#dundee-united

#dundee-united

Dundee United are staring at Scottish Premiership relegation after an abysmal defeat to fellow strugglers Kilmarnock, who took a huge step towards safety and can no longer finish bottom.The Tannadice men were given a stay of execution by St Johnstone's last-gasp equaliser at second-bottom Ross County, but their fate looks sealed.

Naturally, a final-day Scottish title fight is going to be hard pressed to avoid the tagline of Helicopter Sunday - the famous 2005 about turn for the destination of the men's Scottish league trophy when Motherwell's late double against Celtic handed the title to Rangers.Rather less ostentatiously, the Scottish Women's Premier League title was never airborne on Sunday evening.

Coverage: Watch Rangers v Glasgow City on BBC Alba and both games on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app

A day short of 18 years since "Helicopter Sunday", the Scottish Women's Premier League trophy could be poised for its own drama as a captivating season draws to a thrilling end.

Amid the haze of time and of booze consumed in celebration, the one thing they all remember is the clock.Even four decades on, Paul Hegarty swears it stopped at half past four.And Dundee derby veteran Hamish McAlpine confesses it was only that afternoon that he first noticed it hanging above the tunnel at Dens Park.

It's the first weekend after the Scottish Premiership split into two for the final round of five fixtures.Celtic are a win away from the title, while second-placed Rangers' manager Michael Beale has some big squad decisions to make, but there is intrigue at the bottom end of the table too.Here's what to watch out for this weekend...
Game of weekend - Heart of Midlothian v Celtic
Last time out, Hearts ended a sorry run of six successive defeats by hitting six goals in what was the first home game for interim manager Steven Naismith.

It might be happening away from the gaze of the live television cameras, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to play for in the Scottish Premiership's bottom six.Four sides at the foot of the table are split by just six points, with all bottom-half sides set to play each other across their final post-split fixtures.

Barry Robson has agreed a two-year contract as Aberdeen manager after a run of seven straight victories during his time in interim charge.The 44-year-old former Scotland midfielder was appointed caretaker in January after Jim Goodwin was sacked.The Dons have moved above Hearts into third place in the Scottish Premiership during his tenure.

Hearts progressed to their fifth Scottish Cup quarter-final in six seasons after seeing off a spirited second-half showing from Championship bottom-side Hamilton Academical.John Rankin's young side rallied after the top-flight visitors completely dominated the first half, but the game was put beyond them when Cammy Devlin stabbed in a second on 79 minutes.

Glasgow Rangers go into today's Viaplay Cup semi-final clash on an excellent run of form under Michael Beale, winning five of his first six matches at the Ibrox helm and drawing the other.Usually a kind competition to the Gers, having won it 27 times throughout the years, their last League Cup came back in 2011, and Beale will be determined to secure his first piece of silverware as Rangers manager next month, providing he can overcome today's encounter.

Kyogo Furuhashi scored an 88th-minute equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw for Celtic in Monday's Old Firm derby, preserving the Hoops' nine-point lead in the Scottish Premiership.Rangers were on course for a deserved victory that would have breathed life into the title race, but the away side nabbed a crucial leveller right near the end.

Dundee United are seeking an urgent meeting with Scottish Premiership clubs, the Scottish FA and referees' representatives to discuss VAR.United are angry with the penalty award against them in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to St Mirren.The club has already contacted Crawford Allan, the SFA's head of referee's operations, asking for an explanation.

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara was being touted with a move to England and was likely to cost any interested sides £10m just last year.However, the Finland international has seemingly declined under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and should he leave Ibrox anytime soon, the Gers look unlikely to earn anywhere near the £10m that was quoted in 2021.

The top two keep winning, we have a four-way fight at the wrong end of the table and who knows what's going to happen in between?Yes, it's back to business in the Scottish Premiership and here are just a few of the things to look out for.Game of the weekend - Celtic v Aberdeen (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Celtic go looking for a 15th successive home victory in the league when Aberdeen come calling.

By the time you order your takeaway and sit down to watch The Wheel on Saturday night, the complexion of the Scottish Premiership relegation battle could look a whole lot different.A third of the season remains, with just six points separating the league's bottom four clubs going into a pivotal weekend.

Dundee United have appointed Jim Goodwin as their new manager on a deal until the end of this season.Goodwin was sacked by Aberdeen , who United host on Saturday, in January after four consecutive defeats.Ex-Scotland boss Craig Levein was also considered for the position, but the former Hearts boss ruled himself out of a return to Tannadice.

Aberdeen consigned former manager Jim Goodwin to defeat in his first match in charge of Scottish Premiership bottom side Dundee United.Jamie McGrath levelled from the penalty spot to give the hosts some hope, but Aberdeen's Ross McCrorie and Marley Watkins struck to keep United four points adrift of Kilmarnock and Ross County.

Glasgow Rangers head into this afternoon's Viaplay Cup semi-final on a solid run of form under Michael Beale, winning five out of their previous six matches, with their only minor blemish coming with a draw in the Old Firm derby a fortnight ago.A win today will send the Ibrox giants through to another domestic up final and the chance of claiming the trophy for the first time since 2011.

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

Somewhere in the Portuguese hills last April, the sun set on the horizon and on a dismal night for Fashion Sakala.Just over an hour had gone at the dramatic Municipal Stadium in Braga carved into the side of a mountain, yet there was little drama about the impact of the Rangers forward or his team-mates.

Holders Rangers will host Championship side Partick Thistle in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.Celtic will play St Mirren, and Dundee United welcome Kilmarnock, in the only two all-Premiership ties.Hearts will travel to face Hamilton Academical in the only other confirmed fixture, with five fourth-round ties still to be completed.

Journalist Joshua Barrie, who contributes for Sky Sports, has praised Rangers manager Michael Beale for the way he has rotated goalkeepers Jon McLaughlin and Allan McGregor of late.What's the word?Over the weekend, the Ibrox club managed to claim a decent 2-0 win away at Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership thanks to two quickfire goals from Fashion Sakala and Malik Tillman scored in the space of three minutes.

Prediction: Rangers to win 2-1
Aberdeen and Rangers will face each other in the Scottish Premiership this week.The match between the Dons and the Gers will be held at the Pittodrie Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday evening.Aberdeen
Aberdeen are one of the biggest clubs in Scotland and have been much successful of late.

Celtic extended their Scottish Premiership lead to 12 points over Rangers as their attacking persistence paid off against Kilmarnock.After a dominant half, Jota broke the deadlock for the league leaders just before the break, sliding in to meet Daizen Maeda's low cross to score his eighth goal of the season.

Dundee United climbed off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership with a potentially pivotal win over fellow strugglers Ross County.County - who could have opened up a five-point lead over United - will rue the spurning of several chances and had to play the final few minutes without Owura Edwards after he was sent off.

By Tom English BBC Scotland


 Last updated on .From the section Scottish  

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, live text updates on the BBC Sport website & app, highlights on Sportscene  

It remains to be seen if Michael Beale is a champion manager, but there's no question that the Rangers boss is a champion talker.

Former Celtic and St Mirren forward Frank McGarvey has died aged 66.A native of Glasgow, McGarvey started his career at St Mirren then after a brief spell at Liverpool enjoyed five successful years at Celtic from 1980.McGarvey, who won seven Scotland caps, returned to St Mirren and later played for Queen of the South and Clyde.

Lawrence Shankland's late penalty salvaged a draw for Hearts at Dundee United in a Scottish Premiership game marred by a serious injury to Scotland keeper Craig Gordon.The visitors had already lost Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley to injury early on, before Gordon followed on a stretcher after a horror collision with Fletcher.

By Tom English BBC Scotland at Celtic Park


Last updated on .From the section Celtic  
It would be wrong to say Liel Abada is unsung at Celtic Park, but when the hymns of praise start up it's normally his attacking mates Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota who get serenaded.Abada is 21 years old and how his team needed his input on Wednesday against Livingston.

Returning captain Callum McGregor scored a fantastic late winner as Celtic eventually broke down a stubborn Aberdeen side to restore their nine-point lead in the Scottish Premiership.McGregor - who was making his comeback after two months out with a knee injury - lashed into net from 20 yards with three minutes of the 90 left.

Scottish Cup holders Rangers have been drawn away to 2021 winners St Johnstone in the fourth round of the competition.There will be an Edinburgh derby as Hibernian and Hearts meet at Easter Road, while Celtic host Morton.University of Stirling go to Dundee United and West of Scotland Premier League leaders Darvel welcome Aberdeen to Ayrshire.

Australia have selected teenage forward Garang Kuol, who will join Newcastle United in January, in their 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup.Kuol is yet to start a game for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League and has just one cap for Australia, against New Zealand in September."The kid just needs to be himself," said Australia coach Graham Arnold.

Heart of Midlothian move up to fourth in the Scottish Premiership after defeating Motherwell in a dramatic finale despite being reduced to 10 men.An Andy Halliday double either side of half-time came after the home side had midfielder Jorge Grant sent off seven minutes before the break.Motherwell looked to have rescued a point through a Louis Moult penalty and close-range Blair Spittal finish.

American left back Sam Vines injured a leg and needed surgery, eliminating him from consideration for the United States World Cup roster.Right back Sergino Dest missed his second straight match for AC Milan with what the club called adductor fatigue earlier in the week.- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.)- 2022 World Cup: All confirmed squad lists for Qatar
Forward Josh Sargent and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers returned to their club starting lineups on Saturday, the last weekend of matches before U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter announces his roster.

Smith, who won 21 trophies two spells in charge and also managed Everton and Scotland, died last year aged 73 .A former Dundee United and Dumbarton defender, he initially joined Rangers as assistant manager, a role he later held at Manchester United."In the modern era, nobody contributed more to Rangers than Walter," Rangers said on their website.