Dundee United

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• All three league matches between Dundee United and Hearts last season finished as 1-0 wins to the away side, with the Tangerines winning two of those and Hearts the other. United are looking to win back-to-back Premiership games against Hearts for the first time since March 2014.

• Hearts are unbeaten in five Premiership away games at Dundee United (won three, drawn two) since a 2-1 defeat in February 2016.

• Hearts could win back-to-back top-flight visits to Tannadice for the first time since December 2002.

• Dundee United have won their opening home game of a Premiership season in just one of their past five top-flight campaigns (drawn two, lost two), beating Rangers 1-0 in 2021-22.

• After their 2-0 victory over Aberdeen, Hearts are looking to start a league season with wins in both of their opening two matches for the first time since 2021-22. Indeed, Derek McInnes could become the first manager to win both of his first two top-flight games in charge of the club since Robbie Neilson in August 2015.

• In their 2-2 draw with Falkirk on matchday one, Max Watters and Ivan Dolcek both scored on their Scottish Premiership debut – no player on record (since 2005-06) has found the net on both of their first two appearances in the competition for Dundee United.

Jane Lewis in Vienna
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Bert Esselink is determined to help prolong Dundee United's European adventure after the memorable 2-2 draw at Rapid Vienna.

Jim Goodwin's men showed admirable grit in the Austrian capital to twice come from behind with goals from Max Watters and Zac Sapsford and make it all to play for in next Thursday's second leg at Tannadice.

AIK Stockholm or FC Gyor await the winners of the tie in the Conference League play-off round.

"We are in it and let's stay in it the longest we can," said Dutch defender Esselink.

"I think for everyone in the team, it's something that you watch during Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights. You watch the games in Europe and that's something everyone wants to be a part of."

Esselink, a summer arrival from Polish side Stal Mielec, was pleased with United's gritty display in Vienna but stressed there's still room for improvement.

"Ofcourse, it's a boost for us, especially in the second half to make the draw," he said.

"So yeah, that gives us confidence. We have to keep working, put up the same performance and maybe change a few parts of the game that we can do better.

"We need to have the confidence and the pride to proceed and go well on Thursday night.

"I think we can get a bit more pressure on them. But also the way we're marking crosses and where we conceded the goals.

"We have to do it better in our communication and our positioning. So that's things we have to work on and we have to do it fast."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-2 draw away to Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Conference League third-round qualifier.

Here's what some of you said:

Adam: Absolutely sensational performance. Once again Jim Goodwin has built a team that will fight until the bitter end. Zac Sapsford looks an absolute gem. They will not relish playing us at a sold out Tannadice!

Murray: Absolutely brilliant result. I've supported United for over 40 years and this result is up there with the best. I say that as this team are just at the beginning of the process of learning to play together. While they rode their luck at times, the draw was merited and deserved. As long as they give it their best shot next week I'll be happy.

Jim: Another brilliant night in United's European history. Great performance from the team, squad, manager, backroom staff and the fans.

Iain: A brilliant performance by United, the team is really starting to gel together, if we put that kind of performance in at home we will definitely progress to the play-off round.

Kieran: It is nights like this that makes you proud to support United, through thick and thin. Our main task was to keep the score credible and boy haven't we just. To a man the team were outstanding. Did we ride our luck at times? Yes. But the bravery, desire and resilience to come back twice from behind shows we can mix in with the big boys and not be there just to make up the numbers.

Ian: Impressive. Well done to all, one of those games where all the players turned up and played as a team and when that happens you are on to a good thing.

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Former United midfielder Scott Allan on BBC Sportscene

Outstanding away performance from Dundee United. They all deserve full credit, that took a whole team performance.

Jim Goodwin will be absolutely delighted. Take this game back to Tannadice and it's all to play for.

Zac Sapsford was outstanding all night, he deserved that goal and after it the team took huge belief.

Former United defender Sean Dillon on BBC Sportscene

I'm delighted for them, they defended really and everyone deserves a huge amount of credit.

Craig Sibbald down the middle of the park was brilliant, an unsung hero. He was doing thing you don't normally see or people don't often pick up on, but he was just so calm in how he did it.

Owen Stirton was given half an hour not just the last few minutes. He was trusted with that and he was excellent when he came on. Having substitutes improving your team is excellent for the manager and the team got more confident and grew as the game went on.

Rapid Vienna were really dangerous down the wings but to come back from behind twice and make tackles and blocks, Bert Esselink in particular, was incredible.

There were so many individuals who went above and beyond.

Football journalist Moira Gordon on BBC Scottish Football Podcast

Being the team with the momentum at the end of the match always helps.

When you're coming back feeling that you've been abroad, you've done the hard job of fighting back twice, you get a belief from that.

In United's earlier games, people looked and maybe thought they were slow starting. There was a lot of players still to gel but I think there is more team fluidity there now.

The fact they were able to do that in a really tough tie and be able to come back more than alive, they'll fancy their chances back home. They've shown they've got the fight for it and they want it.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland in Vienna

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Dundee United defender Will Ferry believes his side have shown they "can hang with the big clubs" by drawing 2-2 with Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier on Thursday.

Although Ferry concedes United were up against it at times against a team who reached the quarter-finals last season, he believes they've shown enough to have the belief that they can win through to the play-off round.

"We can hang with these big teams, big clubs," Ferry told BBC Scotland.

"Don't get me wrong, there were points in that game where they were popping it and the movement of the front four, sometimes it was really hard to deal with.

"But this is what we dream of as a kid, playing against these good teams, good players, good atmospheres."

Ferry says the atmosphere in the Allianz Stadium was the "one of the best he's played in", and is calling for United's fans to replicate that at Tannadice for the return leg next Thursday.

A play-off tie with Sweden's AIK Stockholm or FC Gyor of Kosovo in the play-off round is the prize at stake.

"We're going to be on a home pitch next week and hopefully fans get up for it as well. It's about being aggressive, physical and just not giving them an easy game."

"When the fans are up for it, it's a great place to play. It'll be a bit different to tonight. Hopefully the fans will help push us over the line."

Dundee United's hopes of Uefa Conference League progression remain alive after they twice came from behind to earn an excellent draw with a slick Rapid Vienna in the Austrian capital.

United fans, were you in Vienna or following from home? What do you make of the result, and how confident are you of progressing?

Give us your thoughts here.

Read the full match report here.

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Dundee United goalscorer Zac Sapsford says "the whole team is buzzing" after the Tannadice club came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with Rapid Vienna.

Jim Goodwin's side head back to Tannadice for the second leg of their Conference League third qualifying round with everything to play for after a creditable draw in Austria.

"I'm really pleased with the whole team today," Sapsford, who scored United's second goal, told BBC Scotland.

"We all put a shift in and keep the tie alive going back to Dundee.

"Every game is tough, I like to work hard. No matter what I do, I like to come off the pitch with everything left on the field.

"We'll see next Thursday [how significant the goal is].

"They're really good on the ball but I think we did a fantastic job tonight to keep them to two goals.

"We all work so hard we were able to score really good goals against them and I think the whole team is buzzing."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It was very nervy at the end.

"The team was running on empty.

"Given the situation with the squad, we don't have the options available to us to freshen things up, but I thought it was a really gutsy performance from the team.

"We showed real courage and togetherness within the group to just put bodies on the line and try and take a positive result back to Dundee with us.

"It was a really enjoyable performance, I really enjoyed the occasion.

"The Dundee United supporters were excellent and I'm pleased we were able to put on a performance they can be proud of."

When asked if his team showed enough tonight that they can through, Goodwin added: "I think they did.

"We had a number of dangerous attacks ourselves."

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Dundee United forward Max Watters says the club's past European heroics are on the squad's mind as they prepare to face Rapid Vienna tonight.

The Tannadice side met Rapid in the quarter-finals of the 1984 European Cup, with Jim McLean's side winning on away goals before losing to Roma in the semis.

McLean's side were a European force - reaching the Uefa Cup final in 1987 - and Jim Goodwin's new-look crop of 2025 hope to write their own history, starting with taking Rapid's scalp in Conference League qualifying.

Watters, who joined on loan from Barnsley last month, said: "I think all the players want to play in this competition, it's massive.

"A lot of players that have come in and signed, I think this is one of the main reasons why they've come. We just want to do as well as we can and push on as far as we can.

"We've been told by the manager a lot of the stuff and the history of the club.

"I think a lot of the players have looked it up, we just want to replicate what the club has achieved in the past, and hopefully we can do well this year."

The 26-year-old made his first United start in the 2-2 draw against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday and says he's "fit and ready" if given the nod to lead the line again in Vienna.

"It's still a new team, really. We haven't played many games together. I think there are always things to improve on," he added.

"I think every day that we're training, we're seeing the improvements and everything the staff are doing is helping us become a better team."

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Can Dundee United thrive as underdogs tonight away to a handy Rapid Vienna side?

The 32-times Austrian champions haven't won their domestic title since 2008, but reached the Conference League quarter-finals last term and dispatched Decic of Montenegro 6-2 in the previous round.

While Rapid sold star winger Isaak Jansson to Nice this summer, they have splashed out around £3m and replenished the squad with eight new arrivals.

Sizing up United's task on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Daily Record senior sports writer Scott McDermott said: "Jim Goodwin's side have proved domestically they can be pretty solid, don't give much away. That's why they had a fairly successful season last year.

"But it's big step up going into Europe against a team like Rapid. So it's going to be tough for them.

"A of United's new players look good, it feels like totally different squad. These guys are going to need to perform but I think the first leg away from home, it's about staying as tight and compact as you can and giving yourselves a chance to come back to Tannadice and have a chance of going through.

"Rapid are a big club, good players, they've started pretty well this season with four straight wins. It's a tough, tough task for United to get through this."

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin hopes to add two players within the next two weeks after confirming that wide men Ryan Strain and Kristijan Trapanovski could both be out for up to 10 weeks. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Vienna

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before his side's Conference League qualifier against Rapid Vienna.

Here are the main points:

• Goodwin admits his side are the "underdogs in a lot of people's eyes" but are "confident going into the tie".

• "I never approach a game with a negative mindset," he adds.

• He says the key to getting something positive from this tie will be "discipline" as well as "organisation out of possession".

• On trying to progress in this competition, Goodwin insists "we're not just here to make up the numbers".

• But the United boss knows it's going to be a "big ask against really good opposition" who he feels will be "a step up in quality" from UNA Strassen.

• Goodwin adds that "times have certainly changed" since the previous meeting between United and Rapid Vienna in 1984, when the Tannadice side won over two legs to progress to the European Cup final.

• Team news: Ross Graham, Ryan Strain and Kristijan Trapanowski are all out, but Amar Fata and Dario Namo are on the cusp of featuring and have travelled with the team.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's potential Conference League play-off opponents.

Should they overcome Rapid Vienna, they will face AIK Stockholm or Hungarian side FC Gyor in the play-off round.

Here's what some of you said:

Jamie: If it was Gyor in the next round, what an incentive for the team to try and cause a massive upset by beating Rapid. Got to make sure we come back at the most one goal behind on Thursday.

Kieran: Out of all of teams made available to United I think the draw we got is the most favourable. But before we can get carried away dreaming of another away day in Sweden or Hungary, we need to see off Rapid over two tricky legs first and foremost.

Steven: It's too big of a hurdle for United to beat Rapid over the two legs. If we can keep the score to maybe a two-goal deficit we have a slim chance of getting the required result in the home fixture. Stranger things have happened. Rapid have a class squad though so not holding my breath.

Alistair: While I hope United can overcome Rapid, I think that is a big ask of a practically new side so early in their development. I think a good result at home and a solid away performance would be completely acceptable even if it results in defeat.

Kenneth: Rapid are a bigger challenge than the play-off against AIK or Gyor. If we can get a decent result on Thursday we are in the hunt. It's all to play for. Let's replicate Saturday's improvement. We can do this.

Steve: I'm not even thinking about the draw. I think most fans will just be thinking let's see if we can come back intact from the first leg in Vienna.

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Jort van der Sande has left Dundee United to join Dutch second-tier side SC Cambuur on a permanent transfer.

The 29-year-old forward leaves United without scoring a goal in 35 games for the club since joining from ADO Den Haag last summer.

United have thanked the striker for his "professionalism, commitment and contributions" during his time at Tannadice.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dundee United were held to a 2-2 draw by Premiership newcomers Falkirk, and they have one player in my team of the week.

Panutche Camara was a hugely impressive performance in the middle of the park for United at Falkirk.

Powerful presence in the middle.

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Dundee United have attempted to "reassure" their fans that discussions with HMRC over a "historical" tax claim will have "no impact on the club's current or future operations".

The Tannadice side have confirmed they "remain in constructive dialogue" with HMRC regarding a research and development (R&D) issue, which they say was submitted in 2021.

Reports have suggested HMRC could hit United with a £600,000 bill, external for benefitting from the R&D scheme, which looks to use public money to support science and technology breakthroughs.

Rules state a club is only eligible to apply if it makes an advancement that benefits the overall field.

In a statement, United said "the club is fully engaged in the discussions and remains confident in a satisfactory outcome".

They added: "We would like to reassure our supporters that this historical matter has no impact on the club's current or future operations.

"Furthermore, the R&D initiative, known as 'The Dundee United Lab', ceased operations in March 2023 and no longer exists in any form, with all personnel previously involved in the project no longer employed or affiliated with the club in any capacity."

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

It's been a whirlwind start to the season and I'll take it!

A win in Europe? Tick. Strikers scoring goals? Tick. An end-to-end season opener? Tick. A depleted squad grinding out results? Big tick.

There's still a lot to be ironed out. The draw at Falkirk was entertaining but two leads thrown away is a frustration but if that's what we can produce with a patched-up squad that got off a plane the day before, then there's reason to be optimistic.

Zac Sapsford looks like a find (he'll be a pest), Pan Camara could run for days, and the back three are aggressive, composed and giants! What we're clearly missing is another striker, a proper number ten and a wee bit of luck on the injury front.

Jim Goodwin seems to be staying calm in the chaos despite how many men are fighting over that treatment table!

Another busy week for United, for the players and fans. They fly out to Vienna on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's first leg vs Rapid before back to Tannadice on Sunday on league business. Then another night under the nights before Killie away in the cup.

Early days and a long way to go, but a decent start so far.

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

Should Dundee United overcome Rapid Vienna they will face AIK Stockholm or Hungarian side FC Gyor in the Conference League play-off round.

United fans, what do you make of the draw? How confident are you of progression should you make it to that stage?

Give us your thoughts here.

Watch the Sportscene panel analyse Dundee United's two goals against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.