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Listen to Sportsound St Mirren's Fraser heads into own net after eight minutes Sub Young fires equaliser immediately after break Fatah penalty secures Dundee United win after Gogic hand ball United move four points clear of eighth-placed Aberdeen St Mirren stay three ahead of Kilmarnock in 10th New signing Russell makes United return off bench Follow all Scottish scores Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) Dundee Utd: Maynard-Brewer, Iovu, Keresztes, Graham, Sevelj, Stephenson, Fatah, Camara, Farrugia, Agyei, Watters. Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Sapsford, Eskesen, Ferry, Dolcek, Naamo, Cleall-Harding, Russell. St Mirren: George, Fraser, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson, Phillips, Baccus, O'Hara, Tanser, Idowu, Nlundulu. Substitutes: Mullen, King, John, Donnelly, Campbell, Devaney, Young, Calvin, Etete. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) Since he left St Mirren in 2022, United manager Jim Goodwin has won five of his 10 Premiership games against the Buddies (losing three). That's his joint-most wins over any opponent in the competition in this time, along with St Johnstone. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) A win for United would keep slim, slim hopes of a late top-six push alive, but they are not totally out of relegation danger. They are closer to 11th than they are to sixth, but victory tonight would surely all but secure their place in the league for next season. The same cannot be said for St Mirren, who are just three points above the relegation play-off spot. Kilmarnock will certainly be hoping for a United win this evening. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) The Tannadice pitch has had a hard time of it in recent weeks Stephen Robinson did a great job of selling this one, so I'll just hand over to the St Mirren boss. .. "It will be a horrible football match and it's who makes the least mistakes. " Hmm, OK. Maybe not. "I went to watch the game against Aberdeen [at Tannadice] last week, pitch is dreadful, " he added when speaking to St Mirren's media team. "You have to play in their half of the pitch. You have to land in second balls. You have to not take chances. It's not going to be a pretty game. "Doesn't matter about the performance, come away with three points because it's a tricky, tricky pitch, as you'll see. " Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) John Rankin Former Dundee United midfielder on BBC Sportsound Bringing someone like that [Johnny Russell] in at this moment is a great signing for Dundee United. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) Robbie Neilson has backed returning "cult hero" Johnny Russell to give Dundee United a much-needed "spark" in the remainder of the season. Ex-United boss Neilson was previously a team-mate at Tannadice of Russell, who netted 46 times in 120 games before joining Derby County in 2013. Speaking on Tuesday morning before Russell's United return was confirmed, Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "I think it'll give them a real lift. "I know Johnny really well. I used to travel through with him years ago, played with him, and when I was in America I spoke to him about potentially coming to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, but he ended up going to Real Salt Lake. "I think he will give them a lift because at the moment Dundee United need some sort of spark. It looks a little bit flat. "It will get the fans onside because he's a bit of a cult hero up there. I haven't seen him playing this season, but he's still got quality, got good technique and is still really fit. " Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) The big news out of Tannadice earlier today was that Johnny Russell has returned to Dundee United, with manager Jim Goodwin sure the veteran striker can "play an important role". The 35-year-old, who starts on the bench tonight, began his career at Tannadice, making his debut in 2007. Capped 14 times for Scotland, Russell joined Sporting Kansas City in 2018 and spent seven years with the MLS club. "Johnny brings a wealth of experience thanks to a phenomenal career both domestically and abroad, " Goodwin said. "His connection with the supporters is incredible and he understands unequivocally what it means to represent Dundee United. " Russell arrives as a free agent, having last played for Real Salt Lake in October. With 69 goals, he is the highest scoring Scot to have played in the US. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson confirms striker Mikael Mandron will be out for six to eight weeks with a shoulder issue. "People get injured and that's the nature of the game, " he tells BBC Scotland. "We've had a run of it this season that I've not seen before in my management career. "It's one of those seasons where injuries haven't been kind to us, but you need to find a way to come out the other side and we'll do that. " Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) BBC Radio Scotland Extra Sportsound will bring build-up, live match commentary and reaction from Tannadice. Coverage is already under way on BBC Radio Scotland Extra, so dive in. The easiest route is listening in on this very page. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) St Mirren only change from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Livingston sees Roland Idowu replace Mikael Mandron, who is out after sustaining a shoulder injury. Declan John has recovered from illness but starts on the bench. Conor Mc Menamin remains out. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) Johnny Russell makes the Dundee United squad and takes a place among the substitutes. Jim Goodwin switches three of the team that started the defeat at Motherwell on Saturday, Ross Graham, Amar Fatah and Dan Agyei coming in. Dario Naamo and Julius Eskesen drop to the bench, while Ryan Strain is missing altogether. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) Dundee Utd: Maynard-Brewer, Iovu, Keresztes, Graham, Sevelj, Stephenson, Fatah, Camara, Farrugia, Agyei, Watters. Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Sapsford, Eskesen, Ferry, Dolcek, Naamo, Cleall-Harding, Russell. St Mirren: George, Fraser, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson, Phillips, Baccus, O'Hara, Tanser, Idowu, Nlundulu. Substitutes: Mullen, King, John, Donnelly, Campbell, Devaney, Young, Calvin, Etete. Dundee Utd v St Mirren (19: 45) Title race chat has taken over in Scotland, but tonight's match focuses on the bottom half of the table. It's one win in eight league games for hosts Dundee United, while visitors St Mirren have one win from 12. Will one team put their struggles to one side on a tricky Tannadice pitch? Amar Fatah scored his seventh goal of the season At a glance Marcus Fraser's headed own goal gives Dundee United the lead after eight minutes Jake Young's strike draws St Mirren level early in the second half Alex Gogic's handball allows Amar Fatah to net the winner for United Johnny Russell makes second debut at Tannadice after rejoining United earlier in the day Watch: Dundee Utd v St Mirren - highlights on i Player 04/03/26 Marcus Fraser's own goal and Amar Fatah's emphatic penalty gave Dundee United a vital three points from a hard-fought Scottish Premiership encounter with St Mirren. The hosts' first win in four games keeps their faint hopes of a top-six place alive and is a huge boost to Jim Goodwin's side before their Scottish Cup quarter-final against Falkirk. Goodwin admitted he had one eye on the chance to reach Hampden even as his side prepared for the visit of Stephen Robinson's team, and he was delighted to be heading to be turning his full attention to the knockout competition in a winning mood. "We didn't want to go into the Falkirk cup game off the back of two defeats, " the United manager said. "Tonight's game is done, the whole focus now is the game on Friday. " United had the perfect start, taking the lead after just eight minutes, but they had St Mirren's Fraser to thank. Vicko Sevelj's powerful shot was well saved by goalkeeper Shamal George, but instead of heading the ball out for a corner, the visiting centre-half inexplicably nodded into his own net. St Mirren have had a poor record after falling behind this season but grew into the game and had two good chances to level in the first half. Dan Nlundulu forced a save from a narrow angle and then Mark O'Hara put a shot left of the goal when he had a chance to really test goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer. United had the last chance of a competitive first half when Panutche Camara forced George into a save but had to settle for a single-goal advantage at the break. St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson made a switch at half-time, bringing Jake Young on for Roland Idowu - and he got an immediate reward. A free-kick on the left allowed Scott Tanser to deliver into the box and, when the ball dropped to the striker, he sliced a shot into the top corner to level the score. United responded well, but St Mirren went close to taking the lead when midfielder Killian Phillips crashed a header off the woodwork just after the hour mark. The hosts took the lead from the penalty after a bizarre incident. As Alex Gogic raised his arm to claim for offside as free-kick was curled into the St Mirren box, it connected with the ball following Ross Graham's flick-on. After a lengthy video assistant referee check, Fatah stepped up and rifled his penalty past George. The goal was soon followed by another huge roar from the United support as former Scotland forward Johnny Russell came on for his second debut after rejoining the club earlier in the day. The Tannadice favourite could not help his side find a third goal to take the nerves out of the finale, but United held firm through six added minutes for a morale-boosting victory. With less than 10 minutes to go at Tannadice, United looked destined for yet another of the draws that have cost them success this season. On numerous occasions, United have taken the lead in Premiership games only to come away with a point when they could have had three. And Goodwin has bemoaned the fact that those lapses had a huge effect on their league position. Fatah's penalty changed the narrative and Goodwin and his players can now look forward with optimism. The gap to sixth-placed Falkirk is down to nine points with three to play before the split, probably insurmountable but still possible. However, it is a massive shot in the arm before facing John Mc Glynn's side in the Scottish Cup on Friday. Reaching Hampden would put a different complexion on what has been a difficult season, and going into a huge match on the back of a hard-earned win will have lifted the mood after some dismal days in recent weeks. Seeing Russell back in a tangerine jersey is the icing on the cake. St Mirren manager Robinson had predicted an ugly game on a difficult surface but would not have been prepared for two horrific moments that cost his side. Robinson might take encouragement from his side looking better with their familiar midfield trio of O'Hara, Baccus and Phillips starting again, but with his side just three points ahead of Kilmarnock and the play-off place, relegation fears are getting very real. The League Cup winners have a Scottish Cup date to look forward to on Sunday, but Premiership problems will prey on their minds after another defeat on the road. Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin: "We're delighted to win the game, really pleased with the physicality the players showed. "We set the team up in a way where we had to compete and win our individual duels. "The back three were really good at times, winning first contacts. The midfield three in particular were outstanding. I felt before the game whoever won the midfield battle would come out on top in the game. " St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It's a poor game of football because of the pitch. "We knew what we were coming into and they played it better than us at the start of the game. We told the players, but they kept trying to pass the ball on a pitch you just can't pass on. "The two goals are the story of our season. I think anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. " It is a quick turnaround for United, who travel to face Falkirk in the Scottish Cup quarter-final on Friday (19: 45 GMT). St Mirren are back in action on Sunday when they host Partick Thistle in their own last-eight tie (19: 30). Both games are being broadcast live on the BBC Scotland channel. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Last Updated 3rd March 2026 at 21: 42 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Jim Goodwin Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 Manager: Stephen Robinson Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Jim Goodwin Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 Manager: Stephen Robinson Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Scottish Premiership All competitions All competitions All competitions After their 3-1 win in October, Dundee United could defeat St. Mirren twice at home in a single Scottish Premiership season for the first time since 2013-14. St. Mirren have won two of their last three Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United (L1), this after losing three in a row against them without scoring beforehand. Dundee United have drawn both of their last two home league games, last drawing three in a row in the Scottish Premiership in April 2022. St. Mirren are winless in their last 13 away midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) games in the Scottish Premiership (D3 L10) since a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen in February 2023. Since he left St. Mirren in 2022, Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has won five of his 10 Scottish Premiership games against the Buddies (D2 L3), his joint-most wins over any opponent in the competition in this time (also 5 v St. Johnstone). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.