Dundee United

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Hearts face defensive issues as Stuart Findlay is suspended and Craig Halkett (Achilles), Stephen Kingsley (hamstring), Malachi Fagan-Walcott (ankle) and Christian Borchgrevink (muscle) are all injured. Harry Milne and Laurent Mendy are also doubts after going off against Benfica, while Ageu is still sidelined.

Dundee United will again be without Dario Naamo through injury but Lachie Rose and Bert Esselink have recovered from niggles and should be fit.

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• Five of the past six Scottish Premiership matches between Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United have been won by the away side, the exception a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November 2025. The last home win in this fixture was by Hearts in February 2023 (3-1).

• Dundee United are unbeaten in three away games against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership (W2 D1), facing a different Hearts manager each time (Steven Naismith, Neil Critchley, Derek McInnes).

• Hearts have lost their past two league games, last losing three in a row when they suffered five defeats in a row in August and September 2024. They have not started a season with two defeats since 2009-10 under manager Csaba Laszlo.

• Dundee United have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past 17 away Scottish Premiership matches, since a 2-0 win at Dundee in August 2025. Since the start of last season, Dundee United have kept the fewest away clean sheets of any side in the league (1).

• Only Rangers' Emmanuel Fernandez (15) won more aerial duels on MD1 of this season's Scottish Premiership than Dundee United's Michael Forbes (8). He also ranked first among his team-mates for headed clearances (7) and successful passes (32) in their 1-1 draw with Rangers.

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Dundee United have signed Kevin Ciubotaru, who made his Romania debut last year, after the left-back left Hermannstadt in his homeland's top flight.

The 22-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club, who hold an option of a further year.

His arrival comes amid speculation about the sale of Will Ferry.

Born in Italy, Ciubotaru is no stranger to Scottish football having joined Rangers' academy in 2022 after spells with Rapid Vienna and Parma.

And he told United's website: "As soon as I heard of the interest, it was a move I wanted to make.

"I've lived in Scotland before and having the opportunity to come to this massive club was one I couldn't pass up."

Ciubotaru signed a three-year contract with Hermannstadt after a year at Ibrox and, following a spell on loan to Liga 2 side Unirea Ungheni, he went on to make 39 first-team appearances for his parent club before they were relegated when finishing 14th of the 16 Superliga sides.

He also made his Romania debut as a half-time substitute in a 2-1 win over Moldova in Bucharest in October.

United manager Jim Goodwin added: "He's an exciting young full-back who will add real quality to our defensive options and I'm thrilled he's chosen to join us.

"He had a real breakthrough season last campaign and played close to 40 games in the Romanian top flight whilst also earning his first senior cap, so we feel he's joining the group with valuable experience in senior football and a real desire to improve and learn every day which is an important attribute."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United defender Joshua Rawlins feels their tough start to the campaign is a chance to build momentum.

After successfully navigating their way through the League Cup group stage, United opened their Premiership season with a solid 1-1 draw against Rangers at Tannadice.

On Sunday they face last season's runners-up as they travel to Hearts, a game which is followed by a cup tie with Celtic and a city derby with neighbours Dundee.

"Building momentum is definitely going to be a key for us," Rawlins said of their upcoming run of fixtures.

"We have a difficult start but it is also four games that we are looking forward to.

"Ever since the [cup] draw, we knew it was going to be a difficult start but if we can get through these four games with some good results and some good performances then it builds momentum for us."

One thing that stood out for United against Rangers was the energy and intensity Jim Goodwin's side brought to the encounter.

That is something 22-year-old Rawlins says they aim to bring to every game.

"We know we have to bring it up a level when we come against the good sides but also to hold that consistency throughout the year," he added.

"We are a young team, I think maybe one of the youngest in the league, and that comes with youthful exuberance and energy so hopefully we can keep that going in to the next few games."

Australian Rawlins arrived on a two-year deal from Melbourne Victory earlier this summer.

Prior to making the move he got the thoughts of a couple of faces who are familiar to Scottish football.

"I have a couple of friends who have played here [in Scotland] in the past, one was at Hearts, Nathaniel Atkinson and I spoke more regularly a bit more before I came with Aziz Behic [ex Dundee United]." Rawlins said.

"He said it is a club that loves football and the city loves Dundee United and if you can play for the badge and put on good performances week in week out then you are going to enjoy your time there."

Anderlecht are ready to table a £2.2m bid for Dundee United's Will Ferry as Blackburn Rovers express interest in the Republic of Ireland international. (Courier - subscription required, external)

The Belgian club are in advanced talks with Dundee United over left-back Ferry, 25. (Sacho Tavolieri, external)

Sunday's trip to face Hearts will come too soon for Dundee United's midfielder Abdoulaye Yoro, 19, to make his debut. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin has "no doubt" Dundee United can maintain the high level of performance they showed in the 1-1 season-opening draw with Rangers.

United could have won the game at Tannadice after delivering a display was full of energy and aggression all over the park.

Manager Goodwin is looking for more of the same when they travel to Hearts on Sunday.

He said: "To not lose the game was important but over the balance of play we possibly could have gone on and won it.

"We certainly take a huge amount of confidence from that performance.

"It was only one good game at the end of the day. To raise your game for the opening game of the season, live on TV, against one of the big boys in the league is easy - can you go and do that and repeat it week in, week out?'

"I have no doubt this group can and hopefully they will be able to show that again on Sunday."

United face a testing weekend trip to Tynecastle against last season's Premiership runners-up.

Hearts have endured a bumpy start to the campaign, but Goodwin is not buying into the argument the Tynecastle side are vulnerable at the moment.

He said: "Results haven't been ideal for them and not what they were looking for but they have played against some really good opposition.

"Sturm Graz are a good team; in the Aberdeen game I thought Hearts were the better team for the majority of the game and probably should have had the points wrapped up but a few lapses of concentration in the dying moments has cost them dearly.

"But when I look at the strength and depth that Hearts have got within the squad, particularly in the midfield and forward areas and they have got terrific options, some really good players, lots of pace and energy in the team."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership trip to play Hearts.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Goodwin says United can "take a huge amount of confidence" from their performance in their opening Premiership draw with Rangers, but notes it was "only one good game".

• The manager says his side now face the challenge of delivering that kind of display week in, week out.

• Goodwin says they are embracing "a tough start in terms of the fixtures we have got to contend with," as they prepare to face last season's runners-up, before champions Celtic and a Dundee derby.

• He doesn't buy into the argument Hearts are vulnerable at the moment and is "expecting nothing but a really difficult fixture" against a side with a lot of "strength and depth" in their squad.

• Amid continued speculation over the future of Will Ferry, Goodwin says there is "nothing at all" to update on the situation, adding: "Right now going forward I am planning for Will Ferry to be a Dundee United player."

• On further signings, Goodwin says he hopes to have "some positive news" over the coming days, with defence and attacking midfield the areas they may strengthen further.

• Whatever happens, he believes United "have enough within the squad at the moment to compete with every team in the Scottish Premiership".

• "Everyone is fine" for their trip to Tynecastle.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin plays down Saturday's opponents Hearts' early season struggles. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee United's season-opening draw with Rangers could so easily have been a win if Jesse Randall had taken the gilt-edged chance he was presented with in the second half.

While Jim Goodwin was clearly frustrated about that after the game, he will now have had time to reflect and will be very happy with what his side served up against a team who have designs on the title.

The key takeaway was the energy in Goodwin's side. From kick-off they swarmed Rangers, pressing well and not giving their visitors any chance to settle.

United fans will be hoping that is a welcome new trait which becomes the norm rather than a one-off.

If it is, and if they can sharpen up a bit in front of goal, there is plenty of cause for optimism about what the campaign can deliver.

Another thing that caught my eye was the post-match interview of United scorer Lachlan Rose.

It would have been easy for him to say how happy he was with his and his team's display and that there was plenty to build on - but what came through loud and clear was his frustration and disappointment they hadn't taken all three points.

In Rose, United look to have recruited a player with a winning attitude. If that is shared by his team-mates then the Tangerines will be a real handful for anyone.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton - Dundee United

Made several important stops as Dundee United matched Rangers at Tannadice.

Lewis Mayo - Aberdeen

Bundled a vital equaliser home as Aberdeen snatched three points at the death against Hearts.

Martin Moormann - Motherwell

An impressive defensive performance from the Austrian as Motherwell repelled Hibernian's second-half pressure.

Cheick Diabate - St Johnstone

A goal and another big showing from the St Johnstone centre-back as Simo Valakari's side edged a seven-goal thriller against Kilmarnock.

Henry Fieldson - St Mirren

The versatile signing from Queen's Park had a superb St Mirren league debut.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Felt like the Kieran Tierney of old. He swung in a sublime assist for Benjamin Nygren's winning goal.

Thelo Aasgaard - Rangers

A moment of real quality to equalise and repay the faith shown in him by manager Derek McInnes.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Energy personified. The Irish midfielder made all the difference, scoring twice, as St Mirren beat Falkirk on Saturday.

Jamie Gullan - St Johnstone

Full of guile in their Championship-winning season and normal service resumed in the swashbuckling win over Kilmarnock. Five key passes and two assists for the tricky wide man.

Ibrahim Said - Motherwell

His delight was clear to see as he finished off a fine Motherwell passing move to put Hibs to the sword at Easter Road.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen

The Aberdeen captain thoroughly enjoyed his celebration as he handled the pressure of winning the match for Aberdeen from the penalty spot deep in added time.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is planning to have left-back Will Ferry, 25, available for the foreseeable future, amid transfer interest in the Republic of Ireland international. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Ferry will only leave if United's valuation is met, says Goodwin. (Record - subscription required, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Hearts' appeal against centre-half Stuart Findlay's red card against Aberdeen on Sunday has been rejected by the Scottish FA.

The 30-year-old will miss Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United through suspension.

Findlay was shown a straight red in stoppage time following a foul on Toyosi Olusanya inside the penalty box, with Kevin Nisbet scoring the resulting spot kick to secure a 2-1 for the hosts.

Hearts had argued it was a genuine attempt to play the ball and cited "a near identical incident" at the weekend when Motherwell's Oscar Preistman was shown a yellow card against Hibernian.

The Tynecastle club expressed disappointment at the appeal being rejected but said they would make no further comment.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Friday night felt like the start of something.

A point against Rangers might not sound spectacular on paper, but anyone inside Tannadice knows United deserved to come away with plenty of credit. There was intensity, energy and - most importantly - an identity.

Five league debutants and a new-look side meant plenty of question marks before kick-off. Yet as the game settled, United grew into it.

The opening goal was superb. Josh Rawlins, Jesse Randall, Zac Sapsford and Lachlan Rose, the Thunder from Down Under combination, carving Rangers open with a move that deserved to be finished and thankfully was. Not a 30-yard screamer but they all count.

Rangers responded after the break as you would expect from a side chasing the title and Jack Walton showed exactly why Jim Goodwin was so keen to bring him back.

United dug in and weathered the storm and then came the chance.

Randall will probably replay it in his head for the next week. Daniel Bennie's pass was outstanding, Randall was clean through, and on another day we're talking about a big opening-night victory.

It wasn't to be, but one missed chance shouldn't overshadow an excellent all-round display.

Jim Goodwin was right afterwards. It is one point, not three. Nobody should be getting carried away. But if that's the standard this team can produce against one of the league favourites then there is every reason to be encouraged.

The season is a marathon, not a sprint. But the early strides out of the blocks suggest this could be an exciting race.

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

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Anderlecht are in talks to sign full-back Will Ferry from Dundee United, while newly-promoted Bundesliga side Schalke 04 watched the 25-year-old in Friday's draw with Rangers at Tannadice. Daily Record - subscription required, external

United fans, we asked you for your thoughts after the 1-1 draw with Rangers that opened the Scottish Premiership season. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Mike: Great first half, deserved the lead. United weathered the Rangers onslaught second half and it could have gone either way at the end. I'm a happy United fan in Majorca, top of the league!

Stephen: United will rue that gilt-edged chance to take all three points - and it wouldn't have been an unfair result on the balance of play over the full 90 minutes.

Yes, it was a tough game and both sides had chances but United tried to play football, whereas this was like a Rangers team of old resorting to route one. Other than Thelo Aasgaard having some nice touches they were very poor and United should have punished them more.

It bodes well for the rest of the season for us, nobody needs feared and we have to work just as hard now in every other match. Jim Goodwin seems to have assembled an improved squad and the tactics worked tonight. On to the next game with optimism.

Craig: A solid start. Looks like we'll be playing a more attacking style this season. The new signings look promising and it's great to finally have some pace up front. We will miss Will Ferry massively if and when he leaves though - man of the match yet again.

Lee: Major change from last season. The set-up is better, our players are better, and we played better football. I'd have loved to have seen Amar Fatah in this team! Early signs are promising!

Jim: Reasonable start against a average Rangers team with Jesse Randall making mess of great chance to win it. No new signing stood out as exceptional, which is what you hope for, and the dearth of Scottish players on show now seems to be the norm.

Ross: Outstanding first half, the best opening 45 minutes at Tannadice for a long time. Flowing link-up play, solid as a rock at the back and hugely impressive work rate across the park. Second half was bound to dip but still a decent display and a fully deserved point.

Some real potential among the new signings , including Michael Forbes who was colossal in defence. But also a word of appreciation for Bert Esselink, who at times last season looked like he'd never appear in the first team again. More of the same will do us nicely.

Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership curtain-raiser as the Derek McInnes era got off to an underwhelming start at Tannadice.

Give us your thoughts here.

Read the match report here.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "I'm obviously very pleased with the overall performance, I thought the first half was excellent, I thought we were the better team.

"Rangers make changes at half-time and put us on the back foot for the opening 10 or 15 minutes of the second 45, but I think on the balance of play, when you break down all the different metrics, a draw is probably fair.

"But I can't get away from the fact that we miss that glorious chance at the end where Jesse Randall is through one-on-one and you're thinking that's the moment.

"Poor decision-making from him in that moment. I don't think he will make that choice the next time that opportunity comes along.

"He's apologised to the group, but I can't be over critical of the player; I think he's had a terrific game. He's a really, really talented young prospect. His overall performance was excellent, and I'm sure he'll be thinking about it into the small hours.

"I thought we chose to play the right pass more often than not.

"We're not getting carried away, it's only a point, and we wanted all three, but to get that point on the board is important."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Zac Sapsford is loving the influx of players from down under at Tannadice.

The Australian striker joined Dundee United last summer and now has company in fellow countrymen Daniel Bennie, Lachlan Rose and Joshua Rawlins, plus New Zealander Jesse Randall.

"I am shocked at how many we are getting, it is amazing," said 23-year-old Sapsford.

"I am always happy to have more Australians here, it makes you feel a bit more at home and hearing that familiar accent is always nice.

"They are going to be good players for us this season as well so it will be amazing."

United are targeting an opening-night scalp when they host Rangers on Friday and are determined to ensure a better season than last term's seventh-place finish.

Sapsford said: "Our target will be top six this season, like last season, but obviously we fell a bit short of that.

"We can potentially get into those European positions and that all starts this Friday night.

"[Last season] we dropped a lot of points in times where we probably shouldn't have, and silly mistakes or not taking our chances. All those kind of things you learn from and hopefully fix."

Having netted 11 goals in his debut campaign in Scotland, Sapsford has made a good start to this one, scoring three during United's Premier Sports Cup group campaign.

He said: "Every attacker wants to start the season well and I want to continue doing that."