Dundee United

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland

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Three of Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren will join Celtic and Rangers in Europe next season after Brendan Rodgers' treble-chasing side reached the Scottish Cup final.

Had bottom-six sides St Johnstone or Hearts progressed through the last-four stage, they could still have claimed the European place awarded to the cup winners.

But that is no longer a possibility, which adds another layer of intrigue to the post-split fixtures in the top half of the division.

So what do we know?

Well, Celtic have secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers and will enter at the play-off round assuming they clinch the title.

Rangers will almost certainly be in that competition, too, but at the second qualifying round stage.

After that, there remains a wee bit of uncertainty.

The Scottish Cup winners earn a spot in the Europa League play-off round, so if Aberdeen upset Celtic at Hampden on 24 May, that's straightforward.

However, should the holders retain the trophy, the place would go to whoever finishes third in the league.

Currently, that's Hibs. But United and Aberdeen and St Mirren - albeit the arithmetic is hugely against them - are still in the mix.

Given whoever it is would be guaranteed - at worst - a six-game Conference League campaign, it's a lucrative prize for their season's work.

But two of the clubs who miss out on third would still be rewarded.

Fourth place would be upgraded from Conference League second qualifying round to the Europa League equivalent, with the Conference spot going to fifth place.

Read more: Premiership quartet fight for three European spots

Dundee United will strongly argue their case after Celtic contacted the SPFL regarding an alleged pricing discrepancy for their visit to Tannadice next weekend. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Dundee United striker Sam Dalby has been named in the PFA Scottish Premiership Team of the Year.

Dalby, who joined United on loan from Wrexham in the summer, is one of only two non-Old Firm players included in the XI voted for by fellow players.

The 25-year-old has scored 14 goals in the Premiership this term and has helped the Tangerines secure a top six finish as well as maintaining their push for third place.

Celtic have raised concerns with the SPFL over ticket arrangements for their potential title-sealing trip to Dundee United next weekend. Upper tier seats for away fans in the Jerry Kerr Stand have been priced at £42, while home season-ticket holders can bring a friend for £10. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your views on whether keeping Jack Walton at Dundee United should be a priority this summer.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: If United want to stay a force in the league, they must get Walton and Sam Dalby to sign, and keep most of last seasons signings. No doubt a list will be made for new faces. Come on United, show your support to those who have stuck with you home and away in large numbers.

Ronnie: I think his impact has been overstated if I'm honest. He's been much less effective and [more] mistake prone this season than last, and I'm factoring in the higher level of opposition.

George: There is significant, often justified, criticism of Walton's distribution but, apart from one blunder in the most recent Dundee derby, his shot-stopping is exemplary. For that reason alone United should be doing everything they can to get him tied down to a long-term contract. For those who may disagree I have one word: Birighitti.

Jim: Walton has been a great signing for United. No fancy playing to the gallery stuff but a lad who fully concentrates on what he is there to do. I am one of many who hopes he will still be at Tannadice next season.

Calum: Walton has taken the step up to the Premiership in his stride and has had another great season. He had a howler in the last Dundee derby but the whole team was off it that day. Yes, we should be doing everything possible to keep him at United! I heard he likes the golf in this area, so maybe it will easier than we think!

On-loan Luca Stephenson has intimated that he would be open to returning to Dundee United next season after hernia surgery prematurely ended his campaign. (The Courier - subscription), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hibs have cut the away ticket allocations for their final two home matches this season to allow more of their own fans to attend.

Both Dundee United and final-day visitors Rangers will be given just under 1,500 tickets at Easter Road next month.

When Rangers last played in Leith - the 3-3 draw in January - they had around 2,900 tickets for the 3,800-capacity South Stand.

Hibs fans will now be able to purchase tickets in that stand.

A club statement said: "As we look to create a raucous atmosphere for our final two home fixtures of the season, we have reduced our opponents' allocations to provide more tickets to Hibernian supporters."

Hibs have won their past seven games in the capital and are unbeaten at home since November.

David Gray's side, who last weekend equalled a 77-year club record by making it 17 top-flight games unbeaten, have a three-point lead over Aberdeen and Dundee United with five matches left in the battle to finish third.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Sam Dalby's goal-getting role in Dundee United's impressive season so far is crucial, but the man keeping them out at the other end has been a totemic figure too.

Having helped secure the Championship title last term, Jack Walton returned on another season-long loan from Luton Town with "unfinished business" at Tannadice.

He hasn't disappointed. Walton has been a rock for United and is one of only two Premiership players (Ross County's Akil Wright is the other) who have played every minute of the league season.

Walton racked up his third successive clean sheet as United beat St Johnstone on Saturday to make it three 1-0 wins on the bounce. That took the 26-year-old's Premiership shutout total to 12 - only Celtic's Kasper Schmeichel has more (19).

And it's not as if Walton hasn't been kept busy. The United number one has faced the most shots - 466 - of any top-flight keeper this season who has played at least 20 games.

And his save ratio of 69.92% is second highest, again topped only by Celtic's Schmeichel.

Walton has proved a safe pair of hands and is set to be a free agent as his Luton deal expires this summer. Should United be doing all they can to land the Englishman on a permanent deal?

Let us know your thoughts on Walton.

Dundee United are "realistic" about keeping top scorer Sam Dalby but manager Jim Goodwin says the on-loan Wrexham striker is "worth pushing the boat out for". (The Courier - subscription), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

I touched on this a week or so ago, but it feels pertinent to revisit Jim Goodwin's manager of the year credentials once again.

Whatever else Dundee United achieve this season, one thing we now know for sure is they have overachieved.

First of all, after spending last season in the Scottish Championship, survival was the main objective. Mission accomplished.

The next aim was securing top six. Mission accomplished.

Now it is securing European football - and chasing down third spot - and while it remains to be seen how they get on with that, they are very well placed in fourth.

All of the above reinforce the manager of the year argument in Goodwin's favour - and if they go on and turn their continental dream into reality, the case becomes even more compelling.

But there are two other elements worthy of note.

After finishing top of the Championship pile, Goodwin had to rebuild his squad last summer to put one together capable of holding its own in the top flight.

But what he has actually done is assemble one that is challenging among the big boys in the big league.

He has also managed to do this against a backdrop of having to cut his cloth accordingly, which perhaps makes an already impressive job even more so.

And then we come to the bigger picture. It would have been so easy for Goodwin to take some time away from the game after a scarring end to his time in charge at Aberdeen.

But he didn't. He took the United job and tackled it head on - and that courage and self determination is being rewarded on the park.

Dundee United's win percentage is 65% when captain Ross Docherty features and drops to 18.75% without him - and three starts in a row has gone some way to persuading Jim Goodwin to hand a new contract to the injury-troubled 32-year-old who the manager describes as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Scottish Premiership. (The Courier), external

Manager Jim Goodwin knows taking Dundee United into Europe would significantly strengthen his hand in the summer transfer window. (Daily Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

People say the football season is a marathon and not a sprint, and they'd be correct. But I've watched a few marathons in my time, and let me tell you, they often end with a sprint so chaotic it makes you wonder if someone shouted "free pies at the finish line".

And that's exactly where we are now that the league has split. The business end, the final push, the part where it's all bared teeth and flailing limbs to the line.

Forget about the top two for now, they're not important here. St Mirren also, likely, have too much to do to catch up. They've done incredibly well but they'd need a minor miracle, a sat-nav and possibly a rocket to catch up.

So that leaves a straight fight for the European places between Hibs, Aberdeen and United. Of course, Hibs are on an incredible run at present and are certainly the favourites to finish third and guarantee themselves European football until winter time. Favourites don't always win however and United will be quietly fancying their chances in these last five games.

Now, in one glorious scenario, if the Scottish Cup shakes out the right way we could see all three of Hibs, Aberdeen and United in Europe. A lovely, diplomatic outcome that would make everyone (except St Mirren) happy. But don't be fooled, third place is the glittering prize, the golden ticket, the full-fat Euro adventure that comes with winter fixtures, longer Thursdays, and an incredibly busy groundsman.

From United's perspective, this has been a successful season. Targets, certainly league targets, have been achieved. But no one at Tannadice is resting on their laurels and the prospect of millions of pounds in extra income will certainly be making the chairman perk up.

But the real credit goes to the players and coaching staff. They've grafted all year and done both themselves and the club proud.

The players have given everything on the park all season. I fully expect them to keep that intensity for the final stretch, even if their legs are screaming and their GPS trackers are overworked.

And if Europe is the destination, then it will be earned, not handed out. But hey, five games to go, there's plenty of time for drama, dodgy decisions, late winners and possibly some over-enthusiastic celebrations.

As for the sprint finish, here's hoping United can finish the season at a pace that would astonish even Usain Bolt.

Marks, set... GO!

Paul McNicoll can be found on the Dode Fox Podcast., external

• Dundee Utd v Celtic - Saturday, 26 April 2025

• Hibernian v Dundee Utd - Saturday, 3 May 2025

• Dundee Utd v St Mirren - Saturday, 10 May 2025

• Rangers v Dundee Utd - Wednesday, 14 May 2025

• Dundee Utd v Aberdeen - Saturday, 17 May 2025

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Watch as the Sportscene team analyse Dundee United's narrow win over St Johnstone.

Available in UK only

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton: No standout goalkeeper this weekend. Clean sheet again in the narrow win over St Johnstone, so Walton gets the nod.

Emmanuel Adegboyega: Three consecutive clean sheets for United. Adegboyega also scored the vital goal as the Terrors kept the pressure on in the race for third place.

Watch the best of the action as Dundee United edge out St Johnstone 1-0 at Tannadice. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views following Dundee United's 1-0 win over St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: Talk about hitting form at the right time. Three wins, three clean sheets, hunting for third. What it is with Big Manny [Adegboyega] and teams with the Saint in their name, he just loves scoring against them. Final five games now, let's enjoy them and see out an incredible first season back.

Jim: Nine points and only three goals scored. Clean sheets are us! Jim Goodwin has to be the manager of the year.

Richard: We've exceeded expectations this season, and I get it that it's all about results these days, but we are a real dire watch. Hoping Goodwin can recruit some players with creativity in the summer and get away from this long-ball rubbish that's been served up.

John: Another good shift, another 1-0 win. We'll take that. Sam Cleall-Harding is a young David Narey. He was class. Europe is within our grasp. Get those contracts sorted, Jim. Keep this team together.

Andrew: Another 1-0 win, and the Shed go marching on. Excellent from Luca Stephenson, who will be missed as well as Ross Docherty and Declan Gallagher. The race for third continues. Well done Jim and the team.

Wayne: Great season for the boys and the brilliant fans. Keep up the great work Jim.

Image source, SNS

• United have won their past three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 26 December 2024 to 2 January 2025.

• United have scored in their past seven games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 7 games from 30 October 2024 to 14 December 2024.

• United have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three games in the Premiership, a run of 304 minutes without conceding a goal.

• St. Johnstone attempted 17 crosses in this match, higher than their season average of 16.7 in the Premiership.

Dundee United edged out St Johnstone to strengthen their bid for European football as they moved level on points with third-placed Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Defender Emmanuel Adegboyega profited from some slack set-piece defending to tap in what proved to be the winner in the first half.

What did you make of that United fans? A deserved victory?

Where was the game won? And who impressed you most?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "It pretty much panned out how we thought it would prior to kick off.

"We spoke about trying to press high up the pitch and be aggressive and I think we forced them to go longer than they would have liked a lot of the time.

"There are things we could do better, we could be better on the ball and in possession, we didn't really create enough clear cut chances from open play.

"Our defensive record this season has been really good and the last three weeks in particular, three back-to-back clean sheets.

"Of course we'd like to score more goals and make it a little bit more comfortable than what it has been but the group has shown great resilience. In the dying moments St Johnstone threw everything at it and we got some great blocks in.

"The objectives have changed as the season has gone along. There's no easy games in the top half of the table but we want to push Hibs and Aberdeen as much as we can for the top four places and maybe with an eye on third as well."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

On current form, United are more than worthy of their place at the top end of the table.

The players are showing a confidence that has been evident for the vast majority of the season and it's clear to see the fans, who are turning up in great numbers, are enjoying the work ethic and quality on show.

The only worry is that Sam Dalby, United's top scorer this season, went off injured in the second half. He will be a huge loss if he misses any of the remaining games.

The emergence of Sam Cleall-Harding has soothed injury worries in defence and the 19-year-old looked solid in just his second outing.

The final five games will ultimately decide if Europe awaits for United but, regardless, this season is one to remember for the Tannadice club.