Jim Goodwin has labelled the derby as Dundee United’s biggest game of the season.
The United boss will take his on-form team across the street for the New Year derby on Thursday. The Terrors are currently nine points in front of their city rivals and will be looking to extend that lead at Dens Park. Goodwin said: “We just have to put the Aberdeen game behind us and focus on the next one, which is the biggest game of the season, as far as we are all concerned, away to Dundee. We want similar fighting attributes and hopefully a similar result.”
The United boss has confirmed that his team will walk up the street from Tannadice. They will march there full of confidence on the back of a run that has seen them lose just one game in nine. Goodwin added: “The boys are all excited about it. We know it is going to be a difficult game. Dundee had a good result away to St Mirren. They have bounced back after the disappointment of the Ross County game. Form goes out the window in these derby games. It is all about on the day.
“Our boys will certainly be up for it. We are looking forward to walking up that road, with our chests out, full of pride and ready to go to battle.”
The first derby of the season ended in a 2-2 draw at Tannadice on day one of the Premiership season. United sit fourth in the table and have closed the gap on Aberdeen and Rangers above them. Goodwin has been pleased with the progress but knows nothing has been achieved yet. He stated: “It has been a great first half to the season but we can’t allow ourselves to get carried away or to start to think too far ahead.”
Goodwin, looking back in 2024, reckons it has been a really positive year for Dundee United. Winning promotion from the Championship and res-establishing themselves back in the Premiership. Goodwin, speaking to DUFCTV, claimed: “It has been a really positive 12 months I think. We’ve done what has been asked of us.
“Obviously, getting relegated wasn’t ideal but getting to rebuild the club, putting a squad on the pitch capable of winning the Championship and then having to rebuild again I enjoy that side of it. I always have at every club I have been at. I enjoy the process.
“Thankfully, with great support from Michael Cairney, my head of recruitment, we have been able to bring in a lot of good quality players. We will continue to try and do that.”