Latest News

15/05/08    McLean joins Saints

Euan McLean has left Dundee United to join St. Johnstone after being at Tannadice since September 2004. McLean made 7 starting appearances and 1 from the substitute bench and notably starred in United's victory at home to Rangers earlier in the season. Despite having more of a run in the team this season due to Zaluska's injury problems, McLean has struggled to break into the first team and has now made the move away from United to try and progress his career.

13/05/08    SPL result

11/05/08    SPL result

10/05/08    Rangers        3-1        Dundee United

                    Novo 7                           De Vries 76

                    Novo 18

                    Darcheville 90

United would have been desperate to keep things tight early on but instead found themselves with a mountain to climb within the first 20 minutes. In the 8th minute Novo took a tumble under pressure from Mark Kerr and won a free-kick 25 yards out which Kevin Thomson delivered into a packed goalmouth where Novo was waiting at the far post to nod past Lukasz Zaluska. The striker then claimed his second of the day after 18 minutes when a long ball from Alexander was nodded into the path of Novo by Cousin and the end product was a left-foot volley which left Zaluska with no chance. Rangers were keen to add to their tally and Novo hooked wide as he chased his hat-trick, before Zaluska raced off his line to close down Kirk Broadfoot at the near post. United could have pulled a goal back when Alexander came well off his line to clear with Hunt bearing down on goal. The ball broke to Robertson but David Weir came to the rescue when he nodded off the line and to safety. De Vries then drew a decent save from Alexander after being put in on goal by Wilkie, but United failed to reduce the deficit before the half-time whistle despite their late rally.

The second half was a fiery affair and United had a strong claim for a penalty dismissed by referee Mike McCurry. Weir lost the ball to Hunt before desperately tracking back into the box to reclaim possession in turn forcing the United striker to the ground, but no spot-kick was forthcoming. At the other end, Novo squandered a great opportunity to find the back of the net again when he pounced on a quick free-kick from Furman only to watch his effort trundle inches past the far upright before Dailly's deflected shot then struck the post. Swanson entered the play as a sub for Willo Flood and it wasn't long before he had the ball in the net via a deflection off Weir, but the effort was disallowed because the ball was adjudged to gave ricocheted off of Robertson in an offside position despite not touching the ball. Whilst the ball was making it's way into the Rangers net Kirk Broadfoot's arm was making it's way into Noel Hunt's body in an off the ball incident and this was followed by a tangle between Wilkie and Cousin which saw the Rangers striker go unpunished for a head butt on the United captain. United did get a deserved goal in the 77th minute when Danny Grainger's cross was met by a powerful De Vries header which flew beyond a helpless Alexander. De Vries was consequently booked for his gestures claiming that the goal surely couldn't stand. As United pushed for an equaliser they were caught out on the break in injury time when Barry Ferguson found Darcheville who slotted the ball past Zaluska to end United's hopes of finishing in third place in the league and achieving European football for next season.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Kovacevic (O'Brien 90), Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Flood (Swanson 66), Kerr, Gomis (Robb 85), D. Robertson, Hunt, De Vries.

Subs Not Used: Camara, Dillon, Daly, Smith.

Rangers

Alexander, Broadfoot, Whittaker, Weir, Cuellar, Papac, Dailly, Ferguson, Thomson (Furman 52), Novo, Cousin (Darcheville 85).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Lennon, McMillan, Beasley, Boyd.

Att: 30,293

Ref: M. McCurry

07/05/08    SPL result

05/05/08    SPL result

04/05/08    SPL result

03/05/08    Aberdeen        2-1        Dundee United

                   Foster 30                           Swanson 49

                   Touzani 48

Lee Wilkie saw a first-minute header from close range comfortably gathered by Jamie Langfield in the home goal, while Morgaro Gomis blasted a wild effort well over the crossbar. Aberdeen had failed to test Lukasz Zaluska at all during the opening half-hour, yet through their first shot on target, the Dons took the lead on 30 minutes. Zaluska could only parry a powerful half-volley by Derek Young and Foster was instantly on to the rebound to dispatch a right-footed shot low into the net. Despite making the breakthrough Aberdeen's new-found advantage would only have lasted a mere four minutes had it not been for a terrific stop from Langfield. Sean Dillon's accurate cross picked out the towering frame of Wilkie, who firmly nodded an effort towards goal that was acrobatically pushed away. Mark Kerr then fired a drive just wide from 20 yards out, before a mistake from Langfield almost gifted United an equaliser. Surrounded by a host of players Langfield failed to punch clear a cross from Danny Grainger, but Noel Hunt's subsequent effort was weak and cleared off his own goal-line by Touzani. Langfield did far better in saving a free-kick from Swanson during first-half injury time and United could feel aggrieved by going in behind at half time.

United fell further behind at the start of the second half in the 49th minute when a well-flighted corner from De Visscher was headed down and into the net by Touzani. United hit back immediately when Swanson showed wonderful poise and balance to leave three Aberdeen defenders trailing in his wake before lashing a shot in off Langfield's right-hand post. Swanson was clearly in the mood to impress and then saw a curling effort drift agonisingly wide, with United piling the pressure on their hosts. Back came Aberdeen though and Lee Miller should have scored after doing well to connect with a Chris Maguire cross, only to head straight at a thankful Zaluska. Touzani then came within a whisker of again finding the back of the net, driving a volley into the turf which bounced marginally off-target with Zaluska rendered helpless. The Dons went on to finish strongly with substitute Josh Walker's low free-kick touched wide by Zaluska and then Walker's resultant corner then saw a thumping Miller header saved by the United keeper, before a strong surge forward by Derek Young ended with the midfielder dragging a shot just past the far post. The last chance fell to Walker in time added on, but from an acute angle the on-loan Middlesbrough player's effort was blocked by Zaluska.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Gomis (Daly 84), Flood, Kerr (O'Brien 79), Swanson, De Vries, Hunt (Russell 46).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Kovacevic, D. Robertson, Odhiambo.

Aberdeen

Langfield, Duff, Severin, Considine, Foster, De Visscher (Lovell 87), Nicholson (Bus 79), Touzani, Young, Miller, Maguire (Walker 73).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Ross.

Att: 10,312

Ref: B. Winter

27/04/08    SPL result

26/04/08    Motherwell        2-2        Dundee United

                    Porter 17                             Craigan (o.g) 45

                    Porter 50                             Wilkie 86

United started well in this game and Graeme Smith was forced to tip over Flood's 25-yard strike and the Irishman saw another shot deflected wide from the edge of the box. Flood's best chance came when Steven Hammell failed to control a square pass from fellow full-back Paul Quinn, but the midfielder blasted over from 18 yards. Despite United's good spells of possession Motherwell took the lead with their first decent attack when Porter scored in the 18th minute. Stephen Hughes hooked a cross from the left and Clarkson headed the ball into the path of Porter to nod home from six yards. Porter was almost played in on two more occasions but failed to get his shot away on the bumpy pitch. Motherwell survived a scare between those chances when Smith fumbled Danny Grainger's near-post cross, but the goalkeeper's handling was more assured moments later when he held Flood's 20-yard free-kick. Malcolm drove a 20-yard free-kick into the side-netting before Wilkie headed just beyond the far post at the other end after Smith stopped coming out for a Flood corner. United's chances were drying up but Craigan gifted them an equaliser seconds before the break when he headed into his own net after Hunt had nodded a Morgaro Gomis cross into the danger zone.

Motherwell began the second half in a commanded fashion and Mark McGhee's men regained the lead in the 51st minute from a set-piece. McCormack whipped in a free-kick from the left byline and Porter nodded home from a yard out at the far post. McCormack's free-kick from the other side caused more problems as Quinn and Porter diverted the ball safely into the hands of Zaluska. Wilkie volleyed over at the other end after winning Flood's free-kick in the air, but United were struggling to create chances. Motherwell were looking the more dangerous side with Clarkson and Simon Lappin dealing better than most with the difficult surface, although United almost carved out an opening when Sean Dillon's cross was just too far in front of Hunt. United equalised in the 87th minute when Daly put Malcolm under pressure from Grainger's long throw, and Wilkie reached the second ball to head home at the far post. Motherwell had a glorious chance for a winning goal in stoppage-time when Clarkson dispossessed Sean Dillon but Lasley sliced wide with the last kick of the game.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Robertson (O'Brien 63), Gomis, Flood, Kerr (Conway 77), Daly (De Vries 86), Hunt.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Kenneth, Kovacevic, McCord.

Motherwell

G. Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Clarkson, Hughes (Fitzpatrick 46), Malcolm, Lappin (McLean 88), Porter, McCormack (Lasley 84).

Subs Not Used: Daniels, McGarry, D. Smith, Murphy.

Att: 5,027

Ref: K. Clark

24/04/08    Kenneth wins award

Garry Kenneth has won the Clydesdale Bank SPL Young Player of the Month for March and in the process has helped United in their push to finish 3rd in the league abd therefore secure European football next season. United kept three clean sheets in the course of the month although this came to a disappointing end for Kenneth with his dismissal at Tynecastle.

United also announced that Christian Kalvenes will be leaving the club as he has opted to return to Norway for personal reasons. Although hampered by long terms on the sidelines through injury, the left back as been an influencial part of United's squad this season helping them to a CIS Cup final in the process. The season began on a sour note for Christian with the controversial sending off at Rugby Park  in August and due to injury in the game against Hibs at the weekend he will now miss the season run-in. He does however intend to attend the final game of the season against Celtic at Tannadice to say goodbye to the fans before heading to his homeland. Christian signed for United at the beginning of August 2005 and has made 55 starts for United with 1 substitute appearance scoring 3 times in total.

20/04/08    Dundee United        1-1        Hibernian

                   Hunt (pen) 60                               Shiels 57

United came close to taking an early lead when Hunt met a long free-kick from Dods, but Hibs keeper Andy McNeil back-tracked to push over his looping header. Mark De Vries then failed to get a strong header on Sean Dillon's dangerous cross before Merouane Zemmama's inswinging corner was headed just over by Martin Canning. Murray had a let-off after he mis-kicked Dillon's low cross but the ball fell kindly for McNeil, and he soon survived a penalty claim as David Robertson appealed for handball. A quick break gave Hibs right-back Gathuessi room to shoot in the box but he badly sliced his effort well wide and then De Vries shot weakly at McNeil inside the box before Zemmama shot straight at Zaluska after a good run to the edge of the United area. Robertson then volleyed wide from 15 yards after Hunt's knock-down and Willo Flood ran from deep inside his own half after a Hibs corner before firing a swerving 25-yard effort that McNeil touched over. The first half ended when Noel Hunt fired inches wide with a 20-yard free-kick.

At the beginning of the second half John Rankin released Fletcher down the left without a United defender in sight and his hooked cross went straight to the unmarked Zemmama, who volleyed a difficult chance high over the bar. United then lost possession and Zemmama threaded the ball through for Shiels, who kept his composure to round Zaluska and slot home and open the scoring for Hibs on 57 minutes. United hit back and won a penalty on 60 minutes when Gathuessi was punished for a clumsy challenge on De Vries and Hunt sent the spot-kick into the top corner. Fletcher then had an acrobatic effort fly straight at Zaluska before Hunt headed wide after Dillon's cross was inches too high. Hibs threathened to regain the lead when Colin Nish won the ball after a scramble and played Fletcher clean through, but with Rankin unmarked inside him, the low shot was stopped by Zaluska. Zemmama went close with a free kick that flashed inches wide of the far corner before United sub Danny Grainger came just as close with a similar strike in an exciting finale that failed to separate the evenly-matched teams.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Kalvenes (Grainger 71), Flood, Kerr, Gomis (Conway 84), Robertson, Hunt, De Vries (Daly 67).

Subs Not Used: McLean, O'Brien, Kovacevic, Odhiambo.

Hibernian

McNeil, Gathuessi, Canning, Murray, Zarabi, Zemmama, Beuzelin, Rankin, Shiels, Fletcher, Nish (Benjelloun 82).

Subs Not Used: Ma-Kalambay, Morais, Stevenson, Chisholm, McCormack, Campbell.

Att: 7,404

Ref: E. Smith

19/04/08    SPL results

16/04/08    SPL result

15/04/08    Smith joins Terrors

United have signed 21 year old striker Kevin Smith until the end of the season. In his career so far he has played with Sunderland, Leeds United and Dundee but has been hampered by a knee injury which has required two separate operations.

United manager Cragi Levein commented:

"Kevin has been here for a while, looking to get over a knee injury, but he's fit enough to play now and we've signed him on a contract until the end of the season so he can take part in reserve games."

14/04/08    United announce sponsor change

From next season United will be sponsored by fashion brand Carbrini who are part of the JD Sports group. United have signed a one year deal with the sports clothing company who also have deals set up with West Brom and Burnley.

The transfer rumour mill is also beginning to wind up for next season with United being linked to Rangers striker Alan Gow. Gow has struggled to make the first team at Ibrox and according to reports is also being chased by Aberdeen and Hearts.

13/04/08    SPL & Scottish Cup results

12/04/08    Scottish Cup result

09/04/08    SPL result

08/04/08    United trial striker

Joel Thomas has been given a 10 day trial with United and is also expected to take part with them during pre-season training. The 20 year old French striker was released by Kaiserlautern in December and has previously played with Bordeaux. Craig Levein has proved that he has an eye for picking out young players for little or no transfer fee and this could be another addition to enhance that reputation.

07/04/08    SPL result

06/04/08    Dundee United        3-3        Rangers

                    Kalvenes 37                                Weir 44

                    Hunt 51                                      Novo 58

                    Cuellar (o.g) 65                           Boyd 67

United started the game well and carved out the first couple of chances with Hunt beating Papac to a long ball from Willo Flood at the near post only to send his header narrowly past the upright with Allan McGregor flapping in the Rangers goal. Then David Robertson delivered a cross from the right to the feet of Mark De Vries but his close range shot lacked power and was comfortably collected by McGregor. United continued to look impressive going forward and McGregor was called into action again to smother at the feet of Hunt before he could pull the trigger after exchanging a smart one-two with De Vries. United took the lead with 37 minutes gone when Flood's free-kick picked out Dods, whose header was blocked at close range by McGregor before the ball broke to Kalvenes who cracked a shot off the post before bundling home the second attempt. Rangers hit back in the 45th minute when Boyd made the most of a challenge to win a free kick which Ferguson swung in for Weir to powerfully head beyond Zaluska.

United regained the lead in the 52nd minute when Kalvenes found Dillon who looked as if he was about to fire in a shot, but cleverly lifted the ball to the back post where Hunt headed in from close range. Boyd squandered a great chance to level almost immediately when he narrowly failed to connect with a Ferguson ball a few yards out with the gaping net at his mercy. They did draw level though on 58 minutes when Novo was put through on goal by McCulloch before rounding Zaluska and placing the ball into an empty net. With Hunt lying on the turf through injury United went ahead once more when Dillon's dangerous cross from the right was volleyed into his own net by Cuellar on 65 minutes. Rangers levelled again just 2 minutes later when Boyd seized upon a poor pass-back from Flood and placed the ball past Zaluska and into the net off the post. United continued to push for a winner and almost found it when Robertson's header was kept out by McGregor and the last chance fell to Kalvenes who found himself unmarked at the back post from Flood's free kick, but he headed over the crossbar.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Kalvenes, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Robertson, Hunt, De Vries (Daly 64).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Grainger, O'Brien, Conway, Kovacevic, Buaben.

Rangers

McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Cuellar, Papac, Novo, Ferguson, Dailly, Thomson (Darcheville 75), McCulloch, Boyd (Naismith 88).

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Davis, Broadfoot, Lennon, McMillan.

Att: 11,214

Ref: C. Richmond

05/04/08    SPL results

29/03/08    Hearts        1-0        Dundee United

                   Kingston 27                  Kenneth 90

                                                      Swanson 90

At the beginning of the game Hearts enjoyed the better of possession against United without creating any clear-cut chances. The first effort on goal came when Zaliukas met Stewart's out-swinging corner but his header drifted wide. Kingston then had Zaluska worried with a cross-shot that landed on the roof of the net. Hunt was guilty of missing a sitter in the when he took an air kick at the ball from close range from Flood's cross. Kingston fired Hearts ahead in the 28th minute when he was put through no goal by Jonsson and he made no mistake with a cool finish. Zaluska then saved well from a Mikoliunas header shortly before half time.

Into the second half and Zaluska was called into action to parry a Nade shot and at the other end Mark De Vries broke the offside trap but Christophe Berra recovered well to concede a corner. Kingston had a chance to score once more when he stole the ball off Kenneth on the wing and his cross was only palmed away by Zaluska, but Mikoliunas managed to blast over from close range with the goal gaping. With United pushing to find a way back into the game Kenneth was given a second yellow for a challenge on Nade before Swanson was shown a straight red card by ref Eddie Smith for a tackle on Jonsson.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Kovacevic (Daly 79), Kenneth, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Conway (Swanson 64), Hunt (O'Brien 70), De Vries.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Dillon, Grainger, D. Robertson.

Hearts

Basso, Neilson, Berra, Zaliukas, Goncalves, Mikoliunas (Wallace 78), Jonsson, Stewart, Kingston (Ivaskevicius 67), Palazuelos, Nade.

Subs Not Used: Ridgers, Tall, Ksanavicius, Glen, Elliot.

Att: 16,871

Ref: E. Smith

23/03/08    SPL result

22/03/08    Dundee United        2-0        Motherwell

                   Swanson 76

                   De Vries 89

In the first half United seemed to be understandably hung over from their loss in the CIS Cup Final last weekend. They were struggling to find their passing game and mostly resulted to long balls, although saying that Motherwell weren't much better. Early on McCormack took a free-kick after he had been pulled down by Gomis, and his cross was met by Malcolm who failed to test Lukasz Zaluska. At the opposite end Kalvenes supplied a cross for De Vries which Smith was equal to. United's best chance of the first half came when De Vries squared for Hunt but the striker's effort was blocked for a corner. Hunt then headed over the bar after De Vries had found Gomis with a cross out to the left, and he in turn played it back for Kalvenes to cross towards goal. McCormack should have tested Zaluska but rushed a volley and fired his effort over the bar.

At the beginning of the second half Clarkson fired over the bar from 20 yards and then United then had their closest chance of the game when O'Brien fired in a free-kick from the left wing only for Garry Kenneth to send his header wide of the left-hand upright. Mark Kerr tried his luck with a long-range effort which though well struck flew wide of the far post. Kovacevic made an excellent challenge to deny McCormack who had to settle for a corner after he had been put through on goal by a Craigan free kick. United were lucky to survive another Motherwell attack when McCormack set-up Porter who looked set to score when one on one with Zaluska, but was brilliantly denied by the United keeper. Hunt went close, but headed wide of the left-hand post when he rose to meet a Kalvenes cross and De Vries sent the ball wide of the left-hand post from a turn and shot. Motherwell had a few close things form corners as the game headed towards it's conclusion with Craigan having a downward header go just wide of the post. Within a minute of Swanson joining the action the exciting midfielder gave United the lead on 76 minutes when he drove towards the Motherwell box beating Malcolm and Craigan before slotting the ball into the far corner of the net. Hunt then had a chance to double United's lead after a clever flick enable him to find space in the box, but he drilled his shot wide of the target. De Vries calmed the home support's nerves by coolly rounding Smith and finishing on 89 minutes after being released by Willo Flood.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Kovacevic, Kenneth, Wilkie (Grainger 71), Kalvenes, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, O'Brien (Swanson 75), Hunt, De Vries.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Dillon, Conway, Daly, Odhiambo.

Motherwell

G. Smith, Malcolm, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell (Lappin 27), Fitzpatrick, Hughes, Lasley (McGarry 56 (Murphy 83)), McCormack, Porter, Clarkson.

Subs Not Used: Daniels, B. McLean, D. Smith, Archdeacon.

Att: 6,779

Ref: D. McDonald

19/03/08    International call-ups

Four United players have been called up for the upcoming international matches. Euan McLean and Garry Kenneth have been named in Scotland's Under 21 squad to play Finland on the 26th March at Pittodrie, whilst Prince Buaben has been called up for Ghana to play Mexico on the same night, and Kemoko Camara for Guinea against Togo on 25th March.

18/03/08    Zaluska fined

Lukasz Zaluska has been fined £500 and given a warning about future conduct after being reported for gesturing to the Aberdeen fans during United's 4-1 victory in the CIS Cup Semi Final last month.

Lukasz made the following comments to the official United website: "This was the first time I had experienced playing in such an atmosphere and I was both surprised and intimidated at some of the actions of some of the fans. However, I should not have allowed myself to react in this way and I would like to apologise to everyone concerned and particulary the Aberdeen fans."

Craig Levein added: "I'm very happy at the outcome. We were given a very fair hearing and the panel accepted the full and frank explanations given by Lukasz and the club. Lukasz now knows what is expected of him in this country and has apologised accordingly. We're happy now to put this matter behind us and move on."

16/03/08    Dundee United        2-2        Rangers    AET (Rangers won 2-3 on pens)

                   Hunt 34                                        Boyd 85

                   De Vries 96                                  Boyd  113

United started well and had much the better part of the opening half but Zaluska was still called into action to make the first real save of the afternoon when he met Barry Ferguson's strike from Broadfoot's cross. Both teams exchanged corners before United had their first real effort when Hunt brought out a save from McGregor with a fierce shot. They did however take the lead in the 35th minute when McGregor couldn't claim Kalvenes' cross under the close attention of Mark De Vries and United's top scorer was able to squeeze the ball in at the post despite the best efforts of the Rangers defence. United could have went 2-0 up when a mix-up between McGregor and Papac saw the ball roll down the left-back's body and past his keeper, Carlos Cuellar handily placed to clear to safety from almost on the line.

Rangers went for more attacking options in the second half with the introduction of Darcheville and latterly Boyd, but United had valid penalty claims waved away when Kalvenes drove in on goal and was hauled back by Cuellar. Rangers pushed for an equaliser and just when it appeared that United had managed to withstand all that they had forced upon them, Mark Kerr tried a back pass to Zaluska which was intercepted by Boyd who fired the ball in from close range to draw the teams level on 85 minutes.

As extra time began it looked like United had given everything and their best hope would be to hold out for penalties, but in the 97th minute a great move started from Willo Flood ended with Buaben playing in De Vries who beat Broadfoot and lashed the ball in to give United another precious lead. However United were again denied in the 114th minute when Boyd somehow managed to get the better of the United defence at the back post to head the ball in from close range.

The game went to penalties with Flood scoring first before Darcheville struck the bar. Conway then missed the opportunity to heap the pressure on Rangers when he hit the post before Whittaker scored his spot kick. De Vries and Davis scored but both keepers got the better of Robertson and McCulloch. Lee Wilkie's effort was saved leaving Boyd with the chance to win the cup and he made no mistake sending Zaluska the wrong way.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Kovacevic, Kenneth, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Buaben (Robertson 97), Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Hunt (Conway 78), De Vries.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Dillon, Dods.

Rangers

McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac (Boyd 61), Hemdani (Darcheville 46), Dailly, Burke (Whittaker 116), Ferguson, Davis, McCulloch.

Subs Not Used: Alexander, Thomson.

Att: 50,019

Ref: K. Clark

15/03/08    SPL results

12/03/08    Celtic        0-0        Dundee United

United claimed a vital point in the race for the UEFA Cup spot in the SPL with a hard fought draw at Parkhead. Early on Aiden McGeady crossed from the left to find McDonald who helped the ball on to the unmarked Nakamura at the back post who sent a drive past Zaluska but onto the outside of the post. Nakamura turned provider when he beat Danny Grainger to cross to the back post where the stretching Samaras headed over the bar. United forced a couple of corners midway through the first half but nothing came of them. A back-header by Hinkel at the near post from Nakamura's corner left Zaluska grateful to push the ball away for another corner before McManus flicked a Nakamura free kick wide of the far post and McDonald took a Brown pass inside the United box and struck the post with a low drive. United should have taken the lead when Kovacevic's cross from the right found Craig Conway six yards from goal but he somehow headed over the bar with the goal gaping.

In the second half United claimed for a penalty when Robson appeared to charge down Prince Buaben's drive with both hands but it was waved away. McManus had a low drive saved by Zaluska at the second attempt and then McDonald went down rather too easily in the United box after veing challenged by Garry Kenneth. Vennegoor of Hesselink drew a good save from Zaluska seconds before he headed a Nakamura cross over the bar from close range and despite a sustained period of pressure in injury time, United claimed their point.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Kovacevic, Kenneth, Wilkie, Grainger, Kerr, Buaben, O'Brien, Conway (Daly 83), D. Robertson (Flood 75), De Vries (Hunt 77).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Dillon, Dods, Swanson.

Celtic

Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, S. Brown, Sno (Robson 62), McGeady, McDonald, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 62).

Subs Not Used: M. Brown, O'Dea, Donati, Hartley, Riordan.

Att: 45,000

Ref: M. McCurry

09/03/08    Scottish Cup results

06/03/08    Gretna        0-3        Dundee United

                                                      Kenneth 15

                                                      Gomis 51

                                                      D. Robertson 64

United scored from the first piece of goalmouth action in the 16th minute when Greg Fleming could not hold O'Brien's corner and Kenneth nodded home after an initial shot had come off the bar via the head of Kalvenes. Gretna won their first corner midway through the half but Lukasz Zaluska looked to have covered a header from Chris Innes, which looped just wide. Robertson should have put United further ahead but he volleyed over from six yards following a Kalvenes cross and then Fleming pushed wide Noel Hunt's low effort following a driven cross by Kalvenes.

Gavin Skelton came close to the equaliser in the when his low shot from 15 yards was blocked by Zaluska following Rhys Meynell's cross, but United went straight up the park and scored in the 52nd minute when Gomis placed Hunt's cutback into the bottom corner after the unmarked O'Brien had taken a fresh-air swing. A backtracking Fleming pushed Sean Dillon's over-hit cross on to the post as United threatened to put the game beyond the home side and then Danny Hall cleared from the goalmouth after Fleming had parried Robertson's cross. The third goal was coming though, and Robertson provided it in the 65th minute when he beat the offside trap to side-foot home a Kalvenes cross. Another deep cross, this time by Willo Flood, hit the post with Fleming beaten amd then Hunt shot over and Darren Dods twice came close following set-pieces.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Dillon, Kenneth, Dods, Kalvenes, Flood (Kerr 84), Gomis, Buaben, O'Brien (Conway 73), D. Robertson, Hunt (Odhiambo 88).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Grainger, Swanson, De Vries.

Gretna

Fleming, Barr, Meynell, Innes, Naughton, McGill, Hall, Skelton, Deverdics (Murray 46), Kissock (Collin 46), Buscher (Wilkinson 77).

Subs Not Used: Krysiak, Makinwa, Baldacchino, Griffiths.

Att: 507

Ref: B. Winter

04/03/08    Gretna        P-P        Dundee United

The game is now scheduled to go ahead on Thursday 6th March at 7.45pm.

03/03/08    United sign Camara

United have completed the signing of Kemoko Camara until the end of the season after a successful trial period. The 32 year old Guinea International goalkeeper has played for his country 48 times and recently helped his side to the Quarter final stage of the African Cup of Nations.

United have also confirmed that they have sold out their initial 14,000 allocation of CIS Cup final tickets and hope to confirm the release of a further 3,000 tickets tomorrow.

01/03/08    Gretna        P-P        Dundee United

28/02/08    Dundee United        1-1        St. Mirren

                    Dillon 69                                      Dorman 88

United keeper Lukasz Zaluska had to back-track to catch Ian Maxwell's overhit cross in the first minute but both sides cancelled each other out in the opening stages. Will Haining atoned for an error to block Hunt's shot before a Darren Dods mistake at the other end handed Saints a chance. Corcoran intercepted the defender's sloppy pass but Zaluska was well-placed to save Craig Dargo's 20-yard volley. Howard soon blocked a close-range volley from Mark De Vries after Dods had headed on a Danny Swanson corner. St Mirren survived a penalty claim when Hunt fell over Dorman's outstretched foot while Grainger's tackle prevented Corcoran bursting through on goal. United came closest to breaking the first-half deadlock in the when Flood's powerful 25-yard strike hit the crossbar and bounced onto the roof of the net as De Vries and Howard scrambled for the rebound. St Mirren missed their best chance of the half when Corcoran shot over from 15 yards following Dargo's pull-back. United could not make them pay though as De Vries headed well off target when Grainger found him unmarked 10 yards out.

Howard then got down well to save a low 20-yard shot from Morgaro Gomis before the Saints keeper almost gifted United the lead when he dithered on a kick-out which Noel Hunt charged down, but the ball bounced off the Irishman's knee and over the bar. Hunt met Flood's dangerous cross but Howard brilliantly clawed the ball after the forward's header had deflected off Haining. Zaluska again came to their rescue when he dived to save after Dorman's cross had hit off Dargo's thigh before Hunt headed over from Flood's cross and O'Brien's powerful effort bounced off Maxwell's back and wide for a corner. The pressure told in the 70th minute when Grainger's deep cross found his fellow full-back Dillon unmarked, and the Irishman cushioned a volley into the bottom corner. United seemed to have clinched the win in the 84th minute when Hunt back-headed Flood's cross into the far corner but the linesman's flag was raised. Saints did not look like levelling but in the 89th minute Dorman lashed home from 12 yards after Mehmet had won a Maxwell free-kick into the box.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Swanson (O'Brien 60), Hunt, De Vries.

Subs Not Used: McLean, D. Robertson, Conway, Kenneth, Buaben, Odhiambo.

St. Mirren

Howard, Van Zanten, Haining, Potter, Maxwell, Corcoran, Mason (Kean 88), Dorman, Barron, Mehmet, Dargo (Hamilton 78).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Murray, Miranda, McCay, McGinn.

Att: 6,037

Ref: I. Brines

24/02/08    SPL results

23/02/08    Dundee United        0-0        Falkirk

United could have went in front almost straight from the kick off when Hunt clipped a cross to the back post, where the ball was met by De Vries, who headed across goal and just wide. Hunt  then was only prevented from a fantastic Olejnik save tipping a curling effort from the edge of the box around his left post. The Falkirk goalkeeper was then left stranded by a header from Kalvenes, but it agonisingly rebounded off the crossbar. A corner from Danny Swanson was met by the towering figure of De Vries but he was unable to force the ball past Olejnik. In the final play of the first half De Vries nudged a well controlled knock-down into the path of Prince Buaben who connected well with his half-volley, but Olejnik dived low to make a fine save.

Falkirk made a half time change bringing on Latapy for Arfield to try and improve from their opening half display. United should have went ahead when De Vries made a surging run that carried him straight through the middle of a parting Falkirk defence, but just when it looked like he was going to thunder the ball into the net Darren Barr slid in to put the striker off his stride and the ball went harmlessly wide. De Vries then saw another effort go wide of Olejnik's goal whilst at the other end Latapy curled a shot just wide of the far post. United once again tested Olejnik with Dods seeing a low drive saved by the Falkirk keeper. A corner from Flood was then headed back across goal by Lee Wilkie, only for Kalvenes to volley over from close range. In the closing minutes Falkirk failed to clear another corner from Flood and Wilkie was offered the chance to shoot on the turn, however Olejnik was again up to the task and produced a good save to ensure the match ended in a stalemate.

With the teams below United now uncomfortably close on points, United must take full points at home to St. Mirren midweek to ensure they don't slip out of the top six with some very difficult games ahead.

Dundee United

Zaluska, Kalvenes, Dods, Wilkie, Dillon, Kerr