Dundee United

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Captain Ross Docherty is one of 16 players departing Dundee United.

The 32-year-old midfielder skippered the team to the Championship title last term but has struggled with injuries this season, making 15 starts, as United secured a fourth-place finish and European football.

Docherty will exit with fellow first-team regulars Louis Moult and Declan Gallagher - whose exits were confirmed last month - with the Tannadice club hailing the trio as "pivotal members" who made "priceless contributions" in the second tier and top flight.

North Macedonia midfielder David Babunski is on the way out too - after United opted not to trigger the option of a further year on his deal - along with winter signing Allan Campbell and loanees Lewis Fiorini and Ruari Paton.

On-loan Wrexham striker Sam Dalby, who was United's top scorer this term with 15 goals, and Luton goalkeeper Jack Walton will also leave.

Luca Stephenson and Emmanuel Adegboyega will depart after impressing on loan from Liverpool and Norwich respectively.

And Tony Watt, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Motherwell, will also leave this summer, as will academy graduates Ollie Simpson, Zeke Cameron, Adam Carnwath and Bryan Mwangi.

In a statement, United say they "remain in contractual discussions with several players" and will provide a further update.

United fans, have the club made the right decision in cutting captain Docherty loose? Are there any other released players who should have been kept?

Tell us here

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Saturday was up there. It had everything.

United sealed fourth place and European football in our first season back in the big league, after starting the day in fifth and slipping to sixth at one point.

Goals from Declan Gallagher and Sam Dalby completed a 2-1 comeback win over Aberdeen, leapfrogging them as they finished fifth - this alone should've been the headline.

But it wasn't. Because once again, a mindless idiot overshadowed everything.

The image of Jack MacKenzie with blood pouring from his face after being struck by a flying seat launched from the away end was sickening. That's not just bad behaviour - it's criminal.

And while it's one person responsible, the impact is felt by everyone - MacKenzie, the fans, and the game itself.

This has to be a turning point as this time a player was genuinely hurt. Lifetime bans, legal consequences, stronger deterrents - nothing should be off the table.

And as if that wasn't enough drama, the full-time whistle went and the fans poured on to the pitch. Emotions do this to you. Football does this to you.

But the consequences hit hard as our players, heroes to some, many pulling on that magnificent tangerine shirt for the final time, never got their deserved send-off. No lap of honour, no farewell wave. That stings.

Especially when you look at the names: Gallagher (immense again), Louis Moult, David Babunski, even Dalby – we don't know who'll be here next season. But they gave us pride back. They represented the shirt, fought for the club and were part of a brilliant season. They deserved that applause.

And what about Jim Goodwin? Gorgeous Jim as we call him on the podcast. Two years ago he was a punchline. Now he's built a team that's hardworking, united (pun intended), and effective.

From promotion to a top-four finish and for the first time in his career as a player or manager, European football. That's redemption.

We don't yet know if it'll be Europa League or Conference League as it all depends on the Scottish Cup final. But regardless, United are back in Europe.

Shame it ended with stitches and sirens instead of cheers and salutes but make no mistake – this club is on the rise again.

Ronny Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Sam Dalby has refused to rule out extending his stay with Dundee United after the 25-year-old striker turned down an extended contract with Wrexham. (The Courier), external

David Babunski will depart Dundee United this summer after the Premiership club opted not to take up the option of a one-year extension to the 31-year-old midfielder's contract. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Luca Stephenson has hinted that he could return to Dundee United next season after playing a key role in helping Jim Goodwin's newly-promoted side qualify for Europe.

The versatile 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan from Liverpool, making 34 appearances.

Despite being ruled out by injury for the final five matches as United sealed fourth spot, Stephenson landed the club's young player of the year award on Sunday.

The Englishman, who joined Liverpool's academy from Sunderland in 2018, is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Reds and has just a year left on his contract with the Premier League club.

Asked in a club interview if he fancied some European action with United next season, Stephenson smiled: "Maybe, maybe. I can't say too much on it yet. I don't know everything that's going on.

"There's going to be a lot of movement, a lot of talk over the summer, but we'll see what happens."

Reflecting on his season at United, Stephenson added: "It was far in advance of anything I expected. I've played a lot of games but feel like they've been good minutes as well."

Stephenson underwent surgery on a double hernia last month but reported he expects to be fit for pre-season.

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss the incident involving an object hitting Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie during a full-time pitch invasion at Tannadice.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dundee United produced a superb comeback to defeat Aberdeen, leapfrog them into fourth place in the Scottish Premiership and clinch European football on Saturday and one of Jim Goodwin's departing men has made my team of the week.

Declan Gallagher signed off with a goal an important win for the Tangerines.

Watch all the action as Dundee United secured a European spot with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen in their final Scottish Premiership game.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United goalkeeper Dave Richards admits he had "3,000" supporters keeping him up to date with the score in the St Mirren game as the Tangerines clinched a European spot.

Jim Goodwin's side came from behind to snatch fourth spot in the Premiership with a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen and ended the Buddies' hopes of European football for next season.

"We're all over the moon," Richards said.

"It's been a long season. It's been a tough season as well but the boys have been absolutely incredible in there from start.

"We had a little blip the last couple of games but we came out of it [on Saturday] and we've been absolutely brilliant."

At one point during the game, with United trailing the Dons by a goal and St Mirren leading champions Celtic, it looked as though United were missing out on European football for next term.

"I had about 3,000 fans behind me telling me that St Mirren were 1-0 up," the goalkeeper added.

"And they keep me updated with the scores.

"All we were focused on at the start of the day was just to do our job, do what the gaffer said, because we all believed that whatever we would come out on top.

"We did that and it was a good win."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-1 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenneth: What a difference a year makes. Promotion, avoid relegation, target a place in the top six, qualify for Europe. Any team would take that trajectory. Well done United and well done Jim Goodwin, the back room staff and the squad. You have made a lot of people happy. Come on United! Now, where's my passport?

Gary: A massive congrats too Jim and his staff. First half was shocking, second half we were a different team. 110 per cent from United. Pity the players didn't get to say goodbye at the end. No holiday for Jim now, rebuilding starts Monday, as Europe beckons soon. Been a long hard slog, United your supporters have got their reward. Well done.

George: Great end to the season which exceeded expectations. European football should help with signings which will have to be better than this season with exception of Sam Dalby. January signings were particularly disappointing. Several changes to the squad are required and trust in our younger players to step up.

Chris: Huge congrats to Jim and the lads! What an achievement, a season with some ups and downs but clinching fourth place is the result of a team. The club need to back Jim with some shrewd additions for what will be a challenging season at home and in Europe!

Steve: From deep down somewhere, an exhausted United team found the grit and determination to turn the match in their favour. A great end to a terrific season. The fans have stayed behind the players in great numbers home and away and everyone got their reward today.

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• Dundee United have won 14 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Rangers (16) have recovered more.

• Aberdeen have lost an away game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 2nd March 2024 against St Mirren (seven games without defeat).

• Sam Dalby has scored 15 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee United player.

• Aberdeen have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025, a run of five games.

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We already know Celtic will be in the Champions League play-off round.

And that Rangers will start in the second qualifying stage.

Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen will all be in Europe, too, but the outcome of Saturday's Scottish Cup final will decide who enters which competition and when.

If Celtic win the Scottish Cup...

Hibs will be in the Europa League play-off round. Win that, and they will be in the competition proper. Lose, and it will be the Conference League until Christmas.

Either way, good games and good money.

United will enter the Europa League at the second qualifying round, with the second chance of Conference League preliminaries.

And Aberdeen will enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round.

If Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup...

They will be the ones who will be guaranteed continental combat until December.

Hibs would go into the Europa second qualifying round, with the safety net of a second shot in the Conference preliminaries. But no assured league stage football.

And Dundee United would enter the Conference League second qualifying round.

Dundee United produced a superb comeback to defeat Aberdeen and leapfrog them into fourth place in the Scottish Premiership and clinch European football after a dream first season back in the top flight.

What did you make of United's performance? And the season as whole? Has this been beyond your expectations?

Share your views.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We feel absolutely brilliant, as you can imagine. The celebrations in the dressing room are great to see.

"I just think it's a wonderful way to finish off a really good, strong campaign. We've been getting a lot of criticism of late and rightly so for our performances in the past four games.

"But as I said the league is decided over 38 games not just the last four. We gave ourselves an opportunity today.

"It's been a remarkable effort from top to bottom at the club. It's been a really good two years.

"I've had a couple of promotions as manager and enjoyed those moments. Today feels like one of those moments in qualifying for Europe.

"It will be a new experience but one we're excited for."

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Jim Goodwin said pre-match that going into the final game with a chance for fourth place was an achievement in itself, given United were only promoted this season.

He was right. But given they went into the split with a nine-point advantage over St Mirren which rapidly disappeared, it might not have felt like a successful season had they ended sixth.

As it happened they rediscovered what had made them an effective team in the Premiership at the crucial moment.

Goodwin has kept it simple. A solid structure and hard-working players with a big man up front in Dalby who has been lethal in the box when given quality service through Will Ferry, Ryan Strain, Middleton and others swinging in crosses.

When they turned to that after the first 30 minutes they got so much joy against a frail Aberdeen team and eventually their series of crosses paid dividends.

It has not been a thrilling recipe but Goodwin understands what it takes to be successful in the Premiership.

It is to his and United's credit that with a much-reduced budget and some significant injuries in a long season, they have finished as the league's fourth best side.

Fans may want more in attack next season but all of that can wait. They can enjoy the warm glow of a fruitful campaign.

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Dundee United are missing Craig Sibbald, Ross Graham and Luca Stephenson but Emmanuel Adegboyega and Lewis Fiorini have a chance.

Aberdeen defender Alfie Dorrington is suspended while Ester Sokler (leg), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (knee) are still out injured.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Dundee United's final game of the Premiership season, against Aberdeen at Tannadice on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Goodwin "wouldn't have believed it" if someone had told him in August his side would be 90 minutes away from finishing fourth.

• United will qualify for Europe if they match St Mirren's result at Celtic Park and Goodwin stresses his side's game could be a "defining moment" in what has already been a "fantastic season".

• The Tannadice boss says neither Aberdeen or United are in great form but believes that will "go out the window" at the weekend.

• Goodwin feels this has been "the most difficult season" in terms of injuries to key players but believes he will have "enough quality available to get the job done" on Saturday.

• Emmanuel Adegboyega and Lewis Fiorini have a chance of being available but Craig Sibbald and Ross Graham will both miss out.

• With players such as Declan Gallagher and Kevin Holt set to play their final game for United on Saturday, Goodwin wants them to leave with their "heads held high" and "hopefully off the back of achieving European football".

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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It had looked like a tight, three-horse race for third spot would go down to the wire - until losing streaks for Dundee United (four) and Aberdeen (three) handed the prize to Hibernian.

Now the Dons, who have suffered successive heavy defeats by Rangers and Celtic, travel to Tannadice still three points clear of their hosts as they go head to head for fourth.

United, who beat Aberdeen 1-0 on their last visit in December before a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie, must win to overtake their east-coast rivals on goal difference.

Even then, they will have to wait until the Scottish Cup final before knowing whether that will be enough to ensure they enter Europa League qualifying for the first time since 2012-13.

That is because, should Aberdeen then beat Celtic at Hampden, United would have to make do with the less prestigious Conference League second qualifying round instead of the same stage of the Europa League.

Aberdeen are guaranteed Conference League football even if they lose the cup final and finish fifth, but United could find themselves missing out on European football altogether if they suffer defeat on Saturday.

However, that would require sixth-top St Mirren, who are one point behind, to spoil Celtic's title-winning party.

A draw in Glasgow, combined with a United defeat, would take the Buddies into Europe instead on goal difference.

An unlikely St Mirren win, meanwhile, would leave United needing a victory of their own.

To add to the intrigue, that would mean United's Jim Goodwin would have spoiled the European aspirations of the two clubs he previously managed.

Read all the final weekend Premiership picks

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• Dundee United have won four of their past five home league games against Aberdeen, with the exception a 3-1 defeat in March 2023.

• Aberdeen have only lost one of their past five league games against Dundee United (W3 D1), although are winless in their latest two (D1 L1), losing their last away from home in December (1-0).

• Dundee United have only lost their final league game in one of their past five Scottish Premiership seasons (W3 D1), although that was their last campaign in the division in 2022-23 (3-2 v Motherwell).

• Aberdeen haven't won on the final day of the season in any of their past four league campaigns (D2 L2) – they had won their final game in four successive league seasons before this (including curtailed 2019-20).

• A win in this match would see Dundee United become the first newly-promoted side to finish in the Scottish Premiership's top four since Hearts in 2021-22 (third). It would also see the Tangerines compete in Europa League qualifying for the first time since 2012-13.