St Mirren goalkeeper Trevor Carson has been the subject of growing interest from Blackpool, Dundee, St Johnstone and Dundee United as his parent club warned that the 35-year-old will not be going anywhere unless their valuation is met. (Daily Record), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, SNSDeparting striker, Steven Fletcher says the reception he received from Dundee United fans is "something that will never leave" him.
The 36-year-old had one year remaining on his deal at Tannadice, but has opted to leave following relegation to the Scottish Championship.
The former Scotland striker scored nine league goals last campaign, but could not help Jim Goodwin's side steer clear from the drop.
"I would like to thank everyone at the club for the warm reception my family and I received," he told the club's website. "The fans for welcoming me with open arms – that’s something that will never leave me.
“I know this club will be back where it belongs with the group of players that remain here under Jim’s guidance, and I wish the boys, the gaffer and the supporters all the very best for the future.”
Image source, SNSKevin Holt's two-year stay at Partick Thistle ended this summer
Jim Goodwin says Dundee United have signed a "fantastic and experienced defender" in Kevin Holt, who has become the club's third summer recruit after departing Partick Thistle.
Holt was part of the Thistle side that narrowly missed out on top-flight promotion via the play-offs earlier this month.
The 30-year-old signs a one-year deal at Tannadice and reunites with Ross Docherty, who also left Firhill to join United this week.
"Kevin knows exactly what it takes to compete and be successful in the Championship," Goodwin said.
“He can play in a number of positions across the backline, which is a huge bonus. Crucially, he's also the right type of character we need in the group."
Image source, SNSLiam Grimshaw will play against Morton in the Championship next season
Liam Grimshaw says having the chance to play more in midfield would be "quite a big thing for me" after signing a two-year contract with Dundee United after leaving Greenock Morton.
The English 28-year-old, who has regularly played at full-back, has shown his versatility with Motherwell in the Scottish top flight and last year in the Championship as he ended the season as the Morton fans' and players' player of the year.
But Grimshaw is "willing to play anywhere", telling his new club's website: "I'm aware how big a club Dundee United are and they have aspirations to get back to the Premier League, so that was a massive attraction."
Grimshaw, who was a youth player with Manchester United, had two spells with Motherwell either side of time with Preston North End and Chesterfield, before moving to Morton in September.
He thanked Morton for "standing by me" at a "difficult time for me in my career and life" but was impressed with United manager Jim Goodwin's plans for a return to the Premiership.
Goodwin thinks Grimshaw's leadership qualities will be "crucial".
"Liam is a fantastic, versatile player who I have admired for many seasons, and we believe he'll bring a different dynamic to the group," he said.
"He possesses all the technical attributes needed to impose himself on matches in a variety of roles across the pitch whilst also displaying aggression, bravery and strength in the defensive phase to solidify our backline."
Dundee United have signed midfielder Ross Docherty on a two-year deal.
The 30-year-old moves to Tannadice as a free agent after three seasons with Partick Thistle, where he was captain.
"Last season, Ross was one of the outstanding midfielders in the Championship and his consistent level of performances with Partick Thistle caught our eye," manager Jim Goodwin told the United website.
"He is exactly the type of player required to succeed in this league - he's very comfortable both with and without the ball, very fit and brings additional experience to the squad."
Image source, SNSDocherty led Thistle to the Premiership play-off finals last season, although they missed out on promotion
Former Dundee United player and manager Paul Sturrock backs Jim Goodwin to take the Tangerines in the right direction. (Courier - subscription), external
Jim Goodwin has stressed that he will lead Dundee United as a manager, not as a head coach, following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership. (The Herald), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC SportDundee United manager Jim Goodwin says that, following relegation, he has adjusted his summer signing targets to players who have the personality to thrive in Scotland's second tier. (The Courier), external
Hibernian manager Lee Johnson is interested in midfielder Jamie McGrath with the 26-year-old midfielder's future at Wigan Athletic uncertain after his loan to Dundee United and both clubs having been relegated. (The Herald), external
Former Dundee United head coach Liam Fox, who has left Aberdeen after a spell as first-team coach, has held talks with Heart of Midlothian over their B team manager role. (Football Scotland), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, SNSTyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland
Jim Goodwin says Dundee United will have the strongest squad in the Championship next season and there can be "no excuses" as they seek to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt.
"Next season it is about winning the title and that is the bottom line, that is the objective for the team," said Goodwin, who has signed a two-year deal to stay on as manager.
"The last time Dundee United were in the Championship I think they took four seasons to get out of it, we can’t afford for that this time round, we have to bounce back at that first time of asking.
"We will be the biggest team in the league and I believe we will have the strongest squad as well.
"There are no excuses, there is no hiding behind anything. As a club we have to accept that expectation that is going to come our way and we need to get the supporters behind us from day one.
"I think we are up at around 5,000 season tickets already, which is incredible commitment from the supporters."
With the domestic campaign over, both Kenny Miller and Peter Grant took the time to pick their Premiership teams of the season on Sunday's BBC Sportsound.
The pundits agreed on six selections, with Celtic quartet Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Kyogo Furuhashi and Cameron Carter-Vickers, plus St Mirren captain Mark O'Hara and Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen, included on the two line-ups.
Former Celtic midfielder Grant picked a further four players from the treble winners, as Joe Hart, Carl Starfelt, Alistair Johnston and Jota made up eight of his 11 positions, with Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson taking the final spot.
Meanwhile, ex-Scotland striker Miller opted for Clarkson's team-mate Kelle Roos in goal and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland in attack, with Rangers trio James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and Todd Cantwell filling the remaining three places.
Tony Watt says he does not "hold grudges" as the 29-year-old striker targets winning his place back with relegated Dundee United despite being sent out on loan to St Mirren last season. (The Courier), external
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, BBC SportGoalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson has formalised a move to Nordsjaelland from Dundee United for an undisclosed fee.
The Finland international goalkeeper, 28, had been on loan at the Danish club, having joined United from Mjallby last year.
Eriksson made 11 appearances for the Tangerines, keeping three clean sheets.
Image source, SNS
We review how the Scottish Premiership's bottom six teams fared in season 2022-23. Listen here.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is keen to seal a reunion with former St Mirren defender Charles Dunne. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.
Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Newman has agreed a new two-year contract at the club, keeping him at Tannadice until the summer of 2025.
The 21-year-old is a Scotland U21 international, and has made four appearances for the first team since his arrival from Sunderland in 2020.
"We’re obviously delighted to tie down Jack for another two years," manager Jim Goodwin said.
"Not only is his attitude and application on the training pitch second to none, but he has also impressed when given the opportunity to start matches at such a young age.
"Both the club and Jack feel this is the best environment to develop and nurture his talents and we look forward to welcoming him back to training later this month."
Image source, SNS
We asked you to come up with a Dundee United player of the season. An admittedly tough task.
Here's what you said:
Tilly: Hands down it has to be Ilmari Niskanen. He’s one of the handful of players who has given 110% every single minute of play this season and he doesn’t get given enough praise or love for the work he puts in game after game.
Dave: There were a few bright sparks in a tough season. Dylan Levitt showed some high quality play. Aziz Behich gave glimmers of being top class and set up goals. Jamie McGrath showed composure during penalties, but the outstanding player for me in terms of leadership both on and off the pitch was Steven Fletcher.
Matthew: Out of a very limited number of players who can look the fans in the eye and say they did all they could, the player of the year has to be Craig Sibbald. He’s been played out of position almost every game but has coped very well in this role, he’s one of the few players I’d be happy to see in a United shirt again next year.
Allan: The only player with pass marks for me was Sibbald, he gives his all every minute he is on the pitch. No one else has been good or consistent enough to be mentioned.
Scott: Behich, McGrath or Sibbald for me, it’s very hard to see past those three to be honest. Sibbald never went into hiding, he battled in every single game and tried to run the entire midfield at times. He is a very underrated player. McGrath and Behich are both far too good to be part of a relegated team.
Gavin: It has got to be Fletcher, I hope he stays. The rest can leave as soon as possible.
Andy: Our goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has been our standout player this season, for all the wrong reasons. There are many reasons why Dundee Utd have been relegated, and he is one of the biggest.
Image source, SNSAberdeen are top of the table when it comes to the average age of starting teams in the Scottish Premiership season.
With the likes of first-team regulars Duk, Liam Scales and Leighton Clarkson all 24 or younger, and with homegrown players Connor Barron and Ryan Duncan also getting game-time, the Dons had an average age of under 26.
Oldest of the lot were St Johnstone, closely followed by Rangers and St Mirren. With Ibrox boss Michael Beale having already begun driving down the age of his squad in his summer rebuild, will new Perth manager Steven MacLean do likewise?
Below is the full list of average starting age, in years and days.
