Dundee United

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

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

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-2 draw against Falkirk.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: Fair result at a ground we have struggled at in previous seasons. Performance was miles better than what we saw in the two legs against UNA Strassen. Panutche Camara could be an early shout for POTY a midfield machine. Onto Vienna we go on Thursday

Ricky: We have to learn how to play on a plastic pitch. Every time we play on one we struggle more. Bad mistakes cost us the game, we have to be more positive and pass the ball better - it's either too long or to short.

Jim: Thought all the new players have began to bed into the team more than in past performances but worried that with injuries to Ryan Strain, Kristijan Trapanovski and Will Ferry the subs bench look a bit bare of experience.

Terry: Three games in and we are sitting with two wins in Europe and an away draw in the league opener. Hardly a crisis!

Kenny: Much better. Camara had a great game and we were unlucky not to pick up all three points. A good shift from the whole team and a definite step up in attitude and application. Two great goals!

Steve: After looking ragged despite progressing in Europe, United showed signs in Falkirk that they're settling and beginning to develop better understandings. Some good individual performances too. A decent start.

Uddy: Some really positive signs throughout the game that this new squad is starting to gel. Some of the football we played was really encouraging. Just a shame it was the basics that let us down - Falkirk's second equaliser being the perfect example. Regardless of that, I feel far more positive after this performance than I was after the matches on the last two Thursday nights when struggling past UNA Strassen. Rapid Vienna will be a far tougher test, but that's exactly what being in Europe is all about.

Watch highlights from Falkirk's 2-2 draw with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Dundee United twice squandered the lead against newly-promoted Falkirk as Jim Goodwin's side began the new league season with a 2-2 draw.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the full match report here.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "It's probably a fair outcome for both teams.

"There are so many key players for us out injured. We ask the group of players to go again on Thursday. Those are the challenges we want.

"We've made a lot of progress in a couple of years.

"It's going to take time for this group to come together, but I do believe we've built a really strong squad."

Dundee United are interest in bringing Liverpool's Luca Stephenson back to Tannadice on loan, while Aberdeen are also keen. (Liverpool Echo), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

• Falkirk and Dundee United last met in the top fight in February 2010, when the Tannadice side won 3-0. Indeed, United have the past five meetings with Falkirk in the top tier.

• United are winless in six away games against newly-promoted opposition in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L4) since a 3-2 victory at Hamilton in January 2015.

• This is Falkirk's first game back in the top fight since their relegation in 2010. The Bairns last faced Dundee United on matchday one of a top-fight campaign in 2006-07, winning 2-1 under John Hughes.

• United are winless in their opening match in each of their past five Premiership seasons (D3 L2) since beating Aberdeen 3-0 in 2014-15.

• Falkirk boss John McGlynn last took charge of a side in the top tier in 2012-13 with Hearts; he won just seven of his 28 league games as manager that season (D9 L12) – although two of those victories were against Dundee United (3-0 in September, 2-1 in December).

Image source, SNS

Falkirk will be without Sean Mackie (calf), Finn Yeats, Barney Stewart (both foot), Coll Donaldson (pelvis) and Jamie Sneddon (hernia) but Gary Oliver has recovered from a groin issue and should be fit.

United are without captain Ross Graham (hamstring) while Kristijan Trapanovski went off with a problem in the same area against UNA Strassen in midweek.

Ryan Strain and Dario Naamo missed the win in Luxembourg.

We asked for your views on how Dundee United are shaping up for the new Premiership season, which gets under way against Falkirk on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

Steven: We need more quality in the final third. The defence looks solid and big Bert Esselink will be the pick of the bunch with the new signings, he's captain material. We have very little creativity in the the middle of the park. I like Zac Sapsford but he's not a number nine. Keep everyone fit and we are okay, but I worry if any of our big players get injured. Midfielder and another striker in the door and I'm happy. Top of the list is Ronan Hale, he'd be a terrific signing for us. Finally, sorry to judge so early but Ivan Dolcek is awful.

Jamie: Very worried going on the performances so far. A real lack of pace and creativity which we lacked last season as well, only this time we don't have Sam Dalby. Long season ahead with a bottom-six finish nailed on already in my book.

Sean: Hard to judge so early in the season against poor quality opposition, but the defence and goalkeeper seem to be well organised and calm. Not sure Panutche Camara or Isaac Pappoe have what's required. Dolcek has not impressed. Hardly seen Max Watters so will reserve judgement. Sapsford appears to work hard and took his goal well in the first leg or the Conference League. Owen Stirton, in his brief appearances seems to be the best striking option. A team that is going to struggle for goals this season which might translate into struggles for points.

Brian: Such a weak pre-season, I'm finding it difficult in seeing anything but struggles. Lack of goals and a bench light on quality and game-changers will see us fighting relegation.

Scott: Very tough start to the season for United. Two very poor performances against UNA Strassen albeit two wins. I expect a really difficult game against a well-organised Falkirk team on Sunday. Away to Rapid Vienna on Thursday night gives me the fear. AZ Alkmaar all over again It's going to be a struggle to make top six this season as we look a bit lightweight from middle to front. Long season ahead for us!

Brian McLauchlin in Luxembourg
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

"We made it a lot harder than we wanted", said full-back Will Ferry after Dundee United squeezed past UNA Strassen.

Defender Iurie Iovu's header gave United victory in Luxembourg as they advanced 2-0 on aggregate to a Conference League third-round qualifier against Rapid Vienna.

"We're not happy necessarily in our performance and we probably should have managed the game a little bit better, but we know what we need to improve on," Ferry told BBC Scotland.

"A win's a win so we're happy. We're obviously a new group, we know we need to get better quickly and we're going to work hard to do that.

"You can see little improvements. We know we're not there yet, but we're starting to gel."

Ferry is relishing the "massive" meeting with Rapid Vienna, with United travelling to Austria for next Thursday's first leg after opening their Scottish Premiership campaign on Sunday at newly-promoted Falkirk.

"Rapid are obviously a big club, but we're going to go there and treat it like any other game," said the 24-year-old.

"We'll always back ourselves and we know that if we put up our performance we've always got a chance."