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Derek Johnstone, the former Rangers and Scotland player, yesterday agreed to return to where it all began, Dundee, joining Dundee United on a month's loan from Chelsea.

Born in Dundee, and a genuine United supporter long before they reached their current status in Scotland, Johnstone went to Chelsea during the close season, but despite working so hard in training that he has apparently lost around a stone he has not made the London club's first team. He did, however, score in his only reserve outing against Charlton last week.

United made enquiries about a full transfer for Johnstone, but as Chelsea would not quote a figure they have opted for the short-term mvoe, obviously with a longer stay in mind.

Johnstone, who will be 30 on November 4, will go straight into the United side which meets Morton at Tannadice tomorrow.

Said manager Jim McLean: "I feel he has something to prove and now he has the platform on which to do it.

"I believe the move can be mutually beneficial. From our point of view he could be a very useful asset as we are still without Paul Sturrock. I hope he scores as many goals for us as he did against us."

The United manager, who has been making enquiries all over the country, stresses that the latest move does not mean that the search has ended.

Johnstone, who joined Rangers from Dundee St Columba's, spent 13 years at Ibrox, during which time he was capped five times for Scotland. He was also part of the squad which went to Argentina for the World Cup in 1978, but did not play.

He is happy to return to Scotland. "It was my boyhood dream to play for United and now, if I get a game, I will be able to say I did it. It hasn't really hit me that I'll be playing for them but it has made me wanted.

"It's another challenge for me and I know I have to prove myself to a lot of people. It's up to me to do it, but I don't want to think ahead beyond the next month."

All going well Johnstone should play against Rangers at Ibrox on November 19.

Ironically, yesterday was 13 years to the day when Johnstone scored the only goal in a memorable debut for Rangers as they won the League Cup final against Celtic at Hampden.

As he leaves Chelsea to join United another former Chelsea man, Iain Britton, leaves Tannadice on a free transfer. Britton, who joined United a year ago from Stamford Bridge, was released yesterday.