Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson says it is not too late for Celtic to launch a late bid for Derby County-bound striker Johnny Russell.

The former Scotland Under-21 forward is due at Pride Park on Monday for a medical after agreeing terms with the Championship side.

United accepted a £750,000 bid for the 23-year-old on Wednesday but rumours of Celtic interest in the player persist.

However, Thompson says he has yet to receive a formal offer from Parkhead but admits that with Derby deal still to be finalised, the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions could yet swoop.

He told Press Association Sport: "Until everything is signed and sealed, nothing is concluded - but we have agreed terms with Derby County.

"I know their chief executive Sam Rush has spoken to Johnny's agent and they are pretty close to agreeing terms. But he has to go there for a medical on Monday, so you never know. Anything can happen in this game.

"There has been a lot of speculation but there has been no other approaches to us."

Asked if he had heard from Celtic, the United chief said: "Not a thing. I'm not particularly expecting anything from them either. But I will never be surprised in this game.

"I don't know if this is all just speculation coming from the west (regarding Celtic's interest). But no other offers have come in. However, we have seen it before when someone is going somewhere for a medical and then there is an about turn and they go somewhere else.

"Until it happens it is not complete."

Thompson also hopes to have the lingering issue of compensation due to Partick Thistle following January's appointment of Jackie McNamara as Arabs boss wrapped up within the next few days.

An ugly four-month stand-off has seen both sides threaten legal action but United are hopeful the dispute can finally be ironed out.

"We are in the final throws of resolving it," said Thompson. "We are looking forward to putting that behind us, particularly for Jackie.

"We want to move on. We have got to sit round the table with them next season, their chairman and myself, and work together now that Thistle are in the SPL.

"It's close to being legally sorted right now and hopefully that will be it concluded in the next few days. It's time to move on."

The Tannadice chairman also expects a busy few days of negotiations as talks on a merger of the SPL and Scottish Football League look set to conclude one way or another next week.

The top-flight clubs have already formalised plans to introduce one-league body comprising the current 12-10-10-10 structure with the additions of play-offs between the SPL and Irn Bru First Division, as well a fairer share of finances.

The matter hinges on an SFL vote which requires 22 clubs out of its 29 full members to back the motion for change.

Thompson said: "One way or another we will know where we are going next week. There is an SFA AGM on Tuesday, a SFL meeting on Wednesday and an SPL meeting on Thursday.

"By Wednesday night we should have a good idea of where we are going and finally move on - hopefully as one league body with 42 clubs.

"I don't want to predict anything though as you never know what can happen. But I really believe what we have on the table is the right thing for taking the game forward."