - there's no question about that." ©Daily Record