Dundee United

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

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, Rangers FC/Dundee United FC

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has a fully fit squad for their Scottish Premiership season opener at home to Rangers on Friday.

On-loan Queens Park Rangers winger Daniel Bennie has arrived since United qualified for the Premier Sports Cup last 16 by topping their group and the 20-year-old could make his debut at Tannadice.

South Africa centre-back Olwethu Makhanya signed for Rangers on Thursday from Philadelphia Union and is one of eight summer arrivals aiming for competitive debuts along with manager Derek McInnes.

The former Hearts boss hopes Norway's Thelo Aasgaard and Australia's Cammy Devlin will recover from knocks picked up in their friendly draw with West Ham United.

But fellow midfielder Connor Barron is building up his fitness, while Jose Cifuentes, on loan with Toronto last season, has had an operation and also misses out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin hopes his "new look" side can catch Rangers by surprise in Friday night's Scottish Premiership opener at Tannadice.

United have made 10 signings so far this summer, while Rangers are under new management after Derek McInnes swapped Tynecastle for Ibrox.

"There will be a level of unknown from Rangers in terms of what our starting 11 is going to look like, a lot of players that some of their players aren't too familiar with. Hopefully we can catch them by surprise," Goodwin said.

"The recruitment we have done has been excellent. The squad looks in a really good place - we have got lots of good options in all areas of the pitch.

''We have got a change to our style and formation as well which we have spent the past six weeks working on. The players have been really receptive to that and I have seen really positive signs in training and in the pre-season games we have played.

"It is a very new look Dundee United and hopefully we will show ourselves well in the big game."

After an underwhelming seventh-place Premiership finish last season, Goodwin is setting his sights higher this term.

"A club of Dundee United's size should be competing the top half of the league after the split," he said.

"We should have aspirations of competing for those European places and in the domestic cup competitions we want to go far.

"We know how difficult the league is going to be, last year it was probably the most competitive that the Scottish Premiership has been for a number of years.

"But what we have managed to do in the past three seasons is stabilise the club.

"What we are trying to do is be a proper competitive Premiership team and I think we are seeing signs of that year on year."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Friday night's Scottish Premiership opener with Rangers at Tannadice.

Here is the best of what he had to say:

• Goodwin says United should be targeting a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership, challenging for Europe and making inroads in the cup competitions.

• When asked what needs to improve from last season's bottom-half league placing, he says they conceded too many goals and had too many draws.

• Goodwin expects new Rangers manager Derek McInnes to implement a similar style of play to his previous sides - adding he is a "good" and "sensible" appointment.

• He described new signing Daniel Bennie "as a really exciting player" after the 20-year-old winger joined on a season-long loan from QPR.

• Having already made 10 summer signings, Goodwin said there is not a lot more to do to his squad, but added they will remain active in the window "right up until the last day".

• Goodwin gave 15-year-old striker Lorenzo Sassetti his debut in the Premier Sports Cup group stages and has welcomed a rule change which allows him to play in all SPFL competitions.

• He hopes the rule change will help encourage good young Scottish players to stay in this country.

• Team News: "Pretty much a full complement of players to chose from".

Image source, SNS

• This will be Derek McInnes' first competitive game as Rangers boss. The last manager to lose their first top-flight league match in charge of the club was Graeme Murty in February 2017 (2-1 v Dundee), with 11 Rangers bosses avoiding defeat in their debut since (W8 D3).

• McInnes has only lost one of his past 15 Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United (W8 D6), a 4-0 defeat with Kilmarnock in November 2022.

• This will be the first Premiership opener played on a Friday since the 2013-14 season, when Dundee United played out a goalless draw with Partick Thistle. Since and including that year, the Tangerines have drawn six of their past nine matchday one games in the competition (W1 L2), including their latest four in a row.

• Rangers are unbeaten in 13 league meetings with Dundee United (W9 D4) since a 1-0 defeat in August 2021 under Steven Gerrard.

• This will be the fifth time Dundee United have faced Rangers in the opening game of a league season, while they failed to win any of the previous four (D2 L2), most recently a 1-1 draw in 1987-88.

• This will be Rangers' 10th league match played in the month of July in their history. They have won eight of the previous nine, failing only in a 1-1 draw with Hearts in 2011.