Dundee United

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

I'm not sure if the horses Paul mentioned last week found their stride, but at Tynecastle they at least remembered how to run.

After the confusion of recent weeks with the changing shapes and patchy form plus soft goals, this was a proper United performance again. Brave, aggressive and disciplined. And it came from getting back to basics.

Gorgeous Jim went with a shape the players know. A back three. Energy in midfield. Runners out wide. It gave us structure and it showed. The manager clearly set us up to match Hearts' intensity and for the first time in a few games we didn't look second best.

Yes, we still can't seem to go a game without conceding first. Yes, we still waste good chances, but this felt like a team with a plan.

Amar Fatah's delivery for Luca Stephenson's header was the highlight but the real star was Panutche Camara. The man doesn't stop. He wins the ball, drives forward and sets the tone for everything we do.

Three goals disallowed tells its own story too. We weren't there to hang on, we went after Hearts.

Paul was right to ask for clarity and consistency and at Tynecastle we saw the benefits of both. The shape worked, the attitude was right.

Now the challenge is simple: make that the norm, not the exception.

A week to rest up given the treatment room seems to be getting busier again will hopefully help strengthen the bench when the Bairns come calling next weekend.

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

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Dundee United have enquired about Yelimay Semey's Kazakhstan winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek, 22, who is soon to be out of contract. (Daily Record), external

Dundee United are one of a number of clubs keen on Galymzhan Kenzhebek, who was previously linked with Celtic and Hearts. (The Courier - subscription required), external

Former Dundee United and St Johnstone scout/analyst Stevie Grieve is wanted by Swedish club Helsingborgs and is also on the radar of HJK Helsinki after two successful seasons as head coach at Finnish side SJK Akatemia. (The Courier - subscription required), external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

I am a big fan of Luca Stephenson's endeavour, ability and football brain.

He showed great skill throughout the 1-1 draw at Tynecastle on Sunday and the Dundee United midfielder's header to equalise was perfect.

He takes a spot in my team of the week.

Hearts have been the kings of the set-piece in the Scottish Premiership this season, scoring eight goals from corners and two more from indirect free-kicks.

However, they were undone by a magnificent Dundee United corner routine on Sunday.

Amar Fatah's corner was fizzed to the back post, where Luca Stephenson planted a header into the far corner as United earned a point against the league leaders.

"Fatah is inch-perfect with his delivery and the three on the edge of the six-yard box drive the rest of the Hearts defenders in to create space," Michael Stewart said on Sportscene.

"There's loads of pace on the delivery, so Stephenson just has to guide it back where it's come from."

It was just United's second league goal of the season from corners, but they are likely to be plenty more on that evidence.

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United drew 1-1 against Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

Jenny: Very proud of that United performance especially with Will Ferry and Craig Sibbald missing. The team really put their bodies on the line and could have won the game. Shows that those who wrote United off prior to the game were completely wrong as they matched the league leaders. On their day, United with players like Amar Fatah, Luca Stephenson, Zac Sapsford and Panutche Camara are a match for anyone.

Ross: At last, a game we seemed up for from the get-go. Unlucky with both our first offside goal and the deflection off the post (and then Yevhen Kucherenko) for their goal. Whilst the Jambos had the better of the second half, we were dogged and allowed them little or no fodder in front of goal. A yard (twice) was the difference to United adding to their tally (with two other offside goals) but, in retrospect, a point against the league leaders (whoever they may be) cannot be sniffed at. More of the same in future please but could we not have utilised the bench for a final push for all three points?

John: Came to Tynecastle with an apprehension following the previous performance against Motherwell. However once again another United turned up and showed they could match Hearts in every department. There is no doubt that United were as good, if not better. Hearts played around at the back but were pretty ineffective up front and you could see Lawrence Shankland's frustrations. All the while United battled in midfield with Camara again showing he is the find of the season. He was also supported by Sapsford up front who shows some of the best footwork in the league. Fatah also looks like he is improving with every game. Really hope the team realise they can play anyone and kick on.

Steve: A well organised and workman like performance. Far better than waiting until the second half to start playing. Which we've been guilty of in the previous week. Camara and Stephenson were outstanding, but everyone played their part. Had the ball in the net three times only for them all to be ruled out. If only one of them had stood, it could have been a very different day for the Terrors. 1-1 is still a positive result away to the league leaders.

Lee: So much better after last time out. A point away from home to the league leaders, no matter who it is, is a good point. A tough game against a very good Falkirk team up next. Let's see what version of ourselves shows up!

Jim: Best showing in some time. Finally looking like the side that started the season. Made Hearts look ordinary.

Watch highlights as Hearts and Dundee United play out a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership.

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Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts dropped points for only the third time this season as Dundee United battled back for a draw at Tynecastle.

What did you make of United's performance amid a raft of injuries?

Share your thoughts.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Hearts had plenty of possession but they never caused us too many problems. We defended our box brilliantly.

"I can't remember my goalkeeper having too many saves to make.

"Towards the end Hearts throw everything at us and there's lots of balls coming into the box.

"My goalkeeper was outstanding. He took a couple of high crosses and punched a couple. But I think on the dangerous attacks we had, we maybe could have shaded it.

"We carried a real threat on the counter attack all afternoon.

"I thought the three at the back were outstanding as well, they dealt with everything into the box.

"I thought the referee [John Beaton] did brilliantly as well, there weren't hundreds of cards being thrown about the boys were allowed to be physical with each other.

"It was a good game and performance and reaction from the Motherwell performance. If you take that game in isolation our run of results have not been too bad at all."

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Zac Sapsford believes Sunday's trip to Tynecastle gives Dundee United the chance to show their mettle against the surprise Scottish Premiership leaders.

Hearts, who beat United 3-2 at Tannadice in August thanks to a 90th-minute winner from defender Stuart Findlay, are nine points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership having played a game more.

Derek McInnes' side have yet to lose a league game this season and have earned victories against both Celtic and Rangers.

The Australian striker, 23, who joined United from Western Sydney Wanderers in June, was disappointed with the 2-0 defeat in the last game at Motherwell and is aiming to make amends against Hearts.

He said: "Obviously we're really disappointed with the result and performance against Motherwell, but I think it's a really important game to come back into.

"Top-of-the-table Hearts away, what a game to really show what we're made of and I think we're really ready for it.

"It's being confident within our abilities in each position.

"If we get that right, I think we can cause any team in the league real problems, including Hearts.

"At Tannadice, we should have got something out of the game. So that definitely puts confidence in us and we know that we can play against the best and at the moment they are the best in the league.

"But every team is beatable. We want to win the game and we believe we can do that."

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Hearts expect to have midfielder Ageu and goalkeeper Ryan Fulton back in contention so Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock (both hamstring) are the only absentees.

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin hopes to see Ross Graham and Max Watters (both hamstring) available again before the end of the month. Isaac Pappoe (knee) is out long term.

Manager Jim Goodwin has confirmed Dundee United were on the trail of Pierre Landry Kabore before Hearts made the Burkina Faso forward an offer they could not compete with. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Saturday's gossip.

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Jim Goodwin is convinced his Dundee United side can upset the odds against league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Derek McInnes' men are unbeaten and lead the Premiership by nine points from defending champions Celtic, who have played a game fewer.

McInnes this week said he doesn't expect any downturn in Hearts' results and Goodwin, whose United team were beaten 3-2 at home by the Tynecastle side in August, understands his opposite number's stance.

"I think Derek is probably right to say that," said Goodwin.

"I think when your team is winning, it's a great habit to be in and I would imagine the training ground is a really positive place for Hearts at the moment and there's a lot of confidence within the building.

"But I think the position Hearts find themselves in, it probably brings with it its own pressures as well. The level of expectancy among the supporters lifts automatically when you've had the kind of start of Hearts have had.

"But I think any team in this league is capable of beating anybody else and we certainly don't have a defeatist mindset going into the game on Sunday.

"People in the media and others outwith the club may view Hearts as big favourites, but we certainly believe if we turn up and perform the way we know we're capable of, then we can certainly give them a game.

"We had a great track record there last season at Tynecastle and hopefully we can go and do the same this year."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership trip to league-leaders Hearts on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Says United can take positives from the defeat by Hearts earlier in the season at Tannadice, but expects a tough test at Tynecastle, against the only team in the league without inconsistencies.

• Says Derek McInnes' side have an "array of quality" and stresses United will need to be at their best defensively.

• Thinks anyone can beat anyone in the Premiership and believes they will give Hearts a good game, as they did in August.

• Goodwin points out Hearts have benefitted from Celtic and Rangers' misfortunes this season and says being top of the league brings a different type of pressure.

• Believes Ivan Dolcek can and will rediscover his early season form and stresses how difficult it can be for young players coming into a new environment.

• Ross Graham and Max Watters are on track to be back in team training at the end of this month. There are no new injury concerns.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin believes it is too early to say whether Sunday's opponents Hearts can win the Scottish Premiership. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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• After their 3-2 victory in August, Hearts are looking for successive league wins over Dundee United within a single season for the first time since November 2021.

• Dundee United won their two league visits to Tynecastle last season (both 1-0), just one fewer than their previous 16 top-flight away games at Hearts (W3 D5 L8).

• Hearts have 29 points in their 11 league games (W9 D2 L0), while a victory here would make this the best start after 12 games of a Scottish top-flight season by a non-Old Firm club since 2005-06, when Hearts had 32 points from their opening 12.

• Dundee United have won just one of their past seven away league games (D3 L3), beating Dundee 2-0 in August.

• Lawrence Shankland is the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with seven goals. He has netted in his last three league games and could become the first player to score in four in a row for Hearts since doing it himself in February 2024.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin reveals he has had a "good conversation" with Ivan Dolcek in a bid to get the on-loan Croat back to the levels that made him the Premiership's player of the month in August. (The Courier), external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Is it too simplistic to draw a correlation between Dundee United's recent struggles and Ivan Dolcek's drop-off in form?

Probably yes, but there is no doubt the Tangerines could do with the Croat winger rediscovering his early-season levels.

The 25-year-old made an instant impact following his loan arrival, netting five goals in his opening five league games and being named Premiership player of the month for August.

However, the last of those goals came against Aberdeen on 23 September. In the four matches Dolcek has played since, United have won none and lost two. Of the two draws in that run, Dolcek was substituted at half-time in both.

He didn't even make it off the bench when Jim Goodwin's side defeated St Mirren 3-1 on 25 October – the club's only win since beating the Dons.

Dolcek's stunning start to life in Scotland proved he can be a quality operator.

The challenge for manager Goodwin is to find a way of unlocking that talent once again. If he can, don't be surprised if it coincides with an upturn in United's fortunes.

Manager Jim Goodwin insists he is comfortable with Dundee United's move towards an aggressive player trading model. (The Courier), external

Former Dundee United manager and Hearts caretaker Liam Fox has been appointed head coach of Sporting Club Jacksonville in United States' second-tier, the club where former Rangers manager Mark Warburton is sporting director. (Daily Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Ryan Edwards adds "invaluable" experience to Falkirk after the former Dundee United defender joined on a deal until January.

The 32-year-old has spent the past two seasons in India, making 46 appearances for Super League side Chennaiyin, after leaving Tannadice.

Edwards bolsters an injury-hit Falkirk defence, with Lewis Neilson, Coll Donaldson and Tom Lang all sidelined.

Manager John McGlynn said: "Ryan is a player who we've brought in as a replacement, more or less, for Lewis Neilson.

"Lewis picked up an injury against Motherwell and has gone through an operation, so we're looking at him being out for around another 10 weeks from now.

"Ryan is 32 and he's played in this league before with Dundee United. That experience will stand him in good stead for playing here.

"He's a no-nonsense centre-back, who is 6ft 5in. He's going to head the ball in both boxes, he's going to be a threat at the other end, so he'll add that experience that is invaluable in this division."

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

When it comes to picking a first XI I'm a big advocate of horses for courses, but down Tannadice way recently there seems to have been an awful lot of chopping and changing from week to week. Different formations, different personnel.

Now I appreciate, if recent results had been more favourable, I likely wouldn't feel the need to raise this question, but recent results and performances haven't been great, so it's getting raised.

Should United focus more on themselves than on what they should do to stop the opposition?

Look at Motherwell, for example. They've got a clear identity. They play the same way every week. Come rain, shine, or a 3-0 deficit, you know exactly what you're getting with them.

It might not always come off, but at least the players look like they know which way they're supposed to be kicking. There's something to be said for that.

So does Jim Goodwin need to stick to a formation he believes in and go with it? Or should he continue doing what he is doing at present, the horses for courses method?

I suspect he won't change, and I'm also not overly pushing for the change, but it does merit mentioning.

As for the recent run of results and performances, perhaps the team are just struggling at the moment, and it's merely coincidence that different formations/players have been employed, almost from game to game, while the form has dipped. Who can say?

Whatever the reason, the next test is a trip to Tynecastle and if Goodwin doesn't get his selection right there, it could be a very long afternoon in Gorgie.

Let's just hope the horses he picks that day can actually gallop, because Hearts won't be standing still waiting for us to catch up.

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

Dundee United were among the clubs tracking Pierre Landry Kabore over the summer before the Burkina Faso forward chose to join Hearts. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Sportscene pundits Neil McCann and Jackie McNamara are unimpressed with defender Krisztian Keresztes' efforts at preventing Motherwell's second goal in Dundee United's midweek defeat in Lanarkshire.