Dundee United have been in protracted talks with Kifisia to sell midfielder Julius Eskesen, but the Greek club could face competition from HamKam and another Norwegian club for the 26-year-old. (The Courier), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Zealand winger Jesse Randall will join Dundee United on a free transfer this summer when his contract with A-League side Auckland expires.
The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted four more in 37 appearances for Auckland since signing from Wellington Olympic in 2024 and helped them become A-League premiers last season.
He has agreed a two-year deal at Tannadice, with United also having the option to extend by a further 12 months.
Image source, SNSDundee United are again without Vicko Sevelj (groin) and Isaac Pappoe (knee) but new goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer could be in the squad.
Hearts could hand a debut to Uganda forward Rogers Mato. Beni Baningime is suspended, while Cammy Devlin (ankle), Stephen Kingsley (groin), Lawrence Shankland, Calem Nieuwenhof, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Christian Borchgrevink are out.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSJim Goodwin admits Dundee United have given themselves a "mountain to climb" in their quest for a second successive top-six finish.
United begin a potentially "season-defining couple of weeks" by hosting Premiership leaders Hearts on Saturday night.
The Tannadice men go into the game in eighth - three points behind Aberdeen and eight adrift of sixth-place Falkirk, although with a game in hand on both.
"This is the start of a really busy schedule for us," said manager Goodwin. "We have five games in the next fortnight and it could be a season-defining couple of weeks for us.
"We have to get going now, we are trying to chase down the pack above us in that top six and we have certainly not given up hope on it.
"We know we have given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of that gap between us and sixth but it is certainly something we are capable of doing.
"We know how difficult it is going to be because of the form of the likes of Falkirk, who are having a terrific season under John McGlynn, but we have to believe we are capable of doing that."
Inconsistency has been United's main problem this season, a point illustrated by the fact they have yet to win back-to-back domestic games.
They can end that unwanted stat by following up their Scottish Cup win over Ayr with a victory over on-form Hearts, who beat United 3-2 at Tannadice in August with a late winner before a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November.
Goodwin said: "We have to believe, like we do going into any game, that we are capable of getting the result we want.
"Hearts are a really good team, Derek McInnes is a fantastic manager at this level and Hearts are deservedly top of the table.
"We know we are going to have to be at our best but we do take confidence from the previous two fixtures and we are going to have to be at that level again if we want to get that result."
Image source, SNSHearts (18) and Dundee United (14) are the top two scoring sides from non-penalty set-pieces in the Scottish Premiership this season. Six of Hearts' past 10 league goals have come from set-pieces (four corners, two free-kicks), while the Tangerines have six of their past eight from set-plays (four corners, two throw-ins).
Only Dundee United (10) have recovered more points from losing positions in the Premiership this season than Hearts (nine), who twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Celtic last time out.
Dundee United have lost their past two league games without scoring, last losing three in a row without reply in the Premiership in December 2021 (run of four).
Hearts have won their past two away games at Dundee United in the top flight, last winning more in a row in the Premiership in October 2000 (run of four).
The side playing away from home has won four of the past five Premiership games between Dundee United and Hearts, although the most recent was a 1-1 draw in November.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United striker Owen Stirton says it's "a dream come true" to be playing for the club he supported as a boy and hopes he can be a role model like former Tangerines stars Gary Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci were for him.
The 18-year-old, who grew up watching United, looks set to have a big part to play on the park for Jim Goodwin's side over the coming years after signing a deal until the summer of 2028.
"For the next few years my targets are to be that number nine for United," Stirton said.
"I have been a fan all my life and to be the number nine for United would be a dream come true for me and that is why I decided to stay and hopefully in a few years that will be me.
"Being a United fan you dream of playing for United and that is all I have wanted to do so I am happy to be able to do that just now.
"You have got to be patient and when I got the chance I feel I did myself no harm in the team."
Forfar-born Stirton has many happy memories following United from the stands as a little boy cheering on his heroes.
"They [the games] were brilliant, especially the derbies," he added.
"Both the 6-2 games, they were unbelievable memories and even the 2010 Scottish Cup final , I was there when I was three years old and hopefully this year could be another special year in the Scottish Cup.
"I was a winger back in the day and Gary Mackay-Steven was my favourite player, I loved watching him. And then probably Nadir Ciftci , he was another one of my favourites.
"It is a dream come to true to be honest and hopefully for boys growing up I can be their idol and they can look up to me like I did to the players back then."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Football can be all about momentum - either the lack of it, or being able to get some going.
After edging out Ayr in the Scottish Cup, Dundee United will have been desperate to try to register back-to-back domestic wins for the first time this season.
So the postponement of last weekend's Premiership visit of St Mirren was the last thing they wanted.
Next up is a Saturday night Tannadice clash with league leaders Hearts – where victory would be a real statement to suggest United's season is back on track.
While United haven't beaten Hearts at home for 10 years, they ran them close in both previous meetings this season, conceding in the 90th minute to lose 3-2 at Tannadice in August before a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November.
The stat about United - who are eighth in the table - still having to put together back-to-back wins highlights the inconsistency that has marred their campaign.
That inconsistency is shown by the fact they have won just five, and drawn 10 of their 22 league games.
While beating Hearts would suggest the Tangerines' ship has been steadied, a defeat would simply reinforce the stop-start nature of a season that has yet to catch fire.
Dundee United have agreed a pre-contract agreement to sign Auckland winger Jesse Randall, with the 23-year-old New Zealand international joining in the summer on a two-year contract with an option of a further year. (Daily Record)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
Image source, GettyDundee United have signed "terrific" goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee on an initial six-month deal.
Maynard-Brewer, 26, helped Charlton win promotion from League One last season but has made just one appearance this term.
The academy graduate spent almost a decade at Charlton and had various loan spells, including helping Ross county to a sixth-place Scottish Premiership finish in 2021-22.
Born in England and raised in Australia, Maynard-Brewer played at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with the Socceroos Under-23s.
He will compete with Dave Richards for the starting spot at United following Yevhen Kucherenko's departure earlier this month.
"He is a terrific young goalkeeper as far as we are concerned, he knows the league having spent a loan spell at Ross County four seasons ago," said United manager Jim Goodwin.
"He is a lot more experienced now for the opportunities he has had at Charlton and we believe we are getting a really good goalkeeper to come in and compete for that first-place slot.
"We were light in that department anyway, it is a position we have been working hard on since the beginning of the window. I am delighted to get Ashley over the line."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's visit of league leaders Hearts.
Here are the main points:
After their home game with St Mirren was postponed last weekend, Goodwin says the groundstaff have been "working tirelessly" to make sure this weekend's match is on, adding "with the change in the weather now I am confident the game will be fine".
Amid speculation over a move for Charlton's Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Goodwin says United are close to getting a new goalkeeper in. Beyond that he is not expecting much more business in this transfer window, stressing he was "really pleased" with the business they did last summer.
On reports linking United with a possible pre-contract with New Zealand winger Jesse Randall, Goodwin admits "he is a player we admire" and one that will be "on a lot of clubs' radars at the moment".
He also admits "these pre-contract negotiations are ongoing with a number of players".
With so many fixtures coming up, including a visit from Hibs and a Scottish Cup tie against Sparts after the Hearts game, Goodwin stresses "it could be a season-defining couple of weeks for us".
The 44-year-old insists his side need to start winning league games "to chase down the pack above us in that top six".
The United boss knows his side have "given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb" but believes they are capable.
Goodwin is expecting a tough game against "a really good team" in Hearts and has highlighted the strength and depth the Tynecastle club have to continue to perform well despite being without several key players .
Team news: Other than Vicko Sevelj and Isaac Pappoe who are out injured, "we are in a good place".
Dundee United have approached 23-year-old New Zealand winger Jesse Randall, who plays for A-League leaders Auckland, about a pre-contract agreement for next season. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.
Ronny Costello
Fan writer
This week hasn't been particularly eventful. Saturday just disappeared following the news the postponement of our game with St Mirren.
The Tannadice pitch needs some TLC, it's certainly patchy in places and the rain last week was relentless.
We could only watch the results from other games and hope for a positive outcome.
Now all eyes are on Saturday. Hearts at home at 20:00 GMT. I'm not a fan of that time, but this game feels like a big deal.
Hearts are top of the league and have been going great guns. While a good performance is important, the right result would be huge.
Ronny Costello can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
Dundee United have made a move for Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and have agreed a deal to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis. (Daily Record), external
Manager Jim Goodwin says Dundee United's ground staff will be working round the clock to try and ensure Saturday evening's Scottish Premiership meeting with Hearts at Tannadice goes ahead, with more rain expected this week after last Saturday's match with St Mirren at the ground was postponed. (Sun), external
Goodwin admits United can scarcely afford another call-off. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSDundee United's Vicko Sevelj is set to remain sidelined along with Isaac Pappoe (knee).
Kion Etete will go straight into the St Mirren squad after signing on loan from Cardiff until the end of the season. Oisin Smyth, recalled from a loan spell at Partick Thistle, has returned to the Jags on loan until the end of the season. Saints remain without Jonah Ayunga (tendon), Mark O'Hara (ankle) and Keanu Baccus (hamstring tendon).
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin says St Mirren's current League Cup-winning hangover is reminiscent of when he captained the Buddies to glory in the same competition 13 year ago.
On Saturday United host Stephen Robinson's side, who have won only one of their seven league matches since defeating Celtic in the final last month.
Goodwin was captain of the Paisley side the previous time they lifted the cup before failing to win any of their following seven top-flight matches.
"I think it's difficult after the highs of winning the cup then to refocus and get back on to the league programme. I've seen that numerous times," said Goodwin.
"It actually happened to my own team back in 2013. We really struggled to get any momentum in the league after the cup final.
"Stephen Robinson has had lots of injuries to key players as well to contend with, but they've still got a very good, strong squad available to them. We will certainly be preparing for a very difficult fixture.
"They gave us a really difficult game in Paisley last time out and deserved to win the game and we need to make sure we don't have a similar type of performance on Saturday because we can't afford to be on the wrong end of the result."
United are five points off sixth-placed Falkirk after winning just two of their past 13 league games.
"We have to put a run of wins together, something that we haven't been able to do up to now," added Goodwin.
"We're going into that last block of 11 games now prior to the split and we have to start picking up maximum points on a consistent basis."
Dundee United, Gillingham and Oldham Athletic are among a number of clubs eyeing a move for 27-year-old Forest Green Rovers winger Kyle McAllister. (Peter O'Rourke on X), external
Dundee United are exploring a pre-contract agreement with 23-year-old defender Evan Weir, who is out of contract with Walsall this summer. (Mark Hendry on Substack), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSAlex Gogic, who scored St Mirren's equaliser against Livingston last time out, is set to make his 250th Scottish Premiership appearance (currently 249). He will be only the second non-British/Irish player - after Canada's David Wotherspoon (295) - to reach that figure since the top flight was rebranded to the Premiership in 2013-14.
Dundee United have lost their past two league games without scoring, last losing three in a row without reply in the Premiership in December 2021 (run of four).
St Mirren are winless in eight away league games (D2 L6) since beating Falkirk 2-1 in September. Only bottom side Livingston have fewer away points this season (four) than the Buddies (six, level with Dundee).
After their 3-1 win in October, Dundee United are looking to beat St Mirren twice at home within a single Premiership campaign for the first time since 2013-14.
St Mirren have won two of their past three league meetings with Dundee United (L1) after losing three in a row without scoring beforehand.
Image source, SNSJim Goodwin is "not surprised" by interest in Dundee United wing-back Will Ferry and says it is "part of our strategy" to develop players then sell them on.
The 25-year-old has become a key man since moving to Tannadice from Cheltenham 18 months ago and - with a contract until the summer of 2027 - United would be looking for a seven-figure fee if they were to sell.
Vancouver Whitecaps are reportedly planning a move for Ferry after a failed bid to buy him last summer, while Real Salt Lake have been credited with an interest, along with clubs in the Netherlands and England.
"As a manager, of course, you never want to lose any of your good players," manager Goodwin said.
"Will Ferry has been a great signing for us. I brought him in from Cheltenham Town in the lower leagues of England, gave him the opportunity to play in the Scottish Premiership and raise his profile.
"Off the back of his consistent performances over the last 18 months, he's obviously starting to gain the attention of one or two clubs, not just here in the UK, but all over Europe and obviously in the States as well, so I'm not surprised by that at all.
"It's part of our strategy. It's part of our business model. We've got the youngest squad in the Scottish Premiership. We want to bring in good young players, develop them and hopefully one day we'll make good money on them.
"But of course, from a selfish point of view, from a manager's point of view, I don't want to lose my best players."
After adding wing-back Neil Farrugia from Barnsley last week, Goodwin's next priority is to bolster his goalkeeping department following Yevhen Kucherenko's move to Greek club Panetolikos earlier this month.
"I think in terms of the goalkeeping situation, that's still something that we're monitoring at the moment," he said.
"We've only got two senior goalkeepers available to us, in Dave Richards and Ruairidh Adams. We need to try and add a third one to that group just to make sure that we cover ourselves in case of any injuries or suspension."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Dundee United have their first win of 2026, an edgy 2-0 victory over Championship side Ayr in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
It wasn't a vintage display but they got through and in the cup that is all that matters.
Sometimes in a season there can be turning points and manager Jim Goodwin will be hoping this is it.
His players showed plenty of character amid what has been a rollercoaster season for them so far.
Tannadice was viewed by some as the venue for a potential cup shock but Goodwin's side diligently got the job done.
They kept a clean sheet, ending a six game-run without one, while Nikolaj Moller and Panutche Camara netted their first goals for the club.
United have also been rewarded with another home tie against lower-league opposition, this time League Two leaders Spartans.
All in, there were plenty of positives to take from the win, even if it wasn't the kind of sparkling display Tannadice fans would have wanted.
The challenge now is to channel that positivity to reinvigorate a league campaign which has been marred by inconsistency.
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
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Scottish Cup fourth-round weekend used to be sacred. A date ring-fenced on the calendar of every top-flight supporter because this was when the romance lived. Or at least it used to be.
Down Tannadice way last Saturday, that romance looked like it had texted to say it was knackered and stayed in.
Only around 4,000 souls turned up for Dundee United v Ayr United, and judging by attendances elsewhere across Scotland, this wasn't an isolated case.
It's disheartening.
As a United supporter, I begin every season with a refreshing dose of realism. Winning the league? Not happening.
But a cup? A cup is different. A cup is real, tangible hope. It's the reason we still convince ourselves in August "this could be our year".
The League Cup… well, the League Cup is the League Cup. I still care deeply about that competition, but it's been chipped away at. Early-round kick-offs in July, group stages that feel like a pre-season fitness drill.
But the Scottish Cup? That's different. That trophy has never been devalued. Winning it is still massive, especially for a so-called 'provincial' club. It is history, folklore and generations of "I was there" stories rolled into one battered old piece of silverware.
Which is why falling attendances are so worrying. It suggests the Scottish Cup doesn't feel the same any more even if, on paper, it still is.
So why are fans staying away?
Cost is the obvious culprit. Football is no longer a cheap habit and when you add transport, food and the luxury of a Bovril, something has to give. For many supporters, cup games are the first thing sacrificed.
There's also a creeping sense of predictability. While upsets still happen (and bless them when they do), many fans have been conditioned to expect the same outcomes year after year. Romance is great, but romance with a 90% chance of heartbreak tends to lose its shine.
Then there's the general apathy toward cup football itself. Modern football culture is obsessed with leagues, form tables and 'projects'. Cups are messy. They are gloriously inconvenient and maybe that's part of the problem.
So how do we fix it?
First: pricing. Make Scottish Cup tickets meaningfully cheaper. Not "£2 off if you buy before Tuesday" cheaper, but family friendly why would you stay home cheaper. Treat the competition like the national treasure it is.
Second: scheduling. Stop treating early rounds like an afterthought. Give them proper kick-off times, breathing space in the calendar, and a sense of occasion. Saturday at 3pm still works wonders. Who knew?
Third: sell the chaos. The Scottish Cup should be marketed as football's antidote to predictability. Big clubs hate it for a reason. Lean into that. Remind fans this is where legends are made, giants wobble, and lower-league keepers turn into temporary demigods.
And finally: clubs themselves need to buy in. Rotate less. Respect the competition. Fans can smell indifference a mile away and if the club doesn't look bothered, why should they?
The Scottish Cup deserves noise, hope and that uniquely Scottish belief that maybe, just maybe, something ridiculous might happen.
Because one day it just might. And wouldn't it be a shame if no one was there to see it?
Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
