Dundee United

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There has been so much to like about Dundee United so far this term. However, one source of concern must be the number of goals they have been conceding.

In seven games across all competitions, they have kept just one clean sheet while shipping 14 goals.

If you are conceding around two a game, getting wins becomes a much bigger ask.

In the Premiership, United's eight goals conceded in four matches is the joint highest with Kilmarnock and Livingston, who have both played a game more.

And United's eight concessions have all come from inside the box, suggesting teams are getting in behind them more easily than last season.

Opta data also reveals that in the league United face have faced 24 shots on target - the third highest tally - and two errors have led to goals conceded, while the team are underperforming their xG against of 7.06.

The frailty at the back has at least been countered by the fact they have been prolific at the other end. They have scored 14 goals in seven games and their Premiership haul of nine is bettered only by Hearts.

United have been one of the most entertaining teams in the league this season, a maked contrast to the dogged solidity that was a bedrock of their successful return to the top flight last season.

But will it come at a cost?

Ex-Scotland defender Barry Douglas has revealed the Dundee United players he "watched and learned from". (The Courier)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Dundee United have had their appeal against the red card shown to Vicko Sevelj for conceding a penalty in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road upheld.

Sevelj is no longer suspended for United's next game, at home to Aberdeen in the Premiership on Tuesday, 23 September.

It was originally ruled that the midfielder's arm stopped a net-bound overhead kick from Hibs striker Kieron Bowie and the Croat was dismissed for preventing an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

However, the decision was overturned at a Scottish FA fast-track tribunal on Tuesday.

United manager Jim Goodwin thought red card "was really, really harsh", adding that "these decisions are very subjective".

Goodwin went on to suggest the officials may have been swayed by a terrible VAR blunder that denied Hibs a penalty in the previous game at Easter Road.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Jim Goodwin must have a loyalty card for squad rebuilds by now.

The Dundee United boss is on his third major revamp in as many seasons. And somehow this time, with a shedload of new players thrown together, the team appears to have emerged fresher, sharper, and whisper it, exciting to watch.

When he arrived at Tannadice in 2023, Goodwin inherited a relegation scrap that felt more like a crime scene.

Out went the gloom, in came a new structure, a lower wage bill and a number of players capable of getting the job done in the Championship. That resulted in immediate promotion.

Rebuild number two then focused on adding more steel and grit to the side, in order to not only ensure we were never in relegation trouble, but to hopefully push on for a top-six spot. Again, job done.

Now, in season three, Goodwin has once again shuffled the deck. By barely spending a penny he has brought in 14 players that were far from household names and has got them all pulling in the same direction in a ridiculously short time.

The signs are promising for us Arabs that this could be an exciting season to watch the team. And although the players deserve an enormous amount of credit for that, the hard work, eye for a player and man-management abilities of Goodwin cannot be ignored.

Up to now his sides have been pragmatic and stuffy. Hard to beat and effective. With all due respect though, they weren't always exciting.

This latest iteration of Goodwin's United are very entertaining. Fans are being treated to an energetic brand of play that suggests United are aiming higher than simply cementing their place in the top six. A second successive season of European football has to be the goal.

For long-suffering supporters, this feels new. Visiting Tannadice is no longer a chore, but a place of optimism.

And if Goodwin keeps pulling off rebuilds like this, the club shop might have to start selling hard hats as official merchandise.

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

The Sportscene panel discuss Vicko Sevelj's red card and the decision to award a late penalty to Hibs that helped them snatch a 3-3 draw against Dundee United.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Luca Stephenson delivered a great performance in a great game. Revelled in the fire and brimstone of the 3-3 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. Two goals and almost claimed a hat-trick.

Watch all the highlights from Hibs' dramatic 3-3 draw against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was worried before the game against Hibs that a penalty decision would go against his side.

United were 3-2 up at Easter Road with less then 10 minutes to play but Jamie McGrath's controversial 86th-minute spot kick earned the hosts a point.

The penalty was awarded by referee Dan McFarlane following a review, after Kieron Bowie's acrobatic effort struck Vicko Sevelj's arm and the United midfielder was also sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

But Goodwin felt there was only going to be one outcome after the SFA admitted they got it wrong by not awarding Hibs a late penalty in their draw with St Mirren 13 days ago

"Personally I don't think it's a penalty," the Irishman said.

"I'm sure David Gray will have a different opinion on it. I did have a slight concern coming into the game when I watched the VAR review.

"I heard what the head of referees [Willie Collum] was saying about the St Mirren game when the penalty wasn't given. I think that's really different. I think the St Mirren defender [Jayden Richardson] nearly caught the ball on that occasion. Whereas, Vicko – I don't know what else he can do.

"I think it was really, really harsh. These decisions are very subjective but certainly, with the opinion of what was given on the previous game here against St Mirren, I think subconsciously as a referee that must be in the back of your mind.

"I thought if there had been a 50-50 chance of a penalty, I had a feeling it was going to go against us and that's the way it did."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's incident-packed 3-3 draw with Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Jamie: A tremendous game ruined by VAR. How they can allow the second goal after the Hibs player comes right through Vicko Sevelj and forces him to kick the ball backwards is beyond me. Then a penalty and red card for a handball he knows nothing about.

John: Despite all the hype about Hibs, United were more than a match. Jim Goodwin and the backroom staff have done wonders creating a new team who can compete with anyone. Complete upgrade on last year. I have high hopes for European football again next year.

Jennifer: United's wonderful attacking football was a pleasure to watch. Amar Fatah was magnificent as was Luca Stephenson and the exuberant Panutche Camara. United are exciting to watch. In the end, the goalie sold the jerseys and cost us three points. Flapping at crosses, not commanding his area and playing daft balls to his defenders. He needs to be dropped for the next game.

Eddie: Our front three plus Camara and Stephenson were excellent, some really great link-up and the goals were a delight! The keeper is a very mixed bag though, and please don't get me started on the referee.

Scott: What a cracking game of football that was. I would have taken a point before the game but after how it played out can't help but feel disappointed only coming away with a draw. We look like a quality team just need to cut out the silly mistakes.

Murray: Yes United were guilty of mistakes, clearly for the first and in part for the second. But why have VAR if they can't spot an obvious foul for the second goal and a penalty awarded for ball to arm from a yard away? Absolutely disgraceful.

Stephen: A draw at Easter Road is going to be a decent result this season, Hibs are a good side this year. That being said I'm gutted United didn't leave with three points. I can't see how the referee sees that as a handball and not ball to hand then salt into the wound it seems a straight red was dished out too? Officials did United dirty against Hibs in the last meeting last season and here we are again. United look good though and feeling confident for the season ahead.

Hibernian and 10-man Dundee United played out a pulsating and incident-packed Scottish Premiership draw at Easter Road in a breathless 97 minutes.

What did you make of the match?

Give us your thoughts here.

Read the full match report here.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells Premier Sports: "Firstly, I thought it was a fantastic game, a fantastic advert for the Scottish Premiership, two teams going at it, a lot of goalmouth action, and two keepers making great saves.

"It's a really harsh rule (for the penalty), I'd hate to be a defender these days or a referee making those decisions.

"From our perspective, it's two points dropped.

"We've made a couple of mistakes and a really difficult penalty [is given against us], and Sevelj gets a red card, and will now miss the next game for us. He's a really important player for us.

"I don't know what Sevelj is meant to do. I think it's harsh.

"I thought it was a brilliant game of football, and I felt we should have won. All three goals we scored were really well-worked."

Ivan Dolcek says he would like to remain with Dundee United permanently after the 25-year-old winger was named Scottish Premiership player of the month for August following his loan move from Slovak club Dunajska Streda. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian could hand debuts to new loan signings Dan Barlaser and Zach Mitchell. Boss David Gray is hopeful all 12 of his players who have been away on international duty have returned unscathed.

Dundee United remain without Ryan Strain, Isaac Pappoe (both knee), Kristijan Trapanovski, Ross Graham, Max Watters (all hamstring) and Zac Sapsford (ankle).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United wing-back Will Ferry says manager Jim Goodwin's new contract is another step in the right direction for the club.

"It is good, it is a bit of security for him but it is the same for us," the 24-year-old said before Saturday's trip to face Hibs.

"We obviously know the way the club is heading and we are all together as one and that solidifies it. The fact he has secured that future just helps us get on with it and keep improving, keep progressing and hopefully we get where we want to be.

"You can see the progression. Both years it has been a bit of a rebuild, new players like myself last year and a lot of new faces this year, you can see the bedding in process.

"Hopefully, like last year, you can see we will slowly get better game on game and I like to think that is what we are doing so far."

Thanks to their fourth-place finish last season, United secured European football. And although they failed to reach the Conference League proper, Goodwin became the first Tannadice boss in almost 30 years to win a two-legged European tie.

Ferry thinks the success of the past 12 months has been down to the Irishman and his staff.

"It is down to the gaffer, it is down to the staff it is down to the togetherness in the changing room," he added.

"It all contributes but again the gaffer is in charge and we go out and do what he tells us to do, and it is has worked to a point so far so we would like to carry it on.

"Individually and as a team last season we performed really well and we obviously aim to do it again this year."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United's Ivan Dolcek has been named as the Premiership player of the month for August, with manager Jim Goodwin saying the Croatian winger has taken to Scottish football "like a duck to water".

The 25-year-old joined from Slovakian club Dunajska Streda on a season-long loan in July and has made an instant impact in the Tannadice side, scoring four goals in three league appearances as United sit fourth in the table.

Dolcek scored in United's opening-day draw with Falkirk, netted twice in their defeat by Hearts and scored the second goal in a derby victory over city rivals Dundee.

"You are always a little bit unsure about how the foreign players are going to settle in and sometimes it can take a little bit more time for them to get adjusted to the culture and the style of play," Goodwin said.

"But I have to say Ivan has taken to the Scottish game like a duck to water in terms of his goal return in particular. The most pleasing aspect of it is that I believe there is so much more to come from him as an individual."

Goodwin has indicated to the player they would like to take up the option to make his Tannadice stay permanent.

"He has had a terrific start, he has made that position in the team his own at the moment, but it is important he doesn't get comfortable in it," the United boss added.

"I want him to keep pushing in training, keep trying to improve, keep trying to get better, because we can all see the qualities he has in front of goal. It is now trying to get that development into him in terms of the one-v-one situations."

Image source, SNS

• Hibs have won their past two Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United, their longest top-flight winning run over them since December 2006 (three in a row).

• Dundee United have only lost two of their past 15 top-flight visits to Easter Road (W5 D8), although one of those was their most recent in May.

• Hibs have lost just two of their past 25 league matches (W14 D9), and are unbeaten in five (W1 D4) since a 3-1 defeat to Celtic in May.

• After losing four consecutive league matches between April and May, Dundee United have since lost just one of four (W2 D1), a 3-2 defeat to Hearts on matchday two.

• Dundee United have scored exactly two goals in each of their past four league matches, while they haven't scored 2+ goals in five consecutive matches in the Scottish Premiership since September 2014 – a run of five.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says he concentrated on adding height and power to his squad during the summer transfer window as his club could not match the "vast amounts of money" being spent by Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin felt he was "lucky" to be appointed Dundee United boss - and is delighted to have repaid the club's faith in him.

The Irishman signed a new deal on Wednesday to continue the reign that begin in March 2023 just a few weeks after his Aberdeen sacking.

Despite being unable to prevent United's relegation to the Championship in his first few months, Goodwin oversaw their return to the top division where they finished fourth last term.

"In my time, the last 10 years as a manager, I am really pleased with the progress I have made on a personal level. There are far better managers than me out there who have been relieved of their duties at one club or another," said Goodwin.

"I have not changed a great deal as a manager or as a person. It just didn't quite work out the way I would have hoped at Aberdeen, but Dundee United gave me an opportunity and I felt I was very lucky at the time to get this type of opportunity off the back of what happened.

"I am just delighted I could repay the faith that they have shown in me off the business we have done in the last couple of seasons.

"Right now I am continuing to learn, continuing to try and focus on my own development as well as that of developing the players within the group. I am just loving life at Dundee United and long may that continue."

Goodwin's full focus now is on Saturday's Premiership fixture at Hibernian. United have made a steady start to the campaign despite being dogged by injuries to key players.

So will any of those missing before the international break be back for the trip to the capital?

"No, unfortunately we won't have," said Goodwin. "The squad that was there at Dens Park will be very similar to the one that is going to be available to us at Easter Road.

"We have got some long-term injuries, it has all been well documented. I think (Ryan) Strain and (Kristijan) Trapanovski are probably the two who are closest. We would like to think in the next couple of weeks those guys will start to get integrated back into the training squad."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before this weekend's Premiership trip to Hibernian.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He is "delighted" to have signed a new 12-month rolling contract and feels "there is a lot more to come".

• The Irishman is looking to continue the progress made under his stewardship: "You can't stand still and be content with what is going on."

• Goodwin says he felt "very lucky" to get the chance to manage United just a few weeks after being sacked by Aberdeen and is thrilled he could "repay the faith" the club have shown in him.

• He believes the new-look squad he has assembled "is only going to get better".

• On talks aimed at signing loan winger Ivan Dolcek on a permanent deal: "It was a brief conversation between ourselves, Ivan and the representatives but it is a situation that we are all quite relaxed and very comfortable about. Ivan will be with us for the rest of the season at least, he knows what we think of him, and if the opportunity arises in the future for us to make this permanent then that is definitely something we will look to do."

• The United boss is expecting "a really difficult fixture" against Hibs, who have been "one of the outstanding teams in Scotland" over the past eight months.

• But Goodwin has "great confidence" in the squad he will be taking to Easter Road, adding "our focus is on ourselves".

• Team news: The squad this weekend "will be very similar" to the one at his disposal for the derby win over Dundee before the international break.

We asked for your views on Jim Goodwin extending his Dundee United tenure on a 12-month rolling contract.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary P: Brilliant news, he is doing a fantastic job.

Gary R: Great news for Goodwin and United. We can now focus on the league and getting back into Europe again. Goodwin has done well this season bringing in 14 new players, all fit in and we could be up there where we should be. We shouldn't fear any team in the league.

Kevin: Delighted but a little disappointed it's not a two or three-year deal for the results he has delivered since his arrival. Especially with so much media talk of Celtic sniffing about.

Darren: Would have liked a longer contract for Jim to secure the progress of the team he is building. Seems to unearth some real quality players from Europe. Scratching the surface deserves a two to three-year contract unless he's happy with the 12-month rolling contract with interest looming for his services.

Scott: Delighted we have managed to tie Jim down to a new deal. I haven't always been his biggest fan, last season was a tough watch at times, but it looks like he's built a really exciting squad this season and we are going to be a lot more enjoyable to watch so bring on the season ahead.

Gail: Delighted to get the deal done as I'm sure there are clubs already looking at him, would love him to stay and see how far we can go. It's easy to be tempted by the bright lights but that doesn't always prove to be the best fit.

Will: Great piece of business by the club. Goodwin thoroughly deserves this extension after all he has done for us. Good to have some stability after the last few years.

Dave: It's a feeling of great relief. We were beginning to think the vultures were circling but this is good news for everyone associated with United.