Dundee United

Watch highlights as Dundee United draw 1-1 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only)

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United "want to be at the table" when it comes to deciding Sam Dalby's future, says manager Jim Goodwin.

Dalby scored his sixth goal since joining on loan from Wrexham in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

"We want to be at the table when those conversations need to take place," said Goodwin.

"Right now we're not wanting any distractions. Sam and his representatives know where we are and they know that we would love the big fellow to stay longer term."

Meanwhile, Dalby said it was "special" scoring a goal on his 25th birthday.

The Englishman stooped to head in the opener in the draw with Kilmarnock.

It came soon after Killie had to replace the injured Robby McCrorie with Kieran O'Hara, who could only parry David Babunski's effort before Dalby reacted to divert in the rebound.

"They had to bring a sub goalkeeper on, so naturally I try to gamble every time we have a shot," said the on-loan Wrexham player.

"Thankfully that paid off and I got my goal. Any goal is special and helps the team, but it's nice to get one on my birthday.

"We're still unbeaten in five but three points would have been nice."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Should have seen the game out, but the wonder that is VAR came in and probably equalled up last week's debatable penalties. Good game considering conditions but maybe we should have put on the substitutions earlier.

Jamie: The fact Killie fans celebrated the draw like a win says it all. United dominated for large spells and it should have been at least 1-0 at half time. It was clear from very early on in the game that the referee was looking to even the score after the controversial calls against St Mirren. Sam Dalby was punched in the box and the lunge on Vicko Sevelj was ignored.

Matthew: Foolish play this week cost us a penalty and two points. I love how well we've done so far but hope we don't regret these draws come the end of season.

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• Dundee United are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 1 February 2022 to 26 February 2022.

• Kilmarnock have failed to win in their last six games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from May 2024 to September 2024, a run of eight games.

• Dundee United have lost 10 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• Kilmarnock have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

Did you take in Dundee United's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock or following the match from home?

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Over the whole piece, we did enough to win the game. First half, I felt we had really good control. Second half, a little bit different. Jack Walton has had to make a couple of good saves. Delighted to get our noses in front with the goal that we scored.

"There are a few decisions then thereafter that I think will be talking points on the Sportscene show tonight. Sam Dalby feels that the goalkeeper, [Kieran] O'Hara, has completely wiped him out for that cross that's come in the box. I'm not sure there's much contact from the goalkeeper on the ball and there's certainly a punch to the head and a knee in the back for Dalby. That's one that could go either way.

"The penalty that we give ourselves, it's really, really soft. It's similar to the one that we got last week [against St Mirren] on Kevin Holt. It was my concern, I must admit, coming into the game this week the amount of song and dance that was made about the penalty decision on Kevin Holt.

"We want to be at the table when those conversations [regarding on-loan Wrexham player Dalby] need to take place but right now we're not wanting any distractions. Sam and his representatives know where we are and they know that we would love the big fellow to stay longer term."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

After such a bright start, the fear for United was that they would rue not taking their early chances. As the match wore on, openings became more sparse

Sam Dalby continues to be a problem for defences but strike partner Louis Moult, making his first start since September, looked short of match sharpness.

Ferry and Strain were a consistent supply line for the forwards and Babunski's influence grew in the second half.

When Dalby's goal eventually arrived, it was deserved and they will be frustrated not to have taken all three points.

Dundee United forward Sam Dalby marked his 25th birthday with a headed goal and also hit the post against Kilmarnock.

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin expects to be selecting from an unchanged squad, with Ross Docherty (calf), Craig Sibbald (groin) and Kristijan Trapanovski (hamstring) still absent.

Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright is set to brave some bruising to his forehead after concussion was ruled out following his early exit against Rangers.

Matty Kennedy (back) is unlikely to return while Derek McInnes has other unnamed fitness concerns. Stuart Findlay (ankle) is a long-term absentee and Kyle Magennis is edging close to a return.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Luca Stephenson says his Dundee United loan stint has already made him a better player after going from England's fourth tier to Scotland's top flight.

The versatile Liverpool midfielder, 21, spent last season on loan at Barrow, but reckons the step up to United has been the making of him.

Stephenson, who has made 13 appearances and scored three goals so far in his season-long Tannadice spell, said: "I had confidence in myself that I was going to come up here and take the shirt and play every week.

"I can tell already how much it has lifted my game and lifted my profile. I am looking to keep that going for the rest of the season, but we are in December and I can notice the difference in my game, my better physicality, adapting to the men's game a lot more.

"Last season was my first year in the men's game and I didn't struggle but it was new for me. Whereas this season I feel like I can take it in my stride a lot more and I am understanding a lot more about what I have to do."

Stephenson is a key part of a United team that has taken the top division by storm and occupy fourth place before Saturday's visit of struggling Kilmarnock.

"I've been playing from the start every game and the gaffer has given me the freedom to play different roles. I have played wing-back, midfield, and go and express myself and that is all I can ask for really," he added.

"I said at the start of the season before I came up here, it was the next step in my career, it was a step up in the level of opposition and the publicity you get.

"Hopefully I am showing people I am good enough for this level. In future I want to go and play at higher levels and at the minute I am doing well."

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The derby between Dundee and Dundee United at Dens Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round will take place on Monday, 20 January.

The game kicks off at 20:00 GMT and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports.

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• Dundee United are winless in three league meetings with Kilmarnock (D1 L2), last going longer without victory over Killie in the top-flight in August 2006 (6 games).

• After their 3-0 win in May 2023, Kilmarnock could win back-to-back top-flight away games at Dundee United for the first time since August 2002 (4 in a row).

• Dundee United have won both of their last two home league games without conceding; the Tangerines last won three successive home matches in the Scottish Premiership in October 2021, and last did so while also keeping a clean sheet each time in November 2014.

• Kilmarnock lost 6-0 against Rangers last time out, their heaviest defeat in the top-flight since a loss by the same scoreline against Celtic in April 2012.

• Since the start of last season, all five of Kilmarnock's league games against newly promoted opponents have been drawn (4 v Dundee in 2023-24, 1 v Dundee United this term). Killie are winless in five Scottish Premiership away games at promoted clubs (D3 L2) since a 1-0 victory at St Mirren in March 2019.

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Jim Goodwin hailed Sam Dalby as "a lot more than just a target man" after the Dundee United striker was named the Scottish Premiership player of the month for November.

Dalby, 24, is on loan at United from Wrexham, and has helped the Tannadice side impress on their return to the top flight.

Dalby scored three goals during an unbeaten November for Goodwin's side, and the Irish manager was full of praise for "the big fella".

"I am absolutely delighted for Sam," Goodwin said. "His commitment to come up to Scotland has been repaid as far as we are concerned. I have got great belief in the big fella, that is why we worked so hard to try and bring him to the club.

"I think his game is really suited to the Scottish Premiership, people would look at him and think he is just a six foot three target man, but he is a lot more than that. He is technically very good, links the game well, decent mobility for a big lad as well. He has scored a lot of important goals for us up to now.

"He had a great month in November and I am really pleased for him that he has got that recognition."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership match against Kilmarnock.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Despite Kilmarnock's recent poor form Goodwin is expecting "a difficult game" and says counterpart Derek McInnes will be "looking for a reaction" after his side were thrashed 6-0 at Rangers on Wednesday night.

• Goodwin believes McInnes will get Killie moving in the right direction again, a process he obviously hopes doesn't start on Saturday.

• With his side fourth in the table, Goodwin was asked if he is eyeing Rangers and Aberdeen, who occupy the two places above them; he said he is not looking at the league table - "we are not looking over our shoulders, we are not looking up, we are just focusing on our next game."

• Goodwin spoke of the "fine margins" in the league. He thinks Celtic are out on their own at the moment but doesn't thing there is a great deal between the other 11 teams in the league.

• On drawing neighbours Dundee in the next round of the Scottish Cup, Goodwin think it is "no doubt the tie of the round".

• A calf strain means midfielder Ross Docherty continues to miss out in an injury-disrupted season, but there are no fresh injuries.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty says his side drawing rivals Dundee United in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup is "brilliant for the city".

The sides will meet at Dens Park on the weekend of 18-19 January, and Docherty says there has been a "buzz" among the Dundee squad ever since the draw.

"Brilliant," Docherty said. "Thrilled and excited when it came out.

"I think it's brilliant for both clubs. I think it's brilliant for the city.

"And that's us guaranteed at least four derbies this year that we never had last year.

"So I think it's absolutely tie of the round and we'll very much look forward to that. There's a buzz about the place.

"Listen, you would prefer that you play them in the final, or the semi-final, but you play them when you play them. And it's a brilliant fixture, as I say, for the city, for both clubs."

Docherty was keen to stress his immediate focus remains on the league, with Motherwell visiting Dens in Scottish Premiership action on Wednesday.

A win would take Dundee into the top six and Docherty wants to build on recent home wins.

"I need to stress that [cup match] is nine game away, so we'll deal with that when it comes round. Your most important game is your next one, which is Motherwell at home tomorrow night.

"Our sole motivation is putting on a level of performance tomorrow night to give us the best opportunity to beat Motherwell at home.

"We've won our last two home games which I'm really pleased about.

"The fans have been so important in that so of course, that's a tangible reward (top six) if we win the game tomorrow night."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

A big chunk of the early-season chat in Scottish football has surrounded Aberdeen, and whether they can split the Old Firm this season.

There hasn't been as much about whether Dundee United have the potential to achieve that feat too.

However, if they keep going the way they have been going this term, then surely their name will have to be added into that debate.

Yes, it is still a long shot - but they are very much on Rangers' coattails in third place, just three points behind the Ibrox side with 14 of their league fixtures ticked off.

Jim Goodwin's side have a number of qualities - key among them is having the ability to grind out results both at home and away.

That is a quality that can take a side a long way. Another is belief, and they clearly have plenty of that too.

The Tangerines have already proved to the wider football public - and to themselves - that they are more than a match for anyone in the Premiership - barring Celtic, who they have yet to play.

Another quality they possess is that of keeping their feet firmly on the ground - whenever you speak to Goodwin, or any of the players, they are adhering to the 'one game at a time' mantra, maintaining that the league table doesn't matter at this stage of the campaign.

While that may be the message from the dressing room, who would blame the United fans if they are already starting to dream of Europe next season.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Saturday's match at Tannadice had it all - drama, passion, and controversy - but most importantly, it delivered three vital points for Dundee United. The fortress of Tannadice stood tall as United swept St Mirren aside 2-0, a third victory against the Buddies this season.

Kevin Holt, a defensive colossus, was the hero on the scoresheet too. After Sam Dalby's effort cleared the stand and Will Ferry rattled the post in the first half, it was Holt who coolly broke the deadlock from the penalty spot. And as if his contribution wasn't enough, Manny Adegboyega - who seemingly relishes these encounters - clinched the win after Marcus Fraser's red card left St Mirren floundering.

United's defensive display was nothing short of sensational. Holt, Declan Gallagher, and Adegboyega combined to repel wave after wave of pressure. With 24 clearances between them, they stood firm as St Mirren launched 35 crosses and the defence didn't just protect; it completely suffocated the Buddies' attack.

Of course, no game involving Dundee United would be complete without a dose of VAR drama. St Mirren fans may protest Fraser's sending off or Jack Walton's reprieve, but let's get real - the officials got it spot on. Holt was clearly fouled for the penalty, and Fraser's desperate tug on Moult was blatant. VAR only confirmed what we at Tannadice could already see.

As for the league table, Jim Goodwin may caution against getting carried away, but fans can't help savouring the view. United sit 11 points clear of the relegation zone and enjoy a healthy buffer in the top six. And let's not forget - the gap between us and that lot up the road is as wide as it is glorious.

This was more than just a victory; it was a statement. Dundee United are here to stay, fight, and thrive. Tannadice is alive, the Tangerine Army is united, and we're ready to take on whoever comes next. Bring on Kilmarnock - onwards and upwards!

Ronny Costello can be found on the Dode Fox podcast., external

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Dundee United will face Dundee at Dens Park in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

The tie will take place on the weekend of 18-19 January.

Dundee United's Kevin Holt, 31, is adamant the controversial penalty he won and converted in Saturday's 2-0 win over St Mirren was the correct call. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip