Dundee United

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

When a side gain promotion, the priority has to be retaining their Premiership place. But United's ambitions may be growing after such a strong start.

Three points here, heading into an international break, gives an opportunity to reflect on a job very well done so far.

Goodwin's reward with an extended contract brings stability to him, the club and the squad.

Here, what seemed key was the intent they showed after the break. Until then, they had tried to create but were frustrated by a well-drilled County.

After that, they swarmed forward and didn't settle for one goal. That has to be encouraging.

The goals were of a high quality and the impact of Stirton was the cherry on top.

United are signalling what a club of their size should. They are showing they have Premiership presence.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "We're really pleased with the overall performance. We started the game really slow, Ross County had us penned back in but we grew into the game.

"We built on that in the second half, and the second-half performance was a really dominant one. The majority was played in the Ross County half, played good football, moved it about well, good tempo. We got numerous deliveries into the box and we scored three really good goals.

"It's our most complete performance of the season so far and we certainly didn't underestimate Ross County coming into this game.

"We've got hopes and dreams like every other team, but there's far too long to go in the season for us to get carried away. That's the message to the players. It was a brilliant performance for 85 minutes but we won't allow ourselves to get caught up in top six talk.

[On Owen Stirton] "He's been in and around the first team since he's come in full time. He's only 17, come through the Baldragon Academy, been part of the club since he was 10 or 11 years old. The fans really enjoyed it, and it's a proud moment for Owen and his family to score on his Premiership debut. It's 'Roy of the Rovers' type stuff and I'm delighted for him. He deserves the opportunity. It's easy to chuck him on when we're 2-0 up and comfortable but I believed he would get a chance."

Image source, SNS

Will Ferry. Luca Stephenson's goal was Ferry's 11th cross into the box and most of them were good.

It was a wonder United didn't score more given they had two big men in the box - Sam Dalby and Jort van der Sande - but the strikers often struggled to create clear chances.

Perhaps that's a bit harsh on Dalby. He was able to hold up well against a County side that had been watertight for the last few games.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Strain, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry, Van der Sande, Dalby.

Substitutes: Richards, Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Docherty, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Obuchioma.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Wright, Lopata, Leak, Brown, Randall, Nisbet, Campbell, Denholm, Dale, White.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Allardice, Chilvers, Grieves, Telfer, Efete, Samuel, Brophy, Reid.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has signed a contract extension at Tannadice, taking him to the summer of 2026.

The 42-year-old steered the club back to the top flight last season as Championship winners and they sit fourth after collecting 16 points from their first 11 matches.

He called it an "easy decision", but what do you think United fans?

Have your say on Goodwin's new deal., external

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Kristijan Trapanovski drops out for Dundee United after tweaking his hamstring against Hibernian.

Louis Moult (knee), Ross Docherty (muscular) and Ross Graham (hamstring) are battling to return while Craig Sibbald (groin) is definitely out.

Ross County remain without Will Nightingale (knee), George Harmon (ankle) and Max Sheaf (thigh).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United midfielder Vicko Sevelj says he is not surprised at the successful start the team have made to the Scottish Premiership season because they "work so hard" every day.

The 24-year-old Croatian was one of 13 new players brought in during the summer as last season's Championship winners prepared for their top-flight return.

And United have transitioned seamlessly to Premiership life - they go into Saturday's match against Ross County fourth in the table after 11 games.

"Everyone has to be buzzing about this because we are a newly-promoted team and we are a new group, like 20 new faces so we are very happy," Sevelj said.

"I am not [surprised] because we work so hard in training every day; we have an amazing coach and coaching staff."

Despite that positive start, Sevelj is taking nothing for granted against Ross County.

When asked what he is expecting from the Dingwall outfit, he said: "A tough game against a good opponent.

"Ross County are just four points behind us, they have a great goal-scorer in form, so I think it will be a tough match for us. It is very important because if we win this it will do us a big favour."

• Dundee United have won seven of their last 10 top-flight home games against Ross County (L3), although lost their most recent in May 2023 (3-1).

• Ross County are unbeaten in three league meetings with Dundee United (W2 D1), their longest ever such run over the Tangerines in the top flight. The Staggies’ two wins in those last three fixtures are more than they managed in their previous 12 Scottish Premiership encounters beforehand (W1 D2 L9).

• Dundee United have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven home league games, conceding 2+ goals in five of them (13 total).

• Ross County have drawn eight of their last 14 league games (W2 D4), with both of their last two ending goalless. The last side to play out three straight 0-0s in the Scottish Premiership were Hibernian between February to March 2022.

• Ross County’s Connor Randall has made more combined tackles (35) and interceptions (18) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season (53), while only four players have won possession more times than the Staggies captain (58) in the division this term.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is keen to strengthen his squad in January after insisting they are operating with the smallest squad in the Scottish Premiership. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has hailed the "remarkable" way his new-look squad have adapted to life in the Scottish Premiership.

United go into Sunday's Premiership visit of Ross County in fourth place after 11 games.

Goodwin said: "Newly promoted, we have had to sign 13 new players. To get all those guys so quickly and adapt to the Scottish game, it has been remarkable.

"We just have to take it week to week, we are not too focused on the league table at this point.

"Our points return in the opening 11 league games has been very positive. I think most people from a Dundee United perspective would have taken the position we are in prior to the league starting, but we are not getting carried away.

"The league hasn’t surprised us in any way. Every game we have been involved in has been really tight, competitive, not a great deal between any of the teams.

"We haven't played Celtic yet, we know how good they are going at the moment, but in all of the games we have played up to now we have had some terrific results."

United are currently just three points behind third-place Rangers, but only four above County, who sit ninth.

"I think Ross County have pretty much slipped under the radar up to now, but Don Cowie has done a terrific job," added Goodwin.

"They have some good players at the top end of the pitch that can cause us problems. They are a good side."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United's Premiership game with Ross County this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the United boss:

• With his side fourth in the table, just three points behind Rangers, Goodwin says they are not getting carried away and "can still improve".

• Asked if he is surprised by United's start on their top-flight return, Goodwin says he had "great confidence" in their summer recruitment and is impressed with how quickly the new-look squad has gelled.

• The United boss also points out that "if you drop the standards by just a couple of percent then things can change dramatically" and highlighted the never-say-die culture he has been trying to create at the club.

• Goodwin says "the league hasn't surprised us in any way" but does note they have yet to play Celtic.

• Kristijan Trapanovski misses out after injuring his hamstring against Hibs last Sunday.

• On the challenge posed by County, Goodwin is expecting a tough game against a side he believes "has slipped under the radar" this season.

Dundee United forward Sam Dalby is reaping the rewards of using a sports psychologist at former club Wrexham. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Last season's Championship winners have now played 11 games back in the top flight. A third of their pre-split fixtures have now been ticked off.

If manager Jim Goodwin was a teacher preparing his early season report card, what would he say about his class of 24-25 in assessment of the work they have done so far?

It might read something like this...

• Have settled into their new surroundings very well, very hard working, diligent, resilient, and have exceeded pre-term expectations, but there is still more to come.

OK, you can tell I am no teacher, but I have seen enough of Dundee United this season to know Goodwin will be more than happy with how his side have adapted to life back at Scottish football’s top table.

To be sitting in fourth place at this stage of the campaign is undoubtedly beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic of Tangerines fans.

If they can see off Ross County at Tannadice in their final game before the next international break, then all connected with United will be justified in taking a step back and being rightly satisfied with the work done so far

However, football moves quickly and no one at United will be resting on their laurels as they look to try and further cement their top six credentials, and continue to put as much day light between themselves and the more unsavoury fight for survival at the other end of the table.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has revealed that he had tried to sign in-form striker Sam Dalby, who arrived from Wrexham this summer, before his side even started last season's Scottish Championship campaign. (Daily Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

It's been yet another week on the United rollercoaster! After two games packed with more twists than a soap opera, we've managed to cling to fourth place. But let's be honest, it's not been without a bit of self-inflicted drama and a whole lot of VAR-induced whiplash.

Manny Adegboyega doesn't need some podcast pundit telling him he could've done better in that midweek slip-up against Motherwell. Letting the points go south like that? Not our finest moment. With back-to-back defeats for the first time in ages, the Easter Road showdown on Sunday came with some extra pressure.

Now, picture the scene: a nail-biting penalty salvaged us a point against Hibs after VAR caught Mykola Kukharevych trying to make Manny's shirt part of his own kit. The ref did the classic screen-drawing gesture, pointed to the spot, and the home fans went into meltdown. Up stepped Sam Dalby, ice in his veins, slotting home the equaliser.

That first half, though? About as lively as an overcooked tattie. United's midfield got overrun, Dalby spent half the game chasing sky-high balls, and Hibs were all over us like a rash. But after a shift to 4-2-3-1, Richard Odada bulldozed his way in with crunching tackles, while we finally saw what our number 10 can do – in the actual number 10 spot!

As the match ticked into 10 minutes of injury time, Hibs were pleading for their own penalty, but the ref shrugged it off, leaving the Hibees faithful in near combustion. Swings and roundabouts, eh?

Up next: Ross County. Will Jim Goodwin stick with his trusty 3-4-3 that's never actually finished a game, or shake things up from the start?

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

We asked for your views on Dundee United’s 1-1 draw against Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Arthur: Got out of jail. We were bullied in the middle of the park. Far too lightweight with David Babunski and Vicko Sevelj. Never could sustain any period of pressure as Hibs had an extra man in midfield.

Jamie: We stole a point after another poor, negative performance. It is abundantly clear that Jim Goodwin is happy to stay up this season and playing for draws with the hope of sneaking a win seemingly the game plan. Injuries are definitely having an impact with almost half a starting team out. Saturday against Ross County has become a must-win before the next break.

Anon: Goodwin is far too negative and it has cost us. He needs to put two up front so Glenn Middleton's good work on the wing gets us goals - Sam Dalby and Kai Fotheringham or Miller Thomson - and ditch this three at the back that's causing schoolboy errors. We're too predictable. We're struggling without four of our best players - Ross Graham, Craig Sibbald, Ross Docherty and Louis Moult.

Scott: Jim Goodwin’s 3-4-3 formation has to stop. Every game seems to be a battle to get up the pitch, every game we are out numbered in midfield, every game he changes it and then every game after the change we play better. The lack of pace in our team doesn’t allow us to play that formation and we’re not playing to our individual strengths because of it

Kai: Never should have got anything from the game. Set up way too defensive to start with but then you can see that when Goodwin changes it and goes to attack we are a threat.

Ian: We were lucky. So negative and conceding possession to the bottom of the league. No disrespect to Hibs but they were there for beating, they've zero confidence and we played to their strengths.

Image source, SNS

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

• United have scored seven goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Jim Goodwin's side have scored their last seven penalties in the Premiership, last failing to score on 1 February 2023 against Kilmarnock (missed by Steven Fletcher).

• Dundee United have failed to win any of their last eight matches when conceding first in the Premiership, since a victory over Motherwell on 15 April 2023.

• There were two 30-minute long spells in this game when United failed to attempt a single shot.

Watch the best of the action from Easter Road as Dundee United claim a dramatic late point against Hibs.

(Available to UK users only)

Sam Dalby's 89th-minute penalty secured a dramatic draw for Dundee United and extended bottom club Hibernian's winless run in the Scottish Premiership to six games.

Hibs remain at the foot of the table, albeit with a game in hand on second-bottom Hearts, while United return to fourth.

What did you make of that, Dundee United fans? Was a draw a fair result?

Where did it go right and where did it go wrong? Did anyone impress you?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "At half-time, Hibs deservedly go in in front. They were the better team. We weren't able to impose ourselves enough on them, they had an extra man in the middle of the park and we found it difficult to cope with.

"We make some changes, with personnel and tactically, switched to a back four. We were a bit more aggressive in our press, didn't allow Hibs to have comfortable possession and forced them into turning over the ball quite regularly. The difference in possession from ourselves was night and day.

"For everything we put into the second half, we deserved a point. For all the possession Hibs did have, they've only had one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. That tells you something about how well the boys in front of Jack Walton had been defending.

"We can play better. We played a lot better on Wednesday night against Motherwell, we should never have lost that game. Unfortunately, we came away with nothing. Today we haven't played so well but we've managed to grind out a really important point."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

There is no doubt the 3-2 comeback win over Hibs just 13 days ago was in the minds of both sets of players heading into the home straight of this game.

The visitors had created little of note for most of the match. Glenn Middleton had looked lively on the left, but he was so isolated from any of his team-mates that often it came to nothing.

They were overrun in midfield by Hibs' three of Joe Newell, Kwon Hyeuk-Ku and Nectar Triantis, but Jim Goodwin changed it at half-time to try and add more attacking impetus. Maybe it's time to ditch three at the back.

There was initially a lift, but they struggled to maintain that and really, it was the poor play of the hosts that allowed them chances.

United were gifted their penalty by Hibs and struggled to really test Josef Bursik in the home goal. They're in dire need of fresh striking options.