New Celtic duo Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong have denied they had engineered an escape route from Tannadice.

A statement from Dundee United, in response to the heated criticism the club had taken from their own support after selling the pair to Celtic ahead of the two clubs meeting in the League Cup final on Sunday, March 15, hinted that they accepted the Parkhead bids because they did not want to keep players who wanted away.

However, both players were at pains to insist they had not been petulant in the light of the late-evening offers from Celtic on the final day of the transfer window.

"No, I wouldn't entirely agree with that," said Armstrong when questioned on United's statement. "I don't think I actively expressed that to them.

"It was in the club's control and the club is responsible for accepting or rejecting bids. I just had the role of being expected to come and speak and explore what this club is all about.

"I don't know the exact wording of the statement, but I would say that I didn't actively push myself out the door. I think I was quite relaxed about it and waited for the clubs to accept or reject, and came here once it happened."

And Mackay-Steven, who was Parkhead-bound in the summer before a deal was struck to take him immediately, insisted that he had never "kicked the door down" to leave.

"At the start of the month United wanted X for me," he explained. "It wasn't until deadline-day that figure was met. But it was all about the clubs talking and a fee was agreed.

"I am delighted to have my future secured at a club like Celtic.

"But I had a great four years at United. I never once kicked the door down and asked to leave because I had always been happy and was happy.

"It was just a massive opportunity for me here. It has happened sooner than I expected, but that's great and I will get my head down and work as hard as I can.

"I am so grateful for the way Dundee United treated me. It will be a little different when we go back there, but I am sure they will see the bigger picture and know that we still have a part of Dundee United with us, but that we are doing this to further our careers."

Armstrong proved adept at taking any pressure off himself when asked about Ronny Deila's claim that he was the Scottish version of German World Cup winner Thomas Muller.

He said: "I think he will soon find out I am not Thomas Muller -- but it is another step in developing my career under the coaches here."

Mackay-Steven then admitted it would have been "strange" had he stayed at United and faced Celtic in the March final.

Both he and Armstrong are cup-tied and will have to watch from the stand.

He said: "It will be strange situation watching it. On Saturday it was a great high for us, getting to another cup final after beating Aberdeen.

"It would have been strange playing for Dundee United against my future employers Celtic. And to be here now, and know that I won't be involved at all, is quite strange.

"But football is like that. Maybe it is a good thing that I don't have to face that. When a club like Celtic shows an interest, your head is immediately turned.

"It is world-renowned. We have played here at Celtic Park before as opposing players and it is an unbelievable place to play your football."