DUNDEE UNITED vs Heart of Midlothian Sunday 5 January 2025 William Hill Premiership
AT TANNADICE PARK CalForth Construction Arena
THE GAFFER
Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to Tannadice!
Another game and another late goal – it’s becoming a bit of a habit now!
I sound like a broken record, but I have to say, it’s a credit to the character within the group. It would have been easy to settle for a point away from home in the Derby, but we don’t do that. We want to win the game, and that’s what we did. It was a brilliant way to win - the supporters loved it, and we, as a team, certainly enjoyed it too.
It meant so much to us, to
the players, and especially to the supporters. I’m over the moon with how the lads have performed, especially through this festive period.
I don’t think anyone could have imagined us being third just 10 weeks ago. But we’ve been consistent, and that’s what’s got us here. We can’t get carried away. We’ve seen how quickly things can change. So, while we’re happy with where we are, we won’t get complacent. We’ll enjoy it, but we know there’s a long way to go.
The main target for us is making sure we end up in the Premiership next season. Once we hit the points we need for that,
we can start looking a bit higher. It’s still early days –we’re only in January, and there’s a lot of football left.
We’ve built a great culture within the squad, and that’s what’s carrying us through. The work isn’t done, and we’ll keep pushing forward as we head into the Hearts game. We’ve still got a busy period ahead, but when you’re winning, nobody cares about the tiredness or the fatigue. It’s all hands to the pump, and we’ll do whatever it takes to keep this momentum going.
I hope you all enjoy the game!
- Jim Goodwin
AYLA STEWART AGE: 8
FAVOURITE PLAYER: JACK WALTON
FRASER SAWERS
AGE: 9
FAVOURITE PLAYER: KEVIN HOLT
MALAKI BANKS AGE: 7
FAVOURITE PLAYER: SAM DALBY
TODAY’S MASCOTS
INDIA STEWART AGE: 5
FAVOURITE PLAYER: KEVIN HOLT
FINLAY SAWERS
AGE: 7
FAVOURITE PLAYER: KRISTIJAN TRAPANOVSKI
RORY EWEN AGE: 6
FAVOURITE PLAYER: DAVID BABUNSKI
NAIRN JOHNSTON AGE: 7
FAVOURITE PLAYER: DAVID BABUNSKI
LIAM HORSBURGH AGE: 9
FAVOURITE PLAYER: LUCA STEPHENSON
HARRY HOLT AGE: 9
FAVOURITE PLAYER: KAI FOTHERINGHAM
FRASER BARBOUR
AGE: 9
FAVOURITE PLAYER: KEVIN HOLT
THIS WEEK’S PRIZES
DUNDEE UNITED VS Heart of Midlothian
1st prize £1000
2nd prize £250
3rd prize - Signed Top
4th prize - £50 club shop voucher
As always, you can secure your entry with a £2 donation per ticket, which can be made with either cash or card from DUDA sellers in and around the stadium one hour ahead of kick-off.
DUNDEE UNITED 1
ABERDEEN 0
5.15PM SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 2024 | THE CALFORTH CONSTRUCTION ARENA AT TANNADICE PARK | WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP ATTENDANCE: 13,581
ROARED ON
It was a positive first 45 from the men in tangerine, who enjoyed more shots and shots on target, forcing Dimitar Mitov into four first-half saves to keep it level.
Glenn Middleton - who looked lively all evening - had the first sighting of the match inside one minute as Stephenson picked out our number 15 free inside the Aberdeen box. However, cutting in on his favoured left foot, his curling effort was high and wide to leave Mitov unfased.
Aberdeen went closest to opening the scoring on 12 minutes as ex-United man, Jamie McGrath, forced a cross to Ester Sokler inside our penalty area. A neat touch opened up space for a drive, forcing Jack Walton into a smart stop before Will Ferry was there to stop
PENALTY DRAMA
Following an untimely VAR intervention, we were denied a spot-kick just before the 30-minute mark.
The decision came as Middleton’s cross was diverted onto the post by an Aberdeen defender before Ferry and Trapanovski both had bites at the cherry - the latter’s shot being blocked inside the box by Nicky Devlin. John Beaton initially pointed to the spot before the VAR Greg Aitken called for an on-field review and the decision was overturned after striking the visiting captain who used his arms to block his midriff.
CLOSE CALLS
Kevin Nisbet and Devlin
were both denied by some last-ditch defending as the former Hibs man looked to slot home after coming on as a sub.
Mitov was on hand again as he got a strong arm to Dalby’s header before an almighty scramble was eventually cleared as a number of United bodies looked to bundle it home.
LAST GASP ECSTACY
Our never-say-die attitude was on show once more as we deservedly grabbed all three points deep into stoppage time.
In truth, it could have come earlier as a Middleton cross flashed across goal with no takers before being hooked clear.
The resultant long throw from Ferry spun high into the Dundee sky before Holt nodded down into the corner to spark bedlam.
Topi Keskinen from turning home into an empty net.
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FOCUS ON HEARTS
Despite sitting eleventh in the Premiership table and enduring a challenging campaign so far, Hearts appear to be on the cusp of turning their season around. They arrive on Tayside this afternoon with just one defeat in their last five matches.
Their 1-0 midweek victory over Motherwell marked only their second clean sheet in 16 matches, a run stretching back to late October. Hearts’ away form has also been concerning, with just five points secured from a possible 30 this season.
However, our guests have avoided defeat on their last four visits to Tannadice, recording two wins and two draws. They’ll be looking to continue an impressive record of just one defeat in nine encounters against us.
Blair Spittal signed a threeyear deal after leaving Motherwell. The former United winger scored 14 goals in 108 appearances between 2014 and 2017 but suffered relegation at Tannadice.
Yan Dhanda a skilful attacking midfielder who has been in and out of the team this term. Formerly with Liverpool, he also represented England at youth level.
Malachi Boateng developed at Crystal Palace, the 22-year-old midfielder impressed on loan at
Queens Park and Dundee before signing a threeyear deal at Hearts.
Daniel Oyegoke signed for Brentford for £7m from Arsenal in 2021, the attacking right-back scored his first senior goal against St Mirren in October.
James Penrice has been a consistent performer since joining from Livingston on a three-year deal. Renowned for his pace, he regularly pushes forward to support attacks, delivering precise crosses into dangerous areas. His work rate and defensive
reliability make him a key figure on the left flank, seamlessly balancing his attacking contributions with his duties at the back.
Gerald Taylor is a versatile Costa Rican international, Taylor shone on his debut in a 0-0 draw at Ibrox but has been sidelined by injury since September.
ONE TO WATCH JAMES WILSON
THE GAFFER NEIL CRITCHLEY
Many were surprised when Hearts appointed Neil Critchley to replace Stephen Naismith in October, but the 46-year-old boasts a wealth of coaching experience.
A midfielder with hometown club Crewe Alexandra, Critchley moved into coaching at Gresty Road after retiring at 24. His expertise in youth development saw him rise to Academy Director.
He was later headhunted by Liverpool, where he managed their U18 side and guided the U23 team in domestic cup competitions during the 2019/20 season while the first team competed in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Blackpool appointed him as manager in 2020, and he led them to Championship promotion via the play-offs in 2021 before leaving to become Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa.
Further managerial spells at QPR and a return to Blackpool followed before Critchley joined Hearts on a contract until the end of the 2026/27 season.
At just 17, James Wilson is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s bright young talents.
The striker has already scored four goals for the first team this season, adding to his prolific record at youth and Lowland League levels. Fearless and direct, Wilson is a rising star who Hearts may struggle to retain beyond 2026, when his contract expires.
By Ryan Haldane
PRINCE BUABEN
Prince played as a youth for AVV Zeeburgia and was a product of the Ajax youth system. Unfortunately, he was unable to sign a professional contract as he didn’t have the necessary residency qualifications to sign professionally for a Dutch club.
Consequently, he returned to his native Ghana, and due to his family’s UK status, obtained a valid visa, which led to a recommendation to United manager Craig Levein.
Buaben joined the club as a trialist at the start of pre-season training in 2007 and impressed sufficiently to be awarded a three-year contract.
At the time of his signing, Craig Levein prophetically said, “He’s a young player and, although talented, will need time to develop and adapt. I see him as one for the future but have high hopes that he may break into the first team earlier than expected.”
So much so, that his first-team debut came in the opening match of the season, coming off the bench in a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Tannadice.
A striker in his early days in the Netherlands, it was as a dynamic midfielder that he excelled in tangerine, forming a combative midfield partnership with Morgaro Gomis. In fact, almost immediately, he became a regular in the first team squad, and in his four seasons at Tannadice, he clocked up 142 appearances, scoring 11 goals.
He collected a runners-up medal in the League Cup final in March 2008 and then won a Scottish Cup winners’ medal in 2010. He was also awarded his first Ghana international cap while at United. After four successful years with the club, he left when his contract expired in May 2011 and signed for Watford.
After a couple of seasons at Vicarage Road, he spent a season with Carlisle United, which included a short loan spell with Partick Thistle.
Robbie Neilson then signed Prince on a one-year contract with Heart of Midlothian in July 2014. He helped Hearts win the Scottish Championship but was frustrated having to spend much of the latter part of that campaign out injured. After four seasons at Tynecastle, Buaben was released by Hearts at the end of the 2017-18 season, having appeared in 106 games and scored seven times.
A short-term contract at Falkirk ensued, with Romania’s Pandurii Târgu Jiu being his last reported port of call in 2020.
DUNDEE 1
MURRAY PEN 61’
DUNDEE UNITED 2
ŠEVELJ 66’, DALBY 88’
5.30PM THURSDAY 2 JANUARY 2025 | SCOTFOAM STADIUM DENS PARK | WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP ATTENDANCE: 11,585
TWO CRACKS
It was almost the perfect start on the imperfect end of Tannadice Street as Sam Dalby forced Trevor Carson into a stop inside a minute.
It came as we cantered forward down the left before Will Ferry’s whipped cross was nodded down towards the side netting, only for the Dundee number 31 to claw it around the post and the resultant danger from a United corner was cleared.
A huge block on the line from Ryan Strain denied Finlay Robertson who looked certain to open the scoring - latching onto Seb Palmer-Houlden’s cutback at the far-post.
We almost found the lead just before 20 minutes again through our English talisman. This time, Glen Middleton’s cross was nodded back across by
Kristijan Trapanovski and Dalby took one touch to control before swivelling and poking it just wide of the post!
A surging run from Strain then saw him evade countless navy blue shirts before laying off Trapanovski who could only blast high and wide with his first-time effort from the corner of the box.
DOWN BUT NOT OUT
We were frustratingly close to notching the opener ahead of a spotkick for the home side. It was Strain who almost found the back of the net, but his deflected effort trickled just wide of the post.
Just after the hour, Kevin Holt was penalised for a flailing arm as he challenged Simon Murray for the ball - the hosts awarded a penalty which Murray dispatched cooly.
COMETH THE CROATIAN
We weren’t behind for long as Vicko Ševelj capped off a brilliant run of form with his first United goal.
It was another long throw that paid dividends as half-time substitute Ross Graham launched it into the danger area before it was flicked on by PalmerHoulden whose failed clearance turned into an assist and was nodded into the net by Ševelj!
BEDLAM AT THE DEATH
A super stop from Carson denied Strain once more before a trademark Dalby strike secured all three points to send us third in the table.
It came on 88 minutes as Ferry’s sweeping cross was flashed across goal by Holt and cushioned home by our number 19 for his tenth of the season!
REMEMBERING ALEC BROWN
Everyone connected with the club was saddened to learn that goalkeeper Alec Brown, a regular member of United’s 1960 promotion-winning side, had passed away. Known for his steady hands and dedication both on and off the field, the born-and-bred Fifer leaves behind a legacy as a player, coach, and family man.
Born on August 15, 1937, in Methil, Fife, Alexander Brown grew up in humble surroundings. His father, also Alex, was a former professional footballer affiliated with St Johnstone, while his mother
worked in agriculture. Brown attended Aberhill Primary and Junior Schools. It was during this time that his love for football flourished. He played for Bayview Youth Club and Wellsgreen before being spotted by Lochgelly Albert Juniors, a stepping stone to his professional career.
Signed by Tommy Gray, Alec joined United from Lochgelly Albert in September 1958, having made his first two appearances as a trialist – the first of which was a 1-0 defeat away to Brechin City, aged only 21. In that first season, he appeared 20 times, sharing the number
one jersey with Bill Lucas. Initially, he was first choice but only returned to the side for the last month of what had been a particularly disappointing campaign. However, things were about to change.
Lucas was released, and after Jerry Kerr’s appointment as manager in the summer of 1959, the Methil-born keeper became firmly established, missing just two of the club’s 44 competitive fixtures in the 1959-60 promotion season. Due to injury, Stewart Morrison replaced him for the 4-0 home win over Forfar and the 4-4 draw at Queen of the South in early April, but Alec was in the promotion-winning side at the end of the season.
Jerry Kerr opted for experience in the top division, signing 35-yearold Rolando Ugolini, who had previously played for Celtic and Middlesbrough, after being released by Wrexham. Kerr later explained that he had noticed minor flaws in Alec’s play that could be costly in the First Division. Confident in Alec’s potential, Kerr persuaded him to quit his job as a tractor driver, which paid off in time.
Alec had to wait until March 1961 to make his top-flight debut in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, and he played the last six league fixtures that season. The following year, he started as first choice
but lost his place when Ugolini returned for a brief period. Alec reclaimed the role for three months before making his final appearance in a 2-1 defeat to Hearts in January 1962. Both he and Ugolini were released at the end of the season.
“My dad was so proud of that season,” his son Alex told The Courier last week. Brown’s career continued after Dundee United, with stints at Greenock Morton and briefly Raith Rovers. At Cappielow, he played in the 1963 League Cup Final against Rangers at Hampden Park in front of 105,000 fans – a record crowd for the competition – but Rangers won that game 5-0.
However, later that season, Hal Stewart, the Morton chairman, initiated the Scandinavian era by bringing in players from Denmark, and goalkeeper Erik Sorenson was one of his first recruits, which led to Alec being released at the end of the 1963-64 season. A year at Stark’s Park in Kirkcaldy, playing for Raith Rovers, followed. Though he only made five first-team appearances for the Fifers.
Retiring from professional football in 1965, the family
planned to emigrate to Australia. Alec had a coaching job lined up Down Under. However, after selling all their furniture to neighbours, he “had cold feet.” “My mum and dad had to go back and buy the furniture back again,” laughs son Alex. “That would have been 1965. I was four going on five.”
Although he retired from professional football in 1965, Brown’s passion for the game remained undiminished. He spent decades coaching amateur and youth teams, guiding Methil Star Colts to victory in the Under-21 Scottish Cup at Warout Stadium, Glenrothes, in 1979. He later guided Norton House to the Scottish Amateur Cup title in 1989, beating Dundee’s Lawside at Hampden. His coaching style earned him widespread respect.
“He treated every player the same,” his son said. “He made you feel like you were the best player in the world. Every guy respected him. He loved goalkeepers, of course, but everyone felt valued.”
Outside of football, Brown worked for 37 years as a furnace man and grinder at Balfour’s in Leven, retiring in 2000. Tragically, he was later diagnosed with asbestosis.
FLASHBACK FOCUS
DECEMBER 2013
UNITED 4
Stuart Armstrong (16)
Brian Graham (49)
Gary Mackay-Steven (85)
John Rankin (90)
HEARTS
Jamie Hamill (pen. 20)
United entered this game on the back of an excellent run, having scored four or more goals in each of their previous three matches. Remarkably, they delivered again.
United took the lead early on as Gary MackaySteven played a precise pass to Stuart Armstrong, who angled the ball towards goal, watching it roll in after 16 minutes.
Hearts responded quickly and were level within four minutes. Jamie Walker demonstrated some skill in the box and was brought down by Mark Wilson. From the penalty spot, Jamie Hamill struck low to the left to equalise.
Gauld nearly created another opportunity for United, threading a ball through the Hearts defence to John Souttar. However, the defender’s chance was blocked by a combination of teammate Armstrong and Hearts defender Kevin McHattie.
Just before half-time, Brian Graham fired over the bar, while at the other end, Ryan Stevenson had a close-range effort blocked.
United came out strongly in the second half. First, John Rankin unleashed a powerful drive, which
MacDonald pushed wide. From the resulting corner, Graham powered home a free header to restore United’s lead after 49 minutes.
Hearts protested to referee Craig Thomson over an alleged foul on Calum Paterson, but the goal stood. As they pushed for an equaliser, their attacking left gaps at the back, allowing Mackay-Steven to cut in and curl a late left-footed shot past MacDonald for United’s third.
In the final minute, Rankin’s deflected effort completely wrong-footed MacDonald, making it 4-1.
1924
LOCHGELLY UTD 0-0
5 JANUARY
the post. However, in the end, a draw was a fair result as the home side
only their seventh point of the season in 23 matches. Although the home side showed improvement, they were denied what would have been only their third win of the season by an in-form Jimmy Brownlie in goal. On the one occasion he was beaten, the ball hit
1957 UNITED 1-0 ARBROATH |
enabling Reggie Smith’s troops to claim two points in front of a crowd numbering 5,800.
1991
DUNDEE UTD 3-2 ST MIRREN | LEAGUE
A gale-force wind and lashing rain made conditions particularly unpleasant for the first home game of 1991. Despite facing the wind, we dominated play in that first half, only to go behind, with Kenny McDowell scoring with a downward header after 33 minutes. Seven minutes later, Saints keeper Les Fridge came out to block a Darren Jackson shot, but the ball broke loose, leaving Christian Dailly with a simple tap-in. Fridge was injured in the process and did not appear in the second half, so Kenny McDowall took over in goal. The sub keeper’s first touch was to pick the ball out of the net after John Clark rammed the ball into the far corner from 20 yards. Saints hit back to equalise 20 minutes later when Steve Archibald headed home a Shaw cross. With 14 minutes left, we got the winner. Dailly squared
the ball into Alex Cleland, and McDowall failed to hold the substitute’s 30-yard shot, with the ball squirming over the line. We might well have had another goal three minutes from time, but McDowall saved Mixu Paatelainen’s penalty, awarded after Black had bundled Paddy Connolly off the ball. Considering the conditions, this was an excellent match and a deserved win given the number of chances created.
2002
UNITED 3-0 FORRES MECHANICS | SCOTTISH CUP (3RD ROUND)
Hasney Aljofree was congratulated by Derek Lilley, Jim Hamilton, and Jamie Fullarton after his thunderous freekick broke the deadlock. The defender also scored the second with another piledriver and totalled seven in his 66 appearances.
Thick fog threatened the tie going ahead and, despite it lifting, Alex Smith’s men looked to
have lost their way as the Highland League had much the better of first-half proceedings! But Aljofree’s blistering free-kick after 62 minutes took the pressure off. He doubled the lead with another Exocet-like shot, and substitute Charlie Miller chipped in with yet another long-range rocket.
2014
DUNDEE UTD 2-2 HIBERNIAN | LEAGUE
Jackie McNamara kept faith with the same starting side which lost so narrowly to Aberdeen on New Year’s Day. After three defeats on the bounce, this was a huge game for the hosts who were looking to get back on track against a resurgent Hibs. But in the end, United had to be grateful for a point, given they found themselves two down with just seven minutes left courtesy of Liam Craig’s double. Fortunately, substitutes David Goodwillie and Brian Graham combined to pull one back. Goodie (pictured above), and in a frenzied finale, Graham turned in a Goodwillie effort to complete an unlikely comeback.
A
LOOK
THROUGH THE ARCHIVES!
RESERVE’S DOUBLE TRIUMPH!
Back row (from left to right): Charlie Brownlie (Assistant Secretary), Ernie Ewan (Reserve Coach), Frank Munro, Jim Moore, Bobby Dougan, Donald Mackay, Eric Brodie, Sid Dick, John Reddington, Archie Coats (Reserve Trainer), Jim McManus.
Front row (from left to right): Bobby Benzie, Ronnie Simpson, Benny Rooney, Bert Howieson, Hector McKinlay, Bobby Smith, Doug Soutar.
Pictures with a difference on this occasion, as it features the reserve squads who held both trophies available to the second string – the Reserve League Cup and the 2nd XI Cup in the 1963-64 season.
Indeed, the 2nd XI Cup had been won at the tail end of the 1962-63 season following a two-leg final. Hearts were United’s opponents, and there was disappointment with the 2-2 draw in the Tannadice first leg.
Especially as the Colts led twice but were
pegged back each time. The first was a superb team goal scored, to which former Forfar Athletic inside man Eric Brodie applied the finishing touches after 29 minutes.
Norrie Davidson, who joined United midway through the following season, levelled with a raking 25-yarder two minutes into the second half. Jim McManus restored the Terrors’ lead five minutes later following a goalmouth scramble.
Hearts keeper Jim Cruickshank then
kept his side in the contest, defying the eager United forwards time after time. Therefore, it was all the more disappointing that Davidson scrambled in an equaliser on 74 minutes.
Consequently, the Jam Tarts were
pronounced favourites to win silverware, with the Tynecastle leg taking place two days later. However, an outstanding defensive display and Bobby Reid’s great goalkeeping in protecting Neil Mochan’s blistering 25-yarder after six minutes won the day.
row (from left to right): Eric
Front row (from left to right): Ronnie Simpson, Bert Howieson, Neil Mochan, Eric Brodie (Inside-left), Jim McManus.
Six months later, in November, the second string won the Reserve League Cup, completing a double. In the twolegged final against Kilmarnock, United travelled to Rugby Park and returned with a 2-1 lead, thanks to Hector McKinlay’s penalty and a Jim McManus goal, despite Joe Mason pulling one back for Killie. A week later, the same scoreline secured the trophy.
In a prelude, United edged Kilmarnock 3-2 at Tannadice. In the third meeting in eight days, McManus’ double sealed a 4-2 aggregate win, despite Bertie Black’s early goal for Killie.
Back
Brodie, John Roe, Bobby Reid, Hugh McKinlay, Sid Dick, Bobby Dougan.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
MANAGER: JIM GOODWIN
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN
HEAD COACH: NEIL CRITCHLEY
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