Highlights: Dundee Utd 1-1 Kilmarnock
Watch the best of the action from Tannadice as Kilmarnock rescue a last-gasp draw against Dundee United. (Available to UK users only)
We asked for your views on Dundee United's draw at home to Kilmarnock.
Here's what some of you said:
Das: Controlled the midfield for 85 minutes, then for some reason switched off. Why Jim Goodwin never killed the play with two subs, I have no idea.
Dave: Yet another pathetic defensive display at the end. This bunch of players look like a jellyfish looking for a backbone. Ross Graham as captain? Don't make me laugh! He is a bog standard defender totally out of his depth in a leadership role.
Ross: Mentality, mentality, mentality. Home league form has been horrible but we still don't learn. We sat back deep in numbers because that always works. Not. Invited the goal and just once again looked soft. Stop pressing the panic button, United.
Euan: Once again we let teams attack us by sitting back in and around our box for the last 10 minutes. Every United supporter saw it coming. What does Jim do? He stands there and watches and does nothing and then blames the players post-match. How many times does this have to happen before he realises he's the one at fault? Time's up, Jim. Move on and please do it quickly.
Andrew: Goodwin playing to hang on was the issue when we have consistently let in late goals all season. Last 10 we didn't have any possession and needed fresh legs, didn't make any subs. That's on Jim.
Matthew: That result is 100% on the manager. Everyone in the ground could see how deep the team was and that subs needed made with five minutes to go - why couldn't he? A decent team performance sabotaged by Goodwin's poor game management.
Substitute Marley Watkins' injury-time equaliser earned Kilmarnock a dramatic point after Amar Fatah's sensational strike seemed to have led Dundee United to back-to-back Scottish Premiership wins for the first time this season.
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "The end result feels like a bit of a defeat given the circumstances of how we concede the equaliser, and also given the opportunities that we had during the game.
"I thought it should have been a fairly comfortable and straightforward win but unfortunately I'm stood here talking about dropping points from a leading position again, and not being able to see out the game.
"That's the main frustration.
"I can't say we don't work on that sort of situation in training, defending the box. I've tried numerous combinations in the back three and I have to say the back three for 90 minutes defended the box brilliantly. Everything Kilmarnock had thrown at us from direct balls, set plays, balls in from wide areas, I thought we defended them really well.
"Whether it was a lapse in concentration near the end of the game, I don't know. But it's criminal for us to have one of Kilmarnock's forwards wander into the penalty box unopposed and get a free header. We need to be more aggressive and there needs to be a challenge there to ensure we finish the game with all three points.
"I thought over the course of the game, playing against a Kilmarnock team that's been scoring goals at will of late, we managed well. We managed the conditions better.
"Had we won the game 2-0 or 3-0 I don't think there would have been any complaints but we haven't seen it through and dropped another couple of points from a winning position."
Image source, SNSDundee United wing-back Will Ferry is irked by suggestions that persistent transfer talk has affected his performances after a bid from Vancouver Whitecaps was rejected in August while Real Salt Lake, Charlton Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and an as-yet unnamed Eredivisie outfit have expressed interest in the 25-year-old. (The Courier), external
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin indicated he will have everyone available except long-term absentee Isaac Pappoe (knee).
Kilmarnock striker Tyreece John-Jules will have a scan assessed after coming off against Celtic with a leg injury. Kyle Magennis (knee), Djenairo Daniels (knee), Matty Kennedy (hip) and Lewis Mayo (hamstring) remain out, while James Brown is close to a comeback.
Image source, SNSJim Goodwin has warned that the condition of the pitch at Tannadice could change the style of football Dundee United play against Kilmarnock.
Heavy rainfall in recent weeks has forced the postponement of two games and left the playing surface in poor condition.
The team were able to play their Scottish Cup tie against Spartans in midweek, though the damage to the grass was visible, and with the Premiership match on Saturday and another against Aberdeen on Tuesday, there's no time for it to recover.
That will affect United's approach, Goodwin admitted.
"The pitch is not ideal and plenty has been made of that," the United manager said.
"But we have to find solutions in terms of potentially changing up how we want to play a little bit.
"You saw on Wednesday with some of the passes that were played into midfield, it's difficult for the players to control.
"We might have to change our approach slightly, play a little bit more percentage football and take that risk element out of it."
Despite the challenge of the pitch, United are looking to continue momentum after two wins on the bounce.
"Hopefully we can build on the good results that we've had of late and continue to close the gap on Falkirk on the sixth," Goodwin said.
"That's two wins now, back-to-back. Obviously, we need to try and continue to build on that and gain some momentum going into the last few games before the split and see where it takes us.
"It's not going to be easy. Kilmarnock have really picked up under Neil McCann. There's a change of shape and a change of style of play as well, which we have to contend with.
"They're scoring lots of goals and we give them the greatest respect."
Dundee United will have to go with three forwards for the rest of the season following Nikolaj Moller's recent sale, indicating the club will not seek a free agent replacement. (Courier - subscription required), external
Manager Jim Goodwin is planning contract talks with eight Dundee United players. (Record), external
Referee John Beaton will officiate Dundee United's Saturday home meeting with Kilmarnock three days on from sending off three players in Aberdeen's Scottish Cup win over Motherwell. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's game against Kilmarnock.
Here are the main points:
Goodwin admits that while he's "delighted" to be in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, their 2-1 win over Spartans was "a lot more difficult than we had hoped for".
Iurie Iovu was sent off in the early stages of the cup clash and Goodwin stresses "playing with a man less against any opposition is always going to make things more difficult but credit to the players they got the result we needed."
Ross Graham scored United's opener on Tuesday night and Goodwin insists the defender "has been really influential for us this season, he knows what this club means to the supporters".
Getting back to league action, Goodwin stresses "every game is a cup final for us now".
United will give the "greatest respect" to a Kilmarnock side who are "fighting for their lives" at the bottom end of the table.
But the United boss insists "my players should be going into the game in high spirits and feeling good about themselves."
United are "going to have to make changes" for Saturday's game given the volume of fixtures, and Goodwin stresses he wants to make sure the team on the pitch is "fresh".
Goodwin adds "it's great to be playing at Tannadice" after several games were called off due to the weather.
Goodwin has been "really pleased" with goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, adding "his sharpness is certainly coming back".
Image source, SNSDundee United are winless in seven Scottish Premiership meetings with Kilmarnock (D3 L4) since a 4-0 triumph in November 2022.
Kilmarnock have won two of their last three top-flight visits to Dundee United (D1), as many as their previous 24 beforehand.
After their 3-2 win over Falkirk, Dundee United are looking to pick up back-to-back league victories for the first time this season. However, they have lost their last two home matches in the Scottish Premiership, last losing more in a row in the competition in March 2023 (four).
Kilmarnock have conceded at least three goals in each of their last three league games. The last side to ship 3+ goals in four successive Scottish Premiership matches were Hamilton in November 2020, while Killie themselves last did so in May 2015.
Kilmarnock's Tyreece John-Jules has both scored (six) and been directly involved (eight - six goals, two assists) more Scottish Premiership goals in 2026 so far than any other player. John-Jules has four goals and one assist in Killie's last two league matches.
Image source, SNSRoss Graham headed in from a corner for United's opening goal
Dundee United defender Ross Graham was delighted with a "hard fought" Scottish Cup win over Spartans and praised the side's work from set pieces.
Jim Goodwin's side were reduced to 10 men in the first half at Tannadice when Iurie Iovu was shown a straight red card but they managed to put themselves 2-0 up in less than an hour.
Despite a late fight-back, the hosts held on to book their spot in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.
It was a hard fought victory in the end but we're all delighted to get through to the next round," Graham told club media.
The 24-year-old headed in from a United corner for the opener and admits the club have been working hard on scoring from set pieces.
"Every team is looking more and more and set plays," he added.
"We work really hard on them and they've paid off a few times this season."
And United's hard work on set pieces is paying off.
The Tangerines are fourth in the league for chances created from set plays with 41 - only Hibs, Hearts and Rangers have created more. While their expected goals from set plays of 10.9 is the fourth highest behind St Mirren and the Edinburgh clubs.
Even better for Goodwin's men, they're second for goals from set pieces, 18, the same as Rangers while only league leaders Hearts have scored more from set plays.
Those goals have come from only 18 shots from set plays which is the third lowest in the league ahead of Motherwell and Celtic.
Thanks to goals from Graham and Amar Fatah, United will face Falkirk in the last eight of the Scottish Cup next month.
And having recently beaten John McGlynn's side 3-2 in the league, Graham sees no reason why United can't expect more success.
"They've had a really good season this year," he added.
"We beat them at the weekend, so there's no reason why we can't do that again.
"Just leading the team out at Hampden, I probably couldn't wish for many more things than that. That would be a dream come true.
"But we need to get past Falkirk first before anything can happen."
Highlights: Dundee United 2-1 Spartans
United fans, we asked for your views after Tuesday night's Scottish Cup win over Spartans.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Eddie: Amar Fatah will now miss the quarter final because of a ridiculous yellow card, just unfair to be honest. Apart from that I thought United deserved the win and with some better finishing it would have been a lot more comfortable despite the astonishing red card. Onto the quarter-final we go.
Ricky: You would think Spartans were the Premiership team we were that bad. We can't pass the ball, time for Jim Goodwin to go or we will be relegated.
Kieran: The main objective was to get through and we did that. However once again the officials decided to make the game about them. The referee set the tone mere minutes into the game by booking Amar Fatah for a coming together and then ended up proceeding to dish out cards like they were burning a hole in his pocket. Although Iurie Iovu was daft to make that sort of challenge, it was never a red card.
George: Victory and progression in the tournament is exactly what we wanted. Not the confidence winning result we wanted but confidence can be taken from the fact we did it with 10 players for eighty minutes. Let's take that confidence into the Kilmarnock game and really get our season back on track.
Graham: That was a tough watch. This was a great opportunity to build some confidence and score goals and play well. Ok the game changed when down to 10 men but when you move to long balls your centre forward needs to show basic skill like holding the ball up and challenging in the air. So disappointing to see so many chances squandered due lack of confidence.
Dundee United had to play most of the game with 10 men - and survive some late pressure from League 2 visitors Spartans before reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2022.
United visit Premiership rivals Falkirk in the last eight on 6 March.
Image source, SNSIurie Iovu was sent off for bodychecking Spartans' Cammy Russell
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was just delighted to get through what turned out to be a difficult Scottish Cup tie against fourth-tier Spartans after having Iurie Iovu sent off after only 12 minutes.
"We are delighted to be through to the next round of the Scottish Cup - it's something we haven't done enough of in the last three seasons," he told BBC Scotland.
"Had you offered me that in the 12th minute when we went down to 10 men, I would have snapped the hand off you.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy against a very well coached Spartans side. Certainly got a little bit nervy close to the end, which I could have done without, but it wasn't a pretty game of football.
"It was difficult on the pitch the way it is. I don't think it suited either team really, but the reality is my players will have to get used to that as it's not going to get better any time soon."
As for the red card dished out by referee Grant Irvine, Goodwin said: "I haven't had chance unfortunately to watch it back.
"We'll sit down tomorrow myself and the CEO and we'll decide if we've got a case for an appeal on that one. The message from the fourth official was that the referee deemed it a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity.
"I felt there was a bit of cover coming around. I didn't think the Spartans player had great control of the ball at the time. It is a bit of a clumsy challenge, but is it deeming of a red card at that stage of the game? I'm not so sure.
"To go in at half-time at 1-0 was a good feeling. It was a well-worked corner. That settled everyone down and I felt we had good control.
"In the second half, we knew Spartans would throw a little bit more caution to the wind and throw bodies forward - and they certainly did that.
"They pinned us back for periods. I thought we were going to keep the clean sheet, but quite a fortuotous goal - a deflected shot from the edge of the box.
"And that did add a little to the anxiety towards the end of the game. But it is about getting through in cup competitions."
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
Well, we only went and did it. We won a game. An actual football match. Three points.
I should've put money on it around 6pm on Friday 13th, when Falkirk tweeted they could go 17 points clear of Dundee United with a win.
A statement like that is basically football's version of saying "nothing can possibly go wrong." And as we all know, the football gods love nothing more than punishing confidence.
So yes, Dundee United finally picked up three points, our first league win since 2025. And let me tell you, when your team hasn't won in what feels like an awful long time, you take it however it comes.
Last time out at Hibs, our defending was a bit of a horror show. We somehow managed to lose 3–2 in a game where we did plenty right going forward, but at the back looked like we'd confused football with a competitive game of musical statues.
This past Saturday at Falkirk? Much of the same. Still shaky, still prone to moments of panic, and still far too willing to make life difficult for ourselves. The difference was that this time we managed to come out on the right side of it, which is always great, unless you're someone who enjoys things like structure or defensive competence.
Honestly, where do you even start with our defending? We've played a back three all season and regardless of personnel, partnerships or opponent, we just don't look like we understand it. At this point I'm not sure we've conceded a goal this season that didn't start with our own mistake. It's like we're committed to making things harder for ourselves out of principle.
For my money, we should go to a back four. Would it fix everything? Of course not. But when you've spent months proving you can't play a back three, maybe, just maybe, it's time to stop forcing it like it's going to suddenly click through sheer optimism.
That said, we did win at Falkirk. And if you offered me a season of Dundee United winning more than their fair share of five-goal thrillers while continuing to defend like a team playing with invisible players at the back….......I'd probably take it.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the fickle mind of a football fan.
Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
Image source, SNSJulius Eskesen talks about just how close he came to departing Dundee United in January, with the Danish midfielder agreeing a move to Greek side AE Kafisia only for the deal to collapse. (The Courier), external
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin hopes his side's comeback win over Falkirk on Saturday can begin to win over fans again.
Julius Eskesen's late goal secured a 3-2 victory at the Falkirk Stadium and gave United a first win in five Premiership games.
The run of league defeats that preceded that, which included a derby loss to Dundee as well as being beaten by Hearts Hibs and Celtic, had seen the players and manager come in for some criticism.
Goodwin accepted that taking flak is part and parcel of the game in poor runs, but said that he appreciated the support the team does get and hopes the win begins to repay the fans.
"I completely understand their frustration and I know that they travel in great numbers every week and they want to see their team winning games of football," the United manager told DUTV.
"I understand the criticism aimed at the players and I certainly understand the criticism aimed at me as the manager, because ultimately it's my responsibility and I don't shy away from that.
"But all I can say to them is that we are doing all we can behind the scenes. The players are giving absolutely everything in training. We know the results haven't been good enough over the last few weeks.
"I think there has been an element of context to some of those results – going down to nine men against Hearts – but I really appreciate their support.
"I know this is only one result and it doesn't mean that we've turned any corner or anything like that.
"We're not going to get carried away and I think we've let a few of them down recently and we've got to earn their trust and earn their support back, I suppose. But Saturday goes a little bit towards that."
Goodwin is now preparing his side for Tuesday's rearranged Scottish Cup tie against Spartans, which would see his team return to Falkirk in the quarter finals if they get through.
"The game there early on in the season, we were leading and ended up drawing the game," he said.
"The game at Tannadice last time out, I thought Falkirk were the better team and deserved to win the game.
"But I think the games have always been quite close and always been very competitive.
"But hopefully this gives the boys the shot in the arm that they need to believe that they can compete against good teams and get the results needed."
Two Celtic stars, duos from Dundee and Dundee United, and a pair from Motherwell. It's time for Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...
Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian
Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers. Sallinger gets the nod for a couple of stops and a clean sheet. An overall impressive addition at Easter Road.
Julian Araujo - Celtic
What a big goal. Ended up in hospitality with his celebration, but it was a big moment.
Stephen Welsh - Motherwell
Outstanding again after his goalscoring heroics midweek. An assist for Just as well. Not sure what Celtic don't see in him.
Ross Graham - Dundee United
Goal and a doughty warrior at the back. His four touches in the opposition box was only bettered by teammate Kristijan Trapanovski, while he made more clearances than any other player.
Cameron Congreve - Dundee
A continuous threat down the right for the Dark Blues. What a good loan signing he has been by Steven Pressley. Took eight shots and created three chances.
Craig Sibbald - Dundee United
Pulled the strings in midfield and scored a vital goal. Set up four chances, the most of any United player, and won more duels than any of his teammates.
Elijah Just - Motherwell
For me, Elijah Just has to be in with a shout of player of the season. The New Zealand international has been consistently excellent, showing guile, creativity and goalscoring ability. On the scoresheet again this weekend, against Aberdeen. Ghosts around the pitch with elegance, class and endeavour.
Sebastian Tounekti - Celtic
Loves Rugby Park. Great on his debut there, scored there against Auchinleck Talbot and sparked Celtic's comeback on Sunday with a goal of the season contender.
Simon Murray - Dundee
Murray in a hurry at Dens Park. After a barren spell, the Dundee captain looked pumped for action with his quick fire double.
Youssef Chermiti - Rangers
Michael Stewart told me on Sportscene he doesn't think Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker. But he has scored six of his seven goals this season against Celtic and Hearts, including his hat-trick yesterday on what was a huge occasion.
The challenge for the 21-year-old is to start delivering this sort of performance more consistently against the other sides in the Premiership.
Tyreece John-Jules - Kilmarnock
The former Arsenal youth - and nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules - was a force of nature for Kilmarnock against Celtic, following on from his midweek hat-trick.
Scored a great goal, clipped the crossbar from a free-kick and just generally showed star potential. Such a shame he limped off with what looked like a thigh muscle strain.
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Dundee United get the better of Falkirk in a five-goal Scottish Premiership encounter (UK users only).
We asked you Dundee United fans for your views after the 3-2 victory over Falkirk. Here's a taste of what you had to say...
Kenny: Much more like it. Another brilliant goalkeeping display and two full-backs who ran their socks off. Craig Sibbald's strike was fantastic and it was great to see Julius Eskesen's reaction to his goal. Let's have more of the the same in the Cup.
Dave: We did get a bit luck with Zac Sapsford's push in the box - it looked like a penalty to me. However, we've stopped the rot - for now. Fingers crossed the injuries to Kristijan Trapanowski and Luca Stephenson are not bad ones.
Steve: Jim Goodwin said we 'can't keep relying on having to score two or three goals every week to win games of football'. When is he going to realise the reason we have to keep coming from behind is because we can't defend playing the system that we do?
George: Much needed win at the right time. Need now to win comfortably against Spartans to boost the confidence for the remaining games before the split. Let's turn this part of the season into a fantastic run into the top six and then European qualification.
Gary: Not a great performance, but against a team flying high and, in the form we've been in, I'll take an ugly win all day! But we need to back it up. Goodwin keeps talking top six, but looking at the fixtures and doing the maths, that's pie in the sky even if we were playing well. I'll take solidifying our form, and a decent Cup run.
Alan: The manager again has been unhappy with the goals we conceded. He has to scrap playing this back three once and for all, and revert to a back four. It is also time that Sam Cleall-Harding is given a run in the team.
Ross: A better performance against a team who, like us, are better at going forward than defending. This was apparent (yet again) as United conceded two sloppy and defendable goals.
However, a great fightback which will surely/hopefully/mibeez aye/mibeez no (delete as appropriate) breed confidence going into the plethora of games in the next few weeks. Great to see Eskesen get on the score sheet.
Ally: Similar theme with the goals conceded, but on this occasion can't fault the character responding to setbacks. Plenty about this team in attacking areas when we go for it, but we'll remain inconsistent at best unless we can plug the defence. This needs to be a turning point.
Dundee United came from behind to win a five-goal thriller against 10-man Falkirk and breathe fresh life into their hopes of catching the Bairns for a top-six spot in the Scottish Premiership.
