Dundee United

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has piled praise on midfielder Vicko Sevelj, and revealed the Croatian played through illness in Thursday's Dundee derby.

David Babunski missed the game entirely with the same ailment, but Sevelj played the full 90 minutes and Goodwin is hopeful he will make Sunday's match against Hearts.

The 24-year-old scored his first goal for the club to equalise at Dens Park before Sam Dalby's late winner.

"Vicko is one of our most important players and he's kind of gone under the radar a lot all season because the likes of Dalby and (Will) Ferry and one or two others have been getting the headlines," Goodwin said.

"But he knows how important he is to me and hence why he's never out of the starting 11. He can play a number of positions but he's really made that midfield a position of his own.

"He was up all night, would you believe, with a similar type of bug to Babunski.

"He was really feeling under the weather prior to the game but testament to him and his character, he was able to get through it.

"He'll need plenty of recovery and hopefully he'll be OK for the game on Sunday."

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Dundee United hope to have midfielder David Babunski back from illness.

But Louis Moult and Craig Sibbald remain out.

Hearts hope to have winger Elton Kabangu, who has signed from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, registered in time to be involved, while centre-half Jamie McCart has been signed from Rotherham United.

But captain Lawrence Shankland is facing several weeks out with a calf strain.

Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley, Calem Nieuwenhof and Gerald Taylor are still out injured.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Sam Dalby is the man of the moment for Dundee United as they prepare to host Hearts on Sunday.

The on-loan Wrexham striker's 10th Premiership goal secured a thrilling, last-gasp city derby win on Thursday - a third consecutive victory that lifted Jim Goodwin's side above Aberdeen and into third place on goal difference.

In doing so, the Englishman became the first United player to hit double figures in the top flight since Billy Mckay in 2015-16 - and he still has plenty of time to surpass the Northern Irishman's eventual total of 12.

Dalby again stressed that he has heard nothing to suggest his parent club, currently sitting third in League One, plan to cut short his loan spell or hand him a new deal when his current one ends in the summer.

Not surprisingly, Goodwin is keen to talk with the 25-year-old about making the move permanent, but both know that other clubs will have eyes on his services the longer his scoring streak continues.

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• After their 1-0 win in September, Dundee United could enjoy back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories over Hearts for the first time since March 2014.

• Heart of Midlothian have won just two of their last 12 away games against newly promoted opponents in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L8), although one of those was their most recent, beating Dundee 3-2 in February 2024.

• Dundee United have won each of their last three league games, last winning four in a row in the Scottish Premiership in December 2013 (run of five).

• Hearts have the fewest wins (one) and fewest points (five) away from home of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Against Dundee last time out, Sam Dalby became the first player to reach 10 goals in this season's Scottish Premiership.

• He's the first player to hit double figures in a season in the competition for Dundee United since Billy Mckay in 2015-16 (12).

Sam Dalby, who is out of contract with Wrexham this summer, has received no contact from his parent club regarding his future as the 24-year-old striker continues to impress on loan to Dundee United. (The Courier), external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin wants to add another striker to his squad during the January transfer window. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Jim Goodwin is keen to sign a pacey striker this month as Dundee United look to build on an impressive first half the season.

Premiership top scorer Sam Dalby took his tally to 10 goals in 13 matches with a late winner at Dundee that lifted United to third place, but boss Goodwin is looking for more variety up front.

"We've got a certain area in the pitch that I think we need to strengthen," he said.

"I think at the moment we've got four strikers at the club that are all very similar - (Owen) Stirton, (Louis) Moult, (Jort) van der Sande and Dalby.

"I think we need a little bit of pace at the top end of the pitch. It's something that we spoke about before the window shut in the summer and unfortunately just missed out on one before the window closed.

"But that's certainly an area that we will look to try and sort out because there's times during the games where we need to be able to go and lengthen it and we probably don't have that option at the moment.

"We're certainly not bringing someone in to replace anybody. It's just bringing someone in to try and strengthen the group.

"And once we get the likes of (Craig) Sibbald and Moult back from injury, then we'll put ourselves in a really strong position.

"Louis is probably a couple of weeks and Craig Sibbald probably another three or four."

The exquisite crossfield pass. The low delivery across the six-yard line. The unerring finish. There was much to admire about the flowing team move that delivered Sam Dalby's late United winner in the Dundee derby.

Revel in the match-winning moment again as Sportscene pundits Steven Naismith and Peter Grant analyse the strike and manager Jim Goodwin's impact at Tannadice.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-1 derby win at Dens Park.

Here's what some of you said:

Gordon: Great team performance by United. Down to a ludicrous penalty they silenced the noisy neighbours with two good goals. Kevin Holt and Sam Dalby getting the plaudits but Vicko Sevejl is becoming a real asset to the team. Great game sense and does the hard work that keeps us ticking over.

Ross: Every club has its moaners so let us take time to applaud Jim Goodwin. He did what we needed last season, changed the squad, and has blended a team that never gives in. His tactical changes this season have been spot on and it won us the game at Dens. The highlight of a festive spell that saw us take 10 points out of a possible 12. Thank you United!

Stephen: Goodwin's tangerine army march on and the supposedly best team in decades are away back to bed. This United squad doesn't give up, wasn't pretty but it was a win. Newly promoted and sitting third on merit.

Jim: What a festive period it's been and what an amazing season. Only 18 months ago we were relegated with the worst United side in living memory. Major credit has to go to the tactically astute Goodwin who built this side and who knows how to tweak it. Winning at Dens is so sweet and so like the old days when Dens was invariably where we performed.

Alasdair: Not at our best, but with the second-half performance we did enough to edge it. Another terrible VAR call for the penalty, or was it? I've no idea what the handball rule is after the one we were denied against Aberdeen. This squad has character in abundance and I think they can improve further still.

Jamie: Dundee the better team in the first half and should have been a goal to the good. United came out better in the second half but still not quite firing on all cylinders. It was an awful decision to award a penalty but the heads did not drop. The winning goal was a thing of beauty and reward for trying to win the game. Do everything to keep Dalby!

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kevin Holt: Perhaps slightly harshly penalised for handball which gave Dundee the penalty. Achieved redemption with a fantastic cross from the left for Sam Dalby's dramatic and decisive strike.

Sam Dalby: What a revelation he has been for United and the striker is now part of club folklore with his derby winner. The Wrexham loanee is the current Premiership top scorer with 10 goals, two more than any other player.

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• Samuel Dalby has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other player.

• Dundee have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against St Johnstone (3 games without defeat).

• Dundee United have won their last 3 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 9 April 2023 to 22 April 2023.

• Dundee have lost 13 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only St Johnstone (15) and Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• Dundee United have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

• Dundee United have scored in 17 of their 20 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

Scottish Premiership top scorer Sam Dalby's dramatic late goal earned Dundee United a derby win at Dens Park and moved Jim Goodwin's promoted side up to a scarcely-believable third place.

United fans, were you at Dens to watch your side's victory, or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the game., external

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United have a happy knack of scoring late goals - that's now 16 in the last 15 minutes of league games - and none have been sweeter than one up the road.

It is a trait that visibly gives Jim Goodwin's players confidence.

After a tightly-contested game, it was the visitors who seized the initiative in the closing stages.

Both Kevin Holt and Ryan Strain went close before Sam Dalby found the back of the net, with the packed away end behind the goal roaring their team on.

The build-up to the winner was magnificent too. Emmanuel Adegboyega's strength to keep the ball initially, Will Ferry's floated pass out to Holt, and Holt's pick-out.

There is a real connection between this group of players and the fanbase, as shown by the joyous celebrations at full-time.

They have shown their league position is no fluke, and moving above Aberdeen means thoughts will inevitably turn to what United may have achieved come May, and whether it will result in trips to the continent.

The focus will rightly be on Dalby's goal, but the equaliser showed United's versatility. Long throws are a real weapon - Holt's winner against Aberdeen last time out came from one - and Vicko Sevelj ghosted in at the back post here.

Attentions now turn to Hearts, who visit Tannadice on Sunday.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "Feels great [to win the derby], that was the plan before the game.

"We're on great form coming into it and we spoke about the incentive coming into it with the Aberdeen result, if we win we could go third and that is the case now, we're above Aberdeen on goal difference which is fantastic for this group of players, a newly-promoted team.

"Delighted for all the supporters, I thought it was a really entertaining game of football, two teams going at it.

"I'm delighted our supporters are going home with the bragging rights."

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Sam Dalby is only on loan at Tannadice, but the striker is out of contract this summer with parent club Wrexham.

The 25-year-old himself has suggested there is no move from the Welsh club to recall him in January, or extend his deal, despite topping the Premiership scoring stakes with nine goals - one more than Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.

Both he and United manager Jim Goodwin are publicly keen to extend his stay in Tayside.

Other contracts expiring: Jack Walton, goalkeeper; Jack Newman, goalkeeper; Kevin Holt, defender; Declan Gallagher, defender; Ross Docherty, midfielder; David Babunski, midfielder (option of another year); Glenn Middleton, midfielder; Kai Fotheringham, midfielder; Louis Moult, forward; Owen Stirton, forward.

Read more: Premiership summer free agents facing uncertain January

Dundee United defender Kevin Holt, 31, expects to be targeted by Dundee fans when the sides meet in Thursday evening's city derby, having previously played for the Dens Park club. (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

The Dundee rivals meet in their first New Year derby since 2016 both on a high after weekend victories that lifted them closer to sides immediately above them in the table.

United will take the short stroll up Tannadice Street buoyed by a stoppage-time winner over Aberdeen that means there is only a three-point gap between themselves and Saturday's faltering third-top visitors.

The Dark Blues, meanwhile, ended a three-game run without a victory by beating St Mirren 2-1 to narrow the gap between themselves and their hosts, as well as sixth-placed Motherwell, to five points.

Following that up with a derby win is therefore vital for Tony Docherty's side if they are to retain hopes of a top-six finish instead of looking behind them to a relegation battle.

Nine points ahead and only a few short months after their return to the top flight, Jim Goodwin's United instead have Dons and European qualification in their sights after a run of one defeat in nine outings.

With both clubs yo-yoing in recent years between the top flight and the Championship, it means Dundee are seeking their first win over United at Dens Park since 2017, while the Tangerines are without a win there since 2014.

The latest three derbies, including August's 2-2 draw at Tannadice, have all finishing level, so it all points to another tight affair in front of a packed stadium out to witness some festive derby fireworks.

Read all the Premiership picks

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

For Dundee United fans, 2024 will forever be etched in the club's history as a year of triumph, resilience, and redemption.

The Terrors roared back into the Scottish Premiership in style, lifting the Championship trophy under the guidance of Jim Goodwin. It wasn't just about the title: it was about doing so with a swagger that restored pride to Tannadice.

United's dominance in the Championship was undeniable. They finished the season well clear of the chasing pack, blending steely defensive organisation with attacking flair.

The signing of Declan Gallagher at the back proved to be a masterstroke, as was Jack Walton on loan from Luton Town, whose 19 clean sheets made him a standout. Glenn Middleton and Kai Fotheringham were electric on the wings, while Louis Moult banged in the goals with regularity.

The champagne hadn't even dried on the trophy ribbons before attention turned to life in the Premiership. Bear in mind, this is a club that, in the last ten years, has split its time between the top league and the Championship. But Goodwin has made it clear: this is a club that belongs in the top flight.

So far, they've made a solid start to their Premiership campaign, sitting comfortably in the top six as the year closes.

Key to their success has been their adaptability. United have shown they can grind out results against seasoned Premiership sides while also going toe-to-toe with Celtic and Rangers without looking overawed.

Credit must also go to the club's shrewd summer recruitment. The arrival of mainly unknown players, who are now first names on the teamsheet, has been remarkable. Will Ferry's tenacity on the left, Vicko Sevelj's unbelievable turnaround from Falkirk horror show to solid in the No. 6 role, and, of course, Sam Dalby, who at the time of writing is the Premiership's top scorer, have all been key.

Perhaps most impressive is the atmosphere around Tannadice. After the turmoil of relegation in 2023, there's now a sense of unity between fans, players, and the board. Crowds have swelled, with 7,000 season ticket holders, multiple sell-outs, and huge away followings all testament to the renewed spirit.

As the curtain falls on 2024, Dundee United find themselves in a far better place than just a year ago.

Winning the Championship was pivotal, but staying competitive in the Premiership proves they've got the mettle to stick around. With Goodwin at the helm, we're no longer just looking to survive; we're laying the foundation for long-term success.

Here's to 2025 bringing even more excitement to Tannadice!

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

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• The last three derbies between Dundee and Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership have all been drawn, with the last two ending 2-2 (April 2022, August 2024).

• Dundee United are winless in four Scottish Premiership away games at Dundee (D1 L3) since a 4-1 victory in September 2014 under Jackie McNamara.

• This is the first time that Dundee and Dundee United are facing one another in their first Scottish Premiership game of a calendar year since 2016, when the Dee won 2-1.

• Dundee United won their first January Scottish Premiership game of 2023 (1-0 v St Johnstone), but haven't done so twice in a row in the top-flight since 2001/2002.

• Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has drawn three of his five games as a manager against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership (W1 L1 – all three draws being 2-2), including both away from home with a different side (St Mirren in July 2021, Aberdeen in April 2022).

Watch Sportscene analysis of Dundee United's 1-0 win against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

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