Dundee United have offered an olive branch of peace in the simmering row with Falkirk over the departure of manager Ian McCall to Tannadice.

Reports have suggested that Falkirk will be seeking as much as �500,000 in compensation while United might only offer �50,000.

But United, who climbed off the foot of the Scottish Premier League over the weekend by beating Motherwell, are hoping to bring the matter to a close with very little fuss.

A United spokesman said: "The fact is that obviously we understand where Falkirk are coming from and we understand they will be seeking compensation.

All three were induced by Dundee United to break their contracts Falkirk chairman Campbell Christie

"But unfortunately it will have to be discussed between the lawyers and, from that point of view, we are waiting to hear from Falkirk officially about that and then the discussions will start.

"But it's too early to say how it's going to be resolved. But, in the circumstances, we hope it can be resolved quickly and as amicably as possible for the sake of everybody concerned."

Falkirk chairman Campbell Christie has even threatened legal action if he was not happy with any compensation offer.

McCall had earlier in the season rejected an offer from United, agreed a new contract with Falkirk before last week moving to Tannadice with assistants Gordon Chisholm and Tony Docherty.

Former trades union leader Christie complained: "All three were induced by Dundee United to break their contracts and left without any notice whatsover.

We have done nothing wrong Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson

"They were offered three, four or five times what we could even think of paying, so we can understand why they left."

However, although Christie bears no grudges, he says that their only course of action, if compensation were not agreed, would be to pursue the three individuals.

"The ultimate action would be through the courts, but I would hope that common sense would apply and Dundee United would stand behind them and settle compensation," said Christie.

United chairman Eddie Thompson has said: "I have consulted our lawyers and we have done nothing wrong."