Tayside and Central

• Dundee have lost their last three league meetings with St Mirren, while at home the Dark Blues are winless in five top-flight contests against the Buddies (D2 L3) since a 2-1 victory in March 2013.

• St Mirren have only lost one of their last six league games against newly-promoted opposition (W3 D2), with their three wins in this period all coming over Dundee (two in 2021-22, one this season).

• Dundee have won two of their last three Scottish Premiership matches (L1), which is as many victories as they managed in their previous 21 such games (W2 D10 L9).

• St Mirren have only lost one of their five away league games this season (W2 D2), although that was their last such outing at Celtic (2-1).

• Four of Luke McCowan’s six Premiership goals for Dundee have come at home (67%), including their winner over Livingston last time out.

Dundee assistant manager Stuart Taylor believes that positive results on the pitch stem from the players' close-knit nature and their impressive work ethic.

The Dens Park side currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership, having been promoted from the Championship last season.

“It’s a great bunch of boys," Taylor said. "The manager came here at the start of the season and put the whole squad together in a short space of time.

"The lads have been really receptive, worked hard on the training pitch, and the credit goes to them in terms of how well they’re playing right now.

“There’s a lot of good young players coming through here from the academy. They’re always ready to come on board if needed, and you’ve got Lyall Cameron and Finn Robertson who have come through, and that goes along well with the experienced players.”

Taylor is reluctant to get carried away though, and says the management team don't look beyond the next game and hoping to perform well.

“People talk about league positions but they only come into effect at the end of the season," he said.

"As the season goes on, you just make sure you pick up as many points as you can and perform well."

Image source, SNS

Dundee assistant manager Stuart Taylor has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership clash against St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He is anticipating a "tough game" against Stephen Robinson's "well organised" side, but says they are relishing the challenge against the third-place Buddies.

• The players spoke immediately after their 5-0 defeat to Rangers about "taking ownership" and wanting a "reaction", and Taylor thinks they got that in the win over Livingston.

• He isn't looking at league positions despite Dundee's positive standing and says the table is only relevant come the end of the season.

• Taylor praised the team spirit at the club, which he believes is reflective of how hard they work on the training ground.

• There are no fresh injury worries. Josh Mulligan is still not ready for selection after his operation.

Image source, SNS

Dundee welcome St Mirren to Dens Park for Scottish Premiership action on Saturday.

Tony Docherty will be hoping his side's can build on their 1-0 win against Livingston last time out.

Put yourself in the managers shoes and pick your starting XI here.

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

To have a chance of succeeding in the Premiership you need character, grit and determination.

Dundee have showed they have all of the above.

But to really make your mark – you need that something extra, that bit of quality, that can unlock teams and make the difference in games.

Dundee have shown they also have that, with the likes Luke McCowan, Lyall Cameron and Owen Beck in their ranks.

Having played a third of their pre-split fixtures, Tony Docherty’s side are sixth in the table, just four points behind a St Mirren team who are flying high in third.

The Paisley Saints head to Dens Park this weekend and that is a game that Dundee can use as a real yardstick in terms of where they are at as a side, and where they can go.

Dundee fans will certainly believe there is no reason why the Dark Blues can’t replicate the success St Mirren are enjoying at the moment.

Maybe we will get an indication about how close they are to being able to do that on Saturday afternoon.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty has hailed the "composure" of midfielder Malachi Boateng after his introduction off the bench helped his side to victory over Livingston. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip here.

Daniel Smith, Up Wi' The Bonnets podcast, external

It was very much a mixed week for the Dee just there.

A heavy defeat with all sorts of drama during the week with Rangers' visit but fortunately for us, we managed to bounce back with a victory against Livingston - our second against them in eight days.

The main talking point of the Rangers defeat wouldn't be the 5-0 scoreline, but rather the use of pyro from the away fans.

Pyro is something that I'm not too fond of myself so this may come across as a bit biased, but I don't think it's something that I want to see happening at Dens Park - from either home or away fans.

We are continually being told to embrace it and it should be used in a controlled manner and it will all be fine, but last week numerous pyro were set off at the same time in the main away stand and it managed to stop the game and set off fire alarms.

From now on, when people start telling me about using it in a controlled manner, they will have to back it up with what they think that is, because so far, no-one seems to know.

Also, I'm not a stickler for the rules but it's illegal to set off pyros in the stands of a football stadium.

Anyway, 5-0 to Rangers and a night to forget for Dundee. At least we managed to bounce back just a few days later against Livingston.

It was hardly the best of displays and it's clear as day that we are struggling to get the right mix up top - our strikers are struggling for goals which is a result of us being unable to create any real chances.

It's certainly a worry, but we are still managing to pick up points and it was an absolutely stunning free-kick from the main man Luke McCowan to secure victory.

The game itself was horrendous, but this was a real moment of magic and worthy of winning any match.

This game wasn't lacking for controversy either. Sean Kelly was sent off but VAR intervened and downgraded it to a yellow. It's been hotly debated, with many saying it was a red.

For me, he's wiped out the player and aye, it could have been and maybe should have stayed a red, but I initially thought it was a yellow and still think it was.

It goes without saying that my opinion has been received with widespread howling that I'm wrong.

Image source, SNS

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

A modest Luke McCowan was delighted to deliver the goal - in rather spectacular fashion - that secured Dundee's win against Livingston and the ideal reaction to the midweek defeat to Rangers.

"I do alright, aye," he told BBC Scotland post-match. "I wish I scored more wee rubbish ones if I'm honest but no, it was a good goal.

"I work on that in training, me and a few of the other boys, so it's whoever takes the best ones during the week that gets to take it at the weekend.

"It was good range for me and thankfully it managed to go in."

Image source, BBC Sport

We asked you for your thoughts following Dundee's 1-0 win against Livingston on Sunday.

Here's what you had to say:

Mark: These are the games that need to be won. Too many draws this season but probably the best defence we have had in years. Not always pretty but better to get results than try and play attractive football. Great result from a team that kept fighting to the end.

Doug: With the notable exception of the truly excellent goal, there wasn’t much of the beautiful game played by either side. Still, an ugly win is a win nonetheless.

Logan: The first half started slow both teams having chances, Zak Rudden being Zak Rudden, not the best but we still pushed. Referee was pretty poor, half-time came, boos all round the ground, second half started with counter-attacks and then the red card incident. My view, maybe, but the free kick brilliant and three points.

Boab: Half decent start to the season, a bit of luck here and there and we would have more points but can’t complain.

Dundee's squad "screams character", says manager Tony Docherty following Sunday's win over Livingston. (Courier - subscription required), external

Docherty jokes he had teased Luke McCowan about his lack of goals before his winner against Livi. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip