Dundee United

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It's a huge three points given the way the first half went. I think we were very fortunate to be in at 0-0. St Mirren were better than us in every department.

"We had some harsh words at half time and the players raised their energy levels. It was night and day. Over the piece a draw possibly would have been a fair result, but the character of my team... they keep going.

"It was real individual quality to win the game for us. Louis [Moult] was probably 50/50 for the game yesterday. He's a goalscorer. He's made a career our of scoring big goals in big games.

"Prior to the penalty [Jack Walton] makes a big, big save one-v-one. Delighted for Jack, another clean sheet. He deserves that."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United were crying out for inspiration when Louis Moult, making his first appearance in a month after a spell out injured, was brought on for Glenn Middleton on the hour.

And, boy, did the striker deliver it. The former Motherwell forward's remarkable winner came just moments after his point-blank header was saved superbly by Zach Hemming.

Jim Goodwin's men were fortunate to be level at the break, but they suffered without conceding. This was not a smash-and-grab job, though.

United improved massively after the interval, Vicko Sevelj having a back-post finish disallowed for offside before Middleton's deflected strike hit the bar.

Kevin Holt and Sam Dalby were also denied as the game became frantic in the closing stages, epitomised by an incredible finale that saw Moult and goalkeeper Jack Walton make themselves the heroes.

Were you at the game in Paisley or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

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St Mirren have a full squad other than Conor McMenamin (calf).

United defender Kevin Holt is rated 50-50 after missing the midweek defeat at Celtic Park, while David Babunski (knock) is likely to remain on the sidelines with Louis Moult (shoulder) and Craig Sibbald (groin).

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Dundee United have been "inundated with requests" from agents and players in the transfer window so far, according to boss Jim Goodwin.

The manager believes United's good standing in the table has made them a more attractive destination to players looking for a move in January.

"We have been inundated with requests from agents and from players," Goodwin said. "It's just about us going through that list of players and making sure we identify the right characters and the players with the right ability to strengthen us."

"You want to come out of the window stronger than you went into it. I think it is an attractive proposition for a lot of agents and players.

"You're not asking someone to come in and be a part of a relegation dogfight where confidence is low.

"You're asking players to come in and be a part of a really positive culture and try and help this team stay in the top six."

United sit third, ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference, and eight points clear of seventh-place Dundee.

However, they've lost their last two games to relegation-troubled Hearts and league leaders Celtic, and are looking to get back to winning ways at Goodwin's former club St Mirren on Saturday.

"We've had two defeats and two very difficult games. Prior to that, we had won three games on the bounce," added the Irishman.

"We're not feeling too sorry for ourselves after the last couple of games. I've got every faith in the group that it will respond in a positive fashion."

Dundee United defender Ross Graham, 23, is grateful to be back and feels he is "all the better" following a lengthy hamstring injury. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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• Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has only lost one of his six Scottish Premiership games against former side St Mirren since leaving the club (W3 D2), a 3-1 defeat with Aberdeen in December 2022.

• St Mirren have lost both of their league games against Dundee United this season, after having only lost two of their previous 11 Scottish Premiership meetings with the Tangerines beforehand (W4 D5 L2).

• After their 1-0 victory in October, Dundee United are looking to successive top-flight away wins at St Mirren for the first time since November 2008 (run of 4).

• St Mirren have lost three league games in a row, the last two without scoring. The Buddies last lost three successive Scottish Premiership matches without scoring in December 2023.

• Dundee United have lost their past two league games, after having only lost one of their previous 10 beforehand (W5 D4). They last lost more in a row in the Scottish Premiership in May 2023 (5).

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United were beaten 2-0 by Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what you had to say:

Kieran: Overall, the team can be proud of their performance. For the majority of the game the guys defended the box well. Unlucky not to nick a goal in the second half. Got to give Jim Goodwin credit - he got the line-up spot on and used the subs well, as Saturday's game in Paisley is more achievable to get three points and consolidate third spot.

Kenny: Our season is not defined by games against the Old Firm but against the others. Heads up lads, a great effort last night. Roll on the next game.

Chris: Not a game that will influence the season - there are far more important games to come that will determine if a third or fourth-place finish can be achieved. Not many would have predicted that outcome at start of the season!

Celtic extended their Scottish Premiership lead to 16 points but were pushed all the way by Dundee United despite initially looking likely to cruise to victory.

Daizen Maeda set the hosts on their way midway through the first half before substitute Reo Hatate's late second secured the points.

But a lack of direct threat on goal made the win hard work as United grew in confidence and looked capable of snatching a point.

The Tannadice side's long wait for victory at Celtic Park goes on, though, with the last coming way back in 1992 under Jim McLean.

Jim Goodwin's side remain third in the table and would surely have accepted that position at this stage of their league campaign.

United fans, were you at Parkhead or following the game from home? Either way we want your views on the game.

Have your say, external

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "The players definitely weren't at 100% in terms of energy levels so the game plan had to be about conserving energy.

"It was working for large parts. We're disappointed with the first goal I think we cause our own problems. I don't know if there was a handball in there but Luke McCowan has the shot, Jack Walton makes the save and I think it takes a really bad bounce in front of him.

"The players kept going that was the really pleasing aspect, they didn't throw the towel in. We had one or two opportunities to put the ball into dangerous areas but none of those opportunities fell kindly to us in the box.

"We can't have too many complaints about the result. the players gave absolutely everything.

"This is our sixth game in the space of 17 days and there's been big questions asked of the group.

"You look at the festive period and how congested the fixtures are you've got concerns over keeping players fit. Tonight it was always going to be a difficult task.

"We have to dust ourselves down over the next 48 hours and put a good team on the park to go and win the game on Saturday."

On Sam Dalby's position and potential incomings, Goodwin adds: "There's constant dialogue there between ourselves and Wrexham.

"Sam has been terrific, we believe he is going to stay here for the remainder of the season. There's still a lot of time left in the window but we have to take Wrexham at their word that Sam is going to stay here and continue his development.

"We've identified a couple of potential targets and we'll work hard behind the scenes to try and get one or two of those over the line."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United rang the changes with top scorer Sam Dalby on the bench and that seemed the result of players feeling the effects of a challenging schedule.

They knew they would concede a lot of possession, but struggled to hold the ball at all in the first half.

The opener was crucial but a failure to clear lines when given the opportunity opened the door and from there it was always uphill.

They did, however, retain a strong structure and limit clear chances to keep themselves in the game longer than the initial flow suggested. The visitors defended very well outside the goals.

Despite defeat to Hearts prior to this fixture, it has been a really impressive return to the Premiership. United showed here why they're third in the table despite coming up short.

There was late drama galore in November 2022 as leaders Celtic hosted bottom club Dundee United.

The visitors looked set for a precious point when Dylan Levitt made it 2-2 in the 87th minute, but Celtic substitutes Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada struck in stoppage time to snatch victory in a six-goal thriller.

Will the sides serve up another epic contest tonight?

• Celtic are unbeaten in 20 meetings with Dundee United in all competitions (W15 D5) since a 2-1 league defeat in December 2014 under Ronny Deila.

• Dundee United are winless in their past 48 visits to Celtic in all competitions (D12 L36) since a 1-0 victory in December 1992 under Jim McLean.

• Celtic are unbeaten in their past 22 home league games against newly-promoted opponents (W18 D4) since a 1-0 defeat to Hamilton in October 2014. The Parkhead club have won their last 10 such games in a row, scoring 38 goals while conceding just four.

• Celtic have won each of their past 22 home league games played on a Wednesday, keeping 16 clean sheets in the process, since a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in May 2018.

• Dundee United have won their past two away league outings, as many as their previous 11 on the road in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W2 D4 L5).

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Jim Goodwin aims to get "pace and energy" back into his Dundee United side when they continue their hectic schedule with a second clash against Celtic in 17 days.

United held the leaders to a goalless draw at Tannadice three days before Christmas and followed that up with a hat-trick of derby wins over St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Dundee to move third.

Goodwin felt their schedule had caught up with them as they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Hearts on Sunday but his team will need to find extra reserves of energy when they travel to Celtic Park on Wednesday night.

"It's going to need to be a similar level of performance out of possession," the Irishman said of the latest encounter with Celtic.

"We expect Celtic to have more of the ball, like they do at Parkhead. They tend to have 70-75% of the possession.

"When we get the opportunity to play, we need to be brave. We need to try and get a bit of pace and energy into the team and try and offer some kind of threat on the counter-attack, but we need to see how the players recover.

"That was two games in the space of 72 hours for some of them. We will pick a system and a line-up that we think is good enough to go and get a result."

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

7 January 2025. Twenty one matches into the league campaign seems like a pretty good time to take stock of where Dundee United are right now. In short, they're doing alright.

Jim Goodwin oversaw a second rebuild in two seasons in the summer and brought in a lot of players who most punters in Scotland had never have heard of. It felt like a gamble.

Add into that Goodwin himself was in the midst of rebuilding his own reputation, at least in the top flight, after his time in the Granite City.

The newly-assembled team had to gel quickly as the first league game of the season was to be a Dundee derby. Although that ended in a draw, we saw plenty to be excited about.

Along the way there has been a level of consistency that invariably serves you well, regardless of what league or level you are performing at. The players brought to the club in the summer have, in the main, been a success.

The gaffer has fostered a great togetherness in the squad and it genuinely feels like the team are giving their all every time they cross that white line.

From a fans' point of view, it has been a pleasure to watch and support. Home attendance numbers are up, and the team also carries a relatively large amount of fans when they are on the road. It feels good to be a part of it all.

Goodwin and his assembled band of talented grafters have all but assured their safety in the top flight for next season and, better than that, there is every chance of a top-six finish.

Defeats have happened, but lessons have been learned from them. Up to now, we have also been 'in' every game we have played.

We won't win every game, and we likely won't play well in every game, but this team will never be found wanting and that is good enough for me.

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

United fans, we asked you for your January transfer window wishlist.

Here's what some of you said:

Anon: I would hope the club could attract another gem from the European market, while pushing to bring in some young Scottish talent to aid future success.

Ross: I would love it if the loan deals for Jack Walton, Luca Stephenson and Sam Dalby could all be made permanent. Apart from that, I would like to see us sign a forward with electrifying pace. That would add another dimension to our attack, which I believe we are sorely missing.

Kieran: It's moreso quality over quantity for United in the January market - a rarity in recent years. A priority must be cover at left-back for Will Ferry, which was evident when he was suspended during the recent defeat at Motherwell. Another pacey winger to help complement top scorer Dalby and the passports will be out come May.

Scott: A back-up for Ferry at left-back/left wing-back is the only signing that would be absolutely necessary. The squad we have is of a very good quality already with plenty of depth in almost every position.

Denis: Another striker with pace would be helpful along with a player who can play right or left full-back to provide cover. I trust the recruitment team to look forward to next season looking at out-of-contract players. Icing on the cake would be permanent deals for Dalby and Walton.

United fans, we asked for your views after the 1-0 defeat to Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ross: It just wasn't there on Sunday - the harder the team tried, the less things came off. A stubborn Hearts in a ding-dong encounter showed the difference in class between third and 11th in the league is but the width of a credit card. Jim Goodwin tried to freshen up the team but it just didn't work hence the early subs. A dip into the transfer market beckons.

Jim: United's good run has come to an end, Hearts had the better chances and we looked jaded after derby. Our manager could maybe try a bit of squad rotation some of the players must have splinters in their backsides after the amount of time they spend on the bench.

Kieran: A very poor display, one of the poorest of the season. Never looked like scoring. Credit to Hearts they played the better football in what was a dire game overall. However, we are still third in what has been an exceptional season so far and we will be behind the lads once again at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening.

Jamie: The fact we lost with a whimper to the worst Hearts team I've seen play at Tannadice in over 25 years says it all really. We were utterly pitiful. Do not want to see a performance like this again. Craig Gordon will never have an easier game. I'm also disgusted with Goodwin's treatment of young Miller Thomson, who he subbed off in the first half.

Hearts get the better of Scottish Premiership rivals Dundee United at Tannadice (UK only).

Manager Jim Goodwin Reacts To Dundee United's 1-0 Scottish Premiership loss to Hearts.