Dundee United had to play most of the game with 10 men - and survive some late pressure from League 2 visitors Spartans before reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2022.
United visit Premiership rivals Falkirk in the last eight on 6 March.
Image source, SNSIurie Iovu was sent off for bodychecking Spartans' Cammy Russell
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was just delighted to get through what turned out to be a difficult Scottish Cup tie against fourth-tier Spartans after having Iurie Iovu sent off after only 12 minutes.
"We are delighted to be through to the next round of the Scottish Cup - it's something we haven't done enough of in the last three seasons," he told BBC Scotland.
"Had you offered me that in the 12th minute when we went down to 10 men, I would have snapped the hand off you.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy against a very well coached Spartans side. Certainly got a little bit nervy close to the end, which I could have done without, but it wasn't a pretty game of football.
"It was difficult on the pitch the way it is. I don't think it suited either team really, but the reality is my players will have to get used to that as it's not going to get better any time soon."
As for the red card dished out by referee Grant Irvine, Goodwin said: "I haven't had chance unfortunately to watch it back.
"We'll sit down tomorrow myself and the CEO and we'll decide if we've got a case for an appeal on that one. The message from the fourth official was that the referee deemed it a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity.
"I felt there was a bit of cover coming around. I didn't think the Spartans player had great control of the ball at the time. It is a bit of a clumsy challenge, but is it deeming of a red card at that stage of the game? I'm not so sure.
"To go in at half-time at 1-0 was a good feeling. It was a well-worked corner. That settled everyone down and I felt we had good control.
"In the second half, we knew Spartans would throw a little bit more caution to the wind and throw bodies forward - and they certainly did that.
"They pinned us back for periods. I thought we were going to keep the clean sheet, but quite a fortuotous goal - a deflected shot from the edge of the box.
"And that did add a little to the anxiety towards the end of the game. But it is about getting through in cup competitions."
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
Well, we only went and did it. We won a game. An actual football match. Three points.
I should've put money on it around 6pm on Friday 13th, when Falkirk tweeted they could go 17 points clear of Dundee United with a win.
A statement like that is basically football's version of saying "nothing can possibly go wrong." And as we all know, the football gods love nothing more than punishing confidence.
So yes, Dundee United finally picked up three points, our first league win since 2025. And let me tell you, when your team hasn't won in what feels like an awful long time, you take it however it comes.
Last time out at Hibs, our defending was a bit of a horror show. We somehow managed to lose 3–2 in a game where we did plenty right going forward, but at the back looked like we'd confused football with a competitive game of musical statues.
This past Saturday at Falkirk? Much of the same. Still shaky, still prone to moments of panic, and still far too willing to make life difficult for ourselves. The difference was that this time we managed to come out on the right side of it, which is always great, unless you're someone who enjoys things like structure or defensive competence.
Honestly, where do you even start with our defending? We've played a back three all season and regardless of personnel, partnerships or opponent, we just don't look like we understand it. At this point I'm not sure we've conceded a goal this season that didn't start with our own mistake. It's like we're committed to making things harder for ourselves out of principle.
For my money, we should go to a back four. Would it fix everything? Of course not. But when you've spent months proving you can't play a back three, maybe, just maybe, it's time to stop forcing it like it's going to suddenly click through sheer optimism.
That said, we did win at Falkirk. And if you offered me a season of Dundee United winning more than their fair share of five-goal thrillers while continuing to defend like a team playing with invisible players at the back….......I'd probably take it.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the fickle mind of a football fan.
Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
Image source, SNSJulius Eskesen talks about just how close he came to departing Dundee United in January, with the Danish midfielder agreeing a move to Greek side AE Kafisia only for the deal to collapse. (The Courier), external
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin hopes his side's comeback win over Falkirk on Saturday can begin to win over fans again.
Julius Eskesen's late goal secured a 3-2 victory at the Falkirk Stadium and gave United a first win in five Premiership games.
The run of league defeats that preceded that, which included a derby loss to Dundee as well as being beaten by Hearts Hibs and Celtic, had seen the players and manager come in for some criticism.
Goodwin accepted that taking flak is part and parcel of the game in poor runs, but said that he appreciated the support the team does get and hopes the win begins to repay the fans.
"I completely understand their frustration and I know that they travel in great numbers every week and they want to see their team winning games of football," the United manager told DUTV.
"I understand the criticism aimed at the players and I certainly understand the criticism aimed at me as the manager, because ultimately it's my responsibility and I don't shy away from that.
"But all I can say to them is that we are doing all we can behind the scenes. The players are giving absolutely everything in training. We know the results haven't been good enough over the last few weeks.
"I think there has been an element of context to some of those results – going down to nine men against Hearts – but I really appreciate their support.
"I know this is only one result and it doesn't mean that we've turned any corner or anything like that.
"We're not going to get carried away and I think we've let a few of them down recently and we've got to earn their trust and earn their support back, I suppose. But Saturday goes a little bit towards that."
Goodwin is now preparing his side for Tuesday's rearranged Scottish Cup tie against Spartans, which would see his team return to Falkirk in the quarter finals if they get through.
"The game there early on in the season, we were leading and ended up drawing the game," he said.
"The game at Tannadice last time out, I thought Falkirk were the better team and deserved to win the game.
"But I think the games have always been quite close and always been very competitive.
"But hopefully this gives the boys the shot in the arm that they need to believe that they can compete against good teams and get the results needed."
Two Celtic stars, duos from Dundee and Dundee United, and a pair from Motherwell. It's time for Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...
Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian
Not a vintage weekend for goalkeepers. Sallinger gets the nod for a couple of stops and a clean sheet. An overall impressive addition at Easter Road.
Julian Araujo - Celtic
What a big goal. Ended up in hospitality with his celebration, but it was a big moment.
Stephen Welsh - Motherwell
Outstanding again after his goalscoring heroics midweek. An assist for Just as well. Not sure what Celtic don't see in him.
Ross Graham - Dundee United
Goal and a doughty warrior at the back. His four touches in the opposition box was only bettered by teammate Kristijan Trapanovski, while he made more clearances than any other player.
Cameron Congreve - Dundee
A continuous threat down the right for the Dark Blues. What a good loan signing he has been by Steven Pressley. Took eight shots and created three chances.
Craig Sibbald - Dundee United
Pulled the strings in midfield and scored a vital goal. Set up four chances, the most of any United player, and won more duels than any of his teammates.
Elijah Just - Motherwell
For me, Elijah Just has to be in with a shout of player of the season. The New Zealand international has been consistently excellent, showing guile, creativity and goalscoring ability. On the scoresheet again this weekend, against Aberdeen. Ghosts around the pitch with elegance, class and endeavour.
Sebastian Tounekti - Celtic
Loves Rugby Park. Great on his debut there, scored there against Auchinleck Talbot and sparked Celtic's comeback on Sunday with a goal of the season contender.
Simon Murray - Dundee
Murray in a hurry at Dens Park. After a barren spell, the Dundee captain looked pumped for action with his quick fire double.
Youssef Chermiti - Rangers
Michael Stewart told me on Sportscene he doesn't think Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker. But he has scored six of his seven goals this season against Celtic and Hearts, including his hat-trick yesterday on what was a huge occasion.
The challenge for the 21-year-old is to start delivering this sort of performance more consistently against the other sides in the Premiership.
Tyreece John-Jules - Kilmarnock
The former Arsenal youth - and nephew of Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules - was a force of nature for Kilmarnock against Celtic, following on from his midweek hat-trick.
Scored a great goal, clipped the crossbar from a free-kick and just generally showed star potential. Such a shame he limped off with what looked like a thigh muscle strain.
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Dundee United get the better of Falkirk in a five-goal Scottish Premiership encounter (UK users only).
We asked you Dundee United fans for your views after the 3-2 victory over Falkirk. Here's a taste of what you had to say...
Kenny: Much more like it. Another brilliant goalkeeping display and two full-backs who ran their socks off. Craig Sibbald's strike was fantastic and it was great to see Julius Eskesen's reaction to his goal. Let's have more of the the same in the Cup.
Dave: We did get a bit luck with Zac Sapsford's push in the box - it looked like a penalty to me. However, we've stopped the rot - for now. Fingers crossed the injuries to Kristijan Trapanowski and Luca Stephenson are not bad ones.
Steve: Jim Goodwin said we 'can't keep relying on having to score two or three goals every week to win games of football'. When is he going to realise the reason we have to keep coming from behind is because we can't defend playing the system that we do?
George: Much needed win at the right time. Need now to win comfortably against Spartans to boost the confidence for the remaining games before the split. Let's turn this part of the season into a fantastic run into the top six and then European qualification.
Gary: Not a great performance, but against a team flying high and, in the form we've been in, I'll take an ugly win all day! But we need to back it up. Goodwin keeps talking top six, but looking at the fixtures and doing the maths, that's pie in the sky even if we were playing well. I'll take solidifying our form, and a decent Cup run.
Alan: The manager again has been unhappy with the goals we conceded. He has to scrap playing this back three once and for all, and revert to a back four. It is also time that Sam Cleall-Harding is given a run in the team.
Ross: A better performance against a team who, like us, are better at going forward than defending. This was apparent (yet again) as United conceded two sloppy and defendable goals.
However, a great fightback which will surely/hopefully/mibeez aye/mibeez no (delete as appropriate) breed confidence going into the plethora of games in the next few weeks. Great to see Eskesen get on the score sheet.
Ally: Similar theme with the goals conceded, but on this occasion can't fault the character responding to setbacks. Plenty about this team in attacking areas when we go for it, but we'll remain inconsistent at best unless we can plug the defence. This needs to be a turning point.
Dundee United came from behind to win a five-goal thriller against 10-man Falkirk and breathe fresh life into their hopes of catching the Bairns for a top-six spot in the Scottish Premiership.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It was nice to get back to winning ways. We've been on a difficult run. We've come to a really difficult venue against a very good team and managed to get a valuable three points.
"Credit to the group, credit to the players. They showed good resilience, good character.
"Julius Eskesen, coming off the bench, who has been starved of opportunities throughout the campaign but great professional, keeps himself right during the week and he gets his opportunity and I'm delighted for him that he's the hero that managed to get us all the points.
"We're coming into a really defining stage in the season with the amount of games we have coming now over the next few weeks. There's so much still to play for.
"We're not going to get carried away with the result. There's still elements of the game that I'm really annoyed with. We can't keep relying on having to score two and three goals every week to win games of football."
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSFalkirk have Scott Bain and Kyrell Wilson back but Connor Allan is a doubt after sustaining a head injury in training. Ben Parkinson (ankle) and Ethan Williams (thigh) remain out.
Dundee United pair Amar Fatah and Pan Camara are suspended but midfielder Emmanuel Agyei is in contention for a debut. Long-term absentee Isaac Pappoe (knee) remains out.
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's trip to play Falkirk.
Here are the key lines:
On being back in action after having three games postponed, Goodwin says "We're all really excited. Players train in preparation for games. The boys have prepared really well all week and the training has been of a good standard. Hopefully they can put that into the game against Falkirk."
Goodwin "knows how good a team Falkirk are" and says they have shown their ability in recent years as they have risen through the divisions. He says the players have a real understanding of what manager John McGlynn wants from them.
The manager says his side have to make sure they do both sides of the game well, noting Falkirk's "pace and energy", attacking flair and how they are "defensively, a tough nut to crack".
Despite the late goals that ensured a heartbreaking defeat at Easter Road, Goodwin said his side played well and the performance was "one of the best of the last couple of months". He wants his players to take confidence from that and play to the same level but add consistency.
Ambition to reach the top six makes it a "huge game" and United have to go into it with the mindset of trying to win. Though the gap from United to Falkirk and Hibs is 14 points, he pointed out his side's two games in hand and insists they're "very much in the fight".
Goodwin says nobody at Tannadice is happy looking at the league table and admits the recent run of results is "not good enough" but he believes there is important context to four Premiership defeats in a row.
Looking ahead to a busy schedule, he says his squad is almost injury-free and Amar Fatah and Pan Camara are serving the last matches of their ban. The manager says he will have to manage his squad carefully through a busy spell of five games in three weeks.
Goodwin says the unprecedented amount of rain means nothing could be done about recent postponements but work is being done to get the ground ready for the next matches.
An offer "out of the blue" for Nikolaj Moller was "too good to be true" considering United signed the player on a free last summer.
We asked for your thoughts on striker Nikolaj Moller being sold to Norwegians Sandefjord after just six months at Dundee United.
Here's what some of you said:
Bruce: Quick turnaround for a player who hasn't offered anything different for the team. The speculated six-figure fee we get for a player who cost nothing coming to Tannadice is very puzzling.
Lee: At the end of the day he just wasn't good enough. I get the feeling we didn't even see the guy play in person. But the same could be said for a few of our other signings last summer. Too many players signed on stats alone.
Jim: As this now seems to be United's business plan it's great money for a player who hasn't exactly been prolific with one goal. We still have Zac Sapsford, Max Watters and Owen Stirton along with a few midfielders with an eye for a goal. However, if Jim Goodwin doesn't finally get his formation right we're right into the relegation battle.
Peter: Tidy bit of business for a player who signed for free and had not made an impact in the first team. As a club, this is what we have to do. Don't expect his loss to be felt.
Calum: The reported £700k for Moller represents great business for a player signed for free who has only ever been on the fringes of the starting XI. The only worry is that it leaves us light up top outside the transfer window. Any injuries to the remaining three forwards could be a problem.
David: Perhaps if he was managed better he would have been a good player. He has made the right decision to move on and get the support he needs.
Image source, SNSFalkirk have dropped a league-low two points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, while conversely Dundee United have recovered a league-high 10 points from losing positions.
Dundee United have lost their past four league games, last losing five in a row in the top flight in May 2023.
Falkirk have won their past two league games and could win three in a row in the top flight for the first time since January 2008 (four).
After their 3-1 win over Livingston in December, Dundee United could win back-to-back Scottish Premiership matches against newly-promoted opponents for the first time since May 2015.
Falkirk have won none of their past four top-flight home games against Dundee United (D2 L2), after having won four in a row before this run.
Image source, SNSFormer Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United midfielder Fraser Fyvie has announced his retirement at the age of 32.
Fyvie, a Scottish Cup winner with Hibs and FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic, has been at Cove Rangers since 2019 and has League 2 and League 1 title medals in his time at the club.
However, he has decided to draw a line under his professional career after long spells in the treatment room.
Cove said "the cumulative impact of these injuries has made recovery after matches increasingly challenging".
Fyvie told the club's YouTube channel: "I've been mulling it over for the last six months due to getting injured again and doing my right knee.
"It's not something that's come as a quick decision, I've taken some time to think about it.
"I want to be able to walk off the pitch with my head held high and say I've given everything to this game - rather than being stretchered off and forced to stop."
The ex-Scotland Under-21 cap began his career at Aberdeen before making the move to Wigan in 2012, helping the Latics to FA Cup success in his debut season.
He returned north to join Hibs in 2015 and played in the 2016 Scottish Cup final triumph over Rangers, winning the Championship with the Easter Road side a year later.
He then spent two years as a Dundee United player before joining Cove.
Dundee United banked a six-figure sum when they sold striker Nikolaj Moller to Norwegian top-flight club Sandefjord on Thursday after just six months at Tannadice. (The Courier), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Just six months after his arrival at Tannadice, Dundee United have sold striker Nikolaj Moller to Norwegian club Sandefjord.
The 23-year-old started just seven games for United and scored one goal in those outings.
United fans, what do you make of Moller's departure? Were the club right to sell him? Do United have enough attacking options to get them through the rest of the season?
Dundee United have agreed a fee of around £700,000 to sell 23-year-old forward Nikolaj Moller to Sandefjord, with the Scottish Premiership club making an instant profit on a player they signed for nothing from Swiss club St Gallen in the summer. (Daily Record), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNS
