Charlie Telfer, the player widely regarded as the pick of Rangers’ youth team, will today sign for Dundee United.

The 18-year-old midfielder has decided to swap Ibrox for Tannadice in a move that will see the Tangerines eventually pay a development compensation fee.

The Carluke-born playmaker is a lifelong supporter of the Light Blues and had been offered fresh terms by his boyhood heroes after his contract ended at the end of the season.

However, the fact he is prepared to set sentiment aside and join United for football reasons is a huge compliment to manager Jackie McNamara and his coaching team.

McNamara has been a long-time admirer of the Scotland under-19 international and will sign him as a first-team player despite not being fully established as such at Ibrox.

The transfer tug-of-war between Rangers and United will be won by the Tangerines today when he puts pen to paper on a contract.

A development fee has yet to be agreed by the clubs and if that remains the case an independent panel will be called upon to decide the matter.

The Tangerines are understood to have already offered a fee in the region of £60,000, while Rangers are rumoured to be looking for a six-figure sum.

United are also understood to be on the brink of making a second signing, with Queen’s Park youngster Blair Spittal a likely candidate.