YORK City chief Terry Dolan was today lining up an audacious cross-border raid to land striker Alex Mathie just hours after he was released from Scottish Premier League outfit Dundee United.

The City manager was remaining tight-lipped this morning, but the Evening Press understands the former Celtic, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town ace was set to undergo a stringent medical before putting pen to paper.

The Bathgate-born 31-year-old - whose transfers have totalled more than £1.5million - was released by Dundee United on Monday and should he sign will end manager Dolan's much publicised search for fresh firepower.

Second Division Colchester had made public their interest in securing Mathie's services after seeing whizz-kid Lomana Tresor Lua-Lua move to Newcastle United for £2.5million.

Colchester manager Steve Whitton hailed Mathie as a "natural goalscorer" but earlier today admitted he had lost out on his wanted man to City.

Mathie began his career with Scottish giants Celtic, making 11 appearances before transferring to Morton for £100,000 in August 1991.

He scored 31 goals in just 74 games at Cappielow Park and after a short loan spell at Port Vale in June 1993, Newcastle United paid £285,000 to secure his services.

In just three League starts for the Magpies, Mathie scored four goals but was unable to secure a prolonged stay in the starting line-up at St James' Park.

However, his impressive goals per game ratio prompted Ipswich to make a move for the 5ft 10ins striker, paying Newcastle £500,000 to take him to Portman Road in February 1995.

It was in East Anglia that Mathie rose to prominence scoring 47 goals in just over 100 appearances and in October 1998 Dundee United splashed out £700,000 to take him to Tannadice Park.

He went on to score six goals for the Terrors in his first season and was loaned out to Preston this time last year.

Mathie's impressive goal scoring return continued, notching four goals in a three month stay consisting of just nine starts, and while his starting appearances for Dundee United were restricted to just ten last year Mathie still bagged four goals.

His parting from Tannadice - due to a lack of first team action - has been amicable with Alex Smith, the United manager, declaring: "We wish Alex all the best.

"I am sure he is still very capable of doing a good job for another club."

dave.stanford@ycp.co.uk