Dundee United

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Sometimes in life you'll hear the old phrase "well they can't all be wrong". This is often what people tell themselves to firm up their own opinions about a certain subject.

This season, however, a quick scroll through social media after a Dundee United match and the general consensus from opposition fans is that United are hopeless, dire to watch, a terrible team and lucky. As for Jim Goodwin, he's useless too.

Now if I went along with that old adage of thinking everyone can't be wrong, I'd be well within my rights to assume United would be bottom of the league and wildly adrift by now.

Of course, none of that is true. I'm not going to say we are overly exciting to watch every week and are blowing teams away at will. But what we are is a side greater than the sum of its parts and as 'together' a team as any in the league.

As for Goodwin, he has amassed an awful lot of managerial experience, both positive and negative, in the seven or eight years he has been doing this job and it feels like United are really benefitting from it. Most importantly, he has everyone in that squad playing for him.

He has learned a lot and continues to learn more. I certainly don't always agree with his selection choices, or the way that he sets the team up, but I have to doff my cap for what he has achieved up to now at Tannadice. There is most definitely a reason he is the manager and I am not.

As for supporters of the opposition, I'm happy for them to continue to chastise and put United down.

The only validation I need is a quick look at the league table and that tells me we're doing alright. And if United are as bad as some may say, it doesn't say much for most of the other teams in the league.

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

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dundee United keeper Jack Walton made a series of terrific saves at Ibrox which were vital in securing a merited point for his side.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Dundee United's 1-1 draw against Rangers.

Sam Dalby feels he has one up on Steven Fletcher, his team-mate at parent club Wrexham, after scoring against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday, something former United and Hibernian forward Fletcher is yet to do. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Declan Gallagher is proud of how Dundee United responded to difficult pre-match conditions when they drew 1-1 with Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

Jim Goodwin’s men hit the road on Saturday morning but after getting held up by traffic problems on their way to Ibrox, the 15:00 kick-off had to be delayed.

"With preparations, with the accidents on the road, we were obviously on the bus for a lot longer than we would want to be," Gallagher told DUTV.

"Obviously pre-match and stuff is disturbed and then kick-off times so I think there was a lot preparation wise that didn’t go our way.

"But I think that the character of the boys in this changing room showed on the park, they never let it affect them.

"And they were right up for it right from the [first] whistle.

“I think [the performance] was excellent. Each player to a man was superb."

Watch highlights as Rangers draw 1-1 against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

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

Here's what some of you said:

Stuart: Thought Jim Goodwin got it spot on for the starting XI, but could have reacted quicker to the Rangers half time changes. Could prove to be a valuable point in the battle for a top-six slot. Jack Walton was superb and our man of the match!

John: I watched it until after midnight here in Vietnam when the game finished. Great defending and definitely a point gained. This team are hard to break down and show tremendous spirit. I would like Goodwin to get more credit for what he has achieved. His signings are good and the team has gelled, fantastic attitudes right though the team.

Lee: Absolutely delighted with that point today! Goodwin has more than deserved his contract extension. Doesn't hesitate to make adjustments to line ups, formations and tactics. Walton should have a contract offer on his dining room table a minute past midnight on new year’s day from us, he's been superb!

Graham: Amidst all the talk of our new signings and their successful integration, perhaps retaining the services of Walton was actually the best bit of business of all.

Iain: I felt we shut up shop far too early, but all credit to the players and particularly Walton for not crumbling despite also being up against the officials as usual when we play in Glasgow. I mean where did the added eight minutes come from? I suppose the officials were waiting for the other team to score before blowing for full-time.

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• Dundee United have lost eight points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (11) have lost more.

• Rangers have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest scoring streak this season.

• Dundee United are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 28th September 2024 to 19th October 2024.

• Vaclav Cerny has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Rangers player.

Did you take in Dundee United's 1-1 draw with Rangers or were you following from home?

Have your say on the match., external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We're really pleased with the point in the end. Slightly disappointed if I'm being honest that we weren't able to keep the clean sheet and take all three. The game plan was working well.

"We scored a really, really good goal [through Sam Dalby]. Second half, Rangers made some changes, penned us back for large periods in that second 45 minutes. I thought the boys at the back defended the box brilliantly apart from that situation where we switch off, don't match the run and [Vaclav] Cerny finishes it well for the equaliser. When called upon, Jack Walton has had to make some big saves.

"It's the first time that Rangers have dropped points in the league here at Ibrox [this season]. Given the circumstances and the way our preparation went before the game [arriving late], I think that's quite remarkable."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Weather-related delays to Dundee United's arrival pushed the kick-off against Rangers back to 15:45 GMT but the first whistle was not actually blown until 15:55.

They may have been late to arrive but took no time at all to enact their game plan, namely frustrating Rangers and seeking to take advantage of any openings that came their way.

Their first half was almost flawless in its execution but they did not react quickly enough to Rangers' half-time changes and found themselves defending their own box more and more as the game wore on.

Nonetheless, a point is more than valuable for Jim Goodwin's side and they host St Mirren and Kilmarnock in their next two league fixtures.

Jack Walton's saves did as much to secure Dundee United a point at Ibrox as Sam Dalby's headed goal. The goalkeeper was in fine form.

Image source, SNS

Two changes also for Dundee United with Kai Fotheringham and Glenn Middleton in for Emmanuel Adegboyega and Jort van der Sande, who are both on the bench.

Rangers: Butland, Sterling, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Diomande, Cerny, Dessers, Bajrami.

Substitutes: Kelly, Tavernier, Yilmaz, Dowell, Balogun, Igamane, Hagi, McCausland, Danilo.

Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Gallagher, Holt, Ferry, Babunski, Fotheringham, Sevelj, Middleton, Dalby, Stephenson.

Substitutes: Richards, Moult, Odada, Adegboyega, Van der Sande, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Meschack.

Image source, SNS

Rangers will be missing Neraysho Kasanwirjo as he awaits the full diagnosis of a long-term knee injury.

Ross McCausland has shaken off a foot injury and Ridvan Yilmaz is back but Rabbi Matondo is out with a minor knock. Oscar Cortes will be back training next week.

Dundee United striker Louis Moult is back fit but Ross Graham and Kristijan Trapanovski are still out with hamstring injuries and Craig Sibbald (groin) is also out.

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

Rangers manager Philippe Clement says his team will "throw everything" at Dundee United when the sides meet at Ibrox on Saturday.

The Tannadice men are only three points behind third-place Rangers having played a game more.

United boss Jim Goodwin said on Thursday he's designing a gameplan to hopefully "create nervous tension" at Ibrox, but Clement is confident his side can nullify that.

"I like it when other people motivate my players," the Belgian said.

"It's a tough opponent. They have had a really good season, but we're going to throw everything from our side to win that game."

The hosts will have to make do without on-loan Feyenoord defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who has sustained what Clement called a "longer term injury" on his knee while on duty for Netherlands Under-21s.

Clement also took time to praise the contribution of defender John Souttar for Scotland against Croatia and Poland.

"He played two really impressive games," Clement added.

"I think everyone's seeing he's been making some really big steps forward the last couple of months, in every sense of football and personality."

Dundee United "have the ammunition" to cause Rangers problems, says former Ibrox striker Rory Loy.

Listen to weekend Premiership preview on the Scottish football podcast

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Walton says "the pressure is on" Rangers in Saturday's Ibrox meeting.

Fourth-place United know victory will move them level on points with Philippe Clement's men, who are already nine behind top two Celtic and Aberdeen.

"At home a club like Rangers expect to win every game, so we have a gameplan the gaffer has put out and we have worked hard on it this week," said Walton.

"We are going to go there to try and get a positive result. They are one of the best teams in the league, but if we show our qualities we can get results against the best.

"So it is a good challenge for us and we raring to go there and get a good result."

Newly-promoted United have lost just one of their six Premiership away trips so far, a 1-0 reverse at Aberdeen, but have suffered defeat in their last nine league visits to Ibrox.

"We know it is a difficult venue," Walton added.

"We played them here [1-0 defeat at Tannadice] a couple of months ago, it was a very close game, there wasn’t much between us so there is nothing to say we can't go there and have a close game again."

We asked you what the one thing nobody is talking about in relation to Dundee United - good or bad.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Neil: My ambition was to be 10 or above and reestablish in the top flight with longer-term ambition to become a top six regular in future years. The team are playing well, but we have been affected badly with five keys players injured.

Anon: One thing for me is Ross Docherty and Louis Moult's consistent injuries. Is there any chance we'll see them soon?

Stuart: Deja vu, perhaps? I know football fans can have selective memory when it comes to their team's pain. But I can't help feel like we've been here before. A better than expected return to the top flight, potentially culminating in a return of European football to Tannadice. We don't need reminding of what happened next (pessimistic I know).

Gary: We need three or four in January. It's been a hard but good six weeks or so. Miss the big man at the back, Ross Graham. Everyone in squad has had to dig deep. Hopefully we get passed Christmas and New Year on a high. Hopefully chase Rangers a bit more. Three points at Ibrox on Saturday would be great. Onwards and upwards.

Anon: I'm not convinced of Goodwin and the games I've attended the standard has been pretty poor. Sadly by the end of Jan and from what I've seen recently it's highly likely that we'll be in the bottom half.

Ross: While it has been a great start to our return to the top flight United remain a mere three losses (or wins for teams below us) from the dreaded relegation dogfight. Dare we dream of Europe/mid-table mediocrity/relegation scrap (deleted as appropriate). So, come January do we twist or stick in the transfer market? Time will tell.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before this weekend's Premiership trip to Rangers.

Here are the key lines:

• Goodwin says the opportunity to move level on points with Rangers is "a huge motivation for the players" and they go into the game with a "real positive vibe".

• He wants his side to "create some nervous tension" among the Ibrox crowd, adding: "We know the fans can very quickly get on the backs of the Rangers players."

• On United's 13-year wait for a league win at Ibrox, Goodwin says "those records have to change at some point" and his side have "ticked off a few of those type".

• He notes Rangers have had a "difficult start" and the supporters "are not happy Celtic are so far in front", urging his team to put Philippe Clement's side "under as much pressure as we can".

• Goodwin says the international break came at a good time for United given the number of injuries they were carrying.

• Louis Moult is back from injury and United hope to have Ross Graham available in the next couple of weeks. Craig Sibbald and Kristijan Trapanovski remain sidelined.

• Rangers have won each of their last five league meetings with Dundee United, their longest such run over the Tangerines since winning eight in a row from September 2001 to December 2003.

• Dundee United have lost each of their last nine league visits to Rangers since a 3-2 win in April 2011. The Tannadice men have scored just three goals in those nine matches.

• 82% of Rangers' points in the Scottish Premiership this season have been earned at home (18/22), the highest percentage of any side in the division.

• Only Celtic (0.71) and Rangers (1.03) are averaging a lower expected goals against figure per game in the Scottish Premiership this season than Dundee United (1.33).

• Of Cyriel Dessers' 20 league goals, 14 have come at home (70%), including all four this season. Indeed, 10 of the Nigerian’s last 12 league goals for Rangers have been scored in home games.

It's been a smooth transition to life back in the Premiership for Dundee United so far as they nestle nicely in the top six.

Jim Goodwin's reshaped squad is looking the part and the mood around Tannadice is optimistic for what lies ahead.

But the fans know the club best, so what is the one thing nobody is talking about in relation to United - good or bad?

Let us know., external