MOTHERWELL manager Graham Alexander is content with the six-figure sum the Steelmen received yesterday for the transfer of striker Tony Watt and he insisted that his side won’t be weaker without the Premiership’s leading goalscorer.

The 28-year-old had already signed a pre-contract deal at Tannadice and would have joined United at the end of the season in any case but his immediate departure has simplified things for Alexander, who had always maintained that he would continue to utilise the player, including in matches against his new club.

“We had to consider scenarios where we were happy for him to go or happy for him to stay. The first scenario’s come about and we’re very happy with the fee.

“He’s gone to Dundee United and now we carry on trying to win games of football. That was our only target, really - that we looked after the club first – and I feel we have done.

“We have a value on all our players while they are contracted to us. If that value isn’t matched then they’ll be our player until the end of their contract. It’s that simple and that value was matched with Tony, which is why he will become a Dundee United player.

“When he signed a pre-contract I knew he was leaving, it was just a matter of when and the most important thing was when it suited us. We’re not looking for a direct replacement because I feel we have the players in the squad already.

“We’re always talking about the strength of our squad. We never think any individual is the key to our success, it’s the team. Always.

“If we ever get to the point where it’s just about the individual then we are in a very weak position. We will never allow us to become that team or club.”