Dundee United

Watch all the action from Dundee United's 1-0 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

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Dundee United fans, were you at Tannadice to see your side's Premiership win against Aberdeen or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts on the game.

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Dundee United's Glenn Middleton was superb in the win over Aberdeen.

The diminutive wide man had the joint-most shots of any United player the most touches in Aberdeen's box and only Will Ferry created more chances for the Tangerines.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United came into the game having lost just one of their last eight, including draws against each of the Old Firm. Buoyed by a packed Tannadice, they started brightly.

Glenn Middleton was bright throughout, with his quick feet and direct running posing plenty of problems down the right.

Out of possession, United's forward players kept the Aberdeen defence honest with their pressing, and the hosts thought they would have the chance to go in front from the spot when Aberdeen right-back Nicky Devlin was penalised for handball.

However, a VAR intervention sent referee John Beaton to the pitchside monitor and he reversed his original decision.

United continued to look the more likely scorers after the break. Kevin Holt saw an audacious effort go just over from inside his own half; Sam Dalby's flicked header was wonderfully saved by Dimitar Mitov; and Ross Docherty had a shot whistle over the top.

United have made a habit of scoring late in games this season. They now have 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of matches, more than any other team in the division.

As the season progresses, United's lofty league position becomes ever more impressive. Goodwin is doing a wonderful job, and if their current form continues into the new year, a top-six finish looks nailed on.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We're delighted with the end result. Two teams having a right go at it, a great atmosphere generated by both sets of fans.

"We carried a real threat all afternoon. I think we had the better opportunities, Mitov made one or two fantastic saves.

"We kept going. We could have easily been satisfied with a point but that wasn't the case. We send all the big boys up - a great throw-in from Will Ferry and unbelievable desire from Kevin Holt.

"Over the balance of play I think we deserved to win the game. The players managed the game brilliantly; defensively outstanding again. It's probably the best feeling in football when you get that last-minute winner.

"As a group of staff and players will remain level-headed. The target is still to accumulate enough points to ensure we are a Premiership club next season. It's been a great first half to the season. If we can follow that up it would be terrific, but we can't become complacent."

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Dundee United are without the suspended Declan Gallagher after the centre-half was sent off late on against St Johnstone.

Louis Moult and Craig Sibbald remain out.

Aberdeen will be without long-term absentees Vicente Besuijen, Jack Milne and Pape Habib Gueye.

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• Dundee United have lost each of their last three league meetings with Aberdeen, this after only losing one of their previous seven against the Dons beforehand (W3 D3).

• Aberdeen are winless in their last eight league meetings away from home with newly promoted opposition (D3 L5) since winning 3-1 at Ross County in November 2019 under Derek McInnes.

• Excluding years in which they were relegated, Dundee United have lost their final top-flight match of a calendar year in six of their last seven attempts, although did win the most recent 3-0 against Ross County in 2022.

• Aberdeen have lost their final league match of both of the last calendar years, as many as their previous 19 beforehand (W10 D7).

• Dundee United's Jim Goodwin has won just two of his last 10 league meetings against former side Aberdeen (D3 L5), losing both against the Dons since leaving the club.

Sportscene pundits Scott Allan and Steven Naismith analyse Dundee United' 2-1 win against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

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Dundee United winger Glenn Middleton says ending his goal drought in the Boxing Day victory away to St Johnstone was "probably right up there" among the best moments of his career.

The 24-year-old's first goal since April started United's second-half comeback before Sam Dalby headed home to secure a 2-1 win that sent Jim Goodwin's side back up to fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

Middleton admitted he "scraped my knees" after sprinting up to the travelling fans at the other end of McDiarmid Park before he "chucked a wee knee slide in there".

"It was probably that bit more special because it's been a little bit of a wait," he explained to DUTV. "It was a brilliant feeling when it went in."

Middleton had also faced a bit of stick from Goodwin about his lack of goals.

"I'm sure the manager said it as well, he was getting on at me the other day, in a good way of course, that it was about time I scored," he added.

"I knew it was, but it's just been how it's gone at times. I feel I have still been contributing in games.

"Winning away is such a good feeling, it's such a good morale boost for everyone as well."

We asked for your thoughts on Dundee United's 2-1 Boxing Day win against St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: We got the Christmas present all United fans were wishing for. A thoroughly deserved three points and back into fourth. With two massive games coming up against Aberdeen and Dundee, and with players starting to come back from injury. Dare we start dreaming of European football next season?

John: While Jack Walton, Sam Dalby, the defence and the incredibly hardworking midfield get plaudits, we have to acknowledge Jim Goodwin and his coaches for the cohesion and team spirit. Great stuff, again. Now get the cheque book out and get these guys signed up ready for Europe next year.

Ross: I thought in the first half we were excellent in build-up with no end product. Second half we were brilliant and fully deserved the three points. Great atmosphere from the fans. Good win going into an important run of games!

Jamie: I hold my hands up, Glenn Middleton has turned things around in tangerine. I was very vocal about his performances in the Championship, where he looked disinterested and out of shape. But boy has he proved me wrong so far this season. All our best work goes through him and his goal was a moment of magic after Saints snatched the lead undeservedly.

Ross: United were ahead in every department except goals at half-time. Only to easily sweep aside the Saints in the second half. The Declan Gallagher red was the only blemish on a classy showing. Three points on Sunday against the Dons will end any talk of a relegation dogfight - quite the opposite in fact. The top six, nay Europe, might now be a distinct possibility.

Watch highlights of Dundee United's 2-1 win at St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

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• Samuel Dalby has scored nine goals in the Scottish Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee United player.

• Benjamin Kimpioka has assisted two goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no St Johnstone player has more.

• Vicko Ševelj has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Dundee United player has more.

• United won after conceding the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 15 April 2023 against Motherwell (10 games without a win).

• Saints have lost their past three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 30 October 2024 to 9 November 2024.

• Dundee United won after trailing at half-time in the Premiership for the first time since 15 April 2023 against Motherwell (five games without a win after trailing at half time).

• St Johnstone have lost 13 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• United have won eight points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (nine) and Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I thought we were really unfortunate to go in behind at half-time. I thought we were the better team throughout the game.

"We had to press aggressively at the top end of the pitch and force them into errors. I thought the work rate of the front three was excellent.

"There weren't many chances until the goal. But it was great character from the group. A lot of teams would feel sorry for themselves but my players again showed their grit and determination.

"We're delighted with the position in the table. Aberdeen had a brilliant start and opened up a asignificant gap but slowly but surely the teams below have been chipping away.

We've got the opportunity to close it further in a few days time. We did well defensively at Pittodrie last time out, and we have to have that similar defensive shape on Sunday but we need a bit offensively.

"If we can get a similar level of performance to what we showed here then we're capable of winning that one as well."

Dundee United's impressive return to the Scottish Premiership continued as they came from behind to beat St Johnstone and move to within six points of third-place Aberdeen before the sides meet on Sunday.

Let us know your thoughts on United's performance.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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The table makes fabulous reading for United.

Just short of halfway through the campaign, they are now up to fourth place and only six points adrift of an Aberdeen side who were out of sight early this season.

Most assumed the Dons would comfortably have third place secured given where they were but, with the sides facing each other at Tannadice on Sunday, everything seems up for grabs and United are very much on the march.

They have shown a number of qualities since their Premiership return and required many of them here after falling behind. Their response was emphatic and the travelling support loved it.

Jim Goodwin spoke of trying to provide service from wide areas to Sam Dalby and the one time it happened, he did the rest with a convincing header. He is proving to be a great addition in a squad that is delivering.

One defeat in eight league games is a very strong outcome with the only blemish Gallagher's late ordering off, which means he will miss the next two games.

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St Johnstone have Lewis Neilson, Kyle Cameron and Nicky Clark back in their squad.

Barry Douglas (calf) is still out along with long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu (knee), Cammy MacPherson (hip) and Sam McClelland (Achilles).

Dundee United are again without Louis Moult (shoulder) and Craig Sibbald (groin).

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Declan Gallagher says the "protein bars were brought out in the changing room" immediately after the draw with Celtic as Dundee United quickly switched their focus to St Johnstone on Boxing Day.

Jim Goodwin's well-organised side became just the second team to take Premiership points from runaway leaders Celtic this season with a gritty goalless draw at Tannadice on Sunday.

And the big games keep on coming, with a Tayside derby at McDiarmid Park up next.

Centre-back Gallagher said: "The protein bars were brought out in the changing room. That's the first time I've seen them this season.

"So we are definitely concentrating on the St Johnstone game. The recovery starts now and it's a good group of boys in there.

"They know they have to rest and recover. We are in a good place for the games coming up, absolutely.

"If you looked at the Celtic game most people would say it's a free hit and they were coming here to run over the top of us.

"But the fact that we started well and took a point is excellent for us. Now we just need to look forward and try and pick up as many points as we can in this tough period.

"We just want to kick on and try and get another three points against St Johnstone.

"So it all has to be fully focused on that. It was a great result and we know that. But we don't get too carried away with it."

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• Against no other side has Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin won more Scottish Premiership games as a manager than his six against St Johnstone (also 6 v Ross County). However, only one of those six has come in his seven away games against the Saints (D2 L4), winning 1-0 in August 2022 with Aberdeen.

• Dundee United have scored at least once in nine of their last 10 away league games, only failing at Aberdeen in October (1-0 defeat).

• St Johnstone have lost 11 and won just two of their 17 home league games in 2024 (D4). It's the most home defeats by a side in a single calendar year in the Scottish Premiership since 2018, when Hamilton lost 13 and Dundee lost 12.

• Dundee United are looking to earn back-to-back top-flight victories over St Johnstone for the first time since April 2012.

• St Johnstone's last home league meeting with Dundee United saw them win 1-0 in May 2023; the Saints last won successive home Scottish Premiership meetings with the Tangerines in December 2014 (3 in a row).

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

As I walked along to Tannadice on Sunday I knew that from then until 5pm on 11 January, United will have had to play seven games.

That's a lot to ask, so you'd hope for a nice easy start to that hectic period. Not to be, it was only the past, current and more than likely future champions of Scotland that paid a visit to Tannadice Street.

Now forgive me for not particularly looking forward to this fixture. I am a fan nearer to the age of 50 than I am to 40 and for what seems like forever this has been a game that I'm almost certain Celtic look to as a guaranteed three points.

In the last 80 matches between the sides United have won just three, Celtic have won 61. You can see where I'm coming from.

So as I took to my seat on Sunday I was hoping for a good performance and a 'let's just keep the score down' kinda day.

Bear in mind, this is a very good Celtic side this season and United, as well as they have done up to now, were only promoted in the summer and last time out had shipped four goals to Motherwell. It felt like the Terrors were on a hiding to nothing. At least to me.

We all know, however, that is not the way it turned out. Every man in Tangerine gave their all and I would argue they deservedly earned a point.

Jim Goodwin once again proved just how astute he is with another formation and tactical change to suit the occasion. Horses for courses if you will. He has every player singing from the same hymn sheet and appears to have everyone willing to give everything for the cause.

Since full-time on Sunday I have heard and read accusations of negative, boring and anti-football levelled at United's approach to the match. That is not the way I see it.

United set out to play to their own strengths, as well as to try to negate Celtic's strengths. And guess what? It worked.

Celtic may have been less than full strength, the wind may also have been a factor, but make no mistake about it, United deserved everything they got on Sunday.

It is the season of goodwill. The time of year when gifts are handed out, but as I headed home after the match I was absolutely delighted that United showed absolutely no respect to that tradition. Merry Christmas one and all.

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

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dundee United earned a vital point as they held reigning champions Celtic to a goalless draw at Tannadice and United have one player in my Team of the Week.

As Brendan Rodgers pointed out, his Celtic side did not work Jack Walton enough at Tannadice. But when it mattered the United keeper demonstrated he was up to the task, especially with a vital late save that almost looked certain to find the net as his side earned a valuable point against the champions.