The Kyle Lafferty sliding doors moment as Kilmarnock star could have joined Dundee if James McPake had his way

Dundee believed they had agreed a deal but it had to be sanctioned by managing director John Nelms.

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Kyle Lafferty helped Kilmarnock replace Dundee in the Scottish Premiership – yet if things had fallen differently he could have been at Dens Park in January.

James McPake pushed hard to get the striker ahead of Killie in the last transfer window.

Dundee believed they had agreed a deal but it had to be sanctioned by managing director John Nelms because it was over their pre-authorised wages.

Lafferty was due to go into Kilmarnock to meet with Derek McInnes but was prepared to give Dundee additional time to finalise their offer.

The issue for the Dens Park club was that Nelms was on business in America and because of the time difference they were unable to get a quick fire answer.

Lafferty felt it was wrong to keep Kilmarnock hanging on and signed on at Rugby Park for the season.

For Dundee boss McPake, it was another transfer disappointment having missed out on ambitious moves for Ash Taylor, who also went to Killie, and striker Sam Cosgrove, who decided to remain in England with AFC Wimbledon.

Lafferty went on to score nine goals for Killie in the second half of the season and that played a part in them clinching the Championship.

The 34-year-old made such an impact McInnes rewarded Lafferty with a new deal to spearhead Kilmarnock’s Premiership return.

Dundee did agree a pre-contract with Partick Thistle striker Zak Rudden but had to wait until the end of the window to get that deal done, with Alex Jakubiak going to Firhill on-loan to seal the transfer.

A couple of weeks after the Rudden capture, McPake found himself out of a job.

Dundee had lost only once in his last six games but the Dens Park board decided they needed more experience to aid their survival bid.

They turned to Mark McGhee but he was unable to provide a new manager bounce.

Dundee were unable to avoid bottom spot and an immediate return to the Championship.

Now McGhee has departed and technical director Gordon Strachan is taking a more hands-on approach to put together a new management team Dundee hope will get them back in the Premiership at the first time of asking.