Dundee United

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee United's win over Celtic was a long time coming. Ten years, 11 months and 27 days, to be exact.

A 23-game sequence of disappointment, including 18 defeats - and a 9-0 home hammering - plus an aggregate scoreline of 65-9 in Celtic's favour.

All that melted away at a raucous Tannadice on Wednesday night as Jim Goodwin's side roared back from a goal down to earn a much-needed win and crank up the pressure on Wilfried Nancy.

Can it spark a turnaround at Tannadice?

After finishing fourth in the Premiership last season, Goodwin's men have been struggling to back that up this term.

Wednesday marked the end of a seven-game winless run and was just a second victory in 12 for United, who sit eighth.

They were outplayed in the first half by Celtic, but made it to half-time just a goal down and re-emerged totally transformed to stage a comeback triumph through Krisztian Keresztes and a Zac Sapsford wonder goal.

"It's a great result for Goodwin," former United midfielder John Rankin told BBC Sportsound.

"You need bits of luck as a manager and he got a bit of that, but I don't think they won the game through luck.

"Their energy to go and press in the second half was great, but they put balls into areas where it really hurt Celtic."

United have now won 10 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team, as they prepare for the visit of Hibs on Saturday.

Having not won back-to-back games all season, Goodwin will be desperate to back up Wednesday's historic result with another important milestone.

Beyond the weekend, they then have three away games out of four - including a trip to Celtic Park - with the sole home game a Dundee derby.

"Jim should not be under pressure," Rankin added.

"He's done wonders at this football club, he's got them in a really good position.

"He's the first to admit the form is not the way it should be, he wants them higher up the league, but he's got a team there that's willing to work for him."

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United halted their winless run by beating Celtic for the first time in 11 years.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Kieran: This was the proverbial game of two halves. Did we ride our luck? Yes, but who cares. That second-half performance was something else. I don't think I've ever seen United dominate Celtic as we did, absolutely relentless. We've set the standard now we have to maintain it and use this as a catalyst to really kickstart our season heading into the new year.

Jamie: In isolation a fantastic result but we can't get carried away. Everyone is beating this Celtic side, and if Johnny Kenny was any decent striker we would have been at least three down at half-time. Now we need to see Jim Goodwin ditch the three at the back and admit it doesn't work. Will he? I have my doubts.

Brian: Need to play a back four! This three at the back hasn't worked! Bring in some full-backs please.

Clare: A game of two halves is the story of United's season. Utterly woeful in the first half only to press high and take control of a brilliant second half with two great strikes. Why can't we play a full 90 minutes of cracking football? Still, a famous victory over the the Hoops.

Sean: Firstly, delighted with the victory but it is papering over the cracks. How can it take the manager 45 minutes to rectify the defensive problems on the right? It was blatantly obvious after less than 10 minutes that this area was problematic. It was only Celtic's gross ineptitude, which saved United and made a result possible. It could have, and should have, been two, three, four or five nil to Celtic at half-time.

Ewen: Great night for United! Hopefully it can act as a springboard for better performances and results moving forward. The football on show from United this season has been turgid with players seemingly lacking in confidence. Onwards and upwards should be the rallying call.

Stephen: A game of two halves, simple as that. Celtic could easily have put United away in the first 45 but after the break they seemed to think it would just happen, and when the equaliser went in they visibly looked as if they would crumble. Just a few minutes later and that's what happened. Now we need to start winning games against the teams around us though! Mon Jim, three points against Hibs on Saturday please!

Image source, SNS

Match winner Zac Sapsford "knew we were always going to get back on top" before Dundee United came from behind to beat reigning champions Celtic 2-1 at Tannadice.

After United ended an 11-year wait to beat Celtic, the Australian striker told Sky Sports: "We went down 1-0, but we always knew we were still in the game and we had confidence we could always come back.

"Just a few chances - that's all it took and we got that win over the line. I knew we were always going to get back on top and that was all we needed to get that win."

As for his winning goal, Sapsford said: "I just got a nice curl on it and luckily it went in the bottom corner, so buzzing with that."

Captain Ross Graham hopes the win can turn around United's fortunes after ending a seven-game run without a win and they can build a bit of "momentum" and "consistency".

"If we keep that game at 1-0, we know we've always got a chance," he said. "With the quality of the forward players we've got, we can always get a couple of goals.

"We defended very well as a team and stuck to the gameplan and got the result.

"I thought we could have done better with the goal, but I think, after that, we reacted very well, stuck with the high press and put Celtic under a lot of pressure.

"We've done very well against the top teams in the league and we knew we were going to get a win over them sometime and thankfully it has come tonight."

Dundee United came from behind to beat reigning champions Celtic 2-1 and end a 23-game run without a victory over the Glasgow side.

Manager Jim Goodwin said they carried a bit of luck but thought his half-time change altered the course of the game and handed them a victory that will give his side much confidence.

Read the match report.

Give us your thoughts.

Jim Goodwin admits his Dundee United side carried a bit of luck in their 2-1 win over Celtic but pointed to a half-time substitution for turning the game at Tannadice.

"It's a massive three points for us," the manager told BBC Scotland. "Given the run of form we've been in up until tonight, it was about trying to turn these draws into victories and we managed to do that.

"It was very much a game of two halves. Celtic were really good in the first half and started really brightly.

"They caused a lot of problems with the ball in behind and we found ourselves getting caught in that mid zone of the pitch and ultimately that's where the goal came from.

"I don't think we've carried a lot of luck during the campaign, but I think we carried that in the first half as Celtic could have been out of sight.

"We were able to make an adjustment at half time and bring a little more pace into it and the game was mainly played in Celtic's territory before seeing out the game brilliantly."

Goodwin hopes United can kick on from this victory.

"At half-time, we thought we were going to get opportunites," he added.

"We had two or three half chances in the first half.

"It has been a long time since we beat Celtic in front of our own supporters, it was 2014 the last time, and that's one for them.

"We are not getting carried away. We are not happy with our league position, but that gives us a lot of confidence."

Image source, SNS

Captain Ross Graham is urging his Dundee United team-mates not to let themselves be the side that changes Celtic's fortunes.

The Glasgow club have lost their first three games under new manager Wilfried Nancy, including Sunday's League Cup final to St Mirren, while United are winless in seven Premiership matches.

Centre-back Graham, who recently returned from an eight-month injury lay-off, said: "I'm not sure there's ever a good time to get Celtic.

"They're a top team, they've got really high quality players so we need to be switched on in that aspect.

"They're not going to be on this run of form forever, so we have to try and make sure that doesn't change for them on Wednesday night.

"We've gone behind in most games we've played this season. We've tried to cut that out recently.

"We know Celtic are a top side, they've got really good players and a good manager there as well but we look to focus on ourselves because we know how much we can hurt them.

"We'll play on the front foot, especially at Tannadice, with our home support. So, we'll get as much juice out of them as we can and they'll drive us forward.

"In recent weeks we've had a couple of good performances and we've just been lacking that cutting edge.

"There's pressure in any game but we'll still go into the Celtic match as underdogs.

"We've probably been better at that this season against the bigger teams so we'll use that to our advantage as well and try and go and get the three points."

Image source, SNS

• Against Hearts, Wilfried Nancy became the first Celtic manager to lose his first home league game since Wim Jansen in August 1997 (2-1 v Dunfermline). A defeat here would make Nancy only the second manager to lose both of his first two league games in charge of Celtic overall, after Jansen again in 1997.

• Celtic have won their past two away league games, but haven't won more in a row on the road since December 2024 (10).

• Dundee United are winless in 23 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D5 L18) since a 2-1 league victory in December 2014 under Jackie McNamara.

• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in their past five league matches against Dundee United; only from December 2001 to August 2003 during Martin O'Neill's first spell in charge have the Hoops ever avoided conceding in six successive league meetings with the Tangerines.

• Dundee United are winless in their past nine Scottish Premiership games played on a Wednesday (D2 L7) since beating Ross County 3-0 in December 2022.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It is incredible to think Dundee United's clean sheet against Motherwell at the weekend was their first since the end of September, and just their third of the Premiership season.

The reason it's incredible is because, under Jim Goodwin, United have earned a reputation for being well organised and resolute at the back.

At least they were until this term, where they have leaked goals (25 in 16 league games) and points.

Their goalless stalemate with the Steelmen means they have now mustered just one win in 11 matches. Another stat worth noting is United have drawn half of their Premiership matches - only Motherwell have drawn more.

If they had been able to turn a few of those results in to wins, eighth-place United's league position would look a whole better than it does at the moment.

That all said, Goodwin will be encouraged by that much-needed clean sheet and will be hoping it can breathe more belief into the rearguard for tonight's visit of faltering Celtic.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United welcome back Krisztian Keresztes from suspension. But Dario Naamo, Pan Camara (hamstring), Isaac Pappoe (knee) and Yevhen Kucherenko (calf) are out injured.

Celtic have lost Kelechi Iheanacho to a hamstring injury but Anthony Ralston will shrug off the facial knock that forced him off at Hampden on Sunday.

The champions remain without Marcelo Saracchi, Callum Osmand, Alistair Johnston (all hamstring), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) and Jota (knee).

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United host Celtic in the Premiership on Wednesday.

Here are the key lines:

• Goodwin says there is "no hiding place in this game" and the pressure on managers is "always there".

• On counterpart Wilfried Nancy, who has lost his first three games, Goodwin says: "We're all in the same boat. I understand exactly what the Celtic manager will be going through, the emotions he'll be feeling at the moment."

• He adds: "We're judged on results and performances. Wilfred Nancy is no different to any of the rest of us. We've seen that already this week with a couple of good managers, unfortunately, losing their jobs."

• United have just one win in 11 and Goodwin says: "I'm no different to anybody else. I need to start winning games."

• He believes there is no "immediate pressure" from the United hierarchy but adds: "I'm not stupid enough to think that we can't go too long without getting back to winning ways. I hope that will come tomorrow night against Celtic."

• Goodwin is wary of a backlash following Celtic's defeat in the League Cup final but says a similar "gameplan and performance" to St Mirren's can deliver a positive result for his side.

• United's defensive performance in the goalless draw with Motherwell last weekend was "a lot more like it" and now they need to "find that attacking threat we've lacked in the last couple of games".

• The United boss would not be drawn on the possibility of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon joining on loan in January but United have "identified targets and positions we need to strengthen".

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

A 0–0 draw at home. Seven league games without a win. Eighth place. Not pretty.

But for the first time in a while, Dundee United did one thing properly. They stopped conceding goals.

After the mess at Fir Park earlier in the season, Gorgeous Jim went back to basics. Being hard to break down. Clear roles. Fewer risks. It worked. Motherwell had the ball, lots of it, but they did very little with it. A clean sheet at last!

Craig Sibbald was excellent. Calm. Clever. Brave enough to try something from halfway. Amar Fatah at least tried to make things happen. Beyond that the creativity was thin and one shot on target at Tannadice is not enough but we didn't lose.

Which brings us to Wednesday night.

Celtic arrive out of form. Three defeats on the bounce. A new manager under pressure. This is where the season pivots.

Do you stick with solidity and keep it tight and happy to take a point? Or do you twist? Push higher, play with freedom and try to land a blow when confidence is fragile?

Playing safe got us through Saturday. Playing brave might get us something bigger on Wednesday.

If there is a night to roll the dice, this feels like it.

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

Sportscene pundit Stephen Craigan praised Dundee United's work off the ball in their goalless draw against Motherwell on Saturday.

Motherwell won 2-0 when the sides met earlier this season, but didn't have the same joy on their trip to Tannadice.

"I was at the game on 29 October at Fir Park and Dundee United didn't know whether to press or drop off and they got picked off," Craigan said.

"The set-up [this time] was much better. When the ball was in the Motherwell half they were happy to go man-to-man, and when you have the pace of Fatah and the movement of Sapsford, you can create opportunities. It just didn't fall for them."

Dundee United defender Vicko Sevelj is in danger of a suspension going into Wednesday's meeting with Celtic, with one more booking set to rule the Croatian out during a busy December. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch the highlights from Dundee United's goalless draw at home to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United's goalless draw at home to Motherwell.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Kenny: Three words, BORING BORING BORING.

Paul: Having 30% possession and one shot on target in a home game against any team is unacceptable. Manager said the shape was excellent so what was the problem? One win in 11 (three wins in 16) tells me he can't see the problem never mind fix it. Please walk away.

David: Very tough watch. The team looks fragile and cannot maintain possession. Need to ditch this obsession of a back three and get a solid 4 at the back and build from there. Changes need made, and fast, or we are in for a dog fight at the wrong end of the table.

Jen: It's time Jim Goodwin went. Playing for a draw at home against Motherwell, when the team have only won three games all season, is pathetic. Continuing to not pick Samuel Cleall-Harding and Owen Stirton is a a sackable offence. Part of being Dundee United manager means giving young stars a chance especially when they are better than the players he is picking. He's not doing that. United are playing like a team bereft of confidence and that's all down to Goodwin.

Steve: Dismal. Yet again I fail to see any signs of improvement being implemented on the training ground. Whether that is due to the coaching staff or players being incapable of grasping what is required of them I can't say for certain but alarm bells are ringing loudly. Granted we didn't concede but had we played for 90 hours we still wouldn't have scored and Motherwell would have had several, shouldn't be celebrating the fact we only play for 90 minutes.

Zack: Bad game for both teams, would usually take a draw and a clean sheet against a high flying third placed team but three points is a must at the moment especially with three home games on the bounce. Fire power badly needed in attack Nikolaj Moller isn't quite cutting it when trying to get a goal.

Dundee United's winless run stretched to seven, while Motherwell made it seven games unbeaten, in a largely forgetful Scottish Premiership draw at Tannadice.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "It wasn't a particularly great game. I don't suppose the guys in the Sportscene studio will have too many highlight to pull from.

"From our own perspective, we had a really disappointing performance last weekend in Paisley. The structure of the team today was excellent, the shape was really good.

"It wasn't as if Motherwell had lots of possession. My goalkeeper hasn't had a great deal to do, albeit the Motherwell keeper hasn't either.

"We had a couple of half chances, and we just didn't get the break of the ball. The pleasing aspect of it is the clean sheet. That's a good foundation to build from.

"Defensively, we have to be better. We've conceded far too many goals this season. I believe there's goals in this team but today, that wasn't the case."

Dundee United are hurting as much as their supporters during their downturn in form, says manager Jim Goodwin. (Courier - subscription required), external

Scotland's key match incident panel has backed penalty decisions in Dundee United's 2-2 draw with Rangers, in which United were denied one and Rangers scored from one in added time. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip