Dundee United

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Another week, another VAR conversation.

Saturday's draw with Motherwell meant seven league games unbeaten for Dundee United, and somehow we're still talking about the officials.

Motherwell's penalty came after the kind of review that seems to take you through every possible outcome before eventually finding the one that annoys everyone inside Tannadice.

Jim Goodwin wasn't impressed, and neither were most of us. Thankfully, the football gave us something better to talk about.

Jesse Randall's equaliser was outrageous. Daniel Bennie puts the ball across, Lyall Cameron gets a touch, and Randall somehow produces a backheel that belongs in a goal of the season compilation.

We're only in November, but that one is going to take some beating.

United probably should have won it after that. Michael Forbes had one cleared off the line, Joshua Rawlins had a huge late chance, and there were enough opportunities to take all three points.

Before all of that, there was also a really nice moment for Jack Walton, who received his 100th appearance top from none other than Hamish McAlpine.

Not bad company for a goalkeeper.

So, no win, but another point, another game unbeaten and one of the best United goals we'll see all season.

And, naturally, another VAR decision to moan about.

Scottish football. Some things never change.

Ronny Costello can be found at Dode Fox Podcast, external

Watch the best of the action as Dundee United and Motherwell draw 1-1 at Tannadice. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after Dundee United were held 1-1 at home by Motherwell, extending the Tannadice side's unbeaten run to seven games.

Here's what some of you said:

AussieArab: Another terrible VAR display that Willie Collum will no doubt rationalise away. Good game that could have gone either way. Chances at both ends, but United probably with the better chances we really must start finishing off. Top-six places will be so tight this year and every point dropped will be costly. Too many draws is hurting us. Credit though to the manager and staff, this is way better to watch this year regardless of the outcome.

Keith: Great entertaining game. That is exactly the type of game I want to see. It could have easily been 4-4, 4-3, 3-4, or 1-0 if VAR had not made a mess of a correct ref decision. I will bet United will get yet another apology, but that will not be any consolation. Every United player deserves 7 out of 10 at least.

Lee: Not our best performance but the unbeaten run continues to seven matches. It was a very end-to-end game but we had good chances to win. A draw probably fair. The penalty given is soft to say the least.

GMelv: Frustrating watch second half. Thought we had done enough and created enough to win the game. All the headlines seem to be around the penalty incident but leading up to that Tom Sparrow is offside before he plays it to Tawanda Maswanhise which is why the linesman gave it. The penalty incident is the aftermath. That aside, Josh Rawlins should be scoring that. Substitutions on the other hand were debatable.

Gary: A hard one. Still unbeaten. But we could be at least another four points better off. Team are playing good football. But one or two need dropped. We need to be killing games off. Onwards and upwards.

Tom: Two points lost! An entertaining game for both sets of fans with United deserving of all three points. Referee bullied into agreeing with VAR re the penalty award and both sides can feel aggrieved at some of his decisions.

Jesse Randall's stunning backheel preserved Dundee United's unbeaten run in a mesmerising 1-1 draw with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Read the match report here

Have your say on the match here

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "I think both teams deserve a huge amount of credit, I thought it was a very entertaining game of football. The fashion in which we find ourselves going behind is a major frustration for us. I know people will say it's clever from the Motherwell forward and I don't know what my defending player is meant to do in that situation.

"He pulls out of the challenge and the Motherwell player instigates the contact. I knew as soon as Andrew Dallas called the young referee over what it was going to be, as it takes a lot of courage for a referee to be called to the monitor and make a different outcome.

"From there, I thought our reaction was positive, we were the better team in the second part of the first half and got ourselves deservedly level at half-time. We had really good chances in the second half. Joshua Rawlins won't want to see his back, it's a brilliant cross in the dying moments of the game and a chance to take all three points.

"Jack Walton had to make some big saves in the second half, but I felt we done enough for all three points, but I wouldn't disagree if people thought it was a fair result either.

"I had a word with the referee. I thought he got the decision right at the time. I got in trouble a few years ago for calling out players going down too easily in and around the area, so I better be careful with my words here. [Tawanda] Maswanhise runs at speed, but I reiterate, I don't know what Dylan Tait is meant to do. I thought the referee got the call right on the pitch and the assistant had a good line of it, but VAR steps in and ruins the day for us."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United attacker Neil Farrugia is ruled out with a groin strain while Mehdi Merghem returns after a knee injury.

Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei are on the sidelines with knee injuries.

Motherwell are unchanged with Alex Lowry (knee), Dylan Williams (hamstring) and Johnny Koutroumbis (muscle) still out.

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin is excited for the return of "full-back's nightmare" Mehdi Merghem as Dundee United bid to continue their fine form with victory at home to Motherwell.

The French-Algerian winger has been out since early since September with a knee injury after contributing two assists in his first five Premiership appearances.

Merghem, 29, is in line for a comeback on Saturday, while Neil Farrugia misses out with a groin problem sustained in the 2-2 draw at Celtic Park.

"Mehdi will will come straight into the squad for tomorrow," Goodwin told DUTV.

"Mehdi is a terrific talent. He showed in glimpses what he's capable of, his best performance probably coming at Rugby Park in the 4-0 victory.

"He's something a little bit different to what we've already got in those areas with Jesse Randall and Daniel Bennie.

"Mehdi's a real technician. When you get him on the ball in the final third, more often than not you expect him to make something happen, whether it's a cross or a shot.

"I think he's a full-back's nightmare because he's got the ability to come inside on his left foot to pull the trigger and get shots away, but he's also not afraid to go down the outside on his weaker right foot.

"So, brilliant to have him back in with the group the last couple of weeks. He's getting sharper every day and hopefully we get him on the pitch at some point tomorrow so that he can go and do his thing."

Goodwin's side have embarked on a six-game unbeaten run since a 3-0 defeat at Fir Park, where Emmanuel Agyei was sent off early.

The United boss is expecting a "very entertaining game" between "two really good, technical teams".

He added: "Motherwell have had a slight upturn in results of late, beating St Mirren at the weekend.

"I was actually at the game and thought Motherwell could have scored another two or three goals. So, they've always got that attacking threat and bit of firepower at the top with the pace that they have.

"But we also believe we've got real firepower ourselves and real quality in the middle of the pitch, where hopefully we can get that bit of control we want and capitalise on some of the chances we aim to create."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin admits he would like to formalise Lyall Cameron's loan move from Rangers into a longer term arrangement. (Sun, external)

But Goodwin says United "need to be realistic" regarding their hopes of securing the 24-year-old Cameron beyond this season. (Record - subscription required, external)

Rangers and Scotland winger Findlay Curtis, 20, is leaving talks over his Ibrox future to his agent. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

• Dundee United are unbeaten in six Scottish Premiership games (W3 D3), with only Rangers (9) on a longer run. It is the Tannadice club's longest sequence in the competition since October 2021 when they went seven without defeat.

• In four league games against Motherwell since the start of last season, Dundee United have failed to score at all (D1 L3), attempting 30 shots without success.

• Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise, top scorer in last season's Scottish Premiership with 17 goals, has netted just twice from 5.1 xG in this season's competition - the biggest xG underperformance of any player (-3.1).

• Motherwell have won six of their past eight league games against Dundee United (D1 L1), including both in 2026 so far.

• After their 1-0 win over St Mirren, Motherwell are looking for back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin backs midfielder Dylan Tait, 24, for a Scotland call-up. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The limelight has shown on mercurial midfield talents Zidane Iqbal and Lyall Cameron during Dundee United's highly encouraging start to the season.

But the part goalkeeper Jack Walton is playing for the team is just as important.

Walton had already demonstrated what he could do for United prior to his return to the club in the summer.

He cut an assured and composed figure between the sticks during two successful season-long loans at Tannadice from Luton Town in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

That stability in goal was missing for United last term with Yevhen Kucherenko, Dave Richards and Ashley Maynard-Brewer all wearing the gloves during a frustrating campaign.

Walton's return - this time in a permanent move, a three-year deal from Preston - has brought much-needed dependability back to the rearguard and that seems to be radiating throughout the team, with United occupying sixth place after just one defeat in the past eight.

The Englishman has been an ever-present this season, conceding 16 goals in 11 Premiership appearances while his tally of three shutouts is bettered only by Rangers' Ivor Pandur and Falkirk's Scott Bain.

And at age 28 his best years are still set to come, which is good news for manager Jim Goodwin and United fans.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Dundee United find themselves in dangerous territory this season, although not necessarily in a bad way.

You see, after yet another summer overhaul of the squad, it looks as though the recruitment has been spot on and United are now dangerously close to becoming a very good side. Funny how that works.

The midfield trio of Dylan Tait, Lyall Cameron and Zidane Iqbal are getting most of the plaudits, and rightly so, but make no mistake, this has been a real team effort.

The defence are also performing very well. Joshua Rawlins seems to be getting better every week, Bert Esselink and Michael Forbes have developed into a solid partnership and perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay Kevin Ciubotaru is that the team haven't really missed Will Ferry. Ferry is an excellent player, so that's no small achievement.

United have netted five times in the past two games, so hopefully the attacking department is beginning to click into gear as well. It's always a welcome development when the ball starts going in at the right end!

A real positive for the fans was the performance at Celtic Park last week. Too often, United teams have travelled through to the east end of Glasgow looking beaten before they've even got off the bus.

That certainly wasn't the case this time. The players produced a brave, fearless performance, gave a terrific account of themselves and were thoroughly deserving of their point. There was no hiding, no fear and, perhaps most importantly, no need to watch the game through my fingers.

Next up, though, is something of a bogey team in Motherwell. The Steelmen earned plenty of plaudits last season, deservedly so, and although they've struggled to reach those same heights, they're still more than capable of some very good football.

It promises to be a tough test for the men in Tangerine, but if United can come through it with a positive result, they'll move another step closer to becoming the good team the fans believe they have the potential to be.

And that's a rather exciting prospect. Although, being United supporters, we're probably best not getting too carried away just yet.

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

Dundee United are interested in signing 24-year-old on-loan Rangers midfielder Lyall Cameron permanently. (Football Insider, external)

Dylan Tait has revealed he knocked back moves to England, including Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle, to sign for Dundee United after the 24-year-old midfielder left Falkirk this summer. (Daily Record, external)

Dundee United left-back Kevin Ciubotaru, who has one cap for Romania, hopes his superb start to life at Tannadice will earn a recall by catching the eye of national head coach Gheorghe Hagi. (The Courier, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Rangers are planning for Lyall Cameron to be a part of Derek McInnes' squad after the conclusion of the 24-year-old midfielder's season-long loan spell at Dundee United. (Football Insider, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Former midfielder Scott Allan dissects Dundee United's vibrant performance in the 2-2 draw away to champions Celtic.

We asked for your thoughts on the 2-2 draw at Celtic that extended Dundee United's unbeaten run to six games.

Here are some of your views:

Kieran: Never thought I would be saying I am gutted with a point at Celtic Park but what a performance from the team going from strength to strength. Glad to see we didn't sit back by choice and credit needs to go to Jim Goodwin for that. Zac Sapsford is now looking like the goalscorer we know he is capable of. The run of form we are on is incredible, long may that continue.

Lee: Disappointed not to get the win but a draw is still an excellent result. We played lots of good stuff, particularly in the first half. Zidane Iqbal and Dylan Tait were outstanding.

Mierse: The fact we are disappointed not to have taken all three points is an indicator of how much we have improved this season. The tackle on Sapsford only getting a yellow card is yet another example of the different standard of refereeing you have to endure when you play against one of the Glasgow teams.

Ian: Heading in the right direction. Bert Esselink reborn, Iqbal superb, but Goodwin doesn't half make some strange substitutions. Anyway a valuable point.

EmeraldIsleArab: In the end a fair result, but United will rue their missed chances. Lachie Rose and Abdoulaye Yoro in particular could've taken all three points, but of course we'll settle for the away draw at Parkhead.

Lee: United can be proud of their classy display. With Iqbal, Tait and Lyall Cameron they currently have the best midfield in the league. In-form Sapsford is now scoring the goals we all knew he could. With better efforts in front of goal and a different refereeing decision, United would have had all three points. The Celtic player should have been sent off for the crunching tackle on Sapsford that left the player wincing. That would have changed the game.

Watch the best of the action as Dundee United draw 2-2 at Celtic to maintain their unbeaten their unbeaten run and prevent the champions extending their lead at the top of the Premiership. Available to UK users only.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin did not want to over-celebrate picking up a point at Celtic Park. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill believes the point picked up in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United might prove to be a precious one. (Sun, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Dundee United came close to securing their first win in 52 visits to Celtic Park since 1994 as they prevented Martin O'Neill ending a year in charge with a victory with a 2-2 draw.

We are seeking your thoughts after Celtic's second-half pressure could not produce a winner and United extended their unbeaten run to six games, albeit Dundee leapfrog their city rivals into fourth.

Read the match report.

Have your say on the game.