Ouch!published at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2020

19:13 GMT 21 February 2020

Dundee Utd 0-0 Inverness CT

Liam Smith looks to have took a knock but the right-back is soldering on.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Its a collector's item early on here at Tannadice as Lawrence Shankland lashes a half volley over the bar from about eight yards out.

The hosts have started strong.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

And we're under way at Tannadice.

Dundee United are looking for their first win in five games tonight against Inverness, and speaking to BBC Sportsound pre-game, manager Robbie Neilson said: "We've played Hibs twice within those five games without a win.

"It's a little bit of a sticky patch but we managed to come through a similar one earlier in the season.

"The last couple of games we've played the teams have sat in - we're not expecting that at all from Inverness. They'll come down here desperate for the win and will attack heavily."

Image source, SNS

Going into the New Year, many would have expected Dundee United to continue to motor away in their pursuit of the Championship title.

Even though Robbie Neilson's side are 18 points clear at the summit, their form of late hasn't been up to scratch, failing to score in their previous two outings and without a win in their last three league games.

The Tannadice faithful will want the title wrapped up as soon as possible as they look to end their four absence from the top flight, but if this form continues it might just drag on longer than expected.

Image source, BBC Sport

Inverness CT manager John Robertson spoke strongly before the game about the decision not to overturn the red card that will rule James Keatings out of the Scottish Challenge Cup final.

He tells BBC Sportsound: “I think it broke the internet - there have been 1.4 million people who have seen it, and everybody says it’s not a dive. It is not simulation – it’s a clear foul. To be told it has been upheld is like a punch in the stomach.

"James has never been yellow-carded for simulation and never been sent off at all. It’s a clear foul, a clear free-kick on the edge of the box, it is not a dive.

"For a lad to potentially miss the cup final is heartbreaking. It’s a miscarriage of justice. Obviously the system is flawed.

"He, like everybody in the country thought it would be rescinded. When it wasn't he was as low as I've seen him. Yes, people make mistakes, but this was such an easy one to get right."

Inverness found themselves in the news this week for reasons off the pitch.

The club statement relating to James Keatings' failed suspension appeal attracted over one million viewers to their site resulting in a system crash.

The 28-year-old will now miss the Scottish Challenge Cup final after the three-man Scottish FA panel decided not to overturn the referee's decision to give the forward a second yellow card for simulation in last weekend's semi-final against Rangers Colts.

Have a look for yourselves. We'll let you decide...

Robbie Neilson makes just one change to the side that drew 0-0 away to Alloa Athletic last Friday as Louis Appere comes in for Ian Harkes.

Rakish Bingham makes his home debut for the runaway Championship leaders.

As for Inverness CT, John Robertson makes two changes to the team that beat Rangers Colts 2-1 in the semi-final of the Scottish Challenge Cup as Lewis Toshney and Charlie Trafford drop out for Brad McKay and James Keatings.

Keatings' suspension applies for the Scottish Challenge Cup only.

Image source, SNS

The last time these two met was in November, when an own goal from Shaun Rooney and strikes from both Nicky Clark and Lawrence Shankland sent Robbie Neilson's side down the road with three points and a 3-0 victory.

This was the Tannadice club's fifth straight victory over tonight's opponents in all competitions, having racked up an aggregate scoreline of 13-1 in the process.

With the Highlanders sitting 18 points behind in second place with two games in hand, tonight is a must win for Inverness' title aspirations.

Image source, SNS

How will this table look by the end of tonight?

Can Inverness narrow the gap, or will Dundee Utd continue to run away with it?

Image source, BBC Sport

Dundee Utd: Siegrist, Smith, Watson, Connolly, Robson, Pawlett, Powers, Appere, Butcher, Shankland, Bingham

Substitutes: Deniz, Sporle, Reynolds, McMullan, Glass, Harkes, Mochrie

Inverness CT: Ridgers, Rooney, McKay, McHattie, Tremarco, Storey, Carson, Keatings, Walsh, Vincent, White

Substitutes: MacKay, Toshney, Doran, Todorov, Trafford, Harper, MacGregor

Good evening.

St Mirren's clash at home to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership might have fallen victim to the storm in Paisley, but the show goes on in Dundee.

Dundee Utd welcome Inverness CT as the Scottish Championship's top two go head-to-head under the lights at Tanndice.

Image source, BBC Sport