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
Image source, SNSDundee 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.
Image source, SNSDundee United's head of recruitment Michael Cairney will leave Tannadice in the coming months after accepting a senior role with an English Championship side.
The club said in a statement that Cairney will continue to contribute to their transfer plans for the summer window and beyond with his replacement to "ensure a seamless transition".
"I've had a fantastic time at Tannadice and have been fortunate to work with some brilliant people," Cairney told club media.
"But when this new opportunity came up, I felt that it was an exciting challenge and the right step for me at this stage in my career.
"I wish the club nothing but success moving forward."
Ronny Costello
Fan writer
On Friday night, I raised a glass at a gala dinner to celebrate 15 years since a brilliant day at Hampden - Dundee United's second Scottish Cup triumph. It remains one of the club's greatest achievements.
Under the management of Peter Houston, United lifted the trophy with a commanding 3-0 victory over Ross County at Hampden on 15 May 2010.
United had enjoyed a strong season, finishing third in the top flight, and their cup run showcased their quality and resilience.
After seeing off Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, United faced Rangers at Ibrox in the quarter-finals.
Two penalties for the home side saw them 3-1 up just after half-time, and it looked bleak. But Morgaro Gomis pulled one back with a deflected volley, and with ten minutes to go, Mihael Kovacevic's header made it 3-3, forcing a replay at Tannadice.
Almost 15 years to the day, the return leg was settled in bizarre fashion - David Robertson's backside deflecting the ball home to send United back to the national stadium.
Despite Raith Rovers' early pressure in the semi-final, United took the lead against the run of play through David Goodwillie. Skipper Andy Webster doubled the advantage in the second half, sealing victory and securing a first cup final appearance since 2005.
In the final, after a goalless first half, United took control. Goodwillie broke the deadlock with a dink over County keeper Michael McGovern from 30 yards.
Craig Conway then sealed victory with two superb goals - his only strikes in the competition that season - first with a precise low drive and then a clinical counter-attack finish.
It was a day of dominance, redemption, and celebration - one that remains a cherished memory for United supporters.
But, as was said many times on Friday night, it was very much a squad effort, with players who weren't stripped on the day playing a vital role throughout the season.
The win secured United's second-ever Scottish Cup, following their 1994 success. The team that day, featuring the likes of Swanson, Conway, Daly, Dillon, Kenneth, Webster, Gomis and Buaben etched their names into club history.
You can find Ronny Costello on The Dode Fox Podcast, external
Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSSam Dalby's importance to Dundee United cannot be overstated.
To be the league's joint-top scorer for a newly-promoted side is mighty impressive.
In addition to that, he has been responsible for a greater share of a team's goals than anyone else in the Scottish Premiership.
Of the 38 goals Jim Goodwin's side have scored so far in the campaign, Dalby has scored 13 of them, or 34.2% of their total haul.
While this may teeter on the brink of having an overreliance on the scoring exploits of an on-loan forward, United are just three points off third place and reaping the rewards for their recruitment.
Their city rivals Dundee are next on the list, with Simon Murray contributing 26.7% of their 45 goals with 12.
Image source, SNSDundee United forward Kristijan Trapanovski made his competitive international debut for North Macedonia in their World Cup qualifying won over Liechtenstein.
The 25-year-old came off the bench for the final 10 minutes as his national side cruised to a 3-0 win, putting them top of their qualification group after the opening round of fixtures.
Trapanovski had previously made an appearance in a friendly two-and-a-half years ago but now his his first full cap.
Image source, SNSWe asked for your Dundee United player of the year - and the biggest disappointment.
Here's what some of you said:
Dave: There are two candidates for player of the season - Sam Dalby and Will Ferry. In terms of the biggest flops, there are also two candidates. Meshack Ubochioma despite his goal against Hibs and Richard Odada, who looked totally out of his depth in Scottish football.
Garry: Player of the season - Will Ferry. Disappointment - Jort van der Sande.
Colum: Player of the season is going to be tight between Sam Dalby and Vicko Sevelj as both have done exceptionally well. The biggest disappointment, and I know he's only been there a few months, has been Allan Campbell. My Motherwell supporting mates had a tinge of jealousy when we signed him, but he just doesn't look the same player that went down south.
Bob: Craig Sibbald outstanding - we plummeted after he got injured. So glad to have him back for the run-in. Van der Sande has been utterly toothless.
Ewen: Ferry, Dalby and the now-departed Kevin Holt have all had turned in consistent performances throughout the season. My vote for player of the year is for Sevelj, who has been asked to play in various positions and has always been outstanding. Largely through injury Ross Docherty and Louis Moult have featured less than one would wish for and Van der Sande has yet to fulfil his potential.
Kieran: Tough call in a two-horse race between Ferry and Dalby, but if I have to choose one I would go for Ferry. His defensive and offensive capabilities have been near faultless this season. The award for biggest flop has to be Van der Sande - he has offered nothing at all.
Danny: My player of the season, so far, would have been between Ferry, Dalby and Holt. With the latter now gone it is a toss-up between the other two. However, Holt's departure and our downturn in form are not coincidental.
Oleksa: Sevelj without a doubt - he has played in several positions, provided several assists and is a goal threat - hard working, great attitude and a team player.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin would love to keep some of his current loan players permanently, with Luton Town goalkeeper Jack Walton and Wrexham striker Sam Dalby both free agents this summer and wide man Luca Stephenson going into his last year with Liverpool. (Daily Record), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
With just eight Premiership games left, we're down to the business end of the season.
Player reputations have been enhanced - or sullied - with their performances throughout the campaign.
As thoughts begin to turn to end-of-term awards, we want to know your Dundee United player of the season so far - and the biggest flop.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Dundee United have had a fine return to the Premiership. Their current spot of fifth – just three points behind third-place Hibs – is excellent.
But there are a couple of things that will be concerning their fans and manager Jim Goodwin.
A large part of what they have achieved this season has been based on having a solid defence, at least until recently.
They have shipped 12 goals in the past five leagues games and 16 in seven.
Home form has also dropped off significantly. Following Sunday's chastening derby defeat the Tangerines have now won just two of their past eight games at Tannadice.
Those two issues are a dangerous combination – and the fact they have surfaced at the business end of the season will give Goodwin plenty to ponder.
In fact, more generally their form has been poor – just two wins from 10 Premiership outings.
The big positive is that United remain very well placed, largely due to the points amassed earlier in the season.
Their objective at the start of the campaign was simply to stay in the top division – but that target shifted as United exceeded expectations.
And while they remain very much involved in the fight for Europe they also now find themselves embroiled in a battle to stay in the top six.
Goodwin will use the international break to try to come up with a way of resolving the issues that have troubled his team.
If he can come up with the answers, there is no reason why his side can't be involved in the Euro shakedown.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSIan Ferguson was United's matchwinner in the Nou Camp
Thirty eight years ago Barcelona's Terry Venables, Gary Lineker, Mark Hughes and co were taught a tangerine lesson on the Nou Camp turf.
Jim McLean's Dundee United didn't travel light, as they carried a 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their Uefa Cup quarter-final, thanks to Kevin Gallacher's astonishing early goal at Tannadice.
This was a Barca side who had been just a penalty shootout away from winning the previous season's European Cup.
As expected from a team peppered with Spain internationals, as well as the two Britons up top, they hit back at home in the first half through Ramon Caldere.
Keep the heid, don't panic.
As the clock ticked down closer towards the 90, the hardy band of United supporters in the far-from-full Nou Camp could be heard biting their nails.
Then, John Clark tucked the ball into the back of the net. Again, as expected, a Barca onslaught arrived.
Until Ian Ferguson poked in another four minutes later to start the party.
Yet another incredible European challenge checked off. The reward? Another to add to the pile.
Borussia Monchengladbach were seen to though, and United's place in the final was sealed.
And that's where the story ends, right? Gothenburg never happened...
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
Let's start this week with a football fact: Derbies are a football fan's emotional rollercoaster.
They're the best games to win and the absolute worst to lose. And on Sunday, United lost theirs in the most painful way imaginable.
Put simply, the team just didn't show up. They were outworked, outfought, outplayed and basically out-everything-ed. If there had been a competition for losing in style, United would have swept the board.
What makes it even more baffling is the performance was completely out of character. A one-off, an anomaly… at least that's what I told myself in order to get a sleep on Sunday night.
But here's the hard truth: United have now lost eight of their past 11 games.
On paper, that's the kind of record that makes you wonder if they've been taking tactical advice from a Magic 8 Ball. Yet, strangely, it hasn't really felt that bad. Not exactly vintage form, but not a full-blown crisis either.
That said, facts don't lie and the facts are dreadful. You don't need to be Nostradamus to know that's relegation form.
The general consensus among Tangerines is United have had a very good season up to now. But since the turn of the year, the tangerine bubble seems dangerously close to bursting, and not in a fun, party-popper way.
The good news? There are still eight games left to turn things around. A top-six finish, which once seemed nailed on, now looks about as secure as a chocolate teapot.
If United slip out of that position and into the bottom half, it would be a massive disappointment.
Sure, that might sound harsh for a newly-promoted side, but after the position we put ourselves in, it would feel like being promised a beach holiday and ending up in a damp caravan in Skegness.
But hey, that's all hypothetical for now. If we can return from Dingwall in a couple of weeks with a much-needed three points, the mood music will switch from Coldplay to Pharrell Williams. Over to you, lads. Time to make us happy.
Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
Former referee Keith Hackett has suggested the penalty and red card conceded by Dundee United defender Emmanuel Adeboyega in the city derby would not have been given in England and any appeal would fail. (Football Insider), external
Ross Graham insists United have the character to recover from Sunday's derby loss to Dundee. (Record), external
Image source, SNSDundee have won at Tannadice for the first time since August 2004.
Dundee have beaten Dundee United for the first time in the Premiership since 2 May 2016, a run of five games without a win.
Dundee United have conceded six penalties in the league this season, only St Mirren (eight) have conceded more.
Nick Walsh has given five red cards in 19 Premiership games this season, no referee has given more.
Highlights: Dundee Utd 2-4 Dundee
Watch highlights as Dundee score four to win a thrilling derby at Tannadice. (UK only)
We asked you for your views following Dundee United's derby defeat to Dundee.
Here's what some of you said:
Ross: Second in every department, except basic defensive errors as United won that hands down. Outfought, outplayed (in the first half especially) and just, it appeared, neither on it nor up for it.
Although it feels more than three points lost, it's more bragging rights lost but upcoming games get the same three points to play for. Don't let the good season slip away.
Denis: We were shambolic. Too many long balls and no one in midfield controlling the play. Substitutes were ineffective, too. Our home record at Tannadice this season is shocking.
Chris: I would admit that I did not see that result coming, but the performance was of greater concern. As the season end gets closer it would appear the position the lads had worked so hard to put themselves in is now in jeopardy. It's not too late though to get a couple more wins to secure top six, but fingers crossed for that third place!
Rebecca: Undoubtedly the worst derby performance I've ever seen as well as one of the worst United one's in my lifetime. Utterly hopeless in the first half to the point that only being two goals down was generous to us. We can't have a performance that bad ever again.
Jamie: Made a poor Dundee side look good by gifting all four goals. Strain, awful yet again. Ferry's worst performance - has been a standout so can be forgiven. Campbell, dreadful. Side note: can referees stop being so afraid of Simon Murray, and can someone tell Sylla he's 6'4 and doesn't need to hit the deck when a player breathes near him?
George: One team fighting for survival the other being told all week they are overachieving, this is what happens. Jim needs to get back to the players who did so well at the start of the season, otherwise we'll miss out on top six.
Dave: Bewilderingly poor in defence first half. Walton has been overrated for too long and was clearly rattled after his epic fumble of an easy save. Second half was a good effort to retrieve a dire situation but spoiled by utter stupidity in the last minute. We're struggling just now.
Dundee United produced their worst 45 minutes of the season in an error-strewn defensive performance against Dundee. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
United fans, were you at Tannadice or following the action from home? Either way we want to know what you made of the game. How are you feeling about top six now? What did you make of your team's performance?
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "The opening 45 period was completely unaceptable in every department.
"I could have made a whole load of changes at half-time but we gave the players 10 minutes to show a positive reaction and we got that.
"Every mistake that we made in the first half, Dundee capitalised on it. A free header for the first goal, a mistake from Jack Walton [for the second] who has been outstanding all season, Will Ferry runs the ball [for the third]. All of those really avoidable on our part.
"We were second best in that first half. It's unacceptable in a game of this magnitude.
"We haven't been as bad as that all season. It's really out of character. We spoke about not having a repeat performance [of the Cup performance at Dens] and for the life of me, it's so hard to put your finger on why."
George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSDundee were superb, yes, but United manager Jim Goodwin will look back on the first-half concessions with dismay.
They looked rushed, panicked and overwhelmed by Dundee's fast start and coughed up possession in dangerous areas an alarming amount.
Walton made an uncharacteristic error for Scott Tiffoney's goal and Jordan McGhee was twice left unmarked to score.
Emmanuel Adegboyega's decision to push Simon Murray late on was a daft act, one borne out of his side's desperation to level perhaps, but he will now miss United's trip to Dingwall after the international break.
With the league as tightly packed as it is and only three matches until the split, Goodwin's side will be sweating over their league position.
A difficult visit to Tynecastle follows before they host St Johnstone, with seventh-placed Motherwell just three points back.
