Jim Goodwin hints at Dundee Utd signings before Scottish Cup derby clash as boss rubs hands at 'tie of the round'

Jim Goodwin reckons the Dundee derby is the pick of the Scottish Cup fourth round draw.

Dundee United will make the short trip across the road to Dens Park, hoping to book their place in the fifth round on the weekend of January 18/19. Goodwin reckons that was the tie most people of a United persuasion would have taken if they had a choice of an away team against a fellow Premiership side.

Goodwin said: “It’s a brilliant draw, a great game to look forward to. Of course, at this stage of the cup you’d be looking for an easier home tie to get you up and running in the competition. But if you’re going to get an away game against a team from your own league there’s no better one than Dundee, is there? It will be a fantastic occasion, a full house and a great atmosphere. I would imagine the television will take it because it’s clearly the pick of the round.”

The first derby of the season at Tannadice ended in a draw and the next one will be at Dens Park on January 2. That will quickly be followed by this Scottish Cup tie. “It’s a game both clubs will be looking forward to,” the United boss acknowledged.

“It’s a bit funny because it feels such a long time since the last derby, with it being the first day of the season. You'd have thought the fixtures would have brought one round again before January 2, but it hasn't worked out that way.

“So we’ll go from not playing each other in months to twice in quick succession. It gives everyone something to look forward to over the festive season and into the new year.”

United are sitting fourth in the Premiership and are some seven points clear of Dundee but Goodwin reckons that means nothing this early in the season. The Irishman said: “It will be another close game, just like the