Dundee United

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin says Dundee United's 2-1 defeat against Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals was "as low as I can remember feeling for a long time".

A stoppage-time penalty from Lennon Miller resulted in a late loss for the Tannadice side, who had equalised through a Louis Moult stunner.

Goodwin felt the performance at Fir Park was largely positive, but the manager said his team went on to "shot ourselves in the foot".

"There was obvious disappointment after the game," he said. "I said myself it was as low as I can remember feeling for a long time after a result.

"There wasn't a great deal separating either team in the league and these games are often decided by small margins, and that's what happened.

"The overall performance against Motherwell was fairly good to be honest and when we got the equaliser I felt we were in the ascendancy.

"If anybody was going to go and win the game it looked like it would have been ourselves, but we shot ourselves in the foot on the night."

United will look to bounce back when they return to league action by facing Kilmarnock on Saturday.

And Goodwin feels positively about his players showing a reaction given their approach to training this week.

"When we came back into training on Monday, the boys were back on it and knew what was at stake," he added.

"It's about how you react to these disappointing situations and that shows the character within the group.

"We've had a great week's training, the boys are really looking forward to the weekend and hopefully we get back to winning ways."

Image source, SNS

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

Here are the key lines from the United boss:

• He says the weekend's match is "going to be difficult but our boys are in a good place, albeit off the back of a couple of tight defeats".

• Goodwin's got a "huge amount of respect" for Derek McInnes and says his "teams are always very well organised and hard working".

• He was disappointed with the Motherwell cup loss, saying "it was as low as I can remember feeling for a long time after a result".

• Says he is happy with the squad depth and believes he has "good strength and really good options right across the board" - but the players "know they need to perform to make sure that they keep the jersey".

• After two defeats in a row, he says he's looking for a "real positive reaction, consistency within the group and consistency in how we want to play".

• Goodwin would like United to continue their positive results away from home and says "we love playing at home in front of our own supporters but the away games there's more pressure on the home team".

• He praised the away support and says "they've always got behind the team and we hope we give them another good performance to get excited about".

• On plastic pitches, he says "we all prefer to play on a nice grass surface, I'm pretty sure the majority of the Kilmarnock players would say the same".

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock have won both of their last two Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United, last winning three in a row against the Tangerines in the top flight in February 2002 under Bobby Williamson.

• Dundee United have only won once in their last nine Scottish Premiership away games against Kilmarnock (D3 L5), a 4-2 win in May 2016 under Gordon Young’s caretaker management.

• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in nine home Scottish Premiership games against newly-promoted opponents (W5 D4) since a 0-3 defeat to Hibernian in October 2017.

• Along with Hearts, Kilmarnock are one of two sides who remain winless in this season’s Scottish Premiership (P5 W0 D2 L3) - Killie last failed to win their opening six matches of a top-flight campaign in 2017-18 (eight).

• After their 1-0 win at Hearts earlier this month, Dundee United could win back-to-back Scottish Premiership away games for the first time since August 2020.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Kilmarnock secured European football by finishing fourth in last season’s Scottish Premiership.

The current incumbents of that position? Dundee United.

Jim Goodwin's side would bite your hand off if they were offered the chance to still be there come the end of the campaign.

If they are, then it would secure financial and prestige-based trappings for the Tannadice side.

To achieve that end, United will need to win games like their next Premiership outing – away to Killie this weekend – and the one after that, on the road at St Mirren, who finished fifth last term – also securing European football in the process.

What those two teams achieved last season will undoubtedly be a yardstick for what the likes of United can, and perhaps should, be aiming to achieve this time round.

Of course the season is still in its relative infancy, but the early signs have been encouraging.

A respectable points haul from the coming few games would help establish a body of evidence to suggest that United can push to meet a lofty target like the one outlined above.

Goodwin will perhaps also learn a bit about the resilience of his squad this weekend, after their hopes of reaching the League Cup semi-finals were dashed by Lennon Miller’s added-time penalty for Motherwell last Friday night.

An undoubted blow for the United players and for Goodwin who admitted, "this is as low as I have felt after a game for a long period of time".

They will have to lift themselves quickly as they target a win this weekend which would not just go a little way towards banishing those blues, but it would also say a lot about the character of those in tangerine.

Glenn Middleton is determined to stay with Dundee United and fight for his place despite the 24-year-old winger having failed to make a Premiership appearance this season. (The Courier), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since 2015. Harambe became an internet phenomenon, the world played with fidget spinners, we left the European Union, a global pandemic impacted us all, and United have even been relegated twice.

But 2015 is also another marker, at least for United fans. It is the last time we got a sniff of Hampden in the League Cup. We'd lose to Celtic that day, no real shock there I guess.

The quarters are as far as we've been since, so when the draw for that same stage was made this year and we were picked out of the pot to play Motherwell away, there was an excitement. From both sides I’d imagine.

Goes without saying, in any cup draw you want to avoid the two behemoths from Glasgow, and at this moment at least, it was also fortunate to avoid being drawn against Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen.

Now I want to make it clear, I was not getting ahead of myself in looking past Motherwell, far from it.

There is absolutely nothing between the sides from what I have seen so far this season, so I knew they'd be just as happy with the draw as United were. That is almost exactly how it panned out.

The sense at the time Louis Moult sparked pandemonium in the away end was that the momentum would swing in United's favour and we would go on and nick the winner. Oh, how my sense was wrong.

As the game was heading for an extra 30 minutes, United's young Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson channelled his inner Grant Hanley and made a rash challenge in the box and upended Motherwell forward Moses Ebiye.

The coolest man on the park, and the best player on the park on the night, Lennon Miller stepped up and sent his team to Hampden.

For at least another year in this competition, United's dream died. A slow, disappointing, miserable death that we are all too familiar with.

Guess we'll just have to win the Scottish Cup...

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-1 away defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals.

Here's what some of you said:

Fraser: United didn't deserve anything from the game. You can't go into games and not take shots at the goal, it won't win you games. Think there was a major mistake from Goodwin in the selection choice going into the game. Moult can feel very hard done by to not be starting, and hopefully Goodwin sees that for Kilmarnock.

Tam: Predictably Goodwin forced to change the starting 3-4-3 formation for the fifth time in the last seven matches. We need Louis Moult starting games. We also need to give Middleton and Fotheringham a chance and stop playing Babunski out of position.

Matthew: Interesting we improved dramatically once Middleton and Moult were on. As good as the new signings are, perhaps Goodwin needs to show some faith in the lads that got us promoted. Not worried, but more is needed.

Scott: We must be the most predictable team in world football to play against. Tribal leaders in deepest Amazonia know that Jim Goodwin plays a 3-4-3. Lacklustre and unimaginative with the ball, with mistakes starting to creep in at the back. That must change immediately before our season turns sour very quickly!

Dundee United miss their chance to be the first side to secure their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals after defeat by Motherwell.

Were you among the impressive 8,000-plus crowd at Fir Park or watch the game elsewhere?

Give us your thoughts here., external

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manger Jim Goodwin had handed Ross Docherty his first start of the season, the captain replacing Kevin Holt in midfield for the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Motherwell - as he did before half-time in Sunday's league defeat by Rangers.

Goodwin cited the former Partick Thistle 31-year-old's composure on the ball for that switch and it paid off early as United looked the more creative force.

However, there was a lack of threat up front, while midfield duo David Babunski and Kristijan Trapanovski, the summer signings who have impressed so far this season, failed to live up to the occasion before both were withdrawn.

The changes hauled United back into the game, with on-loan Wrexham striker Sam Dalby looking dangerous before chesting down for Louie Moult's equaliser.

However, the visitors had left it too late to come to life and, after on-loan Liverpool wide man Luca Stephenson's rash challenge conceded a late penalty, will look back on this as an opportunity missed to reach their first semi-final since losing to Celtic in the 2015 final.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell names an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Dundee United in Friday's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Fir Park.

But Blackburn Rovers loanee Jack Vale drops out the matchday squad after Saturday's 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat in Aberdeen.

He is replaced on the bench with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, while fellow forward Tony Watt is ineligible against his parent club.

Zach Robinson retains his starting place ahead of Moses Ebiye despite the latter's back-to-back goalscoring cameos off the bench.

Visiting manager Jim Goodwin opts to make one switch following Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Rangers.

Club captain Ross Docherty comes into midfield, replacing Kevin Holt, as he did before half-time against the Glasgow side, with the latter dropping to the bench.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

The first of two all-Premiership ties in the League Cup quarter-finals - and probably the least predictable - takes United to Motherwell on Friday evening in a meeting of two clubs looking to end a decades-long League Cup drought.

United have not lifted the League Cup since beating city rivals Dundee in the 1980 final, while Motherwell's wait is even longer, having last won the trophy back in 1950, when they defeated Hibernian.

Indeed, neither side have gone beyond the quarter-finals since they last progressed to the final.

Motherwell defeated Aberdeen 3-0 seven years ago, before knocking out Rangers in the semi-finals and falling short in their bid for an Old Firm double against Celtic.

Two years earlier, United beat Hibernian on penalties after a 3-3 draw, overcame Aberdeen in the last four but also lost to Celtic in the final.

Celtic were also Well's nemesis when the Lanarkshire side and United last reached the quarter-finals two years ago, the Glasgow visitors easing to a 4-0 win while the Tangerines were losing 2-1 in Kilmarnock.

The current sides go into Friday's quarter-final looking to recover from top-flight defeats that ended three-game winning runs.

Stuart Kettlewell's hosts fell 2-1 away to Aberdeen, while Jim Goodwin's United had their impressive eight-game unbeaten sequence brought to an end by Rangers' single-goal win at Tannadice.

Recent meetings are also no guide to Friday's outcome considering United have spent a season winning the Championship since losing 3-2 at Fir Park in their last meeting - with United having won there a month previously.

Their knockout meetings tend to be tight affairs too, with United winning 2-1 at Fir Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round in November 2014, while Alan Gow's goal was enough to take hosts Motherwell through to the League Cup semi-finals in October 2010.

Another close game is in prospect under the Fir Park lights.

Read all the League Cup picks

Image source, SNS

Motherwell will be without on-loan Dundee United forward Tony Watt, who is ineligible to play against his parent club in the League Cup quarter-final tie.

The injured Shane Blaney, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson, Harry Paton, Ross Callachan and Johnny Koutroumbis will also be out.

United boss Jim Goodwin has a full squad to choose from for the trip to Fir Park, with the exception of long-term absentee Ryan Strain.

Only two of this weekend's Scottish League Cup quarter-finals will have VAR in operation, with Motherwell v Dundee United on Friday and Aberdeen v Spartans on Saturday not using the technology and saving a combined £16,000 in the process. (Mail), external

Dundee, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Ross County, St Johnstone and St Mirren will each take in £1.6m in solidarity payments due to Celtic's Champions League qualification, with Aberdeen and Dundee United receiving £1m and £650,000 going to Hearts and Livingston. (Mail), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United defender Declan Gallagher is braced for another hostile reception at Fir Park on Friday night but feels Motherwell fans' treatment of him is unfair.

Gallagher spent two years with the Steelmen before joining Aberdeen in summer 2021.

As he prepares to face Stuart Kettlewell's side in the League Cup quarter-finals, Gallagher said: "I am actually quite surprised that I get such a hostile view from them because when I was there we finished third, the Covid season, then I was captain the next year.

"A lot of things came out about my contract situation and stuff like that. But something that maybe fans don't know is that before I left Motherwell I signed an extension for one month so that Motherwell received the bonus money for me reaching the Euro squad with Scotland.

"I don't think was ever highlighted out there, so I think if a few Motherwell fans knew that was the case and I actually earned the club money rather than just taking money and leaving then they would maybe think differently.

"But that is football, people will have their opinion no matter what you do. I loved my time at Motherwell, I played in Europe for them, I captained them and I love the club as a whole, but I will be looking to try and put them out this week."

Gallagher has been in impressive form for United this season and he hopes if that continues he could force himself back into the Scotland fold and add to his nine caps.

The 33-year-old, who has not been called up since September 2022, said: "I think about Scotland all the time, I am choking for my 10th cap so if Steve Clarke wants to give me a phone I will happily answer that.

"I have never said I would retire from international football. If I play well for Dundee United like I did at Motherwell and St Mirren, I am sure I will maybe catch his eye again."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin insists their weekend Premiership defeat to Rangers hasn't derailed the early-season optimism his team have been building.

A seventh-minute Tom Lawrence goal proved decisive as the Tangerines lost 1-0 at Tannadice on Sunday.

The result ended United's eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Speaking before Friday's League Cup quarter-final trip to Motherwell, Goodwin said: "It certainly hasn’t derailed us in the slightest, we accept the mistakes we made in the game and we learn from them.

"I took responsibility for my part in that because the shape of the team and the system wasn’t working and we had to change it and we changed it pretty quickly.

"The players showed real quality in terms of character and tactical ability to be able to adapt to change the system. Now we have to try and start another unbeaten run on Friday night."

A semi final at Hampden is the prize on offer against Motherwell.

Goodwin says they are determined to secure a date at the national stadium to reward the United fans who have supported them through some difficult times in recent years.

"I have touched on that recently about how loyal the supporters have been," he added.

"They have stuck with the club through thick and thin, particularly off the back of the relegation. They are a credit to the club.

"There is an opportunity there to get to a semi-final, to get a day out at Hampden for our supporters, something that has not happened for a considerable period of time... so that is a huge incentive for us."

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United's League Cup quarter-final at Motherwell on Friday night.

Here are the key lines from the United boss:

• The weekend defeat to Rangers "hasn't derailed us in the slightest" and Goodwin has challenged his side to "try and start another unbeaten run on Friday night".

• The United boss was "extremely disappointed" to see St Johnstone's Craig Levein become the first Premiership managerial casualty of the season.

• Goodwin is preparing for "a really difficult game" at Fir Park, saying both sides will have been happy when the draw was made and will view it as a winnable tie.

• The prize of a trip to Hampden in the semi-finals is a "huge incentive" and would be a great reward for the fans who have "stayed with the club through thick and thin" over the last few years.

• Goodwin praised the good form of Declan Gallagher, who he rates as "as good a centre-back as anybody in the league" when fully fit.

• Ryan Strain is the only absentee.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee United travelled well last season, losing just twice in 18 Championship games on the road.

Okay, it was in the second tier, but it is still an impressive record by anyone's standards.

The big question is – can United stave off the away-day blues this term in the top division?

A draw at Ross County and win at Hearts so far would suggest they can.

However, we will get a clearer picture on that front over the next few weeks.

Three of United's next four league games are on the road – at Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Aberdeen.

And their next fixture is a Friday night trip to play Motherwell in the League Cup quarter-finals.

If United can get through that lot relatively unscathed, then their fans can seriously start to dream that this campaign can really deliver something tangible.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin reckons a fully fit Ross Docherty could be one of the best midfielders in the Scottish Premiership. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Fresh off three wins in a row, the manager must have thought, 'If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.'

So he sent out the same starting XI for the fourth game running, hoping to stretch our unbeaten home run to 11 games, with six of those wins coming this season.

Seven minutes in, though, and we were already 1-0 down. Sure, it was a classy finish from Rangers, but we didn't exactly make it hard for them. It took us a good 20 minutes just to figure out how to string two passes together or, you know, actually do something. Definitely not the start we were hoping for.

Jim Goodwin made some early tweaks, shifting Luca Stephenson out wide and giving David Babunski the keys to the centre in a 4-3-3, ditching the 3-4-3 we've mostly been rocking this season. It worked to some degree, as we finally managed to put a bit of pressure on Rangers. But still, Jack Butland went untested.

Looking for a spark, we made a change just before half-time, bringing on Ross Docherty for Kevin Holt. At that point, we were desperately searching for, well, something. And to be fair, having the skipper back on the pitch did make a difference. Doc got on the ball more, started to dictate play for us.

We grew into the second half, but could we test Butland? Nope. Kristijan Trapanovski had a go but it was deflected wide, and Ross Graham's header slipped past the post.

When card-happy Don Robertson finally blew for full-time, it was hard not to feel disappointed. We had come up short after 90 minutes, and it stung, but the opening 20-25 minutes didn’t help.

As we sat recording the podcast post-match, it was obviously frustrating to think we couldn't be more clinical in front of goal. But the fact we were so disappointed to not get anything against a bang average, timewasting, taking the ball into the corner opposition shows just how far we've come over the last couple of years.

Anyway, on to the next one and the small matter of a place at Hampden up for grabs as we head to Motherwell in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on Friday night.

Ronny Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Image source, SNS

Ross Docherty is challenging his team-mates to rediscover their "winning mentality" as Dundee United eye a Premier Sports Cup semi-final place.

United's eight-game unbeaten run ended on Sunday with defeat to Rangers, and captain Docherty wants the side to "right the wrongs" in Friday night's quarter-final against Motherwell.

The midfielder, who played his part in last season's Championship-winning side, though he was hampered by injury, came off the bench in the first half against Rangers.

He believes Jim Goodwin's side have "a huge chance" to make the semis, which would constitute an "amazing start to the season".

"It’s a huge game and a huge chance to get to a semi-final, which would be amazing," the 31-year-old said.

"If we can get to the semi it would be an amazing start to the season, even with that Rangers defeat.

"We want to try and put the wrongs right, to try and improve and try to get through. We will look back on the game. We won't say well done we almost got a result. It’s not like that. We need to be better in the final third.

"Overall, the start we have made, you have to be proud."

United have seamlessly returned to the Scottish Premiership and sit fourth, just two points behind Rangers after the weekend's defeat, while only Celtic and Aberdeen have a better defensive record.

Docherty said the club built "a winning mentality" in their hard-fought title win last season.

"We knew it was win or bust to get this club back up," he added.

"We handled that pressure quite well despite some slight glitches. Ultimately, we got to where we wanted to be. You can see the winning mentality there."