News: Contract talks begin while United look for third win in a row
United to begin crunch talks with key players, while the team look to end cursed run against Killie.
United to sit down with out-of-contract players
Jim Goodwin has said that United will be sitting down with players with expiring contracts over the next couple of weeks, while he ruled out shopping for any free agents.
United have six players who will be out of contract at the end of the season, including captain Ross Graham, though the skipper has the option of an additional year on his deal.
Kristijan Trapanovski and Vicko Sevelj have similar 12-month options, while Ivan Dolcek and Kristian Keresztes both have option to buys.
Goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, who was signed for an initial six months, is understood to have an option to secure his services on a two-year deal at the end of his current contract.
But the likes of Craig Sibbald, who has been a standout player for United this season, and Ryan Strain will be out of contract entirely. Unverified whispers suggest that Sibbald may have already agreed to return to his boyhood club Falkirk in the summer.
Goodwin told the Daily Record: “Now, over the next few weeks, we’ll sit down with all those players that we’re looking to extend and we’ll have those discussions with them in the next couple of weeks.”
The gaffer also confirmed that the club would not go shopping for any free agents following the surprise exit of Nikolaj Moller and hinted that Academy graduate Owen Stirton will get more time to shine.
While Moller’s stint at United was relatively underwhelming, scoring just one goal against Ayr United amid 19 appearances for the club, his departure leaves the team a little light on options.
He said: “I’m happy with what we’ve got in the building. It weakens us slightly at the top end of the pitch, in terms of the options that we have available to us, but it’ll certainly give more opportunities now to young Owen Stirton.”
It also comes as:
Will Ferry has shrugged off the suggestion that he’s unhappy at Dundee United, telling The Courier (£) that it “pisses him off” when fans accuse him of “not trying”. He told the paper: “I’ve not been distracted, not been unhappy – I’ve always been ready to see out this season, and the rest of my contract.”
United look to string together three back-to-back wins
United are hoping to end a bogey run against Kilmarnock as they seek their third consecutive win later today.
Will Ferry said that having so many games was a “blessing in disguise”, adding: “You can build momentum quickly rather than Saturday-to-Saturday, where it might be more of a struggle to get going.
“Putting two results together, taking that momentum and hopefully putting together a few wins – then you never know what happens after this seven-game period. Where are we going to be? It’s kind of season-defining.
“So, it’s down to us to deal with that reality and make sure we don’t do anything with a whimper.”
But Goodwin acknowledged the scale of the task ahead as he praised the Kilmarnock’s stark turnaround under new manger Neil McCann.
He said: “He’s made a lot of changes to their system and their style of play. His teams are scoring a lot of goals; there’s no doubt about that.
“I’m sure they’ll be very disappointed in the manner that they lost the (Celtic) game last weekend and will be looking for a reaction from his players. We’re expecting a difficult game, as always.”
Collum doubles down on dodgy VAR calls
The Scottish Football Association’s head of refereeing has defended the sending off of Falkirk’s Liam Henderson against Dundee United last weekend.
Falkirk fans made their feelings known when Liam Henderson was dismissed for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity after a tactical foul on Max Watters who had found a breakthrough near the halfway line. Referee Ryan Lee initially flashed a yellow card but was called to the VAR monitor to reconsider.
Collum doubled down on the controversial decision, saying: “You look at the distance [Neilson] needs to make up and the speed [Watters] is running. The ball is on the ground, and the direction is very central. This is clear for us.”
He also backed the sending off of Amar Fatah, who was suspended for two games after a mistimed, studs-up challenge.
Collum said: “[Fatah] is stretching for the ball, and I don’t think there’s any intent from the player at all. But if you enter into a challenge showing your studs, and the studs make contact high up on the ankle and the ankle bends, then it’s endangering the safety for us.”
In other news:
🏆 Craig Sibbald receives a well-earned place in the SPFL’s Team of the Week.
🪃 United’s A-League incomer Jesse Randall nets two more goals as Auckland batter Wellington 5-0.
🤝 Fans Supporting Foodbanks are at Tannadice today. Donations can be dropped by the door of the club shop (they’re looking for non-perishables and toiletries), while volunteers in pink vests will gladly receive your donations by the turnstiles.
📖 Dundee United fan Jon Attenborough is penning a new book about the history of guide dogs around the world to be released in 2027. Jon, who is frequently spotted at Tannadice with his own guide dog Harry, is known for his advocacy work to improve access to live football for all fans.
🎙️The Terrace podcast sits down with the Dode Fox Podcast’s Paul McNicoll to unpack United’s ‘difficult second album’ season (£).