Jim Goodwin is preparing his Dundee United team to “lay down a marker” in Friday’s Scottish Premiership opener against Rangers.
The former St. Mirren and Aberdeen manager isn’t expecting any surprises from a familiar opponent in Derek McInnes, as much as he acknowledges the quality that his side will face.
Dundee United vs. Rangers is live on Sky Sports on Friday evening, as the selected curtain-raiser for the 2026/27 season.
The Tangerines topped their League Cup group with three wins out of four, winning both their home fixtures without conceding a goal.
That’s a solid base to build from, and the Irish coach wants his team to rise to the occasion.
Jim Goodwin wants “no fear” from Dundee Utd against Rangers
“I’ve managed against Derek McInnes’ teams numerous times in the past and Derek’s had great success at all of the clubs that he’s managed at playing a certain way,” said Goodwin in an interview with Sky Sports on Tuesday.
“I’m not expecting Rangers to be a great deal different from his Hearts team or even the way his Aberdeen team set up a few years ago, he added.
“What they have got is very talented players within their squad, but our approach to the game has got to be one of no fear. We’ve got to go and set the tone nice and early.
“It’s our first game at home at Tannadice in front of our own supporters and I think it’s a really good opportunity for us to go and lay down a marker.”
United out to improve on seventh place finish last season
Dundee United have made nine signings so far this summer.
“The objective at the start of any league campaign for a club like Dundee United is to try and secure top six as early as possible and then to try and give ourselves a chance of going and competing for those European places,” continued Goodwin.
“In my second season here, we enjoyed a fourth-place finish. We had a good run at it in Europe, we enjoyed the travelling and the support has certainly travelled in great numbers.
“That’s what we’re hoping to try and achieve again this season. Seventh place was a disappointing finish for us.
“I felt we had enough to go and get top six. Unfortunately, we just fell a little bit short, but we’ve taken good learnings from last season.
“Hopefully, we can go one step further this time around and make sure that come the time of that split, we’re in amongst those teams fighting for Europe.”
Rangers need to improve from last season at Tannadice
Last season, Rangers played once at Tannadice.
The game was a frustrating draw for then-boss Danny Rohl, coming immediately after a 0-0 stalemate with Falkirk at Ibrox.
Further points were dropped in Dundee, but it could have been worse as Nedim Bajrami scored a very late penalty to make the score 2-2.
The hosts went ahead twice, with Jayden Meghoma grabbing a wonderful long-range strike to equalise the first time.
The lesson this time around is not to let United dictate the game. Rohl was a novice in Scottish football back then, in a way that couldn’t be further removed from Derek McInnes now.
Rangers must set the tone and impose their impact on Dundee United, to make them feel the fear that Goodwin is won’t entertain.
United also took points at Ibrox last season, so we knnow they can be a tricky opponent to shake off.
