Dundee United

Dundee United hope to have Louis Moult and Ross Graham available in time to face Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

For a Dundee United fan, an international break can feel like stepping off the rollercoaster of club football and on to a different ride entirely.

Without the familiar buzz of a Saturday at Tannadice, there's an odd sense of emptiness. But when Scotland are playing, there's at least something to channel your passion into - and Friday night's fantastic win was the perfect reminder of why we love the beautiful game.

Ben Doak having a £77m left-back on toast for the 92 minutes he was on the pitch was a joy to watch. We must build a team around this boy! Quick, direct, can go both ways - magic.

Full-time on Friday was also a reminder of how much Dundee United has been a launching pad for some truly outstanding talents, with Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Ryan Gauld, and Stuart Armstrong all emerging from the Terrors ranks before making their mark on the wider footballing stage.

Robertson's rise from unfancied Queen's Park recruit to United's rampaging left-back was swift and stunning, his time at Tannadice showcasing the relentless drive and technical ability that would later make him a Champions League winner and Scotland captain.

Souttar, breaking through as a teenager, displayed composure beyond his years at the heart of United's defence, earning plaudits for his ball-playing skills and resilience despite injuries.

Gauld dazzled with his vision and creativity, becoming a fan favourite during his short but brilliant spell before heading to Portugal to refine his craft.

Armstrong was the engine of United's midfield, combining energy, intelligence and a knack for scoring crucial goals.

Together, they embody the rich talent United has nurtured, leaving fans proud of their contributions and the roles they continue to play on the global and national stage.

Fast forward to Monday night, and the captain showed up when it mattered, in the 93rd minute! Magic. And another ex-United man was on the pitch as Lawrence Shankland came on as a second-half sub.

Back to the present, it's hard to shake the itch for club football. The rhythms of league life - dissecting the last match, debating formations, and anxiously watching the table - are on hold during this break.

You miss Tannadice, the chance to back the lads in person. That said, Scotland's double win has offered a welcome distraction.

But as good as it feels, nothing quite matches the anticipation of United's next match. For now, we'll bask in Scotland's brilliance - but the countdown to seeing the boys in tangerine is well under way.

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

Ex-Dundee United forward Jon Daly opens up on managing financially troubled Dundalk and the toll it took on players facing the prospect of losing their income. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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It's like Dundee United have never been away.

The Tangerines have seamlessly settled back into the Scottish Premiership and sit pretty in fourth after 12 games.

There's been no need to bed in, and instead Jim Goodwin's side have blitzed their way through the first chunk of the campaign.

Key to their success has been potency. With 18 goals in 12 games, United are the highest scorers out with the unbeaten top two (Celtic and Aberdeen).

Where that figures comes more impressive, though, is the fact it has been accumulated alongside an expected goals tally of 15.94.

Only Aberdeen have a better shot conversion percentage than United's 13.4. The Dons have 17.

United top the table when it comes to big chance conversion, though. 60.87% of their 23 'big chances' have been buried. Clinical.

It's been an impressive start to life back in the big league, and if United are able to keep up these eyebrow-raising numbers, it could be a comeback season to remember.

Dundee United keeper Jack Walton says he is only focussed on the "here and now", with his contract at parent club Luton Town due to expire at the end of the season. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Scotland international Johnny Russell is a free agent after Sporting Kansas City opted not to renew the former Dundee United winger's contract. (The Courier), external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former winger Craig Conway believes Dundee United maintain their impressive early-season form by achieving a top-six finish on their Premiership return.

The Tannadice club currently sit fourth in the table with 19 points from 12 games after being promoted last season.

Conway, who won the Scottish Cup with United in 2010 during his five-year stint, has been impressed with Jim Goodwin's summer recruitment as well as his side's results and performances.

"They've had a tough few years, but a club of their size must be in the top league," he told BBC Scotland.

"They've been really impressive. Anyone can beat anyone in that league and every game is tough, but they have every chance of finishing high.

"What helps when you get promoted is momentum. So hopefully they can keep their form up and prove everyone else wrong who feels they are going to falter."

• Conway is part of the United team at the Scottish Masters tonight - watch live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website at 19:15 GMT.

Scotland Under-19 winger Rory MacLeod is hoping to make his loan transfer from Dundee United to Southampton permanent as the 18-year-old believes it has been a step up in his career, with the Premier League club having two options to buy - one in January and one in the summer. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions on Dundee United.

Alexa asked: United will need to strengthen in the January window. They should bring Tony Watt back from his loan spell at Motherwell. A few United fans will disagree with me, however I think it's a no-brainer. He has served his time and would be a great option from the bench. What do you think?

Tom answered: I have to respectfully disagree. He's not scored all season. No goals in 12 games. So I'm not sure what the option is. He'd come in off the bench to do what? I don't know. I'm not a massive Tony Watt fan.

I am a growing fan of Sam Dalby, four goals in his last five games. I think he's got presence and physicality. He's confident, he's growing. You can see that.

They do need more up front. They do need more creativity. I think Jim Goodwin is a good manager and he's getting a big tune out of these guys. They don't score many, but they don't concede many.

Eighteen goals scored, 13 conceded. That's a very, very good start to the season for them.

I think if they have a few quid to spend they probably need to look at that end of the park. But I'm not sure Tony is the answer.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Teenagers all over the footballing world are taking the game by storm at present.

There's the inimitable Lamine Yamal and the schoolboy Pau Cubarsi at Barcelona. Arsenal have Ethan Nwaneri chapping on their first-team door and Ethan Mbappe is attempting to follow in the footsteps of his famous brother at PSG.

At Tannadice on Saturday, it wasn't so much a case of our own 17-year-old taking the game by storm, but rather putting the cherry on top of the cake.

Step forward Owen Stirton. A local lad, a real workhorse up front with no small amount of ability and, most important of all, at least to me, a massive Dundee United fan.

Owen had made seven first-team appearances, all from the bench, before Saturday. His eighth seemed no more than an exercise in running down the clock. United were already two goals up and we had entered the 91st minute of the game.

Less than a minute later however, and with only his second touch in a top-flight league match, Owen gave himself the best moment of his relatively short lifetime.

A lovely cross into the box ended up on the head of young Stirton and the joy on his face as he realised he had scored for his boyhood team will live long in the memories of all United fans who witnessed it. In that moment, Owen was living out all of our dreams.

No one can say with any certainty what sort of career Stirton will go on to have, but the lad has all the tools needed and an excellent attitude as he strives to make a real name for himself.

If that doesn't quite materialise, no one will ever be able to take away the feeling that he had on Saturday when he placed that cherry on top of the United cake.

A real-life, tangerine tinted, Roy of the Rovers moment.

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

Watch 17-year-old forward Owen Stirton score on his Premiership debut to complete Dundee United's 3-0 win over Ross County after coming off the bench.

(Available to UK users only)

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

It took them a while to get going, but once United had their first goal against Ross County, they didn't look like being stopped.

Luca Stephenson's goal was Will Ferry's 11th cross into the box, most of which were decent. The left-back looks like a really smart addition for Jim Goodwin's side and was a real threat down the left and from set-pieces.

Up top, on-loan Wrexham striker Sam Dalby looks increasingly handy at Tannadice. On the scoresheet and a physical presence, he had a couple more chances that he could have scored but took his goal well.

What would you like to ask Tom English about Dundee United?

Our chief sportswriter is in the hotseat ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Answers will be provided on Tuesday’s episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast and on this page later in the week.

Put your questions to Tom here., external

Watch highlights as Dundee United win 3-0 against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK audience only)

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 3-0 win against Ross County.

Here's what some of you said:

Scott: To a man, United were excellent. What a difference it makes playing two up front. Best performance of the season by a mile. The team had intent and positivity. Jim Goodwin got the tactics and formation spot on. Just desperate for big Jort van der Sande to get off the mark!

Stephen: A slow first 45 against a stuffy and physical County side was vastly improved on in the second 45. More pressure and urgency were backed up by good one and two touch passing with intent to get forward as often as possible. Goodwin was able to adapt and use his tactics and subs well, cherry on top was the clean sheet!

Gordon: United controlled the game despite the refereeing, matched County's physicality then came good in the second half. A good win in the end.

Ross: Second half performance was the best of the season so far. After a slow but steady first half the pace increased. Passes were crisper, players were looking forward not back. Every move was positive, every cross was menacing. Quality goals with standout performances from Sam Dalby, Luca Stephenson and Will Ferry, and who doesn't love a goal from local talent!

Eddie: Best, most complete performance this season so far! Some great goals and some really excellent performances. Absolutely buzzing for young Owen Stirton, take a bow young man!

David: That was the performance we've been waiting on for a few weeks. Second half especially was the best of the season so far. Top six now looks achievable given this start but can we finish 4th? And what an acquisition Will Ferry has been (to mention just one).

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Goalless at half-time, what did Jim Goodwin say to spur the reaction which hit in the second half at Tannadice?

"Just stay calm and keep going," according to Sam Dalby.

Keep going they did in a half they scored three, including the 24-year-old's composed finish.

"It was good ball from David [Babunski] to be honest, in behind the defence and sometimes that causes a lot of problems for teams, especially when they're pushing for a goal," he said of his strike to BBC Scotland post match.

"So, sort of just gambled on it and then once I was through on goal, it's about just staying composed and putting it into the corner.”

Dalby has delighted many United fans since joining in the summer on-loan from Wrexham and he believes it's been a "positive" move for him.

"It's been something that's been positive for me, you know, the start to the season and our start to the season, really it's all about trying to help the team get three points at the end of the day, and thankfully we did that," he added.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee United have scored eight goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Sam Dalby has contributed to goals in his last 3 home games in the Premiership (3 goals, 0 assists).

• Ross County have conceded eight goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Hibernian (nine) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Ross County have conceded four goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only St Johnstone (six) have conceded more.

Dundee United's impressive return to the Scottish Premiership continues as they ease aside Ross County to maintain their fourth-place position.

Manager Jim Goodwin was rewarded with a contract extension this week and his players showed by with an accomplished victory.

What did you make of that win, United fans? Was the scoreline reflective of the United performance?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

When a side gain promotion, the priority has to be retaining their Premiership place. But United's ambitions may be growing after such a strong start.

Three points here, heading into an international break, gives an opportunity to reflect on a job very well done so far.

Goodwin's reward with an extended contract brings stability to him, the club and the squad.

Here, what seemed key was the intent they showed after the break. Until then, they had tried to create but were frustrated by a well-drilled County.

After that, they swarmed forward and didn't settle for one goal. That has to be encouraging.

The goals were of a high quality and the impact of Stirton was the cherry on top.

United are signalling what a club of their size should. They are showing they have Premiership presence.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland: "We're really pleased with the overall performance. We started the game really slow, Ross County had us penned back in but we grew into the game.

"We built on that in the second half, and the second-half performance was a really dominant one. The majority was played in the Ross County half, played good football, moved it about well, good tempo. We got numerous deliveries into the box and we scored three really good goals.

"It's our most complete performance of the season so far and we certainly didn't underestimate Ross County coming into this game.

"We've got hopes and dreams like every other team, but there's far too long to go in the season for us to get carried away. That's the message to the players. It was a brilliant performance for 85 minutes but we won't allow ourselves to get caught up in top six talk.

[On Owen Stirton] "He's been in and around the first team since he's come in full time. He's only 17, come through the Baldragon Academy, been part of the club since he was 10 or 11 years old. The fans really enjoyed it, and it's a proud moment for Owen and his family to score on his Premiership debut. It's 'Roy of the Rovers' type stuff and I'm delighted for him. He deserves the opportunity. It's easy to chuck him on when we're 2-0 up and comfortable but I believed he would get a chance."

Image source, SNS

Will Ferry. Luca Stephenson's goal was Ferry's 11th cross into the box and most of them were good.

It was a wonder United didn't score more given they had two big men in the box - Sam Dalby and Jort van der Sande - but the strikers often struggled to create clear chances.

Perhaps that's a bit harsh on Dalby. He was able to hold up well against a County side that had been watertight for the last few games.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Strain, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry, Van der Sande, Dalby.

Substitutes: Richards, Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, Docherty, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Obuchioma.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Wright, Lopata, Leak, Brown, Randall, Nisbet, Campbell, Denholm, Dale, White.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Allardice, Chilvers, Grieves, Telfer, Efete, Samuel, Brophy, Reid.