Aberdeen 0-0 Dundee: Visitors secure top six in goalless draw at Pittodrie
- Published
Dundee have secured a top six finish for the first time since 2015
Tony Docherty is "enormously proud" of his Dundee players after their goalless draw with Aberdeen secured a top-six place in their first season back in the Scottish Premiership.
A stalemate was not enough for the majority of the game - until Motherwell's late equaliser against Hibernian suddenly nudged Dundee back into the top half.
With five minutes left, they just had to ensure Aberdeen did not score - and their job was made easier by Graeme Shinnie's red card in stoppage time.
It means the infamously re-arranged fixture against Rangers will have no impact on the teams in the top or bottom split - with the exception of the title race.
"The way they work every day, the conscientious nature of how they apply themselves - they got their reward today," Docherty told Sportsound.
"It's a good feeling to achieve that as the newly-promoted club. For them to put the shoulder to the wheel all season, they deserve every plaudit coming their way.
"I had a great deal of satisfaction when that final whistle went. All I said at the start of the season was I wanted to be competitive in every match. We've been that and more.
"The players have created a synergy with the support and I need to give them huge credit - there's been so many instances when they've got us over the line in games, be it home or away.
"It was important that the fans fell in love with the club again."
Aberdeen remain ninth, seven points clear of the regulation play-off spot.
Dundee's waterlogged pitch. Aberdeen's imminent announcement on a manager, supposedly Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin. This game had plenty of build-up, even if it had no goals.
In the end, it was results elsewhere that secured Dundee's fate, but that didn't stop Docherty, his players and his staff celebrating wildly at full-time in front of a large travelling support.
Both sides had plenty of chances throughout. In the first half, Leighton Clarkson should have done better early on when fed by Bojan Miovski and Lyall Cameron hit the bar just before the break with a rising drive.
The wind in the second-half favoured Dundee and they were desperate for a goal. At that stage, with Hibs leading Motherwell, they needed a goal - otherwise, they needed to beat Rangers midweek.
Cameron had the best chance to get it. Scott Tiffoney squared the ball to him, but four yards out, his shot was brilliantly blocked on the line by Angus MacDonald.
They continued to press - until the news filtered through that Motherwell had scored. Defenders Owen Dodgson and Ricki Lamie were immediately thrown on, but it only allowed Aberdeen a rare foray up the pitch.
It became a very nervy affair and Dundee's hearts were in their mouths when Stefan Gartenmann angled himself for a bicycle kick - but he put it inches over the bar.
Player of the Match - Lyall Cameron (Dundee)
Luke McCowan gets plenty of plaudits - rightly so - but Dundee might also struggle to keep hold of fellow midfielder Lyall Cameron.
Dundee don't make it easy; Duk shows glimpse of old self - analysis
It's never easy for Dundee fans. Last week, they were 2-0 up and cruising before losing in stoppage time. This week, it looked like their top-six dreams lay in tatters. Their emotions must be all over the place.
Ultimately, despite all the points dropped, despite all the bad press around the Dens Park pitch, the have made it to the promised land of the top six for the first time since 2015.
As for Aberdeen, they got a glimpse of what could have been. In the first half, Duk was back to his old self. He got three Dundee players booked as he pushed, shoved and danced his way through the defence.
But no-one else was on his wave length. Maybe that's because of his much-reduced role this season, as the forward has struggled with inconsistency and selection issues.
He sums Aberdeen up at the moment. A clearly impressive footballer, who looked good for 45 minutes and went missing for another 45. The end of the season can't come quick enough.
What they said
Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven: "The biggest game of two halves I've ever seen. Started really well, on the front foot. But I turned round to the bench and said 'we need to score when we're on top here'.
"We should be up there in the top six, challenging for Europe. We're hurting right now, but it's a good clean sheet. If you can't win, don't lose it."
Dundee boss Tony Docherty: "Enormously proud of the group of players. It speaks volumes of that group. I'm lucky, the way they work every day, the conscientious nature of how they apply themselves. They got their reward.
"It's a good feeling to achieve that as the newly-promoted club. There were 17 of these players making their Premiership debut, 11 are under 21. For them to put the shoulder to the wheel all season, they deserve every plaudit coming their way."
What's next?
Dundee will face Rangers on Wednesday night (20:00 BST) at Dens Park, hopefully.