Dundee United

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is satisfied with point at Celtic Park despite being disappointed not to hold on to their 2-1 lead.

"I think I've got to be pleased with the overall performance," he tells BBC Scotland.

"Of course there is an air of disappointment in the dressing room that we weren't able to hang on and take all three points.

"It would have been a historic victory had we done that, but credit to the opposition, their changes at half time brought a real spark to their team.

"They made us suffer for large periods in that second 45 minutes, but we did have two or three breakaway chances that we are maybe disappointed we didn't do better with.

"But I can't have too many complaints about the end result.

"It is still early days, but it is something to build on after these 11 games being in a decent position in the league table and a relatively positive points return.

"To respond to the early goal shows great character and we had to dig deep in the last 20 minutes - Celtic are relentless."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Not so long ago I was highlighting Dundee United's lengthy search for consistency.

They couldn't find it last season and the early signs suggested it could also be an issue for them this term.

Just getting back-to-back league wins has proved problematic over the past 18 months.

Well, whisper it, but it looks like Jim Goodwin's side - currently fourth in the table - may have finally solved the consistency conundrum.

They have lost just one of their past seven Premiership games, winning four.

United are the joint highest scorers outwith the Old Firm and Hearts in the league, having netted 14 times, and are in the top five for clean sheets (3).

So the evidence suggests the United ship is now sailing in the right direction.

That said, tonight's trip to play champions Celtic represents the ultimate test.

If Goodwin's men can emerge from that unscathed then the fans will head back up the road with lofty dreams about what may be possible this season.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 51 home games against Dundee United in all competitions (W39 D12) since a 1-0 league defeat in December 1992. Only against Kilmarnock have the Parkhead club ever had a longer unbeaten home run (64 from 1957 to 2011).

• Camilo Duran has seven goal involvements (four goals, three assists) in five Scottish Premiership appearances at Celtic Park, the most by any player in their first five home league games for Celtic since Moussa Dembele in 2016 (also seven).

• Dundee United have won two of their past three league games against Celtic (L1), as many as their previous 39 beforehand (W2 D7 L30). The Tannadice side could win successive league matches against Celtic for the first time since January 1990.

• Celtic have won nine of their past 10 home league games (L1), the most home victories of any side in the Premiership since the start of March.

• Dundee United have picked up more points in their last four away league games (7 – W2 D1 L1) than their previous 10 beforehand (5 – W1 D2 L7).

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Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has been ruled out until the international break with a fresh hamstring injury.

Auston Trusty has been missing through a family bereavement while Yang Hyun-jun (hamstring) is still out. Joel van den Berg had his first Celtic training session but is some way off fitness.

Dundee United's Mehdi Merghem, Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei are on the sidelines with knee injuries.

Dundee United's Lyall Cameron believes he, Zidane Iqbal and Dylan Tait complement each other well and feels "a close bond" with his fellow midfielders. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Jim Goodwin is optimistic his in-form Dundee United side can end the club's 34-year wait for a victory at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.

United, who last triumphed away to Celtic in December 1992, are buoyed for their latest attempt by a five-game unbeaten run that includes three wins in the past four outings.

"We have to be confident, we have to be optimistic," manager Goodwin told DUTV.

"The team are in a really good place at the moment, scoring goals, playing really well, playing some fantastic football.

"We have a midfield three at the moment who's as dominant as any in the country. Defensively we've looked solid and at the top end of the pitch we're creating chances.

"So I think we go into this particular fixture in the best form we've been for as long as I can remember.

"History will tell you this particular fixture hasn't been all that kind to us given the fact it's been over three decades since the last time we went to Parkhead and won. But believe me when I tell you that this group are full of confidence and full of optimism.

"This run that we're on has to change at some point and I don't see why this group can't be the ones to go and make the difference."

Goodwin has no intention of ditching the more expansive style he has instilled at United this season when they visit the defending champions.

"Throughout the the course of the season, we're probably going to give up more chances to the opposition at times than what we maybe did over the last couple of years, just given the change in style and being that little bit more open and expansive," he added.

"This is a style that we've all bought into, that the players are happy and enjoying playing in. And for me as manager, it's my responsibility to give them that bit of belief and confidence.

"So we'll keep playing this way. Just because we're going to Celtic Park tomorrow doesn't mean that we're going to all of a sudden panic under pressure and just lump the ball up the park. We haven't recruited to play that way.

"So hopefully we give a good account of ourselves. Celtic are going to ask questions of you defensively, but believe we've got players in this team that can cause Celtic lots of problems as well."

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Now that was proper football. Five goals in torrential rain at Tannadice brought with it three points and the inevitable VAR nonsense thrown in for good measure.

United's 3-2 win over Aberdeen probably wasn't one for anyone wanting a calm Saturday afternoon but it was another big result from a team quietly putting together a very decent run.

Zidane Iqbal opened the scoring, Dylan Tait was outstanding and Zac Sapsford eventually got the winner with a brilliant header.

I say eventually, because he'd already scored once. Or at least everyone inside Tannadice thought he had.

Then VAR got involved, Daniel Bennie was deemed to be interfering from an offside position and another perfectly enjoyable football moment was replaced by several minutes of staring at a screen and wondering what exactly constitutes interfering with play.

Thankfully, Sapsford just went and scored again.

That's now five unbeaten for United, with three wins from the past four, and there's a bit of resilience about this side that perhaps wasn't always there last season.

So naturally, just as we're starting to enjoy ourselves, the fixture list sends us to Parkhead on Wednesday night.

Lovely.

Still, we'll go there in form, confident and with absolutely nothing to lose.

Preferably with less rain. And considerably less VAR.

Ronny Costello can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external

Dundee United have contacted the Scottish FA to request an explanation after Zac Sapsford had a goal ruled out in contentious fashion during Saturday's 3-2 win over Aberdeen. (The Courier, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sportscene's Steven Thompson and James McFadden discuss Zac Sapsford's disallowed goal for Dundee United in their win over Aberdeen. (UK only)

Dunfermline Athletic have been told that on-loan Dundee United defender Sam Cleall-Harding's hamstring injury does not require surgery. (The Courier, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

A controversial VAR decision ruled out Zac Sapsford's goal for Dundee United, before he went on to score again eight minutes later - and did a VAR celebration.

Dundee United get the better of Aberdeen in a five-goal Scottish Premiership encounter (UK only).

United fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's 3-2 home win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Keith: Patience is a virtue. What a team performance. In a 50/50 game we came out on top because United, as a team, were together and everyone put in the effort required. We are playing great. Fantastic fast moves, fantastic attacks, fantastic defending, fantastic last ditch blocks and tackles. Loving it all. Sure it will be hard but keep it going United.

Tommy: I thought United deserved the victory. Lachlan Rose could've, and should've, had two himself before we even mention the VAR incident. I did think the game was going to end up 4-4 at one point though.

Lee: A thoroughly enjoyable game to watch in quite horrendous conditions. Full credit to the players. Our midfield three were excellent again, and Michael Forbes and Bert Esselink won everything in defence. Great to see Zac Sapsford back among the goals, and it should have been two.

Alan: A good performance from both teams on a driech day. I really thought Dundee United played well but did get frustrated with Daniel Bennie who was caught on his heels too often not anticipating the moves from his teammates. Harsh offside decision too but overall really happy with the three points and the goals were top class too.

Gordon: Aberdeen played as well as I've seen them, maybe they should get a "virus" every week. But United purred at times, played some lovely football and cut the Dons open easily. If Bennie could challenge and win the ball and look more interested then there'd be a player there. But Dylan Tait, Lyall Cameron and Zidane Iqbal look great and with Esselink and Forbes are knitting a formidable CB partnership. We live in hope, and dream.

George: Good game and good result. We seem to be moving forward every game. I'm getting excited about what this season will bring. Is a cup and Europe within reach? Why not?

Dundee United came out on top in a five-goal, rain-soaked, thriller at Tannadice with Zac Sapsford's brilliant header giving the hosts a Scottish Premiership victory.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game via this link.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It was a terrific game, both sets of players deserve a huge amount of credit. No doubt Stephen Robinson and his players will be disappointed not to have taken anything on the day.

"They were very good at times, and certainly had their moments in the game. I'm just delighted in the manner we were able to win the game.

"The disappointment of the third goal being chalked off with Sapsford, which was a brilliant passage of play from us... I think it's harsh, to be honest. It's subjective.

"Credit to the group, they dug deep. Aberdeen don't mess about with the ball in the wide areas, they get a lot of crosses in, but our two centre-halves were outstanding. Michael Forbes was playing with a gash in his face, had to get stitches at half time and Bert Esselink has been kicked in the head a few times.

"That's what you need from your leaders at the back, to put their neck on the line. It's worth it at the end of the day.

"The goal we eventually got to win it was, again, brilliant. It was a terrific all-round performance in difficult conditions.

"The conditions played a part but I was delighted with the players' fitness levels, even the substitutes who came on and made a positive impact - Yoro, Farrugia, Lachlan Rose.

"There was a lot of good talent out on the pitch in both teams. Aberdeen are no mugs. Stephen Robinson and his players have been coming in for some unnecessary criticism, but they have a lot of talent there, and they cause teams a lot of problems.

"The three guys in the middle have been getting lots of plaudits of late and deservedly so. It's their composure and ability on the ball, that's why they're in there.

"At times, we didn't do the ugly side of the game well enough. We couldn't have started the second half worse if we tried and that invited wave after wave of pressure. Those three are influential though, in terms of how we want to be.

"Jesse Randall was a great outball for us all afternoon and caused their backline lots of problems. Lots of good individual performances again. It's a decent enough points return, although we still think we're three or four off where we think we should be. That's me being greedy though."

Dundee United striker Lachlan Rose has been passed fit to face Aberdeen after missing training with an ankle injury earlier this week. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Dundee United have a doubt over Lachlan Rose, who injured his ankle after coming off the bench against St Johnstone.

Mehdi Merghem (knee) is closing in on a return, while Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei (knee) are still out.

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson is set to make a late decision on his team after revealing several players have been affected by a virus this week. Kristers Tobers is still out as he recovers from injury.

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin hopes his side can find that "final little piece" of their game again when they host Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Terrors have built some momentum in recent weeks and are now four league matches unbeaten after fighting back to draw 1-1 at St Johnstone with a late goal from Lyall Cameron.

Goodwin is confident his players can continue to work hard and bring everything together against the Dons.

"The message to the players has been very consistent from day one of pre-season really," he told DUTV.

"I think people can see that in what we are trying to do. Back to middle, we have been really good and even middle to front at times, we have been very, very exciting to watch.

"It is just that final little piece that, at times, has been missing throughout the course of the season, but we are not going to get too down about it. We just keep practising, we will keep working hard.

"We will hope that the strikers will find that finishing touch again, get a bit of confidence and a bit of self-belief and we will take it from there."

Aberdeen sit a point below United in seventh, and returned to form with a 3-1 home win over St Mirren last weekend.

"I know people maybe have been talking Aberdeen down a little bit, but I don't buy it," Goodwin said.

"They are still a team that is full of good experienced players with a real attacking threat at the top end of the pitch.

"So we have to give them the utmost respect, but as with any week, the focus has been on Dundee United.

"It is how we can improve, taking the learnings from the previous game, trying to ensure that we don't make the same mistakes again in the next one."

Dundee United are considering a collaboration with the Iraq FA with potential commercial and analytical benefits. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

• Lyall Cameron has scored (2) or assisted (1) in his past three league appearances for Dundee United, just the third time he has recorded a goal involvement in three successive Scottish Premiership outings, also doing so in both December 2024 and May 2025 for Dundee.

• Aberdeen have kept a clean sheet in the past two league games against Dundee United (W1 D1), as many as their previous 11 prior.

• Dundee United have only suffered one defeat in their past nine home league games against Aberdeen (W6 D2), losing 3-1 in March 2023.

• Dundee United are unbeaten in four league games (W2 D2); only once since the start of last season have they gone 5+ without defeat, doing so in December last term (5).

• Aberdeen have picked up four points in their past two away league games (W1 D1), twice as many as their previous 14 beforehand (D2 L12).

Forward Lachlan Rose's ankle injury has left Dundee United in a sweat over its seriousness but winger Mehdi Merghem could return at home to Aberdeen on Saturday. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

To have a cutting edge in football is to turn possession and chances into goals. Every team wants it, but not every team has it. Dundee United are lacking in this department. Badly.

This season's Jim Goodwin side is looking really promising at times. The football is a joy to watch and far more entertaining than some of his previous efforts. No offence to those sides.

Defensively, we've improved on last season, with new signing Michael Forbes proving an excellent addition and Bert Esselink enjoying a career redemption arc.

The midfield is the star attraction. Dylan Tait, Zidane Iqbal and Lyall Cameron are forming a formidable three-man partnership, creating chances and making things happen. Of course, we can get caught out, but it's risk and reward and I'm happy to live with that.

The problem is what happens at the other end. For all the chances we create, this United side lacks a cutting edge. We have three strikers - Zac Sapsford, Lachie Rose and Idjessi Metsoko - yet none have nailed down a starting place.

The trio have a combined goal tally in the Premiership of two - one apiece for Sapsford and Rose.

I liked the look of Metsoko early in the season, but that promise hasn't amounted to much yet. Rose gives you everything he's got, but so far the goals haven't followed.

And Sapsford? It feels like he's been out of form longer than he was ever in it. We've seen what he can do, and he can score goals, but he desperately needs to rediscover that version of himself.

The long and short of it is United are more than capable of a few heavy wins this season. The football is there, the chances are there, and the midfield is purring.

But without someone to put the ball in the net, all that lovely build-up risks becoming an elaborate way of getting everyone's hopes up before the inevitable disappointment.

Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external