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DUNDEE UNITED vs Motherwell Saturday 22 February 2025 William Hill Premiership

AT TANNADICE PARK CalForth Construction Arena

CLUB HONOURS

Scottish Premier Division Champions 1983

Scottish Cup Winners 1994 and 2010

Scottish League Cup Winners 1979-80 and 1980-81

UEFA Cup Runners-up: 1986–87

THE GAFFER

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to Tannadice!

Of course, the weekend’s match presents its own challenges. Motherwell are under new management, and with no recent footage to analyse, there’s an element of unpredictability to this fixture. But, as always, our focus is on ourselves. We know what we need to do to be successful.

I know recent results haven’t gone our waywe’ve faced some tough opponents, including Celtic and Rangers, but we remain in a strong position. The feel-good factor is still very much present, and if you’d have

told us at the start of the season where we’d be now, we would have taken it.

One of the biggest positives this week is Craig Sibbald’s return to full training. After a tough spell with injuries, having him back with the squad is a real boost.

The support we’ve had from our fans this season has been outstanding. We’ve sold out the stadium on several occasions, and when you put a good product on the pitch, the fans will always come out in numbers. We need that backing more than ever in these final months of the season.

There’s something special about playing at Tannadice in front of our own supporters. The atmosphere they generate is electric, and that’s something we want to use to our advantage in these crucial fixtures.

We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead, but I know this squad has the quality to achieve great things!

I hope you all enjoy the game!

- Jim Goodwin

TODAY’S MASCOTS

CALVIN HOWIE AGE: 10 FAVOURITE

AIDAN KERR AGE: 6

KEVIN HOWIE AGE: 11 FAVOURITE

EVAN SMITH AGE: 9 FAVOURITE PLAYER:

CHARLIE TRAYNOR AGE: 10

STEPHEN KERR AGE: 8

LEO ROBERTSON AGE: 10

FAVOURITE

MURRAY HERRON AGE: 9

HUTCHISON

STORY OF THE GLORY!

Dundee United are gearing up to mark the 15th anniversary of our historic Scottish Cup triumph!

A dedicated social campaign and some commemorative events, including our 2025 Gala Dinner - with the Heroes of 2010, will help us relive run-in towards our second taste of Scottish Cup glory.

Supporters can now watch the first episode in our short social video series, ‘Story of the Glory’! These short clips will take fans on a nostalgic journey through each round of the 2010 Scottish Cup campaign, reliving the drama and excitement of every match in the lead-up to this landmark anniversary.

Our 2010 Scottish Cup journey began with a memorable and commanding 2-0 victory over Partick Thistle in the fourth round, a result that would set the tone for an unforgettable run to Hampden Park.

It was a chilly afternoon at Firhill, as Peter Houston took charge of his first match as caretaker boss!

After some early chances, our breakthrough came in the 26th minute, with a Craig

Conway corner found Garry Kenneth, whose volley was helped over the line by Damian Casalinuovo. Thistle’s protests for handball were waved away by the referee, and the goal stood, giving United a well-deserved lead. Casalinuovo had earlier missed a golden opportunity, but he made amends in front of the travelling fans, who serenaded him with chants of “Argentina, Argentina.”

While Partick Thistle did threaten with a couple of chances either side of halftime, debutant goalkeeper Dusan Pernis was calm and composed between the posts, ensuring that Thistle’s efforts

came to nothing. United’s defence stood firm as they weathered a brief late surge from the home side.

Then, in the final minute, the game was sealed in spectacular fashion. Substitute David Goodwillie picked up the ball and raced towards the corner flag, cutting inside and slipping past two defenders before sliding home from an incredibly narrow angle.

The Terrors’ journey through the competition would go on to captivate and inspire, as we battled our way to a second Scottish Cup triumph.

MARKING THE OCCASION

As the Dode Fox podcast heads to our pre-match Hibernian hospitality show, you can be in the company of Jon Daly and Callum Morris - with the former set to recount his days in tangerine on the way to collecting his 2010 winners medal.

Tickets are still available and include your match ticket, three drinks tokens and live entertainment.

You can also still join us at the centrepiece of the celebrations, our 2025 Gala Dinner - with the Heroes of 2010.

On the night, you’ll rub shoulders with our silver-kissing squad, be entertained by a live band and saxophonist whilst recalling the memories of a sunkissed day at Hampden. You’ll also be in the company of the Scottish Cup trophy!

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FOCUS ON MOTHERWELL

The Steelmen arrive at Tannadice this afternoon, having tasted victory just once in their last 11 matches. Indeed, last weekend’s loss at home to Ross County was their fifth consecutive defeat.

Fans turned on Stuart Kettlewell during a poor run, leading to his January departure after two years in charge—an unlikely outcome given their strong start.

Motherwell cruised through the League Cup group stage, then beat Kilmarnock and Dundee United to reach the semi-finals. In the league, they collected 13 points from their first seven games, sitting fourth and eyeing Europe. However, losses to Dundee and Celtic were briefly offset by a 2-1 win at Tannadice. A League Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers triggered a slump, with three league defeats in four.

December started brightly with wins over St Mirren and United but ended in Scottish Cup elimination to bottom-side St Johnstone before slipping out of the top six last weekend.

THE GAFFER MICHAEL WIMMER

Following Stuart Kettlewell’s resignation, Motherwell appointed 44-year-old German Michael Wimmer as their new manager—their first full-time overseas appointment since 1998.

After a modest playing career in Germany’s lower tiers, Wimmer moved into coaching, spending eight years at FC Nuremberg before assistant roles at Augsburg and VfB Stuttgart. He had a brief stint as Stuttgart’s interim boss in 2022 before taking his first senior role at Austria Wien, where he achieved a 44.26% win rate in 61 games.

Set to join Bristol Rovers last December, he was denied a work permit, leaving him available when Motherwell came calling. His long-time colleague Ahmet Koc joins him as assistant.

ONE TO WATCH

TAWANDA MASWANHISE

The 22-year-old striker-cum-winger joined Motherwell on a short-term deal in August but, within a matter of weeks, was offered an extension until 2026.

Coming through the youth levels at Leicester City, the Zimbabwean was a prolific scorer and last year made his debut for the Foxes’ first team. Despite also making his international debut in March, the skilful attacker was released by City in the summer.

With Motherwell having the lowest percentage of possession in the Premiership, Maswanhise’s pace on the counter is crucial to their success and, with five goals to his name (including a brace on his last visit to Tannadice back in October), he is the Steelmen’s top scorer this season.

DOMINIC THOMPSON signed a short-term deal having been released by Blackpool. The 24-year-old left-back came through Arsenal’s youth academy and has also featured for Swindon, Ipswich and Forest Green Rovers.

CALUM WARD has spent the last four years shotstopping in Finland with Helsingborg and AC Oulu. A product of Brentford’s youth set-up, the 24-yearold has yet to feature for the Steelmen since signing a deal until the end of the season.

KAI ANDREWS is a teenager signed on loan from Coventry City. A Wales U19 cap, he is under contract at his parent club until 2026.

WILL DICKSON has been a prolific goalscorer throughout the youth levels at Manchester City. The 19-year-old striker is on loan at Fir Park until the summer.

LUKE PLANGE spent the first half of the season on-loan at HJK Helsinki, scoring seven times in his 35 appearances. On another short term deal from

Crystal Palace, he has featured from the bench in both matches since his arrival on loan.

LUKE ARMSTRONG is yet another of the short-term loan signings brought in last month. The 28-yearold Carlisle striker was much sought after, with big-spending Wrexham chasing his signature. The former Middlesbrough frontman scored against Celtic in his second ‘Well appearance.

- By Ryan Haldane

PADDY GARDNER

A little over a month after taking charge at Tannadice, one of manager Jim McLean’s first forays into the transfer market was to bring Paddy Gardner to the club. Indeed, after signing George Fleming from Hearts, the United boss stopped off at East End Park on the journey back to finalise the signing of the Dunfermline striker on 20th January 1972.

George Farm played a significant role in the early stages of Gardner’s career. He took him to Queen of the South from Glasgow Junior side Baillieston, and

after a very brief spell with Airdrie, Paddy teamed up with Farm again when he was transferred to Raith Rovers. It was no surprise, therefore, that when Farm moved from Raith to Dunfermline, one of his first signings was Paddy Gardner.

Paddy’s growing reputation, coupled with Raith’s greatest rivals attempting to sign him, increased the stakes, and the Pars had to pay a club-record fee of £20,000 to take the 22-year-old across the Kingdom on the eve of the 1967-68 season.

Signed as a striker, he was anything but a typical centre-forward, known more for his powerful shooting than penalty-box precision. He was regarded as having one of the hardest shots in Scottish football. His Dunfermline spell is best remembered for scoring twice in their 3-1 Scottish Cup Final win over Hearts in 1968. He also netted five times in 14 appearances during their strong European run in the 1960s.

One of those goals proved crucial. His strike on a frozen Hawthorns pitch secured a rare European success for Scotland against the ‘Auld Enemy’. That victory helped Dunfermline reach the semi-final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Paddy also found the net in the away leg against Slovan Bratislava, but unfortunately, it was not enough to prevent the Pars from crashing out of the competition.

By the early 1970s, Dunfermline, once one of Scotland’s leading provincial sides, was in decline. At the same time, Jim McLean was seeking to reshape a United side also on a downward trajectory. He viewed Gardner’s experience as vital in the short term to help turn the club’s fortunes around. Although Paddy did not find the net in his opening eleven games, he played a crucial role in United’s revival, with only three defeats in the final thirteen games of that season.

In his first full campaign, he proved he had not lost his eye for goal, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 15 goals as United climbed to seventh place in the league. The following season saw the emergence of precocious young talents such as Andy Gray, Graeme Payne, John Holt, and Dave Narey. Paddy’s vast experience was invaluable in mentoring these youngsters as they broke into the first team.

Never flashy but always industrious, Paddy never quite won the hearts of the Tannadice faithful. Nevertheless, he

scored some spectacular and vital goals for the club. None was more memorable than his stunning 35-yard strike, which earned United a replay against Hearts in the 1974 Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden – despite him playing at right-back. This was clear proof of how valuable his experience from big occasions with Dunfermline was.

This experience was equally evident in the replay, where United came from behind to win 4-2. Unfortunately, Paddy had to settle for a Scottish Cup runnersup medal after United’s 3-0 defeat to Celtic in the 1974 final, adding to the winner’s medal he had earned with Dunfermline six years earlier. Reflecting on that disappointment in a 1997 interview, Pat said:

“Celtic had class players like McGrain, McNeill, Johnstone, Hood, who got two of their goals that day, Deans, Hay, and Dalglish. That game was a big disappointment, but I had good times at United, and with Jim McLean, Walter Smith, and Andy Gray around, it was never dull.”

As his time at Tannadice neared its end, he bowed out on a high, scoring in a 5-0 win over Hearts in October 1974. He left with 24 goals in 113 appearances before being sold to Motherwell for £12,000— double the fee United had paid two and a half years earlier.

At Motherwell, he played in the Scottish Cup semi-final, where the Steelmen surrendered a 2-0 lead to Rangers, losing 3-2. He also helped them secure a spot in the inaugural Premier League, finishing with 51 appearances and five goals before moving to Arbroath in 1976, where he ended his playing career.

After retiring, Pat entered the licensed trade before becoming a qualified social worker. He stayed involved in football, coaching at Airdrie, Motherwell, and Celtic.

FIRST TEAM SQUAD

Scotland Women’s National Team will take on Germany at The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park this April in the UEFA Women’s Nations League!

FIXTURE DETAILS

Scotland vs Germany

7.35pm Friday 4 April 2025

The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park

UEFA Women’s Nations League

Live on BBC Alba

It’s the first time SWNT will play at Tannadice, following recent European Qualification matches at Easter Road, Firhill, and Dens Park.

This year’s Nations League campaign kicks off later this month as Scotland return to Hampden to take on the Netherlands after lifting the curtain on the 2025 campaign away to Austria on February 21.

Although SWNT’s defeat to Finland in Helsinki last December ended their Euro 2025 hopes, they are in excellent form, winning six of their last eight matches with seven clean sheets. Conceding just three goals in that run while scoring 17, they have combined defensive solidity with a potent attack.

Crucial to their good form is midfield stalwart Erin Cuthbert of Chelsea FC, with an impressive goal return of 23 in 74 games in the blue of Scotland.

However, standing in their way is the team sitting third in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. The DFB-Frauen boast a proud international history, with two Women’s World Cup titles and eight UEFA European Women’s Championship

wins.Under the leadership of head coach Christian Wück, 2024 was a year of mixed results, with the team competing across four different competitions. They faced the heartbreak of a semi-final loss to the United States in the Olympics but bounced back with the elation of topping their Euro 2025 qualifying group, losing just one match in the process.

Germany ended 2024 in indifferent form, with friendly victories over England and Switzerland mixed with surprise defeats to Italy and Australia. The latter marked an emotional swansong in Duisburg as veteran striker Alexandra Popp drew the curtains on her international career with 145 caps and 67 goals.

Germany will still pose Scotland plenty of problems in this game, however, with the ever-reliable forward Lea Schüller of Bayern Munich, who boasts an astonishing return of 47 goals in 69 caps.

Following April’s double-header against Germany, Scotland’s ‘League A’ campaign will conclude with a home game against Austria on Friday, May 30 followed by the Netherlands away on Tuesday, June 3.

The final home game against Austria will take place at Hampden Park.

Dundee United’s Head of Football Operations, Ross Starke, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Scotland Women’s National Team to Tannadice for such a high-profile fixture. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase top-level international football in our city, and we are proud to play a part in supporting the growth of the women’s game.”

Ticket details for their Tannadice joust will be made available in due course.

- By Lyall MacDonald

AN IRISH PRE-SEASON

United lined up for their first pre-season match in the Republic of Ireland as part of preparations for the 2014-15 season.

It was very much an experimental starting eleven, with Radosław Cierzniak, Stuart Armstrong, Scott Fraser, Gary Mackay-Steven, Paul Paton, Scott Smith, Nadir Çiftçi, and Ryan Dow all on the bench, along with a trialist.

This was the team’s first match since the Scottish Cup final defeat to St Johnstone and marked the beginning of life without £3 million man Ryan Gauld, who was bound for Sporting Lisbon.

Several factors contributed to the game ending in a goalless draw against Irish side Athlone Town. After a flurry of first-half misses from frontman Brian Graham, the second period also failed to produce a breakthrough. Perhaps thoughts were elsewhere.

United lined up for their first pre-season match in the Republic of Ireland as part of preparations for the 2014-15 season.

This was the team’s first match since the Scottish Cup final defeat to St Johnstone and marked the beginning of life without £3 million man Ryan Gauld, who was bound for Sporting Lisbon.

Several factors led to a goalless draw against Athlone Town. Despite a flurry of first-half misses from Brian Graham, the second half also failed to deliver a breakthrough. It was a lovely summer evening in the central Irish town, but with Germany’s historic 7-1 World Cup win over Brazil happening at the same time, many locals stayed home to watch the drama on TV.

Hull City had not yet secured the signing of Andy Robertson, as the sought-after Scotland star lined up in his usual leftback position. Also starting were new recruits Callum Morris, Charlie Telfer, and Blair Spittal. On the bench was Czech trialist Jiří Lenko, while Keith Watson missed out after suffering a knock. In an experimental move, manager

Jackie McNamara handed defender

John Souttar a central midfield role, with fellow youngster Darren Petrie and Morris forming the heart of the backline.

The Tangerines made a mass substitution on 57 minutes, replacing everyone except goalkeeper Marc McCallum, Sean Dillon, and Morris, leaving Radosław Cierzniak as the only unused substitute.

The team and substitutions were as follows:

Starting XI: McCallum, S. Dillon, Robertson (Lenko 57), Souttar (Paton 57), Morris, Petrie (Armstrong 57), Telfer (Fraser 57), Rankin (Smith 57), Graham (Çiftçi 57), Spittal (Dow 57), Erskine (Mackay-Steven 57).

Unused sub: Cierzniak.

The other match played in Ireland was against Bohemians, where a much less experimental squad secured a 4-0 victory, with Ryan Dow (39), Nadir Çiftçi (pen) (40), Stuart Armstrong (64), and Brian Graham (pen) (90) all finding the net.

As part of a busy pre-season schedule, the team then travelled for four matches in the Netherlands before rounding off their preparations with friendlies away to Hibernian and Leeds United.

FLASHBACK FOCUS

AUGUST 2005

MOTHERWELL 4

DUNDEE UNITED UNITED 5

United’s last trip to Fir Park before Christmas ended in a 4-3 defeat, but in August 2005, they staged an unforgettable comeback in a nine-goal thriller. The game started disastrously for United. Motherwell’s quick, attacking play saw Scott McDonald outpace David McCracken before crossing for Alan

McCormack to bullet home a header after just five minutes. The hosts dominated, and by the 12th minute, they were 2-0 up, with Jim Paterson’s deflected shot falling kindly for McDonald to tap in. United struggled to get going, but just before the break, a moment of hope emerged. David Fernández, making his first start, played in Billy Crawford, who delivered a pinpoint cross for Lee Miller to head home— United’s first shot on target.

Motherwell restored their two-goal cushion within minutes of the restart, as Mark Fitzpatrick finished off a knockdown from Jim Hamilton. However, United finally sparked into life. Fernández announced himself in style, collecting Crawford’s pass and rifling in a stunning left-footed strike from 20 yards to make it 3-2. The joy was short-lived as McCracken conceded a free kick in the corner, and Hamilton rose highest to head home from the resulting delivery, making it 4-2.

Despite the setback, United refused to surrender. Miller struck again with a diving header from Mark Wilson’s cross, bringing the deficit back to one with over 20 minutes left. The equalizer was a moment of brilliance—Collin Samuel bursting past his marker and delivering a low cross for Grant Brebner to turn in. With Fir Park in shock, United found a winner just minutes later. Another Wilson cross was flicked on by Miller, and Brebner pounced to stab home his second goal and complete an astonishing turnaround.

The drama wasn’t over. Motherwell pushed hard, coming close through McDonald and Hamilton, while United had to survive two penalty shouts in the dying minutes. In injury time, Fernández set up Jim McIntyre for what could have been a sixth, but his chip drifted just wide. The final whistle ended an extraordinary 90 minutes—a first half to forget, and a second half that will be remembered forever.

1913

DUNDEE HIBS 3-0 ABERCORN | LEAGUE (DIVISION TWO)

Indeed, it went on to state, ‘They fairly trounced the visitors, playing some fine football at the start. And on 15 minutes, Dan Gibson opened the scoring. Victory was assured as Hibs pressed in the latter stages, adding two more

22 FEBRUARY

to their tally. Willie Linn scored a great goal from a Jock corner, and Gibson was on target again shortly before the end.’

1958

UNITED 3-3 DUNFERMLINE | LEAGUE (DIVISION TWO)

Wilson Humphries scored United’s third goal, one of the 38 in his 69 appearances for the club. A rousing contest in which both sides had their spells of dominance. In the Terrors’ case, that began in the first half, racing into a two-goal lead with Alex Cameron

opening the scoring after 13 minutes and Jimmy Brown doubling the lead after 36 minutes. Charlie Dickson reduced the deficit seven minutes after the restart, and a George Forrester own goal deprived Dickson of the credit but not the leveller. Almost straight from the kick-off, Wilson Humphries put United back in front, but Dickson fired in the equaliser just four minutes later.

1964

UNITED 4-1 MOTHERWELL | LEAGUE (DIVISION ONE)

On a snowy Tannadice, United were all over ‘Well but just couldn’t find the net in the first half when Murdoch gave his side an undeserved half-time lead after 20 minutes. That first half, however, didn’t give a clue as to what was

to follow because within five minutes of the restart, Jerry Kerr’s boys were in front. Dennis Gillespie headed in a Bobby Smith corner. Then Jimmy Briggs teed up a second for Bert Howieson to net. United should have added to their tally before Briggs netted the rebound after Murdoch blocked his first attempt from the spot on 63 minutes after being pushed to the ground by Pat Delaney. Five minutes later, Briggs stabbed home a fourth.

1986

UNITED 1-1 RANGERS | LEAGUE (PREMIER DIVISION)

Davie Dodds, flanked by Derek Johnstone and Craig Paterson, watches his shot fire United in front. This must be regarded as a point dropped, but we could have no complaints as to the outcome. The early signs were good; however, Davie Dodds hit a low shot into the far corner to open the scoring early on. Failure to capitalise on that was to cost us dearly. The second half was only three minutes old when Cammy Fraser’s freekick was nodded down by Craig Paterson, and Ally McCoist popped

up to net. Even though Rangers dominated the midfield, they created a few moments of anxiety for Billy Thomson. At the other end, Eamonn Bannon, Kevin Gallacher, and Richard Gough all squandered chances before we received what appeared to be a late reprieve. A Richard Gough shot was blocked by Paterson’s arm, but Nicky Walker saved Bannon’s penalty to deny us a vital point in the championship race.

1992

UNITED 2-2 MOTHERWELL | LEAGUE (PREMIER DIVISION)

This was a case of two points dropped, especially with two controversial refereeing decisions. The first came on 79 minutes, with United leading 2-1. John O’Neil was fouled by Thomson, but referee David Syme waved away the penalty appeal. Then, Iain Ferguson appeared two yards offside when receiving the ball before assisting Phil O’Donnell for the equaliser.

It was tough on a young United team that had shown great skill and determination after going behind to Steve Kirk’s header. United equalised through Alex Cleland’s powerful strike after a smart pass from Duncan Ferguson. They took the lead when Ferguson headed home O’Neil’s corner. United looked secure—until the controversial late equaliser.

2000

UNITED 4-0 ALLOA ATHLETIC | SCOTTISH CUP (4TH ROUND REPLAY)

After a dramatic draw in the first match at Recreation Park, the replay was a comfortable 4-0 win for United, booking a Scottish Cup quarter-final spot against Inverness Caley Thistle. Two goals just before halftime put the Premier League side in control. Antonie Preget opened the scoring in the 38th minute from a lovely reverse pass by Jim Hamilton, who then added a second a minute later after a deflected shot.

Alloa held firm until substitute Steve Thomson’s superb volley made it 3-0 seven minutes from time. He sealed the win with a penalty conversion after being fouled by Willie Irvine.

S K S K

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

MANAGER: JIM GOODWIN

MOTHERWELL

MANAGER: MICHAEL WIMMER