Mixu Paatelainen blames wrong timing for his seven-month spell as Dundee United manager and felt betrayed by the club after being sacked shortly after chairman Stephen Thompson saying the Finn was not to blame for relegation. (Daily Record, external)
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
This will be Marink Reedijk's first game as Hibernian boss. The last permanent Hibs manager to lose his first top-flight game in charge was Pat Fenlon in December 2011 (2-0 v Rangers).
Despite starting just four of their seven Premiership games this season, Jesse Randall has scored (2) or assisted (2) 44% of Dundee United's league goals (4/9), the third-highest ratio by any player for a side, behind only Aberdeen's Kevin Nisbet (71%) and St Johnstone's Josh Fowler (56%).
Both teams have scored in each of the past nine league meetings between Dundee United (16 goals) and Hibs (19), with these fixtures averaging 3.9 goals per game.
Hibs are unbeaten in six league games against Dundee United (W3 D3) since a 3-2 defeat in October 2024.
Dundee United have won two of their past four league games (D1 L1), as many as their previous 10 beforehand (W2 D3 L5).
Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland
Are underlying numbers from the start of the Scottish Premiership season suggesting a refreshed approach could be taking hold across the league?
Well, the success stories at Motherwell and Falkirk last season seem to have had an influence.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin was humble enough to reveal that Jens Berthel Askou - now head coach at Toulouse in Ligue 1 - has inspired him to change his ways after more than 15 years as a player and manager in Scotland.
Goodwin's side are one of a number of Premiership teams to have undergone a stylistic shift this term, and that is reflected in the league's overall numbers, albeit the sample size remains small after just seven matches for each club.
Compared with the previous five Scottish top-flight seasons, passes per game have soared to 886. That is an increase of 58 on last term. Five years ago, the average was 795.
Passing accuracy is also at a high of 81%, which is quite a remarkable increase on the 73% recorded in 2023-24.
That is down to more short passing. The percentage of long passes across the league (13%) is now at its lowest level of the past five years. Perhaps surprisingly, Hearts and Rangers go long more than any other teams.
Goodwin's United, meanwhile, have gone from average possession of 42% last term to 50% this season. Their accurate passes per match have rocketed from 219 to 320.
It is a similar story for St Mirren under Craig McLeish and Neil McCann's Kilmarnock, while league leaders Celtic and Alfred Johansson's Motherwell are locked at the top of the possession chart on 61%.
The promotion of St Johnstone back into the league, replacing Livingston, has added another side who aim to play a more expansive brand.
The recent appointment of Dutch head coach Marink Reedijk at Hibernian will only enhance that.
Read more: Why early-season data points to Premiership style shift
Image source, SNSDave Richards' move to Kilmarnock has fallen through after the English FA refused to grant international clearance.
Kilmarnock last week announced the signing of the 32-year-old goalkeeper, who had been a free agent since leaving Dundee United in the summer, on a contract until January.
However, the Rugby Park club have been unable to complete his registration.
"Following our announcement, which was subject to international clearance, the English FA has refused this due to an administrative error related to Dave's previous registration," said Kilmarnock.
"We share Dave's bitter disappointment about this news and thank him for his professionalism throughout. Everyone at Kilmarnock wishes him well for the future."
Jim Goodwin has hailed Dundee United owner Mark Ogren for pushing the boat out to secure the marquee capture of Zidane Iqbal (Courier), external.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSBBC Sport Scotland has been taking a look at away ticket pricing in Scottish football.
It is an issue which has been tackled at the highest level south of the border, with a £30 away ticket cap having been in operation in the Premier League for a decade.
Is anything similar on the agenda north of the border?
While it doesn't appear to be at the moment, we have been canvassing the thoughts of fans across the Premiership.
An adult away fan going to a league game at Dundee United will pay between £26-£39 depending on the fixtures, with concessions ranging from £6-£24
Dundee United fan Paul McNicoll, of The Dode Fox Podcast, says: "The cost of away tickets is borderline scandalous - some of the venues are a lot higher than others.
"It would be good if the clubs could get on the same hymnsheet with that, maybe if there was a standard fee for an away ticket, but it feels like we are miles away from that.
"It just keeps going up and up and I am not really sure when it is going to stop. It doesn't really entice many people or families to go to away matches.
"A cap would be helpful but it would depend what that cap was. From a fan's point of view £25 would seem pretty fair to me. But we are so far over that with some teams already that I just don't foresee it coming down."
Read more: Are SPFL away tickets too expensive?
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
The international break has robbed me of my fix of club football, so I was hopeful the Tennent's Sixes would provide some much-needed entertainment.
Did it live up to my expectations? Well, a little. Then again, my expectations weren't exactly sky high.
These tournaments often flatter to deceive. The nostalgia kicks in, familiar faces appear, and before long we're reminded some former heroes are no longer quite as mobile as they once were.
At times, it resembled walking football with added ambition and the occasional hamstring on the verge of handing in its notice. Still, there were moments of entertainment, but I do have a few gripes.
The goals: Why on earth weren't the posts flush with the backboards? Having them sticking out looked daft, as though the organisers had bought the wrong equipment and decided nobody would notice.
The crowds: Hats off to everyone who attended, but watching on television, the stands didn't exactly look bursting at the seams. I was hoping for a bit more atmosphere, but charging £25 per session for an adult didn't make it overly appealing, or affordable, to most. Nostalgia is lovely, but apparently costly.
The transfers: What a nonsense. The appeal is watching familiar players represent familiar clubs. Not the same players representing multiple teams on the same day and even turning out for sides they never had any affiliation with.
The coverage: Premier Sports could, and should, have done better. The production felt half-baked, lacking the energy and polish you'd expect from an event with this much history. And don't get me started on the camera work.
To be fair, it was a decent first effort and the concept has plenty of potential. But if this is to become an annual event, the organisers need to sharpen things up considerably.
Personally, I'd love to see the old format of the Tennent's Sixes return. Current players, proper fitness levels, genuine competitiveness, full houses and, for good measure, the odd random English team thrown into the mix. Alas, that ship has sailed.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch some actual club football on Saturday. These past few weekends with no Dundee United to watch has me longing for the days when players could run for 90 minutes without needing a lie down and a small team of medical professionals to ensure they make it through their day.
Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was pleased to see defender Iurie Iovu get some game time with Moldova during the international break. (Courier - subscription required, external)
Dundee United striker Zac Sapsford, 24, has revealed his first attempt at breaking into British football with National League North club Chester was thwarted by the Australian's registration problems and the Covid pandemic. (Record - subscription required, external)
United have already turned their attention to January transfer targets. (Courier - subscription required, external)
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSThe Tennent's Sixes returns for the first time in 26 years, albeit in a legends format, this weekend.
The original tournament featured first-team players and ran from 1984 until 1993.
Among the players who helped make the headlines was former Dundee United and Scotland midfielder Jim McInally.
It wasn't just the stars of Scottish football who graced the sixes pitch with their skills. On a couple of occasions, English clubs crossed the border to take part.
In 1988, twice European Cup-winning manager Brian Clough brought Nottingham Forest to Glasgow for the indoor football festival.
McInally spent much of the time trying to avoid Cloughie in the build-up to United's match with Forest in the group stage.
The Scot had spent two years at Forest under Clough before moving to Coventry City and then to Tannadice in late 1986.
"I was terrified of coming face to face with Cloughie as I had slaughtered his assistant in the press when I left," the 62-year-old tells BBC Scotland.
"My memory of that night was hearing him outside our dressing room door asking if I was inside.
"When he was told that I was, he walked in, gave me a big kiss and told me it was lovely to see me."
McInally was a Uefa Cup finalist and Scottish Cup winner with United under another formidable boss, Jim McLean.
"It was about the only tournament we could go down and enjoy as Jim didn't take it too seriously and you knew you couldn't be fined for anything afterwards," he added. "We didn't do very well."
Forest, with England internationals Stuart Pearce, Nigel Clough and Neil Webb in the ranks, beat United 3-2 en route to the quarter-finals before losing to Aberdeen in a penalty shootout.
Image source, SNSDundee United's Miller Thomson has joined Scottish Championship leaders Stenhousemuir on a short-term loan until January.
Manager Jim Goodwin says the move is a "great opportunity" for the 22-year-old, who has endured injury problems in recent months.
The midfielder has made 42 appearances for United but has not featured for the Premiership side this season.
Goodwin hopes his switch to Stenhousemuir, who are eight points clear at the top of the second tier, will give Thomson "consistent game time under his belt as he returns to full fitness".
"He's had some bad luck in the past year with injuries," the United boss added. "This loan will hopefully get him the minutes and confidence to really kick on this season.
"We'll all be keeping a close eye on his development and look forward to tracking his progress at Stenhousemuir."
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have signed former Dundee United goalkeeper Dave Richards on a deal until January.
The 32-year-old Welshman had been without a club since ending a two-year stay at Tannadice - where he made 22 appearances - in the summer.
Richards, who previously had a spell on loan at St Johnstone, bolsters Kilmarnock's options with first-choice keeper Max Stryjek reportedly facing a lengthy lay-off because of a knee injury.
Understudy Calum Ferrie, a summer arrival from Queen's Park, made his Premiership debut in Killie's 1-1 draw with Hearts in the final game before the international break.
Image source, SNSWe asked you to rate Dundee United's season and tell us what Jim Goodwin should be focusing on during the international break.
Here are some of your comments:
Mac: We have started as a mixed bag. We've had some good results and other results have been questionable. The importance of the start of the season is as equally important as the end of the season. I just hope we can comfortably avoid a relegation scrap.
Euan: Inconsistent in matches with some excellent and exciting football alongside some awful players. We need to win at home and shore up our defence or ninth spot may be as good as it gets this season with the prospect of being embroiled in a relegation battle a very grim reality. Still, if we can be consistent and mimic our away form at home we should be alright.
Stewart: Points wise it's been a disappointment, but I don't think the performances (Dundee derby aside) have been that bad. Our away displays against Killie and St Mirren are promising, but I think it's a very strange league this year where everyone will beat everyone, and naturally everyone is finding their feet still. Reasonably confident we'll kick on and get top six come May.
Dave: Very mixed bag of a start. At times the players look like they have just met and are lacking belief and fight. At other times they look like world beaters. I do think there are signs they are coming together as a team and I would expect them to be vying for a top-six finish come season's end.
Will C: The Rangers game was a great start to the season then it all became a bit underwhelming until the St Mirren game. Despite the setbacks there has been encouraging signs and I think we are on the verge of having a very good team who will push for a European place.
George: It's taking time for the plethora of new players to gel, as you would expect. There are some encouraging signs but also some worries around defending when not in possession. I hope they can kick on following the break. Just a shame so many are away on international duties.
Karlo: As fans you always want better results, hopefully we are starting to gel and have some great results ahead of us. Going out of the League Cup was very dissapointing.
Image source, SNSLachlan Rose believes Dundee United are starting to show they "are a real force" in the Scottish Premiership.
Rose, 27, has scored four goals in 10 United appearances and helped the Tangerines amass eight points from their opening seven league games, including four in their past two fixtures.
Jim Goodwin's squad are training in Portugal during the international break.
And, speaking to club media from their overseas camp, Rose said: "It's all about building. You're building up to that end product.
"We have a plan You can see how we want to play. It might not have gelled as much at the start as much as what everyone wanted but it is coming, you can see it.
"You can see it against St Mirren before this international break [in the 3-0 win], how well we gelled as a team and it's starting to show now.
"We are a real force in this competition.
"We never got to do a pre-season camp away because we didn't have everyone in yet. to do this now at this period of time for us is so vital because we can really find out about each other."
Ronny Costello
Fan writer
Three weeks without Dundee United. It feels excessive.
The international break always drags but this one feels even longer because United had finally given us something to build on with that win over St Mirren.
For once, you wanted the next game quickly. Keep the momentum going and confidence high. Keep everyone talking about football rather than formations, recruitment and whether we are actually any good.
Instead, we wait.
A few United players have had international duty to keep them occupied, which is always a positive. Representing your country, picking up experience and hopefully coming back sharper can only help.
And for those not away with their countries, they got a week off on holiday but are now out in Portugal for a training camp. A bit of sun, plenty of work and 'team bonding' away from the usual routine.
That St Mirren win mattered because it stopped some of the early-season noise and gave United something solid to build on after a mixed start and showed what this team can look like when things click.
That is why the timing is frustrating. When you lose, a break can be useful. Reset, regroup, clear the head etc. When you win, you just want to play again.
Three weeks is a long time in football. Hopefully United remember where they left off...
Ronny Costello can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
As the extended international break continues, we want to hear your thoughts on Dundee United's opening seven games in the Scottish Premiership.
United signed off before the hiatus with an impressive 3-0 win at St Mirren to mark the return of Jim Goodwin to the dugout after a three-game illness-enforced absence.
There's also been a derby defeat at Tannadice and United are yet to register a home win.
How do you rate United's start to the season and why? And what should Goodwin be focusing on during the extended break?
Dundee United left-back Will Ferry says the three-week international break is "big" as he focuses on his fitness. (Record - subscription required, external)
Image source, Getty ImagesDundee United midfielder Zidane Iqbal opened the scoring in Iraq's thrilling 3-2 victory over Kuwait on Saturday.
The 23-year-old stroked in his third international goal early in the second half.
A late penalty from Yousef Nasser levelled the Gulf Cup group game at 2-2 only for Iraq to prevail in the eighth minute of stoppage time as Karrar Nabeel crashed in a fantastic shot.
Image source, SNSBefore the Champions League and Premier League titles, Scotland captaincy and Liverpool hero status, Andy Robertson was a skinny teenager starting his professional career at Tannadice.
Dundee United plucked the then 19-year-old left-back from fourth-tier Queen's Park in June 2013 and paid him a few hundred quid a week.
That wage was quickly raised as Robertson set about showcasing the talent that would take him to the top of the game.
He spent only a year with United, but it holds a special place in the Scotland skipper's heart.
Within months he had earned a first Scotland call-up and by the end of the season he was PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year and on the move to Premier League Hull.
Recalling his United spell, 32-year-old Tottenham defender Robertson told The Overlap Podcast:, external "I think my first contract with Dundee United was £300 or £350 a week.
"But to be fair to the club, I played the first month and they gave me a new contract quite quickly.
"At Dundee United I just loved training every day. I loved being able to play football every single day.
"And then everything just kind of fell into place for me. I had a really good season. We had such an exciting team, a young team, Ryan Gauld, John Souttar, Stuart Armstrong, Gary Mackay-Steven.
"So we had really good young Scottish players who were making their way. Jackie McNamara was a young Scottish manager. So everyone was watching us that season and we were just loving it.
"It was simple, just get yourself forward and try to help out. I had John Rankin, an experienced player that helped me out and covered at left-back. I loved it at United."
Although he want on to become a Liverpool favourite, Robertson revealed he almost moved to Everton from Tannadice.
"Everton put a bid in for me in the January," he said. "They didn't bid enough. I think they bid £750k.
"Dundee United wanted £1.5m and the manager was saying, 'I'm not losing him'. And to be fair it was a good decision for Dundee United because they ended up getting £2.85m in the summer."
Image source, GettyKilmarnock's Stanger started for New Zealand
Kilmarnock defender George Stanger made his New Zealand debut and Dundee United forward Jesse Randall was among the goals in a 2-2 draw with Palestine.
Stanger played the full 90 minutes of the friendly in China while Randall marked his 15th cap by firing the All Whites 2-1 up 10 minutes before the interval.
Former Aberdeen striker Oday Dabbagh levelled for Palestine to wrap up a lively first half.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSCould Dundee United and Lyall Cameron be the perfect fit for each other?
There is no doubt the midfielder is a real talent, which he proved during his time at Dundee.
That earned him a big move to Rangers last summer, but his career has not kicked on since.
Cameron failed to make his mark in Govan - mustering only 10 appearances, five as a sub - during the first half of last season before heading to Aberdeen on loan.
At Pittodrie he struggled to establish himself following the appointment of head coach Stephen Robinson in March.
Now he has gone out on loan again and the early signs in his Tannadice stint are encouraging. In his second outing Cameron - who grew up a United fan - netted his first goal for the club in Saturday's 3-0 win at St Mirren.
At 23 years old, Cameron is at a crucial stage in his career and needs to be playing regularly to fulfil his promise.
If he can get a run of games at United his confidence and talent are likely to flourish. If that happens, it will be win-win for player and club.
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
They say there's no place like home. So far this season, though, Dundee United seem to be taking the opposite view.
We're heading into October and the team are yet to register a home league win. You could make a case we should have beaten Rangers and Falkirk at Tannadice, but we didn't. And let's not even bother mentioning the Dundee derby.
On the road, however, we're sitting at a 50% win rate. An in-form Hearts saw us off comfortably, while we had to contend with only having 10 men for the best part of 80 minutes against Motherwell. Tough asks, both.
The trips to Kilmarnock and St Mirren, though, produced two magnificent performances. For a newly-assembled team, that's hugely encouraging. When it clicks, it really clicks, and it's an absolute joy to watch.
Which got me thinking, is there simply less pressure on the players when they're away from home?
Tannadice on match days can be an unforgiving place. An early mistake can be greeted with an audible groan from a crowd that is, understandably, expectant.
Unfortunately, that reaction doesn't always help. Some players can retreat into their shells and once that happens, confidence can be difficult to find.
Away from home, the atmosphere feels different. The travelling support seems a little more sympathetic, a little more forgiving of mistakes, and perhaps that gives the players the freedom to play without quite so much weight on their shoulders.
There's something to be said for that.
If only we could bottle up the atmosphere from Kilmarnock and Paisley, stick a cork in it and crack it open at Tannadice every other Saturday, because there's clearly a good team in there. We've seen it.
Now we just need to convince them that home really can be where the heart is.
Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
Image source, SNSWill Ferry is nearing 100 Dundee United appearances
Republic of Ireland international Will Ferry has put contract talks with Dundee United on hold. (Courier - subscription required, external)
Ferry, 25, is not prepared to make a decision about his future in September. (Record - subscription required, external)
And Ferry has not ruled out remaining at Tannadice beyond next summer. (Sun, external)
