Dundee United

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Striker Owen Stirton says he's "thrilled" to extend his Dundee United contract until the summer of 2028.

The 18-year-old academy graduate made his senior debut in 2023 in United's 3-0 SPFL Trust Trophy win over Dunfermline and since then has gone on to make 16 first-team appearances for Jim Goodwin's side.

This term, he's played eight games for United, including in their Conference League qualifiers, and has scored one goal, in their Premier Sports Cup win over Kilmarnock.

"I'm thrilled to sign a longer contract here as I continue to grow my United career," Stirton said.

"The opportunities I've been given have provided a great platform to showcase my ability and keep developing. Playing in Europe on four occasions was unbelievable, and scoring my first cup goal for United was another dream moment.

"From my loan spell at Montrose to those European nights and my recent Under-19 international appearances, 2025 has been a huge year for my development.

"I feel I've matured a lot and now I want to show that I can play a significant role in the first-team squad as we look to build on a strong campaign so far."

Dundee United are back into the top six for the first time since late October after a convincing 3-1 win away to bottom side Livingston.

Read the full match report.

Give us your thoughts.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was delighted with "a massive three points" in a difficult venue after the 3-1 win over Livingston.

"We're delighted with the result," he told BBC Scotland. "Everybody knows what a difficult venue this is to come to.

"I thought the performance from the start right through to the finish, apart from the goal we concede late on, was excellent.

"Every player played their part and the backline did brilliantly against Livingston, who are a big, physical team.

"We knew we would carry a threat on the counter attack. We highlighted some areas in the Livingston backline that we thought we could exploit and I thought we targeted those areas really well, getting down the sides of them.

"The switch in the play was a big aspect of our game tonight. Will Ferry had acres of space at times and he was excellent as well.

"The game finished 3-1. Had it finished five or six, I don't think there would have been too many complaints. It is a massive three points.

"It was a really strong performance. The opportunity was there for us to move back into sixth if results went our way and that's how it has happened.

"We always fancy ourselves to score goals and that's been evident. The bit we got undone with early in the season was conceding two many goals.

"We have worked on our shape and the boys have been brilliant and carried it out on the pitch."

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Saturday summed us up just now.

Another draw and another game where we score first and fail to finish it off. Six points from the past 12 is fine. It keeps us steady. But steady will not be enough if we want top six.

At Pittodrie we did a lot right. Amar Fatah took his goal well. Kerestes, Iovu and Bert stood up to pressure. Dave Richards made good saves, even if the equaliser came from another moment we will all wince at. One mistake. One goal conceded. A 10th draw of the season added to the pile.

That is where we are. Hard to beat. Harder still to turn dominance into wins.

Which is why this week feels massive.

Livingston on Tuesday night is exactly the type of game we must win. No excuses. No moral victories. Three points required. Get in front and see it out.

Then comes Saturday at home and the small matter of the Dundee derby and a chance to make a statement and turn a decent run into a proper one.

Six points this week changes the picture completely. It lifts us into the mix and puts pressure on everyone else. It gives momentum.

Four points would feel like another missed opportunity. Two would feel like stagnation.

We know what we need. Now we need to go and do it.

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

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Livingston remain without Shane Blaney, Aidan Denholm, Cammy Kerr and Adam Montgomery.

Dundee United welcome back Luca Stephenson after suspension while Pan Camara is close to a return.

Ross Graham and Ryan Strain are likely to miss out again and Isaac Pappoe is still out.

Dundee United forward Zac Sapsford, 23, has not given up on his dream of going to the World Cup with Australia. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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• Livingston have lost none of their last seven top-flight home games against Dundee United (W5 D2) since a 0-2 reverse in February 2005.

• Dundee United have only won one of their last eight Scottish Premiership meetings with Livingston (D3 L4), a 2-0 victory in April 2023.

• Excluding years in which they were relegated, Livingston have only won their final top-flight match of a calendar year in three of their previous 11 years (D3 L5), most recently beating Kilmarnock 2-1 to round off 2020.

• Excluding their relegation in 2023, Dundee United have won their final Scottish Premiership match of a calendar year without conceding in both of their last two such fixtures, beating Ross County 3-0 in 2022 and Aberdeen 1-0 in 2024.

• Dundee United's Jim Goodwin has only won one of his nine Scottish Premiership away games as a manager against newly promoted opposition (D3 L5), although that was a 5-1 victory over Dundee United with St. Mirren in January 2021.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin admits having "been underdogs in a lot of people's eyes" in their past four games, they will have to be embrace the mentality of being viewed as favourites going into to Tuesday's trip to Livingston.

A 1-1 draw at Aberdeen on Saturday saw eighth-placed United extend their unbeaten run to four games.

That sequence includes draws with Motherwell and Hibernian, as well as a win over Celtic.

Goodwin has previously admitted his side have sometimes struggled in games they are perhaps expected to win, something he hopes is not the case against a Livingston side who currently bottom.

"I think arguably in the previous four games we have had in the past couple of weeks, we might have been underdogs in a lot of people's eyes," Goodwin said.

"With the greatest of respect to Livingston, I think looking at the game on Tuesday night, given our position in the table and theirs, people might view it as we are favourites.

"But I think this league has shown this season how competitive it is and the fact there are no easy games."

"We drew the game (against Livingston) at Tannadice last time out, albeit we caused our own problems with the Livingston goal, but it is going to be a tough fixture, there are no straightforward games in this league."

Despite the encouraging signs of late, United know they have to improve on a record which has seen them win just two of their past 14 games.

"Defensively we have certainly been a lot better in the past half-a-dozen games or so," Goodwin added.

"We have spent a lot of time on the training pitch working on those areas and I think it has certainly shown in the performances.

"A bit more resilience, a bit more consistency in the shape out of possession, denying the opposition space."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Amar Fatah (Dundee United): Ghosts over the pitch and when the mood takes him seems to have the ability to elude defenders at will.

Drifted in from the left to devastating effect against Aberdeen to put Dundee United ahead in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.

Watch Sportscene pundit Leanne Crichton analyse Dave Richards' error in Dundee United's weekend draw at Aberdeen.

MATCH REPORT: Aberdeen 1-1 Dundee Utd

Watch highlights of Aberdeen's 1-1 draw with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee United striker Zac Sapsford has vowed "those wins will come" as they aim to climb back up the Scottish Premiership table.

A 1-1 draw at Aberdeen on Saturday means eighth-placed United are now unbeaten in four games but have won just two of their past 14 fixtures, a run that includes eight draws.

The latest stalemate means United have the most draws - 10 in 19 games - in the Premiership at the season's halfway stage.

"It is a little unbeaten run, but it would be nice to turn a few of those draws into wins," Sapsford told BBC Scotland.

"I am sure they will come and we are playing the right way to get those wins.

"The dressing room is really positive right now, it is not down and out."

Sapsford admitted the draw at Pittodrie was "probably a fair result", adding "either team could have won the game at the end, but we take a point at the end of the day away from home".

United will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they travel to bottom side Livingston on Tuesday.

"I think we will be expected to win, obviously because they are bottom of the table, but any game in this league is really tough," Sapsford added.

"We will put our best foot forward and we will have a game plan to go and win the game there and hopefully we do."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Here's what some of you said:

Ross: In this episode of "can't buy a win" United reverted to the tactics of last season - sit back and catch them on the break. The plan was working well until yet another goalkeeper error cost us points. Ten draws in 19 league games and with only three other teams (all below us in the league) having conceded more goals, demonstrates where the issues are. A new goalkeeper is required please.

Jamie: The draw simply papers over the cracks. Goodwin's tactics make Craig Levein's 6-4-0 look attacking. It must be demoralising playing for a manager who has no faith in you to do anything other than sit back for 90 minutes and hope you sneak a goal by some miracle.

Cameron: Would take the point away at Aberdeen although tactically it needs to change as we're drawing too many games. We're set up far too negative. When in front Jim Goodwin never seems to want to finish teams off, he would rather sit on a one-goal lead. Also, the young lad Owen Stirton deserves to play as both Max Watters and Nikolaj Moller haven't been good enough going forward.

Ian: Far too defensive tactics again. Does Goodwin not realise we pay a lot of money to watch this the team and they can't put three passes together? Our keepers must be the worst in the league.

Ross M: Okay let's put aside the often repeated mantra, good point on the road, good point at home. Our win rate is abysmal. Defensive errors and attacking bluntness every week. Academy graduate Sam Cleall-Harding sits on the bench watching Bert Esselink, Iurie Iovu and Krisztian Keresztes who are all technically inferior to him, on and off the ball.

Dave: A mixed bag of emotions with this one. The defensive performance by the back five was superb. Craig Sibbald and Vicko Sevelj were tireless in midfield. Zac Sapsford and Amar Fatah always ready to push forward. A pity Dave Richards made one mistake in an otherwise solid performance. The problems come with Watters, Moller and Ivan Dolcek. Whether it is lack of fitness, lack of interest or lack of ability is up for discussion. Time for Stirton to get some playing time.

Ross Graham and Ryan Strain are expected to be available for Dundee United's derby showdown against Dundee (Courier), external

Read all of Sunday's Scottish Gossip, external

Dundee United had to settle for a draw after a second-half equaliser by Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Amar Fatah pounced on a Nicky Devlin mistake to open the scoring for the visitors, but when United goalkeeper Dave Richards could only parry a shot clear, Jesper Karlsson fired the equaliser.

Read the full match report.

Give us your thoughts.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is content with the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen but admits that his side's inability to convert draws into wins is holding them back in the Scottish Premiership.

"I think the draw is probably the right result," he told Premier Sports. "I thought Aberdeen were the better team in the opening 45 minutes and we scored against the run of play.

"It's a real moment of quality [the goal from Amar Fatah]. The second half, I thought we were a lot better.

"We are really disappointed with the equaliser. For all the possession they had, it was in front of us.

"It is a decent point on the road for us as Aberdeen have invested heavily in the summer. Overall, the performance was okay."

While Goodwin lamented the six draws in the latest 10 games, he added: "It is better a draw than a defeat and we have played four top-six teams in the last four games and haven't been beaten."

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Aberdeen are without the suspended Dylan Lobban following his red card at Celtic Park. Fellow defenders Gavin Molloy and Kristers Tobers remain absent with knee injuries.

Dundee United have major issues in defence with Ross Graham and Ryan Strain dropping out with groin injuries, Krisztian Keresztes "touch and go" with a calf problem, Iurie Iovu still out with a muscle problem and Luca Stephenson suspended.

Pan Camara is close to a return from a hamstring injury while Isaac Pappoe (knee) and Yevhen Kucherenko (calf) remain out.

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Dundee United's Vicko Sevelj is delighted to be taking part in the British festive football tradition that was part of his Christmas experience growing up.

The Croat will feature in United's live televised New Firm derby against Aberdeen at a sold-out Pittodrie on Saturday evening.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who has featured in central defence in recent weeks, said: "It's something that when you were with family at home, you always watched games on Boxing Day.

"In Europe I don't know if anyone else is playing but here of course everyone has heard about Boxing Day and the English and Scottish games are always on the TV. Since I was a kid I always had it on my TV.

"Now here I am part of it and it's different. It's one thing that you miss home at Christmas but it's a big occasion to play these games and be part of it. Back home I would have been on a break for a couple of weeks by this time.

"Some of my family have come here for Christmas and the rest of them are back home enjoying the break, watching me from higher temperatures.

"Boxing Day is unique so you want to show everyone on the TV on these special occasions how good you are.

"Games against Aberdeen are always really intense and we know how much it means to our supporters."

United sit eighth in the William Hill Premiership but have secured results against all of the current top six including a Tannadice win over the Dons.

"Our best games were against top six and we have had really good results," Sevelj said. "Nothing will change on Saturday, our approach is the same, we want to win every game."

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• Aberdeen have only lost one of their past 16 home league games against Dundee United (W8 D7), and are unbeaten in eight (W5 D3) since a 3-0 reverse in August 2014.

• Dundee United have won both of their past two league games against Aberdeen, last winning three on the bounce in August 2007.

• Since losing their first two home matches of the Scottish Premiership season, Aberdeen have only lost one of their past seven (W3 D3), going unbeaten in their latest four (W2 D2).

• No side has drawn more games than Dundee United (9) in the Premiership this season. Meanwhile, since the start of October, their seven draws is at least three more than any other team in this period.

• Dundee United's Jim Goodwin has never won away to former club Aberdeen as a manager in the Premiership, drawing two and losing four of six previous trips with St Mirren (D1 L3) and the Tangerines combined (D1 L1).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee United's form has been very up and down this season.

Undoubtedly one of the factors behind that has been some really bad fortune with injuries, so the sight of Ryan Strain and captain Ross Graham go off injured during their 1-1 draw with Hibernian will undoubtedly have set alarm bells ringing.

Both have already had lengthy spells on the sidelines this term but the pair – who are very much viewed as key players by manager Jim Goodwin – have established themselves back in the starting line up in recent weeks.

So Goodwin will be keeping his fingers crossed that he will continue to be able to call upon their services during a critical period in the season.

Every team has their injury problems – but United will perhaps feel they have been hit a bit harder than some have on that front this season.

Could it be too simplistic to suggest that the key to the Tangerines going on to deliver the kind of campaign they hope to have is keeping everyone fit? Possibly.

But there is no doubt it would certainly help as they look to improve on their current league position of eighth over the coming weeks and months.

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Dundee United are faced with the prospect of four missing defenders for Saturday's trip to Aberdeen amid concern over Ryan Strain's fitness.

Strain and Ross Graham both went off with groin injuries during the 1-1 draw with Hibernian at the weekend while Krisztian Keresztes had to be subbed off at half-time with a calf issue.

Jim Goodwin is also missing Iurie Iovu through injury and is hoping the latest blow isn't too severe.

"Ryan Strain probably looks the more serious of the three," he said.

"Both himself and Ross Graham have been for scans. We're just awaiting the results of those.

"Keresztes, we took him off more of a precautionary measure than anything else. We didn't want to risk him again in the second half for that to become worse. So he's touch and go for Saturday."

"It's a big year for Strainer. He was wanting to try and get back to the form that we all know he's capable of and make a late push for the World Cup. But we don't want to jump the gun with regards to what the injury is. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious."

With games against Aberdeen, Livingston, Dundee and Celtic over the next few weeks, Goodwin is optimistic he has a strong enough squad to get through.

"We've done great recruitment in the summer," the United manager added.

"We tried to strengthen every area and to make sure that if and when the injuries and suspensions came along that we were going to have players within the squad that could step in and do a similar job to the guy that they've replaced. I think Saturday showed that.

"Dario Naamo is a 20-year-old. He came on for Ryan Strain and Dario had been out for a few weeks himself with an injury. Credit to him, he played pretty much 90 minutes and looked fantastic.

"Losing guys like Ross Graham and Keresztes and even Iovu, who I think in the last five or six games that he's played has been very, very consistent, it would make a huge difference and weaken a lot of teams. But it hasn't done to us against some really, really difficult opponents."

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Sometimes in football, much like life, it's better to be lucky than good.

Any Dundee United fan who sat through that first half against Celtic last Wednesday will know exactly what I mean, we rode our luck shamelessly. The second half, however, was another matter entirely, and I'm firmly of the view that United deserved the win. Our first over Celtic in eleven years no less, worth the wait, if not the spike in my blood pressure.

Football, again like life, has a habit of springing surprises. Celtic may be enduring a rough patch, but there can't have been many Arabs that headed to Tannadice on the night expecting a home win. Yet there we were, blinking at the scoreboard in mild disbelief.

That result felt like United finally steadying the ship after a few months of choppy seas. A draw with Motherwell, a win over Celtic, and then it was on to the Hibees. Momentum, or something resembling it, at last.

I won't pretend my expectations were sky-high, but my optimism had certainly been revived by the previous two performances. In the end, it wasn't three points against Hibs, but the draw felt fair enough. No grand injustice, no hard-luck story, just about right over the piece.

After a difficult couple of months, I'm feeling more positive about what's to come. Up next: Aberdeen away, Livingston away, and then the small matter of the Dundee Derby. Two huge games with big atmospheres…and Livi away.

Aberdeen will be keen for revenge after we put them to the sword earlier in the season, and they're in far better form now.

It won't be easy, but if Jim Goodwin fancies playing the role of festive villain and ruining a few Christmases in the Granite City, Saturday night feels like a fine time to start.

Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external