Celtic and Rangers target 'in conversation' for World Cup as transfer admission made by manager

Graham, 22, has caught the attention of several clubs after a breakout season at Dens Park, including Celtic and Rangers, and was the subject of a failed seven-figure bid from EFL Championship outfit Portsmouth in January.

Ahead of Sunday’s visit of Celtic to Dens Park, the head coach admitted the club are bracing themselves for further interest in his services this summer, praising his professionalism as he tipped him to make it to the very top of the game.

“We received a substantial offer for him in January,” Pressley told Sky Sports. “The club turned that down, which was really important. Since then he has been terrific. He's got better and better. He's a credit to himself and his family, the way he has conducted himself during the speculation.

“He's someone who I think is a top level player. Am I surprised by the speculation? Absolutely not. Do I expect to receive further offers in the summer? Probably, based on his form. But the club will only sell for the finance that we believe he is worth.

“It's not a case that we want to balance the books. We understand that a player like Luke Graham probably, in his own mind, wants to play at a top club. A club in the English Premier League, that's his ambition. Of course, at Dundee we can't provide that ambition. I think he can play at the very top. We have to be a club that supports, helps and progresses players, but then with the money we receive we invest in raw talent again.

“The decision will be Luke's, and the decision of which football club meets the right financial package required to lure him away. If he goes to another club in Scotland before that move [to the English Premier League], that'll be the decision makers choice. Also it'll be the market choice, the club can only sell at the right price but in the market that is available. There's a lot of things to take into consideration. The most important thing is the player. We should be proud around his progression. We should want a player like Luke to play at the very top.”

Impressive in Scotland Under-21s 0-0 draw with Czechia last week, Graham has been tipped for a big future at international level, and Pressley shared his thoughts on the defender’s hopes of being named in the Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America this June.

“He's definitely got to be in consideration because of his form,” said Pressley. “But you also have to respect Steve Clarke. He's been a hugely successful Scotland manager. Part of that has been an element of stability within your group. He's been very loyal to players within his group, and as a result of that he's achieved some great things. So I understand where Steve Clarke is coming from.”

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