Jim Goodwin Hails Scottish Premiership’s Renewed Strength Amid Tight Title Race and Mid-Table Battles

Dundee United Boss Eyes Top-Six Push as Rangers Stumble and Celtic-Hearts Duel Intensifies

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has declared the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership the strongest in years, pointing to the league’s unpredictability and competitiveness as Rangers languish in mid-table and Celtic and Hearts vie for supremacy at the top. Speaking after United’s hard-fought 1-1 draw at Ibrox on October 18, 2025—where the Tangerines led through a first-half strike but conceded late—Goodwin highlighted how just three points separate Rangers in eighth from bottom-placed Livingston, underscoring a “real battle” for European spots and top-six finishes.

Goodwin told BBC Radio Scotland, “Yeah, absolutely. I think the Scottish Premiership is probably the strongest that it’s been for years. And I think you can see that even today with some of the results that have happened. I think it’s going to be a real battle for the top six places and for the European places. There’s no easy games in this league. But from our own perspective, we have to consistently try and get better. We have to give better performances over 90 minutes. When we play the way we played in the second half, we’ve done that numerous times this season. The unfortunate thing from my point of view is that we’ve been leading games on a few occasions this season.”

League’s ‘Battle’ Fuels Goodwin’s Optimism

The current standings as of October 19, 2025, reflect Goodwin’s assessment. Hearts lead with 28 points from 10 matches, boasting their best start since 2005, when they briefly challenged Celtic for the title. Celtic, in second with 25 points, trail by three but face a congested schedule, including today’s 12pm kick-off against Dundee at Dens Park. Rangers, enduring their worst opening since 2012, sit eighth on 15 points, having dropped points in yet another home stalemate against United. Dundee United, in fourth with 20 points, are six points behind Celtic and have already taken points from Rangers and Kilmarnock, positioning them well in the top-six hunt.

Goodwin’s comments come amid a season of surprises: Hearts’ dominance, Rangers’ inconsistencies under Philippe Clement, and the rise of sides like United, who have matched big-spending Hearts and Hibernian in key fixtures. Only 13 points separate leaders Hearts from bottom side Livingston, creating the tightest mid-table logjam in recent memory. Goodwin, whose side has led in several games but faltered late, stressed the need for consistency: “There’s no easy games in this league.”

Celtic’s Delayed Test Against High-Flying United

Celtic, seeking to close their five-point gap (adjusted for today’s fixture), have yet to face Dundee United this season—a quirk of the scheduling that delays their first encounter until December 17, 2025, at Celtic Park. By then, Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops will have played Dundee, Kilmarnock, Falkirk, Hearts, and Aberdeen twice, navigating a grueling run that includes European commitments. United, under Goodwin’s guidance, have impressed with a blend of resilience and flair, drawing 2-2 with Rapid Vienna in Europe and holding Rangers at bay. When the fixture arrives, Celtic will face a Tangerines side unbeaten in their last five league games, making it a potential title-defining clash.

Goodwin’s praise for the league’s depth aligns with broader trends: relegated sides like Dundee United and promoted teams have raised the bar, forcing traditional powers to adapt. As United prepare for their next Premiership outing against St Johnstone on October 26, Goodwin’s focus remains on harnessing this “battle” to secure European football for another year, with the Tangerines’ high-pressing style and set-piece prowess proving effective against top opposition.

In other news, Rangers Turn to Steven Smith for Interim Leadership Ahead of Dundee United Clash