ROY MacGregor, the Ross County chairman, will block any attempt by Dundee United to sign Michael Gardyne in the current transfer window.
The former Celtic forward this week agreed a pre-contract deal to join the SPL club in the summer, raising speculation United might offer a fee for his immediate release.
But MacGregor, who is willing to bankroll two new signings for County before the January window closes, will blank any such move by the Tannadice club.
Gardyne will sign a three-year deal with United on greatly-enhanced personal terms come May.
But with the player making it clear he is determined to end his County career in style, manager Derek Adams has promised to keep selecting him so long as he performs.
MacGregor told the Ross-shire Journal, "We have already said to Dundee United we are not letting Michael go (in the current window) and that is that. If they came to us offering a fee, we would refuse to do business.
"The importance of what the club is about and the spirit of where we're going is more important than the money. It's not a money thing - it's an ambition thing.
"Providing Michael still performs on the park, I'm sure he will play. If he doesn't perform, he won't play. That is always the manager's outlook. It would be daft for Michael to find himself sitting out 18 games by not performing and we don't think he will. He can leave the club a hero."
MacGregor, buoyed by County's tremendous first half of the season, confirmed he is releasing extra funds to improve the squad.
But he will leave it up to Adams to decide if additional signings are in the club's best interest at this juncture.
MacGregor said, "There is an opportunity for the manager to bring in a player or two if he wants to do that.
"We've given him that scope and it's up to him if he feels the time is ripe.
"Although we are losing Michael Gardyne at the end of the season, we are also giving Derek the opportunity to strengthen what he has got here and now.
"Derek, I'm sure, will only want to take that step if he knows he can enhance the squad.
"There are 20 players here who are performing and four have to sit it out every week.
"If two come in, how does that affect the togetherness of a squad who are doing well? You set that against having an insurance policy of bringing in another couple of quality players at this stage.
"That's a manager's dilemma but we're supporting Derek in what he wants to do.
"He puts a lot of effort into creating that togetherness. Any signings have got to be able to add something and be better than what we have, and he will make a judgement on that.
"But we have given him the ability to strengthen without having to offload anyone from the squad.
"There is probably scope to bring in two players - if that is what he feels is right."
MacGregor insisted Gardyne would leave the club with Ross County's best wishes.
And he defended the club's policy of not offering players renewed deals until later in the season.
The chairman said, "We have to make sure the timing is right for appraising where we are and where we are going as a club.
"We haven't yet played half of our fixtures. There is a fantastic togetherness at the club and we don't want to jeopardise that in any way. The pre-contract aspect is here to stay in football. There are no long contracts anymore.
"If you perform to a high standard, you will get your opportunity somewhere else."
Asked if it was now all the more urgent to tie up players on new deals, MacGregor replied, "I don't think so. We want to know where we are going to be.
"We have a passion for the next level. Any player here who feels they can move to a higher level, we wish them the best of luck. But we want them to go there with Ross County."
MacGregor added, "We've seen the good and bad of Michael's game in his time here, but I think in the last couple of months in particular he has been at a different level.
"We wish him the very best. Anyone who can move to a higher grade in whatever job they do is to be commended. We would have liked him to do it with Ross County but he received a fabulous offer from Dundee United.
"Michael has given us five years' good service. He has done really well for us.
"We have been a club who have adapted to these scenarios in the past and kept improving, so we will find another Michael Gardyne.
"We give players a platform to express themselves and that is what Michael has done."
