Dundee United FC

[DavidMc]

Rangers v Dundee United
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 5th January 08
Ibrox Stadium, Ibrox

Rangers will be without Lee McCulloch for their Premier League game against Dundee United at Ibrox.
Charlie Adam and Nacho Novo are both back in contention, but long-term casualties Steven Smith and Andy Webster remain sidelined.

Dundee United will give late fitness tests to Grzegorz Szamotulski, Lee Wilkie and Willo Flood.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska (foot) and defender Keith Watson (knee) remain on the sidelines.



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Rangers squad: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Whittaker, Burke, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson, Cousin, Darcheville, Naismith, Carroll, Adam, Broadfoot, Boyd, Furman, Novo.

Dundee United squad: Szamotulski, Dillon, Kenneth, Grainger, Wilkie, Dods, Conway, Flood, Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Kerr, Duff, Robson, Hunt, D Robertson, J Robertson, Cameron, Odhiambo, McLean.

[DavidMc]

Final score

Rangers 2-0 Dundee United

Rangers went a point clear of inactive Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League with an efficient victory over Dundee United.
Slack marking allowed Steven Naismith to head home from eight yards after nine minutes from a Chris Burke cross.

A Burke drive flew just wide and an Alan Hutton header struck the bar.

But the second came via a Barry Ferguson head flick just before the break and Rangers could afford a missed penalty from Kris Boyd.

United went down without forcing a save from Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Fit-again Charlie Adam and Nacho Novo had to make do with places on the bench for an unchanged Rangers, while Lee McCulloch missed out despite being free from suspension because of a calf strain.

Euan McLean replaced the injured Grzegorz Szamotulski in United's goal, while on-loan Leicester striker Eric Odhiambo made his first start at the expense of David Robertson.

It was a cagey start as both sides attempted to find their feet on the sodden Ibrox surface.

But Rangers burst into life with a superb passing movement that led to the opening goal after just nine minutes.

However, United ought to have had Naismith more closely marked as the forward headed home from eight yards following Chris Burke's cross.

The match became scrappy, with United having the better of the possession until Burke fired in a 20-yard drive that McLean turned wide for a corner from which Alan Hutton sent a header off the top of the crossbar.

Rangers' second eventually arrived after 39 minutes when Ferguson flicked on a Burke cross into the penalty box and the ball flew into the far corner.


There appeared to be a suspicion of offside as Naismith and Daniel Cousin were between Ferguson and goalkeeper McLean.

But, after consulting his assistant, referee Mike McCurry allowed the goal to stand.

Rangers started brightly after the break and a flowing move gave Cousin a chance to extend the lead.

But the French striker took the ball too far wide after trying to round the goalkeeper and the chance was lost.

Substitute Kris Boyd was denied when his drive struck his own captain, Ferguson, who then had an effort well saved by McLean.

Boyd also had a penalty saved by McLean, who produced two more fine stops to deny the Scotland striker and Ferguson.

But the two first-half strikes were enough to ensure that Rangers went ahead of Celtic at the top of the SPL with a game in hand.



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Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Hemdani, Ferguson, Thomson, Burke, Cousin, Naismith.
Subs: Carroll, Papac, Boyd, Novo, Adam, Furman, Efrem.

Dundee Utd: McLean, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Robson, Kerr, Gomis, Odhiambo, Flood, Hunt.
Subs: Zaluska, David Robertson, Conway, Kenneth, Buaben, Jordan Robertson, Swanson.

Referee: M McCurry

[DavidMc]

Dundee United never caused Rangers any problems yesterday. I still think they are a decent side and Craig Levein has done a great job with them.

They will be hoping they can hold onto him.

[DavidMc]

Dundee United look to hold onto Hunt

Dundee United have rejected an offer from Championship side Blackpool for in-form striker Noel Hunt.
With 13 goals so far this season, the 27-year-old Irishman is the Tannadice club's leading scorer.

"Blackpool came on to us," chairman Eddie Thompson told the Daily Mail. "But within 24 hours we made it clear it was nowhere near our valuation."

Hunt is contracted until the summer of 2009 and moved to Tayside from Dunfermline in June 2006.

[kenny hoggan]

Dundee United manager Craig Levein has been given an additional role as director of football at the club.
Announcing the Scottish Premier League club's annual financial results, chairman Eddie Thompson said Levein would bring experience to the board.

"He is widely respected throughout the game and I've come to rely on his expert advice on a number of matters relating to Dundee United," he said.

United's operating losses fell from £761,000 to £509,000 in the past year.

Supermarket millionaire Thompson has ploughed more than £5m of his own money into the Tannadice outfit.

His family will also be more involved in the new set-up, with his wife Cath and daughter Justine, joining son and current director Stephen, in the boardroom.

The club's latest financial results for the year to June 2007 show "disappointingly static" turnover, with gate and season ticket revenue down.

The club said the overall wage bill had been reduced, turnover falling to 64%, with the players' wages to turnover ratio falling to just 40%.

Craig understands football finance, budgeting and is an excellent man-manager


Thompson said he was pleased the strict cost control at the club ensured it would survive in the current difficult financial climate.

On the changing role played by Levein at the club, Thompson said: "In Craig we have a manager who can not only achieve long-term improvements on the park, but who can also bring valuable football-related experience and knowledge to the board.

"He understands football finance, budgeting and is an excellent man-manager.

"It has been no surprise to hear of speculation linking him to other managerial posts and I am therefore delighted that he readily agreed to accept this position and to strengthen his association with Dundee United."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Dundee Utd | Levein given United director role

[DavidMc]

Dundee United 3-0 Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 19th January 08
Tannadice Stadium, Dundee

A mistake from Jamie Langfield helped Dundee United on their way to a second home win over Aberdeen this season.
On 50 minutes, the goalkeeper was slow to clear and his kick hit the onrushing Noel Hunt and spun into the net.

The below-par visitors won a penalty soon after but Barry Nicholson smashed his effort over the crossbar.

Barry Robson sealed the victory, firing home after good work from Craig Conway before drilling a cute free-kick under the defensive wall to make it 3-0.

The victory lifts United up into third place, level on points with Motherwell, who lost to St Mirren.

A dreadful first half was notable only for a glaring miss from Dundee United defender Garry Kenneth.

Five minutes before the interval, the centre-half rose highest to meet a Willo Flood corner but missed the target from just a few yards out.

The previous play had been extremely scrappy, with neither side able to string together any passing sequences and lone strikers Hunt and Steve Lovell cutting isolated figures.

United had created the better openings, with Danny Grainger's shot from distance deflected wide by Zander Diamond, while Mark Kerr saw Andrew Considine block his lunging effort following Robson's cross.

The home team were again the brighter side after the interval but they had to rely on a terrible blunder from Langfield to open the scoring.

The Dons keeper was embarrassed when he dithered in possession and his attempted clearance was charged down by Hunt and cannoned into the net for the Irishman's seventh goal in seven games.

United winger Conway fluffed a good headed chance and Aberdeen immediately raced up the park to win a penalty when Lovell was flattened by the clumsy Kenneth.

But, much to the dismay of the visiting fans, Nicholson blazed the spot-kick high over the crossbar.

United began to retreat and sit deep on their lead but the Dons lacked the imagination to break them down.

With 15 minutes remaining, Conway led a United counter-attack and his cut-back was fired in first-time by Robson from 12 yards.

The skipper was then upended by Nicholson and picked himself up to place a great free-kick under the jumping defensive wall and beyond Langfield.



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Dundee Utd: McLean, Dillon, Kenneth, Wilkie (Swanson 46), Grainger, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Conway (Odhiambo 86), Robson, Hunt, Swanson (Buaben 90). Subs Not Used: Zaluska, David Robertson, Milligan, Johnny Russell.

Booked: Kenneth.

Goals: Hunt 50, Robson 77, 84.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mair (McNamara 46), Diamond, Considine (Maguire 71), Byrne, Young, Nicholson, Severin, Aluko (Mackie 62), Jamie Smith, Lovell. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Duff, De Visscher, Stuart Smith.

Booked: Considine, Mackie, Young.

Att: 8,579

[kenny hoggan]

Dundee Utd reject Robson offers

Robson has enjoyed some fine form at Tannadice this season
Dundee United have rejected written offers from Burnley and Nottingham Forest for captain Barry Robson.
And United may turn their attention to Leicester City's Mark de Vries in their search for a striker.

Tannadice chairman Eddie Thompson told BBC Sport that neither of the English clubs had come close to his valuation of 29-year-old midfielder Robson.

Birmingham had earlier made an inquiry about the player, who has also been linked with Newcastle and Celtic.

Robson has been at Tannadice since joining from Inverness Caledonian Thistle for £50,000 in 2003.

But he has blossomed under manager Craig Levein, being particularly effective when moved into central midfield from the left wing.

In the last year, he has really got a grip on what he is doing on the field and off it

That led to his first international cap, in a friendly against South Africa, in August.

Robson kept his place as a regular in following Scotland squads, selected by now Birmingham boss Alex McLeish.

And his stock will have risen further after his winning goal against Clyde in the Scottish Cup last midweek and two more on Saturday against Aberdeen.

Thompson had warned last month that Robson would not be allowed to leave Tannadice on the cheap and promised to be difficult to deal with.

But this week the chairman admitted: "There's a whole stack of people watching him.

"But Craig and I want to keep him. You saw the way he struck the ball in from 35 yards the other night, passed the ball into the net on Saturday then you knew where he was going to put that free-kick."

And Levein told BBC Sport: "Barry Robson is a 29-year-old man with a couple of kids who, in my opinion, has only really blossomed in the last year or so.

"He's always had talent, but his consistency was nowhere near what it should have been.

"In the last year, he has really got a grip on what he is doing on the field and off it.

"He is working hard and playing well and that is always going to attract interest from other clubs."

Meanwhile, Levein is looking to one of his former signings as he searches for a replacement for striker Jordan Robertson, who has been recalled from his loan spell by Sheffield United.

De Vries was previously with Levein at Hearts and then followed him to Leicester.

The Dutchman is understood to be available from the English Championship outfit and could be the subject of an approach by United.


BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Dundee Utd | Dundee Utd reject Robson offers

[DavidMc]

Leicester City striker Mark De Vries is travelling to Tannadice for signing talks with Dundee United.
The 32-year-old, who worked under United manger Craig Levein at Hearts and Leicester, has spent two separate loan spells at Leeds this season.

But a troublesome foot injury has limited his first-team appearances at Elland Road.

The Surinam-born striker, who left Hearts in 2004, has also enjoyed spells at Dutch clubs Den Haag and Heerenveen.

De Vries joined Hearts in May 2002 after signing a pre-contract agreement from Dutch Second Division side Dordrecht '90.

If he signs for Dundee United, he could be a key player them. He has played in the SPL before so he knows what to expect. This could be a clever move from Levein.

[kenny hoggan]

United close to De Vries switch

Mark De Vries has travelled to Dundee for signing talks
Leicester City striker Mark De Vries is travelling to Tannadice for signing talks with Dundee United.
The 32-year-old, who worked under United manger Craig Levein at Hearts and Leicester, has spent two separate loan spells at Leeds this season.

But a troublesome foot injury has limited his first-team appearances at Elland Road.

The Surinam-born striker, who left Hearts in 2004, has also enjoyed spells at Dutch clubs Den Haag and Heerenveen.

De Vries joined Hearts in May 2002 after signing a pre-contract agreement from Dutch Second Division side Dordrecht '90.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Dundee Utd | United close to De Vries switch

[DavidMc]

Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 26th January 08
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock defender David Lilley and midfielder Rhian Dodds have returned to training but are unlikely to feature against Dundee United on Saturday.

Striker Colin Nish is still suspended, while midfielder Eric Skora remains sidelined through injury.

Striker Mark de Vries could debut for United after signing from Leicester.

Midfielder Danny Swanson has recovered from a knee injury, goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska is fit again, but Lee Wilkie joins Steven Ross on the sidelines.



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Kilmarnock (from): Combe, Corrigan, Hamill, Ford, Hay, Fernandez, O'Leary, Johnston, Taouil, Di Giacomo, Fowler, Bryson, Gibson, Koudou, Invincibile, Harpur, Clancy, Wright, Morgan.

Dundee United (from): Zaluska, Dillon, Kenneth, Grainger, Kovacevic, Dods, Conway, Flood, Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Kerr, Robson, Hunt, D Robertson, De Vries, Odhiambo, Szamotulski.

[DavidMc]

Kilmarnock 1-2 Dundee United

Dundee United kept a grip on third spot in the SPL with a deserved win over dispirited Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Tangerines dominated most of the play in a mainly drab encounter, and Barry Robson's clipped effort after 31 minutes set them on their way.

Simon Ford had a first half goal disallowed for Killie, but they failed to test United keeper Lukasz Zaluska.

Craig Conway made matters safe for United in 66 minutes, with Gary Wales' late strike insufficient for Killie.


The Ayrshire outfit were in dire need of a victory in order to arrest a recent slump to second bottom in the table.

Boss Jim Jefferies was still forced to do without striker Colin Nish who was completing his two-match ban, so kept the side which lost 1-0 in disappointing fashion at Celtic last week.

Mark de Vries, meanwhile, United's new signing, was named as a substitute following his recruitment from Leicester City.

However, defender Lee Wilkie's injury saw him replaced by Darren Dods while goalkeeper Zaluska came in for Euan McLean, who dropped to the bench.

The inconsistent Danny Invincibile looked in the mood for the home side in the early stages but United gradually began to ease into their passing game.

In the 14th minute, in-demand Tannadice skipper Robson swung in a corner from the right with Killie keeper Alan Combe doing well to rise above a crowd and push the ball away from danger.

It was less than inspiring fare for the crowd with open chances at a premium as United sought to consolidate their third spot.

And, eventually, their territorial advantage paid off when Robson played a characteristic captain's role for the opener.


Killie's Danny Invincible wins an aerial battle with Robson

Noel Hunt played in the midfielder - reportedly wanted by Celtic, Newcastle United and Burnley - and after eluding the attentions of Frazer Wright, Robson's right foot shot inside the box slid under Combe.

Killie did respond rather belatedly when Ford had the ball in the United net after 35 minutes with a close-range header, but it was ruled offside.

But in keeping with the first half progress, Combe was called upon again to deny the visitors, pulling off a good save from a Dods header.

Kilmarnock continued to labour without any end product, and although United were not at their sharpest, they made it comfortable with a second.

Somehow Combe managed to lose Robson's cross, the keeper colliding with Martyn Corrigan, and, as the ball flighted to Conway, the United midfielder had a simple task to net with a free header into an empty net.

Substitute David Fernandez did revive Killie in the closing stages, bringing an attacking bent to their play - and he played a key role in the home side's consolation.

The Spaniard drove forward to set up Wales, and the striker's low drive past Zaluska with just eight minutes remaining dragged up a marginal lifeline for Jefferies' men.

But United held on - with the brief introduction of new boy De Vries - and their three points were merited with Kilmarnock now staring at a statistic just one victory in their last thirteen games.



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Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Frazer Wright, Ford, Hay, Hamill, Corrigan, Johnston (Gibson 46), Bryson (Fernandez 67), Di Giacomo (Wales 46), Invincibile. Subs Not Used: Harpur, Locke, Taouil, O'Leary.

Goal: Wales 82.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Grainger, Flood, Gomis (Buaben 46), Kerr, Robson, Hunt, Conway (De Vries 88). Subs Not Used: McLean, Swanson, Kovacevic, Odhiambo, Milligan.

Goals: Robson 31, Conway 66.

Att: 4,803

[DavidMc]

Dundee United 1-1 Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 9th February 08
Tannadice Stadium, Dundee

Dundee United and Hibs played out a fourth successive draw after an entertaining match at Tannadice.
United striker Noel Hunt claimed his 15th goal of season when he tucked in a 12th minute penalty.

A blunder from keeper Lukasz Zaluska allowed John Rankin's strike from 20 yards to bounce in for the equaliser.

Hunt and Hibs' Steven Fletcher both hit the woodwork in the second half, while visiting midfielder Dean Shiels missed the target from 10 yards late on.

With towering skipper Rob Jones missing through injury, Hibs were nervous defending from set-pieces.

And United's direct style of play caused problems throughout a pulsating 90 minutes.

Hibs were under pressure from an early corner, with Jim O'Brien slashing a shot wide from 16 yards.

The Easter Road side also had a good chance inside the first few minutes but Filipe Morais made a mess of a header from 10 yards, following a great delivery from Rankin.

Hunt was guilty of a close range miss as the Hibs defence were caught out by a monster long throw-in from Danny Grainger and Willo Flood also squandered a headed chance inside the six yard box.

A quick break from Hibs saw Colin Nish steal in behind the home defence and the sprawling Zaluska did well to block as Shiels ran on to the new striker's back-heel.

The ball broke across the gaping goal to Fletcher but the forward's touch was clumsy and United had to time to crowd him out.

The visitors were punished for Fletcher's profligacy when Craig Levein's team dashed up the park to set up the opening goal.

Hunt set up O'Brien for a powerful angled shot that was beaten away by Yves Ma-Kalambay and Flood had his heels clipped by Guillaume Beuzelin as he got his head to the rebound.

Contact looked minimal and accidental but a penalty was given and Hunt's tame effort from the spot found the net despite Ma-Kalambay getting a hand to it.

A neat interchange of first time passes opened up the United defence but Shiels got himself in a tangle with a step-over and Zaluska smothered the danger.

Having struggled for much of the first 45 minutes, Hibs found themselves level just 20 seconds after the restart when Zaluska allowed a speculative shot from Rankin to bounce over his outstretched arms.

Grainger brushed the roof of the net with a swerving free kick before United introduced Mark de Vries from the bench.

The substitute striker added even more height to the home ranks and did well to nod down for Hunt, who grazed the crossbar with his close range twisting header.

Fletcher had endured a frustrating game, not seeing much of the ball and unsure of his touch when it did come his way, but the Hibs man produced a great bit of skill to hit the base of the post with an overhead kick from 20 yards.

Ma-Kalambay did well to tip over a strong de Vries header and the visiting keeper got down smartly to gather another header from Hunt as United continued their aerial assault.

The Belgian U21 international then pushed away a Conway drive before Hibs finished strongly.

Zaluska made a fine reaction save to keep out a prod from Nish and Shiels was guilty of a shocking miss when he skewed wide with the goal at his mercy.



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Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger (Kalvenes 90), Conway, Flood (Swanson 76), Kerr, Gomis, O'Brien (De Vries 63), Hunt. Subs Not Used: McLean, Kenneth, Buaben, Odhiambo.

Goal: Hunt 13 pen.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, McCann (Gathuessi 46), Hogg, Morais (Zemmama 76), Hanlon, Beuzelin, Shiels, Rankin, Murray, Nish, Fletcher. Subs Not Used: McNeil, O'Brien, Stevenson, Chisholm, Gray.

Booked: Hanlon, Hogg, Rankin.

Goal: Rankin 46.

Att: 6,635

[DavidMc]

Inverness CT 1-1 Dundee United
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 16th February 08
Caledonian Stadium, Inverness

Inverness and Dundee United had to settle for a share of the points at the Caledonian Stadium.
After a dismal first half, The Tangerines went in front, Prince Buaben netting in the 67th minute when he shot home from Noel Hunt's low cross.

As Inverness began to press, they finally earned a deserved leveller.

Midfielder Markus Paatelainen fired into the roof of the net with six minutes remaining, with United holding off a late home assault.

United manager Craig Levein decided to change five players for the visit to the Highland capital, following the midweek defeat to St Mirren.

Sean Dillon, Garry Kenneth, Danny Grainger, Jim O'Brien and Buaben returned after not starting in Wednesday's Scottish Cup fifth-round replay.

Darren Dods, Hunt, David Robertson and Craig Conway dropped to the substitutes' bench, while Christian Kalvenes was not named in the squad.

Recent Inverness signing from Clyde, Dougie Imrie, made his first start at the expense of Dennis Wyness, with Phil McGuire ret