Dundee United

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

I’ve often said on our podcast I’m not a fan of the League Cup group stage - though that has absolutely nothing to do with United’s tendency to struggle there!

This season’s campaign has been quite the rollercoaster. It kicked off with a disaster at Falkirk, leaving fans worried.

We managed to recover with wins against Stenhousemuir and Ayr United, the latter courtesy of a stunning free-kick from Brandon Forbes.

Then came the trip to Buckie, where we needed to win by six goals.

Spoiler: We didn’t.

Fans were fuming, and the long trip home didn’t help. But somehow, we scraped through as one of the best runners-up thanks to some favourable results elsewhere.

Fast forward to this weekend: St Mirren, fresh off a European exit, came to Tannadice. We all hoped for a European hangover, and our wish was granted.

Kevin Holt, playing in midfield, had us wondering if we’d accidentally signed Sergio Busquets.

Ross Graham’s header from a Will Ferry corner sealed a hard-fought victory against a strong St Mirren side. Now we’re off to Motherwell for the quarter-finals.

So, remind me - what was all that fuss after Buckie Thistle again?

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

We asked you for your thoughts after Dundee United's win against St Mirren secured their spot in the last eight of the League Cup.

Here's what you had to say:

Graham: Aside from getting into the hat, the clean sheet is up there with the most positive thing. Last few games we have struggled to stay ahead in games, but hought we defended well with an adjusted backline team by moving Holt into a midfield role. Just wish we would kill games off as we have an unbelievable attacking threat.

Stephen: So far this season United look to be building a squad and team that work together and for each other to get the job done, but they also have something about them. More easy on the eye.

We have pace and tricky players, but very importantly we have fight. Today was not a vintage performance but they got the job done against a decent side who finished top six last season.

Alistair: Looks like recruitment has been decent.

Fraser: Will Ferry was outstanding!

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Match-winner Ross Graham insists Dundee United won't "get too carried away" with after his header secured a League Cup quarter-final tie away to Motherwell.

Graham met Will Ferry's excellent set-piece to overcome St Mirren at Tannadice, ensuring United remain unbeaten in six competitive fixtures this season.

"It felt brilliant," the defender told BBC Scotland. "I think just getting in the hat for the next round, that was the main objective and we did that.

"We're not going to get too carried away with it. I think that was a good clean sheet as well and we'll kick on from that. It's been a relatively good start this season."

United drew their opening two Premiership fixtures against Dundee and Ross County as they bid to re-establish themselves as a top-flight club this term.

Graham believes with a quarter-final now secured, they are starting to show they can compete at this level.

"St Mirren are a good side," he added. "They've been in the top six over the last couple of seasons.

"We showed we can compete with them. Dundee a few weeks ago here, they're a top-six side as well and we more than matched them, so we're looking to stride forward."

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Dundee United will travel to Motherwell for their Premier Sports Cup quarter-final tie next month.

Jim Goodwin's side defeated St Mirren 1-0 at Tannadice on Sunday, while Motherwell beat Kilmarnock by the same score after extra-time.

The tie will take place on the weekend of 21-22 September.

Read the draw in full here.

Ross Graham’s close-range header proved decisive as Dundee United beat St Mirren to secure a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final place.

The towering defender got the vital touch from a couple of yards out after Will Ferry’s excellent corner delivery wasn’t dealt with by the St Mirren backline.

What did you make of it, United fans? Was that a deserved victory? Should it have been more comfortable?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "We were well worthy of the win in the end. St Mirren came fast out of the blocks.

"Over the piece, we controlled large periods within the first half. Deservedly got ourselves in front. We wanted that second goal to kill the game off.

"As much as we didn't have similar control in the second half, we managed the game really well.

"It's a massive clean sheet as well. The structure and the discipline of the team was excellent. The three centre-backs were outstanding and I have to give a special mention to Kevin Holt, playing in the middle of the park, but he did exactly what we hoped he would."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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United will rightly be most consumed by ensuring they stay in the Scottish Premiership and anything more might feel like a bonus.

However, that bonus - getting to a cup quarter-final so early in the season - will be a considerable boost offering confidence and belief they are more than equipped to compete.

It’s been a more than solid start to the season. They seem to have recruited well and the early signs are positive.

The summer signings have adjusted to the physicality and pace of Scottish football quickly, and Goodwin must be praised for finding players so suited to our brand of the game.

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Will Ferry. The left-back has taken to Scottish football very quickly and looks like he's been playing up here for years.

At wing-back, it's his attacking qualities that have been more obvious. He offers an option in attack with his high positioning out wide, and his deliveries tend to be dangerous and pacy.

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Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Graham, Holt, Ferry, Babunski, Sibbald, Stephenson, Trapanovski, Van der Sande.

Substitutes: Richards, Moult, Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Docherty, Thomson, Cleall-Harding, Ubochioma.

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Iacovitti, Rooney, Smyth, Idowu, Tanser, F Taylor, Mandron, Olusanya.

Substitutes: Urminsky, Bwomono, R Taylor, Kenny, Sutherland, Brown, Mooney, Scott, Ayunga.

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin does not expect former club St Mirren to be suffering from "fatigue" when they visit Dundee United in Sunday's Scottish League Cup tie.

Stephen Robinson's Buddies lost 3-1 away to Brann on Thursday, with the Norwegian side triumphing 4-2 in the Conference League third qualifying round.

United will have had eight days to prepare, with their last game away to Ross County in the Premiership on 10 August.

"Stephen Robinson has done fantastic at St Mirren in the last couple of seasons with the top-six finishes and getting them into Europe," said Dundee United manager Goodwin.

"They can be very proud of their efforts. They played against a very good Brann side. I don't think the fatigue thing will play a part because St Mirren have got quite a strong squad with good strength in depth.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see maybe four or five changes from the team that started against Brann. They have players they can bring in who are very good quality players.

"I'm sure Stephen will be disappointed with the last couple of results and will be looking to make amends, but it's a game we've got to approach in a positive fashion."

Goodwin believes the League Cup "can be significant in terms of how the season pans out".

"I'd be lying if I said it was a priority competition for us because the league is everyone's bread and butter and the main objective for us is to stay in the league," he explained.

"But at the same time, if we win on Sunday, all of a sudden we find ourselves in the quarter-final of this competition and if the draw is kind to you, you may get a day out at Hampden [in the semi-finals] - which is what everyone wants."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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St Mirren will head to Tannadice with a combination of regrets and pride in performance as they look to extend their unbeaten run there to five games in the Premier Sports Cup last 16.

They ran Brann close on Thursday until two late goals took the more experienced Norwegian side through to the Europa Conference League play-offs.

Now Stephen Robinson's team must recover from their travels as they look to avoid a third consecutive defeat in a week after Aberdeen ended their four-game unbeaten start to the season.

In contrast, Dundee United had a shaky start, losing their group-stage opener to League 1 champions Falkirk, but have since gone five unbeaten, albeit they have had to settle for a point in both games on their Premiership return.

Will Luca Stephenson be the latest summer arrival to impress if the 20-year-old on-loan Liverpool wing-back is handed a debut by Jim Goodwin?

Read the Premier Sports Cup preview in full here.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before their Scottish League Cup second round fixture against St Mirren on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• He’s delighted to have completed the deal for Luca Stephenson and says the on-loan Liverpool defender is "a really good addition and will certainly add quality to the squad".

• Despite a busy summer of transfers, Goodwin is still looking to strengthen, especially in the forward areas, saying: "We need another one at least at the top end."

• On letting Tony Watt go, he says: "He was very important player but he doesn't want to be a squad player and we couldn't guarantee him those minutes."

• He doesn’t think fatigue will be an issue for St Mirren after their European tie because Stephen Robinson has a strong squad depth.

• On returning skipper Ross Docherty, Goodwin says he will be a part of the squad at the weekend and he’s "been very cautious with his rehab and we've been very tentative with introducing him back into full training".

• Vicko Sevelj will miss the game due to suspension but "everybody else is fit and desperate to play some part in the game".

• Goodwin insists his team are "still very much a work in progress" and he’s been pleasantly surprised with how quickly David Babunski and Kristijan Trapanovski have settled in and how Declan Gallagher, Jack Walton and Craig Sibbald "have stepped up to the challenge".

Image source, Getty Images

Dundee United have recruited a player with "fabulous pedigree" in Liverpool's Luca Stephenson, says manager Jim Goodwin.

The 20-year-old wing-back, who has penned a season-long loan deal, is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Anfield club but gained first-team experience in a temporary stint at Barrow last season.

After a successful loan spell with the English League Two side, Stephenson was included Arne Slot's 28-man squad for Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States, where he featured in wins over Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Betis.

“Luca is an exciting prospect who arrives at Tannadice with a fabulous pedigree, having spent the entirety of his youth career within an elite-level environment," Goodwin said

"Luca can also play in a variety of different positions - a quality which will be vital during an unrelenting league season which will no doubt bring various niggles and knocks to the squad.”

Former Sunderland academy player Stephenson added: "It's a massive opportunity for me and the next step in my development - playing in big fixtures, in front of massive crowds is exactly what I need to progress my career.

"I watched the derby and the atmosphere was incredible - if that doesn't excite you I don't know what will."

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The League Cup hasn't been a particularly happy hunting ground for Dundee United in recent times.

They haven't gone beyond the quarter-finals since the 2014-15 season - when they were beaten 2-0 by Celtic in the final - and they have suffered four group-stage exits in the last six seasons.

Jim Goodwin's side avoided that particular fate this time around, and will fancy their chances of progressing to the last eight on Sunday against a St Mirren side who face a quick turnaround after their Conference League clash away to Norwegian side Brann on Thursday.

There are not many recent happy memories against the Paisley outfit, with United winning just two of the last 12 meetings in all competitions. However, the Tangerines have come out on top in the last three League Cup ties against St Mirren - a 3-0 success in 1992, followed by successive 1-0 wins in '93 and '94. A positive omen perhaps.

David Babunski and Kristijan Trapanovski announced themselves to the United faithful in this season's group stage, and Goodwin will hope his exciting Macedonian duo can help fire his side into the latter stages of the competition.

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The draw for the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup will take place on Sunday after the Celtic v Hibs tie, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The draw will be shown live on Premier Sports following their coverage of the game from Parkhead.

All quarter-final ties due to be played on the weekend of September 21-22.

Dundee United are hoping to sign 20-year-old Liverpool right wing-back Luca Stephenson on loan. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

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Dundee United's Scottish Premiership home game with Rangers next month has been rescheduled for TV coverage.

Originally set for Saturday, 14 September at 15:00 BST, the Tannadice contest will now take place the following day at 12:00 and be shown live on Sky Sports.

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Tony Watt has re-joined fellow Scottish Premiership side Motherwell on a season-long loan.

The striker, who made the move to Tannadice from Fir Park in 2022, has scored 19 goals in 86 appearances for Dundee United and was vice-captain in last season's Championship-winning side.

The 30-year-old made 70 appearances for the Steelmen during his first spell and scored 19 goal then, too.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

We’re now two games into the league campaign and the positive is that we are undefeated.

Another positive is that the team have managed to take the lead, in both games, three times already. That’s good going.

Yet another positive is that the signings made by Jim Goodwin this summer all appear to be, at least from the early showings, very good and upgrades on the players that were previously in the team.

Now for the negatives. Three times in these two games we have given up the lead. At times in both games we have looked wide open and outnumbered in the middle of the park and, ultimately, we have only taken two points from the games.

It is the proverbial mixed bag so far. From the games that United have played against Dundee and Ross County, I can point to many passages of play where there is plenty reason to be optimistic about what this season may bring. Some of the play has been open, attacking and exciting with numerous good chances created. Dare I say it, at times it has been really good to watch.

The flip side to that however is when we are not experiencing the open, attacking and exciting football, we still seem to be a team capable of being completely overrun in the middle of the park.

The first 45 minutes up in Dingwall being a perfect example of that.

For the first 12 seconds of that match United were sensational. We easily broke through on the County goal, rounded the keeper and laid the ball off perfectly for a simple tap in. In the 13th-second of the match, though, Miller Thomson managed to kick the ball over the Jail End stand, and half way back to Inverness, from four yards out.

From there on in, it was one way traffic, and that traffic was all towards United’s goal.

To say that United rode their luck in the first 45 minutes would certainly be accurate and we had a Jack Walton penalty save to thank for going in at half-time on level terms. Goodwin would make some changes to the team’s shape at the break, and it was then a far better display from the men in white and tangerine in the second half. Ultimately though, a poor decision/defending five minutes into injury time has massively cost the team as two points slipped through their grasp for the second week on the bounce.

To sum it all up, it is very, very early in the season, but there likely won’t be too many dull moments following United this season. They’ll hopefully catch fire at times and at other times we might struggle, but there is a spark about this team, and we all know that you can’t start a fire without a spark.

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

Watch Miller Thomson miss a big chance for Dundee United almost straight from the kick-off against Ross County. The match would finish 1-1.

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Watch highlights as Ross County draw with Dundee United in the Premiership.