Dundee United

With the transfer window now closed, how do you feel about Dundee United's January business?

A third-place finish is still on the cards for Jim Goodwin's side on their Premiership return, so it's no surprise the manager was keen to keep the momentum going.

Scotland midfielder Allan Campbell joined on a permanent deal, forward Ruari Paton and midfielder Lewis Fiorini came in on loan, and United's best bit of business was arguably keeping a hold of striker Sam Dalby.

Summer arrival Meshack Ubochioma headed out on loan, as did a host of youngsters, including Miller Thomson to Falkirk on deadline day.

So, are you confident Goodwin can lead his Tangerines to third with this squad?

Have your say on Dundee United's transfer business., external

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

The January window has quietly closed, and for my money United are a stronger outfit now than they were at the turn of the year. Certainly on paper.

The slight flaw in that opinion, however, is that we have lost five of the past six games. We are in the midst of a slump, that much is fair to say, and next up for the team is a trip through to Celtic Park. Nice and easy.

As a United fan I fully expected this to happen at some point this season, so there is no panic from me. If you look through the league this season, it is really only Celtic that haven't gone through a trying spell.

Still, you don't want these kind of runs to go on too long as it can be a hard habit to break. We know this all too well, we were there just a couple of years ago.

One positive during this testing run is I don't think the team's form has fallen off a cliff. Far from it. In tight matches earlier in the season we were perhaps getting the rub of the green in some moments and coming away with all three points.

That seems to have somewhat deserted us just now. There has also been a fair bit of chopping and changing of line-ups and set-ups, but that is something that has served us well for the majority of the season, so I am not against that approach. Horses for courses, if you will.

I do wonder, though, now that Jim Goodwin appears to have so many different options to choose from, how easy will it be for him to figure out his best XI.

From my point of view, it's all about getting through this spell and then really making a stab at finishing as high up the table as we possibly can.

We are currently punching above our weight, and expectations (and hopes and dreams) have certainly been raised due to just how well the team have done in the first half of the season.

The run-in to May should be edge-of-the-seat stuff, with United, Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts, Motherwell and St Mirren all vying for third place. The guarantee of European football, much-need finance, and memorable foreign adventures for us punters potentially lie ahead.

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

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Falkirk have signed Miller Thomson from Dundee United on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old came through the United academy and made his senior debut in 2022.

Last season the midfielder bagged three goals in 12 League One appearances with Montrose and went on to set up two goals on his return to Tannadice as Jim Goodwin's side secured promotion to the top flight.

This season, Thomson has scored one goal in 14 Premiership appearances.

"Miller is an exciting and versatile wide player who is primarily right sided," Falkirk boss John McGlynn told club media.

"He had an impressive spell with Montrose in League One last season before going back to Dundee United, where he was able to play a part in winning this division.

"He has since tested himself with plenty of appearances in the Premiership this year.

"He is a player that knows how to win and adds to our competition for places in the wide areas. I'm sure he will make an impact in the attacking third of the pitch."

Watch highlights of Kilmarnock's 1-0 win against Dundee Utd in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: Where do I start? Disappointing, dull and dreadful, that was just the game in a nutshell. United were uninspiring, lacklustre and pedestrian. As contentious as the goal was it was always going to be an error if any team was going to win it. We've hit a bit of a sticky patch, we are lucky Aberdeen are still in freefall to hold onto third spot.

Alasdair: This was a real bore fest, with the main talking point again the way key decisions are being decided inconsistently. Albeit Jack Walton should be stronger for the goal, Marley Watkins I think does foul him. We saw a softer example benefit Rangers recently where a goal was ruled out. It's also a clearer hand ball at the end than some that have been given.

Michael: A surprisingly insipid performance from both teams with very little inspiration. I'd have said the Kilmarnock goal was fair, apart from the fact that in any other game I've seen in recent years, a foul would've been given. It's that word 'consistency' again.

Ross: United were bereft of any quality whatsoever and except for Will Ferry, no one hit a pass, never mind a pass mark! It appeared width was required to break Killie down but changes were made too late. Killie's goal was questionable but if we got it we'd take it. Jim Goodwin must hit the drawing board to decide where new signings fit.

Jamie: Since the admittedly poor decisions that went our way against St Mirren earlier in the season, we have been on the end of some horrendous officiating. Allowing Watkins' goal is beyond any and all comprehension. Before making contact with the ball his hand comes down and smacks into Walton's face, impeding him entirely. We won't get third.

George: Unlucky that we are missing the rub of the green at the moment, but are not losing our league position. Hopefully lady luck returns soon. The team are still trying hard and deserve to get through this spell.

Image source, SNS

• Will Ferry created five chances, his highest total in a single match in the Premiership.

• Kilmarnock have a record of W4, D0, L2 when scoring the opening goal in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have a record of W2, D1, L6 when conceding the opening goal in the Premiership this season.

• Marley Watkins has scored his fourth goal in the Premiership this season, netting for the first time since 20 October 2024 against Rangers.

Did you take in Dundee United's narrow defeat by Kilmarnock or were you following from home?

Have your say on the match, external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "The major disappointment for us is the goal that we concede. VAR is there to help in those situations. The centre-forward for Kilmarnock has his arm right across Jack Walton's face, making it impossible for Jack to get off the ground to try and catch the ball.

"I don't think it was a game that we deserved to lose over the balance of play. The game was really scrappy. It was two strong teams battling it out.

"I thought we had more opportunities than Kilmarnock, I thought we got into more dangerous areas. The bit that was lacking was that final ball at times. We were unfortunate at 0-0 with the Sam Dalby header that comes crashing back off the bar."

Image source, SNS

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Dundee United's lofty status in third, eight months on from promotion, belies their recent form with six points from a possible 18 registered since the turn of the year and three defeats in a row in all competitions.

However, that run betters nearest challengers Aberdeen's recent form, with the Pittodrie men without a league win since November.

Former Motherwell man Allan Campbell's addition in midfield brings experience and Premiership nous and can only help Jim Goodwin's team emulate Hearts' feat of following promotion with a third-placed finish three seasons ago.

The Tangerines may feel VAR just was not smiling on them in Ayrshire, with a late penalty claim for handball against Corrie Ndaba not moving the officials to act.

Image source, SNS

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Brad Lyons is back for Kilmarnock but Rory McKenzie is touch and go and Matty Kennedy is not quite ready to return from a back injury.

Robby McCrorie (broken cheekbone), Kyle Vassell, Stuart Findlay (both ankle) and Innes Cameron (hamstring) remain out.

Dundee United could hand a debut to Allan Campbell and remain without Craig Sibbald (groin).

Image source, Getty Images

Allan Campbell is putting thoughts of his future aside to focus on making an impact at Dundee United.

The midfielder is set for a debut against Kilmarnock on Saturday after arriving from Luton Town on a deal until the end of the season, when he will be a free agent.

"My main focus is just the football side of it," Campbell told DUTV.

"I am not worried about what happens in the summer yet. Hopefully I have a successful one and at the end of it we will see what happens.

"Whether that's here or elsewhere, I don't know, we will just take that when it comes.

"The main focus is trying to do my best for the team. Hopefully I can be successful and the club can be successful as well.

"This past year I have not played as much as I would have liked and hopefully I can play a lot more minutes and be successful."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says his side must not "get too down" on themselves after a poor run of January results.

United have lost four of their past five matches in all competitions, but still sit third in the Scottish Premiership, two points ahead of fourth-placed Aberdeen.

Goodwin, whose side are away to Kilmarnock on Saturday, insists context is needed when analysing United's poor recent form and is confident of maintaining their league position.

"Obviously there have been a few defeats in there in recent weeks," Goodwin said. "Prior to the Rangers game our form actually wasn't all that bad, we had won four of the previous six league games.

"I look at the defeats we have had - Rangers, Celtic, the Hearts game [had] very little in it, they narrowly beat us 1-0. Anybody that watched the Dundee cup game saw the amount of good opportunities we had to get back into that game.

"It is important we don't get too down on ourselves. We have won four of the previous seven [league games]; if we win four of the next seven then we put ourselves in a great position for that top-six position."

United's impressive away form has been a feature on their return to the top flight, and they will fancy another victory on the road against a second-bottom Killie side that have won just one of their past five league games.

"I think Kilmarnock with Derek McInnes in charge will gradually pull themselves away from the position they are in," Goodwin added.

"They have some very good players in their squad and they gave us a big fright the last time we were down there, so we know what to expect from Kilmarnock.

"It is going to be a tough fixture for us, no doubt. Two teams that want to get back to winning ways and it should make for a very good game of football."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Kai Fotheringham is determined to reclaim a Dundee United starting spot in what has been a "stop-start" season for the young winger.

Fotheringham, 21, was a mainstay in the team that won the Championship, but has made just five league starts this term for a Tangerines side that have shone on their top-flight return.

"It has been a really stop start season for me personally," Fotheringham said. "I came off a really good season in the Championship last year and I wanted to kick on this year.

"I have had a few chats with the gaffer, just trying to get myself back to where I was last year and kicking on in the Premiership.

"We brought in a lot of new signings in the summer who have boosted the squad.

"It does keep me out of the squad sometimes but that is football and I need to try and train better, train harder and get back in the team.

"I know what I can do, it is just about proving that every single day in training and when I get the chance in a game, taking it."

Dundee United have fielded enquiries from one Major League Soccer club, as well as clubs in Belgium, Romania and elsewhere in Scotland, for 24-year-old out-of-favour Kenya midfielder Richard Odada and have yet to receive any official approach for Kevin Holt, understood to be valued in the region of £100,000, after Derry City registered an informal interest. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Allan Campbell is "a real coup for the club," says manager Jim Goodwin after the midfielder joined Dundee United from Luton Town on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

Scotland cap Campbell, 26, moved to the English Championship side in summer 2021 from Motherwell. He has spent the last 18 months on loan, at Millwall and then Charlton.

"It's rare for a player of his calibre to be available in the winter window," Goodwin told the United website.

"His tenacity in the middle of the park perfectly complements his ability to handle the ball in tight areas and retain possession, all while posing a goalscoring threat from near and far."

Campbell - who Goodwin said in his press conference earlier today was of interest to other teams in Scotland - is looking forward to "the high-pressure scenarios" to come.

"As soon as the manager outlined his vision for the rest of the season, I knew where this was where I wanted to be," he said.

"Pressure is a privilege and if you ask any footballer, they want to be involved in high-pressure scenarios. I feel they bring the best out of me and I'm ready for them during an important time of the season."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin feels United have "done what is right for the club" after 18-year-old midfielder Alan Domeracki became the latest Tangerines prospect to move to England.

Domeracki, who did not make a first-team appearance for United, has joined English Championship side Norwich City for an undisclosed fee in a deal that includes "significant" performance based add-ons and a large sell-on clause.

Goodwin said: "We need to look at our game up here in terms of the development of these young players and trying to bridge the gap between Under-18s and first-team football.

"At the moment we don't have a good enough set-up for that and the attraction of England for these players is that there are obviously great facilities, they have an Under-21 league these guys can play in for the next two, possibly three, seasons and continue their physical development.

"We feel we have done what is right for the club in this instance. The player is happy, we are happy with the fee and obviously there are some contingencies within there as well depending on the success of both players."

United goalkeeper Jack Newman's loan spell at Livingston has been terminated after the 22-year-old sustained a knee injury.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United's weekend trip to play Kilmarnock.

Here are the key points from the United boss:

• He confirmed Luton Town midfielder Allan Campbell "is a player we are speaking to" and the 26-year-old "would be a terrific addition to the squad".

• Goodwin says Campbell is likely to be the final January arrival but "one or two" players may go out on loan.

• On Stuart Kettlewell resigning as Motherwell manager because of fan abuse, Goodwin says it was "disappointing", adding "you need a thick skin to put yourself out there every week". And on the issue of fan abuse: "I don't think it is something we have to accept."

• After Alan Domeracki became the second United youngster to join Norwich this season, Goodwin says "it is a mixture of emotions" but "we feel we have done what is right for the club".

• He adds that "in an ideal world we can get these boys from the academy into the first team" - as they have with others - but points out the gap between U18 level and first-team football.

• Third-place United have won just once in five games and the manager stressed it is important "we don't get too down on ourselves", saying that in terms of performance they have been doing well.

• He is expecting a difficult game against a Kilmarnock side he believes "will gradually pull themselves away" from relegation trouble.

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in four Scottish Premiership matches against Dundee United (W2 D2), their longest undefeated run over the Tangerines in the top flight since a streak of six games from March 2005 to August 2006.

• Dundee United have only won one of their past 10 Scottish Premiership games away at Kilmarnock (D4 L5), and are winless in six (D3 L3) since a 4-2 victory in May 2016.

• Kilmarnock have conceded just one goal in total in their past five home league games combined (W3 D1 L1), although have failed to score in their past two at Rugby Park. Not since May 2017 have they gone three straight home games within a single season without a goal in the Scottish Premiership.

• Dundee United have lost three of their past four league games (W1), as many as their previous 15 beforehand (W7 D5 L3).

• Kilmarnock have drawn their past six Scottish Premiership games against newly-promoted opponents, with their last such win being against Dundee United in April 2021 (3-0). Killie are unbeaten in 10 home games against promoted sides in the competition (W5 D5) since a 3-0 loss to Hibernian in October 2017.

Dundee United are closing in on the signing of Luton Town midfielder Allan Campbell, with the 26-year-old expected to cut short his loan spell with Charlton Athletic. (Football Insider), external

Dundee United negotiated a 20% sell-on clause for Wednesday's sale of 18-year-old midfielder Alan Domeracki to Norwich City. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City have signed young midfielder Alan Domeracki from Dundee United for an undisclosed fee.

The 18-year-old has agreed a deal until 2027 and will initially link up with the Canaries' under-21 squad.

Domeracki has not made a first-team appearance for Dundee United but did feature for their B team in the Scottish Challenge Cup earlier this season.

He is the second player to make the move from Tannadice to Carrow Road this season after Brandon Forbes joined the Championship club in August, while Norwich midfielder Emmanuel Adegboyega is currently on loan with the Scottish Premiership club.

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Sam Dalby is glad to be staying with Dundee United for the remainder of the season and determined to continue his prolific form.

The on-loan Wrexham striker's first-half goal in the weekend defeat by Rangers put him back at the top of the Scottish Premiership scoring chart on 11 goals.

Wrexham confirmed on Friday that Dalby, who is out of contract in the summer, will see out his season-loan Tannadice loan.

"I've been really happy here," Dalby said. "They've welcomed me with open arms and the staff, the fans and all the players have been really good to me.

"So I am happy to be here and definitely staying until the end of the season.

"I'm saying not till the end of the end of the season once the season's finished.

"We are in a good position in the league, and I just want to focus game by game to help our team stay up the table."

Dalby says United are always confident they can get a result against the "big boys" in the league despite falling to defeat against Rangers.

"It's obviously disappointing but we can definitely take some good stuff away from what we did," he said.

"We are just getting after teams and making them feel uncomfortable.

"I feel like we did that on Sunday, especially in the first half and in the second half against Celtic the other week. So that's something that we've sort of improved on.

"We are confident of getting a result against all the big boys and we've done that a couple times this season."