United fans, did you make the trip to Edinburgh or were you following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the game. How disappointed were you with the first half performance? What do you think went wrong for your side?
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We got off to the worst possible start.
"It was a mistake ultimately, you can't do that against that level of opposition. The second goal was a poor one, the third one was a free header in the middle of the six yard box. When you analyse the goals back, they are situations we have to manage better. We didn't do the basics in those situations well enough and that's why we were on the wrong end of the result.
"I don't think there was a lack of effort or commitment in the first 45 minutes but we definitely lacked a bit of energy and pace at the top end of the pitch. Hibs are a very atheltic team and are always a real threat on the counter-attack.
"At 2-1 we were very much in the game and you could sense that bit of anxiety around the stadium but I thought Hibs ran out worthy winners in the end.
"Right now we're all a little bit flat because that's two defeats back to back but I have to keep reminding myself of the position these players put us in in the first place. I'm not going to stand here and throw anybody under the bus because the players have been fantastic.
"We can't allow the season to peter out now, a great result for St Mirren today, they'll still believe they can catch us. We have to have the mindset that we're capable of catching Hibs and Aberdeen above us.
"I think everybody out there with a connection to Dundee United would have accepted top six before the season started but now we're getting a little bit greedy and we're thinking about European places. I think the main priority for us now is to secure fifth and if we do that let's see how high up the table we can get."
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSWell, where do you start with this Jekyll and Hyde United performance? Horrendous in the first half. Tremendous in the second.
The mistakes they made in defence in the opening quarter of the match were as glaring as they were completely unexpected. Normally organised, disciplined, defensively strong and hard to beat, they were none of those things before the interval and this was not the ground to put in one of their poorest 45 minutes of the season.
Credit to the manager, though. He made a double change at half-time, hauling off Jort van der Sande and David Babunski and replacing them with Kevin Trapanovski and Glen Middleton. They affected quite the transformation, with Trapanovski almost immediately reducing the deficit from close range.
Their chances of third place are now a long shot but regardless, they've been a welcome addition to the Premiership and on the evidence of the second half, their season is far from over.
Plymouth Argyle head of data Ross Goodwin is expected to join Dundee United as head of recruitment. (Courier - subscription required), external
Ryan Strain, 28, is eager to secure European football with Dundee United after leaving St Mirren following their qualification for this season's Conference League. (Record), external
Image source, SNSHibernian pair Elie Youan and Lewis Miller are back in contention after injury, but captain Joe Newell (groin) and Kwon Hyeok-kyu (ankle) are set to remain sidelined.
Dundee United are without Ross Graham (hamstring) and Luca Stephenson (hernia) but Lewis Fiorini could play some part.
Image source, SNSA first Premiership defeat of 2025 for Hibernian at Pittodrie last weekend has opened the door for Aberdeen and Dundee United in the race to finish best of the rest.
With four games remaining, just three points cover the trio, so this is a biggie at Easter Road.
Did the pressure of extending their unbeaten league run to a club record 18 games get to Hibs last time, or was it overconfidence in their game management?
Either way, David Gray's side appeared cautious away to the Dons and were undone by a special goal from Kevin Nisbet.
Expect the approach to change this time as Hibs aim for a seventh successive home league victory, something they haven't done in more than seven years.
Those six previous matches on their own turf have yielded 16 goals, with a mere three against.
A highly dubious VAR-awarded penalty late in the game earned Jim Goodwin's side a third consecutive draw at Easter Road in November and United have lost just one of their past 14 top-flight trips to EH7, winning five of those.
A forensic VAR intervention at Tannadice in February denied United a second goal, with Hibs making the most of that lucky escape with two late goals in a 3-1 win, so maybe it's true what they say about decisions levelling out across the season.
United's thumping by Celtic has extended Hibs' handsome goal difference advantage, so a home win here could leave the visitors with too much ground to make up.
Goodwin's side are seeking a third away win on the bounce and kept three successive clean sheets before the champions turned it on for their title party.
The visitors have already exceeded the expectations of a promoted side and much of that success has come from a defensive stodginess.
United may be guarded after shipping five goals to Celtic, but that doesn't mean they can't mix it.
And, with five of the 11 goals these two have dished up in this season's three prior matches coming on or after 90 minutes, don't even think about leaving early to beat the traffic.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United defender Vicko Sevelj doesn't believe their recent heavy defeat to Celtic will knock them off their stride.
United were thrashed 5-0 at Tannadice last time out as the Hoops sealed the Premiership title.
Sevelj insists that home humbling wont derail what has been a positive season for the fifth place Tangerines and he feels their remaining schedule of games could give them the edge in the battle to finish as the best of the rest behind the Old Firm.
"We now have four games, four finals, until the end of the season," Sevelj said.
"The opponents we are playing are not such quality like Celtic because they are the champions of the league. On Saturday we can show the real Dundee United again."
The 24-year-old Croatian has earned rave reviews after a string of fine performances since he arrived from Slovenian side NK Radomlje last summer.
"I have enjoyed it," he added.
"It is a long season here, that is the first time I have experienced that without any big break.
"I have enjoyed it and I think my game has developed in every aspect of the game, because I am playing in the toughest league in my life so I think my development has been good."
After their 3-1 win in February, Hibs could pick up back-to-back top-flight victories over Dundee United for the first time since winning three in a row over them in 2006.
Dundee United have only lost one of their past 14 away top-flight trips to Easter Road (W5 D8), going down 2-1 in November 2012.
Hibs have won their past six home league games, their longest run in the Scottish Premiership since winning seven in succession from January to April 2018 under Neil Lennon.
Dundee United have won their past two away league outings, last winning more in a row in the Scottish Premiership on their travels in August 2020 (four). However, the Tangerines are winless in 16 away games in the competition against the four sides currently above them in the table (D6 L10) since a 3-0 win at Hibs in October 2021.
Hibs remain unbeaten in their past 16 top-flight home games against newly-promoted opponents (W6 D10) since a 1-0 defeat to Ross County on Boxing Day 2012.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSJim Goodwin has had "really positive conversations" with the Dundee United board as he seeks a bigger budget next season.
The Irishman has produced a team that has delivered on the park despite having to go through a period of financial belt tightening off it.
United have impressed on their top-flight return and currently occupy fifth, just three points off third-place Hibs, who the Tannadice men face this weekend.
"I think it has been well documented in terms of when the team was last in the Premiership, the overspend that was there within the squad and the changes that we had to make to make things a bit more sustainable," said manager Goodwin.
"We have done that with a lot of hard work, not from me but from the chief executive and the board and the owner in terms of cutting costs to make things a bit easier.
"But I am not sitting here pleading poverty. I don't think we have got as big a budget as the likes of Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen but I would imagine we have a bit more than others in the league.
"But I think, to continue to move the club forward, of course the budget needs to grow with it in order to bring in the better quality of player. That is ultimately what we all want and we want to do that in a really sensible fashion."
A win at Easter Road on Saturday would move United move level on points with the capital club. Aberdeen sit fourth, behind Hibs on goal difference.
"I am pretty sure the majority of people out there will probably see us as the underdogs in this fight for third place," said Goodwin.
"I think Aberdeen are close to £3m this year in transfers and Hibs will probably be in excess of £1m. So the fact that with the resources we have had available to us this season, that we are able to go toe to toe with these two teams, it is great credit to the squad and the backroom team that we have been able to stay in the fight.
"But I don't mind the underdog tag. I think it certainly does relieve some of the pressure but at the same time we have got every faith and belief in the group that we are capable of getting a result on Saturday and putting ourselves right back in it."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership trip to face Hibs.
Here are the key points:
On Wrexham loan striker Sam Dalby, who is a free agent in the summer, Goodwin says "we have had loads of discussions" and will "do all we can to try and make sure he is here for next season".
He insists United have moved on from their 5-0 defeat to Celtic and "our season won't be defined" by that result.
On whether the result could knock United off their stride, Goodwin says his side wouldn't be fifth in the table if they lacked a "strong mentality".
He is happy for the Tannadice men to be seen as "underdogs" in the battle for third with Hibs and Aberdeen.
Goodwin praised the "remarkable job" David Gray has done at Hibs but insists United are determined to get back to winning ways.
On whether his transfer budget for next season is already in place, Goodwin says he has been having "really positive conversations" with the club hierarchy and adds: "To continue to move the club forward the budget needs to grow with it."
Dundee United boss believes on-loan Sam Dalby could find himself a casualty of a Wrexham spending spree if he were to extend with the Welsh club, which has been promoted to the Championship. (The Courier), external
"I've definitely got a few more goals in me, that's for sure," says Louis Moult, with the 32-year-old striker open to staying in Scotland once his Dundee United contract expires at the end of May. (Daily Record), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSIt will come as little surprise to anyone that the latest attempt at reconstruction of the Scottish Premiership has failed to get off the ground.
A change from the current 12-team set-up to one of 10, 14 or 16 were the options being discussed but the SPFL said "there was no reasonable prospect of achieving consensus".
Maintaining the status quo is a consequence of there being "no perfect option" for change, according to The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan.
Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, McGowan said: "If you look at the options for expanding the Premiership, for 14 you would have to have probably a top six and a bottom eight and a different number of fixtures. So that's less than ideal.
"Look at the 16, which is the one that supporters really want. But Neil Doncaster has been saying consistently that you would then have to find a way to still preserve your four Celtic v Rangers games because Sky sports are not a charity. They're a subscription network who want to get the biggest numbers for games. So they want more Celtic and Rangers games.
"So it's how you square that circle with the 16 that's the problem. So it's not so much I don't think there's no great desire for expansions. There's no such thing as a perfect option and one that they can all vote for. That's the problem basically."
Former Scotland defender Maurice Ross, meanwhile, has accused Premiership clubs of "self-preservation".
"If they're going to remain the same, okay, let's put two clubs [automatically] down then and have a third-place play-off," said Ross.
"And we'll see what the reaction is of the clubs in four or five years' time. Then they'll want reconstruction."
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
Saturday was a good day to be a Dundee United fan. That's right, you read that correctly. You might want to re-read it just to be sure, because I can hardly believe I'm typing it.
Yes, our beloved team were put to the sword by Celtic, for the umpteenth time, but here's the real victory... it's the last time we have to endure that for at least four glorious months.
Small mercies, people. Small mercies. Okay, all joking aside, there's searching for positives and then there's talking complete mince. I think we all know which side of that line I'm currently tap dancing on.
United may have been absolutely skelped on the day, but the team need to get that one out of their system, and fast. Preferably faster than the away fans cleared the stands at full-time.
There are just four games left before the lads can swap football boots for flip-flops and start their summer holidays. But there's a lot at stake between now and then.
On paper, at least, none of the teams we've still to face are as terrifying as the newly-crowned champions. Which, in theory, should make things easier. In theory. In practice? Well, we are Dundee United, so buckle up.
Next stop, Easter Road, where United face Hibs in what promises to be a cracker. Hibs are three points ahead of us right now and have a far superior goal difference.
I don't want to say it's a must-win game, but it is definitely a must-not-lose, must-not-embarrass-ourselves, must-not-go-missing-during-the-90 minutes type of game.
The carrot is dangling. Win, and you give ourselves a massive boost in the race for third place. Draw, and we're still in the race, but hoping for Aberdeen slipping up. Lose, and third place is gone.
Over to you, boys. No pressure. (Okay, a wee bit of pressure).
Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
Jim Goodwin will hold talks with Richard Odada and Meshack Ubochioma over their Dundee United futures as the duo continue to struggle out on loan. (Courier), external
Watch as the Sportscene team discuss Dundee United's mentality heading into a huge game against Hibernian next weekend.
We asked for your views on Dundee United's 5-0 loss against Celtic.
Here's what some of you said:
Jenny: Jim Goodwin's awful team selection showed he didn't expect to take anything from this game. Playing with one recognised centre-back was lunacy. Deciding not to give Declan Gallagher a new contract is already proving to be costly as he sat this one out on the bench when he would usually be playing. Mediocre performance from a mediocre team picked by a mediocre manager. United would have been as well not turning up and losing the three points. Shocking display and shocking management.
Dave: Horrible afternoon. Don't really know what our aim was. Started well then our momentum destroyed by the stupid 'tangerine protest'. To lose 5-0 and not have a yellow card to our name also tells a story. Glad not to play them again this season.
Kenny: What an absolutely awful performance by every player, yes Celtic were going for the points to win the league but come on, at least make a game of it playing at home. We'll be lucky to finish in fifth playing like that, a shocking performance. Half of the United fans left at half time, what does that tell the club and Goodwin?
Eddie: Baffling team selection and how Allan Campbell stays on the pitch is mystifying. Embarrassing performance that could have been even worse. You can't put out that team against the runaway league champions and not get taught a lesson. Much, much better required next weekend.
Andy: Team selection was wrong. Badly missed Gallagher, and Campbell is a wasted jersey. Four cup finals now to chase third. David Babunski to start them all!
George: The defeat by Celtic was not unexpected but losing five goals was a surprise. Four games to go to set things right. Then Jim has some recruiting to do before next season.
Celtic could face sanctions after objects were thrown by spectators on to the pitch during the league championship-clinching 5-0 win at Dundee United, an apparent protest by supporters about ticket prices. (Football Insider), external
Dundee United head coach Jim Goodwin is remorseful towards the club's fans following their heavy defeat. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSCeltic have scored in 31 of their 34 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Dundee United have a record of W0, D0, L4 when conceding the opening goal at home in the Premiership this season.
Celtic have avoided defeat in their last 43 matches when scoring first in the Premiership, since a 1-2 loss to Kilmarnock on 10 December 2023.
Dundee United have failed to win any of their last five matches when conceding first in the Premiership, since a victory over Dundee on 2 January 2025.
Were you at Tannadice or following the match elsewhere?
Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin to Sky Sports: "There's never a good time to play Celtic, there was so much on the line for them and they were really on it.
"It sounds crazy to say that for the opening half hour we were really good. At 2-0 we can probably manage the game a bit better and get in at half time.
"We can't allow today's result to dishearten us too much. It wont be a surprise Celtic have won the game. We've got a huge game next weekend."
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSThose darn tangerines. Not the orange-shirted Dundee United players, but fruit that was thrown on to the pitch early in the first half by the travelling fans, apparently in protest against ticket prices.
That disruption completely ruined the home side's momentum and allowed Celtic to re-set after a very underwhelming opening.
Jim Goodwin can legitimately look back on a highly-promising first 30 minutes as a good marker for the final four matches, with a European place still very much within their grasp.
He will rue the fact his side still managed to give away three goals before the interval having done so well prior to that.
But he'll take solace from the fact Celtic have done similar things to other teams and will be happy with the flexibility he now has, having gone to a back four which showed signs of promise before the collapse came.
The scale of that collapse will be a worry, but he may well take the view that better sides than his have also felt the sharp end of Celtic in clinical mode.
Midfielder Craig Sibbald, 29, is set to reach a century of Dundee United appearances against Celtic. (Courier - subscription required), external
