Winger Glenn Middleton, 25, vows to be "professional" as he enters the final few weeks of his contract at Dundee United. (Courier - subscription required), external
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSGlenn Middleton says Dundee United always believed they could challenge for Europe this season despite being the Premiership new boys.
The Tangerines occupy fourth place with five games remaining and a top-five finish is highly likely to be enough to secure European football.
"We had a meeting on the very first day of pre-season and we set realistic targets for ourselves and I think the gaffer won't mind me saying now Europe was always the end goal in terms of where we thought we could maybe push for," says winger Middleton.
"The first one was to maintain our position in the league and then it was to get into the top six.
"But at the same time we knew the quality we had in the dressing room and the attitude we had as well and I think more times than not that goes a long way."
On Saturday United host a Celtic side who can secure a fourth successive title by avoiding defeat at Tannadice.
"It's going be a big occasion in the making for them and one that we'll be trying to postpone, as much as we can," said Middleton.
"It's going to be a very hard task. We know the quality that they have as a team. But we've shown in a couple of games that we've played against them this season that we're capable of frustrating and of course, causing our own problems going forward.
"So it's one we're looking forward to. It's up to us to carry out the gameplan and cause them problems because we're more than capable of doing that."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Dundee United have had plenty to celebrate so far this season, but their main objective this weekend will be to prevent a Celtic title party at Tannadice.
United open their post-split fixtures on Saturday when a point for the visitors would be enough to see them crowned champions again.
That might act as an added incentive for Jim Goodwin's side, but in truth they have plenty of motivation themselves as they look to turn an already terrific campaign into a truly memorable one.
United sit fourth in the Premiership, above Aberdeen on goal difference, and three points behind third-place Hibs.
With the latter two playing at Pittodrie this weekend, United know they can take a huge step towards enhancing their top four – and possibly top three – credentials if they can capitalise on what happens in the Granite City.
European football is all but assured for United, which is incredible in itself when you consider they were playing in the second tier last season.
In a campaign where they have constantly defied the odds, you wouldn't put it past Goodwin's men to do just that by finishing third – and ensuring Celtic's title champagne stays on ice for another week.
Image source, BBC SportStriker Louis Moult is to follow Declan Gallagher in leaving Dundee United at the end of the season (Courier - subscription required), external.
Ronny Costello
Fan writer
With the final fixtures set to get under way, us United fans know the next five games will define what's been a solid return to top-flight football.
Sitting fourth in the Premiership, there's pride in what's been achieved so far but we're under no illusions that the job isn't done yet.
It starts with a massive lunchtime fixture as we host Celtic. The champions-elect are flying – 26 wins, a ridiculous goal difference and, let's face it, a dominant record over us in recent years.
But stranger things have happened. If we can keep it tight early doors, who knows? At worst, it's about limiting damage and bouncing back fast.
Easter Road follows – never an easy place to go, especially with Hibs in good form. But we've got a decent record there and if we can frustrate them, there's a chance to nick something. A point in the capital would be a solid result.
Then it's back to Tannadice for what feels like a must-win against St Mirren. We've got the edge on them this season and their away form has been out of sorts. If we play like we can, that one's there for the taking.
Next up – Ibrox, a midweek trip to face a Rangers team whose home form has stuttered although they usually do the business against us. But pressure can do funny things and if we're on it defensively, we might just make life awkward for them.
We finish at home to Aberdeen in what could be a straight shootout for fourth place. These games are always tight and with both teams likely to have something to play for and the Tannadice crowd behind United, we'll fancy edging it.
If we can take points from Hibs, St Mirren and Aberdeen, fourth is achievable. It won't be easy, but this team's got a bit about them.
The next few weeks will test our character – but that's exactly when Dundee United tend to show their teeth.
Ronny Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
Former Scotland centre-half Declan Gallagher is set to leave Dundee United when his contract expires at the end of the season after the 34-year-old was told last week he would not be offered a new deal. (The Herald), external
Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesThree of Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren will join Celtic and Rangers in Europe next season after Brendan Rodgers' treble-chasing side reached the Scottish Cup final.
Had bottom-six sides St Johnstone or Hearts progressed through the last-four stage, they could still have claimed the European place awarded to the cup winners.
But that is no longer a possibility, which adds another layer of intrigue to the post-split fixtures in the top half of the division.
So what do we know?
Well, Celtic have secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers and will enter at the play-off round assuming they clinch the title.
Rangers will almost certainly be in that competition, too, but at the second qualifying round stage.
After that, there remains a wee bit of uncertainty.
The Scottish Cup winners earn a spot in the Europa League play-off round, so if Aberdeen upset Celtic at Hampden on 24 May, that's straightforward.
However, should the holders retain the trophy, the place would go to whoever finishes third in the league.
Currently, that's Hibs. But United and Aberdeen and St Mirren - albeit the arithmetic is hugely against them - are still in the mix.
Given whoever it is would be guaranteed - at worst - a six-game Conference League campaign, it's a lucrative prize for their season's work.
But two of the clubs who miss out on third would still be rewarded.
Fourth place would be upgraded from Conference League second qualifying round to the Europa League equivalent, with the Conference spot going to fifth place.
Read more: Premiership quartet fight for three European spots
Dundee United will strongly argue their case after Celtic contacted the SPFL regarding an alleged pricing discrepancy for their visit to Tannadice next weekend. (The Courier), external
Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSDundee United striker Sam Dalby has been named in the PFA Scottish Premiership Team of the Year.
Dalby, who joined United on loan from Wrexham in the summer, is one of only two non-Old Firm players included in the XI voted for by fellow players.
The 25-year-old has scored 14 goals in the Premiership this term and has helped the Tangerines secure a top six finish as well as maintaining their push for third place.
Celtic have raised concerns with the SPFL over ticket arrangements for their potential title-sealing trip to Dundee United next weekend. Upper tier seats for away fans in the Jerry Kerr Stand have been priced at £42, while home season-ticket holders can bring a friend for £10. (Daily Record), external
Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.
We asked for your views on whether keeping Jack Walton at Dundee United should be a priority this summer.
Here's what some of you said:
Gary: If United want to stay a force in the league, they must get Walton and Sam Dalby to sign, and keep most of last seasons signings. No doubt a list will be made for new faces. Come on United, show your support to those who have stuck with you home and away in large numbers.
Ronnie: I think his impact has been overstated if I'm honest. He's been much less effective and [more] mistake prone this season than last, and I'm factoring in the higher level of opposition.
George: There is significant, often justified, criticism of Walton's distribution but, apart from one blunder in the most recent Dundee derby, his shot-stopping is exemplary. For that reason alone United should be doing everything they can to get him tied down to a long-term contract. For those who may disagree I have one word: Birighitti.
Jim: Walton has been a great signing for United. No fancy playing to the gallery stuff but a lad who fully concentrates on what he is there to do. I am one of many who hopes he will still be at Tannadice next season.
Calum: Walton has taken the step up to the Premiership in his stride and has had another great season. He had a howler in the last Dundee derby but the whole team was off it that day. Yes, we should be doing everything possible to keep him at United! I heard he likes the golf in this area, so maybe it will easier than we think!
On-loan Luca Stephenson has intimated that he would be open to returning to Dundee United next season after hernia surgery prematurely ended his campaign. (The Courier - subscription), external
Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSHibs will make more tickets available to home supporters for the visits of United and Rangers
Hibs have cut the away ticket allocations for their final two home matches this season to allow more of their own fans to attend.
Both Dundee United and final-day visitors Rangers will be given just under 1,500 tickets at Easter Road next month.
When Rangers last played in Leith - the 3-3 draw in January - they had around 2,900 tickets for the 3,800-capacity South Stand.
Hibs fans will now be able to purchase tickets in that stand.
A club statement said: "As we look to create a raucous atmosphere for our final two home fixtures of the season, we have reduced our opponents' allocations to provide more tickets to Hibernian supporters."
Hibs have won their past seven games in the capital and are unbeaten at home since November.
David Gray's side, who last weekend equalled a 77-year club record by making it 17 top-flight games unbeaten, have a three-point lead over Aberdeen and Dundee United with five matches left in the battle to finish third.
Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSSam Dalby's goal-getting role in Dundee United's impressive season so far is crucial, but the man keeping them out at the other end has been a totemic figure too.
Having helped secure the Championship title last term, Jack Walton returned on another season-long loan from Luton Town with "unfinished business" at Tannadice.
He hasn't disappointed. Walton has been a rock for United and is one of only two Premiership players (Ross County's Akil Wright is the other) who have played every minute of the league season.
Walton racked up his third successive clean sheet as United beat St Johnstone on Saturday to make it three 1-0 wins on the bounce. That took the 26-year-old's Premiership shutout total to 12 - only Celtic's Kasper Schmeichel has more (19).
And it's not as if Walton hasn't been kept busy. The United number one has faced the most shots - 466 - of any top-flight keeper this season who has played at least 20 games.
And his save ratio of 69.92% is second highest, again topped only by Celtic's Schmeichel.
Walton has proved a safe pair of hands and is set to be a free agent as his Luton deal expires this summer. Should United be doing all they can to land the Englishman on a permanent deal?
Let us know your thoughts on Walton.
Dundee United are "realistic" about keeping top scorer Sam Dalby but manager Jim Goodwin says the on-loan Wrexham striker is "worth pushing the boat out for". (The Courier - subscription), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
I touched on this a week or so ago, but it feels pertinent to revisit Jim Goodwin's manager of the year credentials once again.
Whatever else Dundee United achieve this season, one thing we now know for sure is they have overachieved.
First of all, after spending last season in the Scottish Championship, survival was the main objective. Mission accomplished.
The next aim was securing top six. Mission accomplished.
Now it is securing European football - and chasing down third spot - and while it remains to be seen how they get on with that, they are very well placed in fourth.
All of the above reinforce the manager of the year argument in Goodwin's favour - and if they go on and turn their continental dream into reality, the case becomes even more compelling.
But there are two other elements worthy of note.
After finishing top of the Championship pile, Goodwin had to rebuild his squad last summer to put one together capable of holding its own in the top flight.
But what he has actually done is assemble one that is challenging among the big boys in the big league.
He has also managed to do this against a backdrop of having to cut his cloth accordingly, which perhaps makes an already impressive job even more so.
And then we come to the bigger picture. It would have been so easy for Goodwin to take some time away from the game after a scarring end to his time in charge at Aberdeen.
But he didn't. He took the United job and tackled it head on - and that courage and self determination is being rewarded on the park.
Dundee United's win percentage is 65% when captain Ross Docherty features and drops to 18.75% without him - and three starts in a row has gone some way to persuading Jim Goodwin to hand a new contract to the injury-troubled 32-year-old who the manager describes as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Scottish Premiership. (The Courier), external
Manager Jim Goodwin knows taking Dundee United into Europe would significantly strengthen his hand in the summer transfer window. (Daily Record), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
People say the football season is a marathon and not a sprint, and they'd be correct. But I've watched a few marathons in my time, and let me tell you, they often end with a sprint so chaotic it makes you wonder if someone shouted "free pies at the finish line".
And that's exactly where we are now that the league has split. The business end, the final push, the part where it's all bared teeth and flailing limbs to the line.
Forget about the top two for now, they're not important here. St Mirren also, likely, have too much to do to catch up. They've done incredibly well but they'd need a minor miracle, a sat-nav and possibly a rocket to catch up.
So that leaves a straight fight for the European places between Hibs, Aberdeen and United. Of course, Hibs are on an incredible run at present and are certainly the favourites to finish third and guarantee themselves European football until winter time. Favourites don't always win however and United will be quietly fancying their chances in these last five games.
Now, in one glorious scenario, if the Scottish Cup shakes out the right way we could see all three of Hibs, Aberdeen and United in Europe. A lovely, diplomatic outcome that would make everyone (except St Mirren) happy. But don't be fooled, third place is the glittering prize, the golden ticket, the full-fat Euro adventure that comes with winter fixtures, longer Thursdays, and an incredibly busy groundsman.
From United's perspective, this has been a successful season. Targets, certainly league targets, have been achieved. But no one at Tannadice is resting on their laurels and the prospect of millions of pounds in extra income will certainly be making the chairman perk up.
But the real credit goes to the players and coaching staff. They've grafted all year and done both themselves and the club proud.
The players have given everything on the park all season. I fully expect them to keep that intensity for the final stretch, even if their legs are screaming and their GPS trackers are overworked.
And if Europe is the destination, then it will be earned, not handed out. But hey, five games to go, there's plenty of time for drama, dodgy decisions, late winners and possibly some over-enthusiastic celebrations.
As for the sprint finish, here's hoping United can finish the season at a pace that would astonish even Usain Bolt.
Marks, set... GO!
Paul McNicoll can be found on the Dode Fox Podcast., external
Dundee Utd v Celtic - Saturday, 26 April 2025
Hibernian v Dundee Utd - Saturday, 3 May 2025
Dundee Utd v St Mirren - Saturday, 10 May 2025
Rangers v Dundee Utd - Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Dundee Utd v Aberdeen - Saturday, 17 May 2025
Image source, SNS
