As if our 5-3 defeat by Aberdeen was not bad enough, it has been followed by more disappointment for two Dundee United players. United manager Alex Smith announced that striker Alex Mathie has been freed, while goalkeeper Pat Onstad's move to FC Copenhagen has fallen through. The Tannadice club's own troubles continued with the news that Stephen Wright and Jamie Buchan will be missing for the trip to face Rangers on Sunday after picking up injuries against their old team on Saturday. Mathie, who had previously been with Morton and Newcastle United, joined United from Ipswich Town in October 1998. Good job However, the 31-year-old has been unable to force himself into the team under Smith, despite United languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

Smith, who is trying to cut the number of players on his staff, said: "Alex is free to find another club. Jamie Buchan's leg is not broken "I'm sure he can still do a good job elsewhere." Meanwhile, Canadian international Onstad failed to agree terms with Copenhagen. The Danish club have a special relationship with United and the two clubs have been exploring player-swap arrangements. However, their manager, Roy Hodgson, said: "We thought everything was settled, but at the end of the day we could not come to an agreement with Pat because his demands kept changing all the time."

Onstad remains out of the picture at Tannadice, but it is injury that has put paid to the first-team hopes of Buchan and Wright for the moment. Wright suffered concussion and had to be taken to hospital after Saturday's defeat and doctors have advised him not to play. There was mixed news for former Aberdeen youngster Buchan, whose leg is not broken as was first feared. However, he did suffer a deep gash that required 10 stitches and that will rule him out of the Ibrox trip. ©BBC Sport