Dundee United

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Is the Scottish Premiership in need of a shake-up? If so, how do you go about it?

News emerged on Tuesday that the SPFL is considering changing Scotland's top flight to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

In its current 12-team form, the clubs split into a top and bottom six after 33 rounds of matches, with 38 rounds played altogether.

That format has been in place since 2000-01 and retaining that model is also an option, but reports have also suggested the split could be scrapped.

For any fresh structure to pass, it needs the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, and eight out of 10 from the Championship plus 75% of League One and League Two combined.

And judging by the fan reaction to the mere thought of reducing the league to a 10-team division, you would have to assume that idea is already unlikely.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership players Cammy Bell and Cillian Sheridan provided their views on a potential restructure.

Expansion is the only option for former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell, while ex-Celtic striker Sheridan would like to see the split retained.

"I think we need a little bit of freshness about our game," Bell said. "So, if we can expand that league, then absolutely do it. We've got big enough clubs now that can generate good crowds.

"We're at a time just now where we've got the potential of trying to change it and certainly for me it's got to be expansion."

"The split works now," Sheridan added. "When I first came over and saw the whole split thing, I just never really got it. But in the past few years it has been quite interesting.

"If the league is wrapped up, if relegation is wrapped up, it does add a little bit of excitement to things in terms of teams getting into the top six and having to get European football."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin reckons his side have given themselves "a great chance of achieving something special" in the Premiership this season.

United, who were promoted last summer, have not dropped out of the top half all season.

They all but secured a top-six finish with two games to spare thanks to victory at Ross County on Sunday and Goodwin now hopes they can take full advantage.

"We set ourselves a target at the beginning of the season of 45 points. We believed that was going to be the number [for top six], and it looks like that is going to be the magic number," he said.

"We're one point off of that with two games to go [before the split], and we've given ourselves a great chance.

"We've not been out of the top six all season. I think way back at the beginning of the season, we would have wanted enough points to make sure we avoided the mess at the bottom of the table.

"But because we've been in the top six for as long as we have, the expectations grow and people get greedy, and that's what's happened.

"The criticism that we've had over the last few weeks has been justified. We put ourselves out there, I make decisions, sometimes they don't work and I take the criticism on the chin.

"But we've given ourselves a great chance of achieving something special, I think, for a newly-promoted team."

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

A Sunday drive to Dingwall isn't the worst fate in the world, but let's be honest, Saturday would have been better. At least for a football fan like me.

Why the TV schedulers thought Ross County v Dundee United deserved the live treatment, I'll never know. But off I went.

I won't say the first half was dreadful, but if it was your introduction to football, you'd probably find a new hobby.

The second half, however, was a different story, at least for United fans. We were the better team, secured all three points, and put ourselves on the brink of cementing a top-six spot.

After the horror show that was the Dundee derby, I'd been mentally preparing for the worst. It felt like a must-win up in Dingwall, or the season might unravel faster than my willpower around a buffet.

But in the end, United did what needed to be done. Tight at the back, compact in midfield, and took our chances when they came. So what were we all so worried about?

Speaking of midfield, let's talk about Ross Docherty. When he plays, he's the guy. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why, but his influence is undeniable. Goals and assists? Not so much. But any United fan will tell you, when he's in the team, he pulls the strings. A Paisley puppetmaster, if you will.

The problem? He just cannot stay fit. It's the old now you see him, now you don't. As much as that frustrates the fans, it must drive him up the wall. It just seems to be niggle after niggle and United always feel like a weaker side without the 32-year-old.

But when he's healthy, he's the first name on the teamsheet. There's a big decision to be made on El Capitan in the next few weeks as he's out of contract this summer.

If you could guarantee he'd stay fit, the club would have handed him a new contract already, I've no doubt about that.

But, unfortunately, his greatest weakness isn't his passing, tackling, or even his goalscoring, it's simply his availability. And that's what makes this such a tough call for the club.

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

With two matches to go until the Scottish Premiership splits, only four points separate the teams in sixth and ninth as they fight to squeeze into the top half and potentially secure European football next season.

Dundee United's narrow win in Dingwall means they are almost certain to be in the top half regardless of their results against Hearts and St Johnstone before the split.

Data company Opta give Jim Goodwin's side a 99% chance of being in the top six given their six-point buffer and superior goal difference to St Mirren, Motherwell and Ross County.

At the other end of the spectrum, they rate County's chance as next to zero, at 0.3%, given they have a four-point gap to make up on sixth-placed Hearts with a far poorer goal difference.

Hearts are only one point above both St Mirren and Motherwell, but the Tynecastle side's superior goal difference is almost worth an extra point at this stage, and they are heavy favourites to sneak in with a 66% chance.

However, Neil Critchley's side play Motherwell away in their final match before the split, which could prove crucial given the congested nature of the table.

St Mirren are away to Dundee and home to Ross County as they attempt to overhaul Hearts, buoyed by their dominant 5-1 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

And Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer is hoping to bounce back from their defeat by Aberdeen when they travel to Rugby Park next weekend before that all-important match against Hearts.

"The league always feels - Celtic and Rangers are a bit different - like you could beat everyone," said John Sutton, who played as a striker for three of the sides hoping for a top-six spot in Hearts, St Mirren and Motherwell.

"The split gets knocked a little bit, I really liked it as a player. You make the top six, and it's game on, trying to get European qualification.

"I think if you take Celtic and Rangers out of things to an extent, every game's a very tricky game. I expect the picture to change this weekend and I expect it to change the following weekend as well."

Vicko Sevelj (Dundee United): Has gone about his business in impressive fashion all season. Singled out for praise by his manager after dropping back to play a crucial role in defence as United earned a massive three points away to Ross County.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's win at Ross County.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Dave: The result was all that mattered. The fans at the game didn't care that it wasn't pretty football. You could see that from the reaction of the team and our support at the end of the game. Great scenes. And how come Luca [Stephenson] didn't get a penalty?

Kieran: Not the prettiest game to watch, but we got the job done. Feels great to have that winning feeling back and all but secure top six in our first season back. Massive well done to Jim [Goodwin] and the team. Lets enjoy these final seven games and turn a great season into a remarkable one.

Malcolm: Top six now looks on which is a great achievement. Hope we don't qualify for Europe, it wrecked us last time. Significant rebuild required in summer with a number likely to be moving on.

Jamie: Vicko Sevelj was outstanding filling in at centre back. Ross Docherty was the cool head dictating play that we've missed for most of the season. But a cut above was Ross Graham. It will be a travesty if he isn't in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

John: Poor quality game but we deserved to edge it. The minimal amount of grass on the pitch didn't help the players on either side. Credit to Goodwin for taking off Craig Sibbald, who had little impact on the game, and replacing him with Louis Moult. His ability to kill the ball and pass up front changed the whole dynamic. Also delighted to see Docherty play a full game. If given a decent pitch he will play a massive part in our final push for a European place this season.

George: Important victory which should guarantee top-six finish. We started the season hoping to secure our league status, top six is a bonus. Jim has some tough decisions at the end of the season to ensure we push on next season.

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• Ross County have failed to score in 13 of their 31 league games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their 31 games, only Rangers (13) and Celtic (20) have done this more often in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have scored in their last five games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of seven games from 30 October 2024 to 14 December 2024.

Watch highlights as Dundee United edge out Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Match report: Ross County 0-1 Dundee Utd

Available to UK users only

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We knew it was going to be a difficult one. It wasn't a classic by any stretch. The game lacked quality in the final third.

"We changed the shape after about an hour, got an extra striker on and finished the game really strongly. I felt going into the last half-hour that one goal would be enough and I'm delighted we were able to get it.

"We put a big emphasis on set-plays. We've got some really good delivery coming into the box and then it's about movement and being aggressive.

"We set a target for ourselves of 45 points at the start of the season - we believed that was what the magic number was going to be to get top six. Publicly we talked about staying in the league but inside we had our own ambitions.

"We're not quite there yet. We've given ourselves a great chance with this result and the expectations have changed as the season has gone on."

Dundee United all but secured a top-six finish after a scrappy 1-0 win at Ross County.

Defender Ross Graham headed in the winner from a second-half corner to earn Jim Goodwin's side their first league victory in eight matches.

Both sides traded chances in the first half with United's Luca Stephenson and County's Alex Samuel each passing up big opportunities to open the scoring.

After a tight opening 73 minutes, the visitors eventually took the lead.

Graham, who had just missed a near-identical opportunity five minutes prior, outmuscled County defender Jonathan Tomkinson to get his head on Strain's fine delivery and fire United in front.

The visitors then enjoyed a period of sustained pressure in which Louis Moult and Sam Dalby came close, but were denied a second by a combination of strong defending and goalkeeping.

Goodwin's side are now six points clear of the bottom six with two games until the league splits.

Let us know your thoughts on the game here.

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United were winless in seven league matches heading into this one, desperate for a win to banish any worries of slipping outside the top six.

And they got what they needed.

Top six is now pretty much guaranteed and Goodwin's men can focus on aiming for a return to European football.

They occupy fifth spot in the Premiership table, two points off Aberdeen in fourth and three points behind Hibernian in third.

Don't get your passports out just yet but you better make sure they are in date!

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Ross County will again be without Michee Efete (knee), Ryan Leak (Achilles) and Will Nightingale (knee).

Dundee United will be without the suspended Emmanuel Adegboyega but Luca Stephenson has recovered from the head knock that forced him off against Dundee.

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Louis Moult is adamant Dundee United won't let their season "peter out" as he urges his teammates to be "aggressive" at Dingwall on Sunday.

Jim Goodwin's side suffered their first home defeat against Dundee for 21 years when they lost 4-2 before the international break.

However the Tangerines are still in the hunt for a top six spot with three games until the split.

"We have three massive games that can probably determine your season," the striker said.

"It would be such a shame to come this far and let the season peter out. That's why I mention a positive mindset, you need to stay focused until the very end of the season.

"We have a good bunch in there and the manager is always keeping us on our toes and that's exactly what we need."

"We have had to wait a little bit longer but that little bit of aggression, controlled aggression, needs to be on display on Sunday.

"We are going to rectify what went wrong against Dundee. We need to start fast on Sunday.

"Clean sheets are a big one. Where we are in the league has come from being solid at the back, because I always believe we will create chances and get goals. So it's probably going back to basics a bit.

"It's a tough place to go but we need to go there with a positive mindset and take our game to them."

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Jim Goodwin has challenged Dundee United to "make amends" for their derby defeat by securing a top-six finish.

United's 4-2 loss before the international break was their first home defeat to Dundee since 2004.

Now they travel to Dingwall on Sunday knowing a win over Ross County, plus favourable results elsewhere, could secure their top-six spot with two games to spare before the split.

"That Dundee game was so out of character in terms of the manner of the defeat and the goals we conceded but we can't dwell on it," Goodwin said.

"We can't feel too sorry for ourselves. We've got an opportunity on Sunday to make amends.

"The next game is always the biggest and the most important one. We might have the opportunity, with a positive result, to try and cement that top-six position.

"It's really important we finish the job off now."

United's planning for next season is already well under way and the club are seeking a new head of recruitment to replace the outgoing MIchael Cairney.

"I'm really disappointed to hear Michael is going to be leaving," Goodwin added.

"I think it's a compliment that we identified a really good head of recruitment who did a fantastic job for us.

"There's a lot to the decision-making process for Michael, the opportunity that has been offered is closer to home and I'd imagine there's a little bit more salary as well.

"For Michael it's the right move but we're disappointed to see him leave. We believe this is the beginning of a long-term project for us and Michael has been an important part of that."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Ross County this weekend.

Here are the main points:

• Goodwin says the derby defeat to Dundee before the break was "so out of character" for his side and Sunday's trip to Dingwall is a chance to "make amends" for a poor performance.

• He knows how important a win on Sunday is for United's top-six ambitions but is expecting "a very difficult game" given what's at stake throughout the table.

• Goodwin stresses his side "won't get greedy" even if a top-six finish is secured on Sunday and insists they have "tried to stay grounded" in recent weeks.

• The squad is "a lot healthier" now compared to where they were before the Dundee game.

• Goodwin would happily "win ugly" in Dingwall as long as United win.

• On the impending departure of head of recruitment Michael Cairney, Goodwin is "really disappointed" but views it as a "compliment" to the club that someone they sought out has attracted attention south of the border.

Dundee United head of recruitment Michael Cairney is to take up a similar role at Blackburn Rovers. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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• Ross County's Jordan Amissah has conceded 16 goals (excluding own goals) from an expected goals on target faced total of 21.9 in the Scottish Premiership this season – his 5.9 goals prevented is the most of any goalkeeper in the division this term, despite him only playing 12 games. Dundee United's Jack Walton ranks second for this, with 5.4 xGoT prevented (40 goals conceded, excluding own goals, from 45.4 xGoT faced).

• Ross County are winless in six Scottish Premiership games against newly-promoted opposition (D2 L4) since a 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock in January 2023.

• After their 3-0 win in November, Dundee United could win back-to-back Scottish Premiership meetings with Ross County for the first time since May 2022.

• Ross County have won both of their past two home league games, as many as their previous 10 beforehand (W2 D4 L4).

• Dundee United have won just one of their past seven league fixtures (D1 L5), beating Motherwell 1-0 in February.

Luca Stephenson admits he could return to Dundee United next season, with the 21-year-old Liverpool loanee wanted on a permanent basis by manager Jim Goodwin. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

What if the Scottish Premiership was decided on overperforming your expected goals (xG) rating?

You're rolling your eyes, aren't you? Fair enough, but the above graphic still paints an interesting picture.

In the second column you will see each team's current xG tally after 30 games, but the table is sorted based on the third column, which shows how much each side has overperformed or underperformed by.

For example, the chances leaders Celtic have created throughout the season suggests they should have scored around 77 goals, but Brendan Rodgers' side have surpassed that tally with an overperformance of almost 12 goals.

Remarkably, Dundee have overperformed their xG total of 34 by 11 goals. If Tony Docherty's side could sort out their defensive issues, it's safe to assume they wouldn't be fighting for survival.

It's the opposite for Kilmarnock, with their underperformance of 5.5 showing they have struggled to take their chances. Addressing that is key if Derek McInnes wants to pull his side away from the bottom.

Other underperformers include Hibernian, Dundee United and Ross County, while the remainder of the teams in the division appear to be fairly steady.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United could do with their frontmen firing as the club look to round off the season with a place in Europe.

A better spread of goals, particularly among the strikers, would very much help their cause.

Sam Dalby has certainly done his part – having hit the net 13 times, he is the joint top scorer in the division (alongside Celtic's Daizen Maeda).

United's next most prolific player in the Premiership is frontman Louis Moult on three goals, although the 32-year-old has been hampered by injury.

Dutch striker Jort van der Sande, who arrived from Den Haag last summer, has yet to break his duck, and same goes for Ruari Paton, who joined on loan from Port Vale in January.

There have been other players who have chipped in with league goals during the course of the season. Centre-back Ross Graham and versatile midfielder Luca Stephenson both have three, wingers Kristijan Trapanovski and Glenn Middleton are among those on two.

But if United strikers can get on the scoresheet more regularly in the remaining eight games, that could be key to turning a good season into a special one.