Dundee

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Thanks to the international break, we've had an extra week to milk the derby victory at Tannadice - and it's been great!

The hope is that the derby win serves as a palate cleanser after our poor run of form leading into the game. Despite Rangers being our next opponent, I'm actually looking forward to watching Dundee again. For once, it doesn't feel like a chore.

Rangers have turned up for the big games lately, getting through Fenerbahce in the Europa League and winning at Parkhead, but consistency in the league has been their Achilles' heel this season.

They're good, but not invincible - and our recent home record against them is encouraging.

Some familiar faces will return to Dens Park through Barry Ferguson's coaching staff. Neil McCann - former manager and club legend (Hall of Fame inductee in 2016) - is back on the scene where his playing career started.

Funnily enough, he was also the last Dundee boss to beat Rangers at Dens, back in 2017.

Billy Dodds, however, isn't remembered as fondly.

His decision to vote against the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in 2010, when he was the club's assistant manager - the club was fighting to exit administration - still sticks in the throat of the support.

Back to the derby victory, which will mean very little if we don't kick on. We're closer to Kilmarnock, Ross County and St Mirren above us than we are to St Johnstone at the bottom.

The aim has to be automatic safety - no flirting with the play-offs. A win over Rangers would be a massive three points to pull us in that direction.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty expects to see Scott Fraser back in action before the end of the season despite yet another setback in his recovery from groin surgery. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

Simon Murray has been outstanding for Dundee so far this season, and one stat in particular shows his importance.

He has won four penalties for his side in the Premiership this season - the most of any player in the division. Five players are grouped in second having won two spot-kicks each.

Murray is the second top scorer in the top flight this season with 12 goals, just one off city rival Sam Dalby and Celtic's Daizen Maeda.

Murray has converted three penalties and missed one, against Aberdeen - the only spot-kick he has missed in his entire career.

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We asked who has most impressed you for Dundee this season and who has been the biggest disappointment.

Here's what some of you said:

Max: I think it has to be Oluwaseun Adewumi as the standout player just because Simon Murray was expected to be so good. The letdown has been Antonio Portales - he is nowhere near good enough.

Neal: Ziyad Larkeche would be up there if he hadn't been injured for half the season and Adewumi has made a big difference with his quality. However, it's got to be Murray for player of the season.

Lammy: Larkeche has been a standout player for me, while Murray comes a close second. No real disappointments, just a lot of inconsistency throughout the team - everyone seemed to be play well for a few games then drop off. Let's hope Sunday wasn't another false dawn.

Ben: Player of the season is Murray - we'd be far worse off this season if it weren't for his goals and incredible workrate up top. Flop would be Scott Fraser for me. A good player that could've played a key role for us this season, but he's been injured for large spells.

Scott: Top performer has to be Murray. To have a player who has scored the amount of goals he has, is crucial for a team in a relegation battle. We have a pretty honest bunch of players so I would have have to say the biggest struggle has been the amount of injuries - Joe Shaugnessy, Portales, Trevor Carson, Jordan McGhee and Fraser have been out for extended periods.

George: Mo Sylla has been outstanding. Biggest failure is Ethan Ingram.

Roberto: Top dog status has to be between Sylla and Murray. Both have been consistently effective. Can't really point the finger at any player for outright floppery. Luke Graham wasn't ready for his Tannadice debut back in August but is definitely one for the future. Scott Fraser had a great debut but lasted only 77 minutes in the 1-0 win at Motherwell and has remained injured since.

Dundee midfielder Scott Tiffoney, who has been offered a contract extension, has insisted the club's bid to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership is more important than his own future. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

With just eight Premiership games left, we're down to the business end of the season.

Player reputations have been enhanced - or sullied - with their performances throughout the campaign.

As thoughts begin to turn to end-of-term awards, we want to know your Dundee player of the season so far - and the biggest flop.

Share your views

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

If Dundee are to stay in the Premiership this year, they may well have Simon Murray to thank.

In fact, you can make a strong case that Murray has been one of the most important players in the top division over the past couple of years.

At 33, the Dundonian – like a fine wine – has just been getting better with age.

He has long been known as an enthusiastic, high-energy pest of a striker - I mean that as a compliment - but in recent seasons he has been able to add 'goal machine' to his CV.

The season before last he netted 21 times for Queen's Park and Ross County.

And his goals last term (23 in all competitions and 14 in the league) were the decisive factor in preserving Ross County's Premiership status.

The good news for Dundee is he appears to be on course to eclipse that goals total in this campaign.

Murray has scored 18 times so far across all competitions. Twelve of them have come in the league - making him the Premiership's third top scorer, a fine achievement when you consider the team has been struggling.

Every team wants a striker that can deliver those sort of numbers.

And that is what could make the difference for the second-bottom Dark Blues as they look to build on the derby win at Dundee United and propel themselves away from relegation bother.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Dundee have blown hot and cold this season, but saved their best for a divine display at Tannadice.

The players and manager were under immense pressure and facing heavy criticism in recent weeks - including from me.

But there isn't a single player who can be faulted for their efforts or for what they produced on the park on Sunday. Had it not been for VAR intervention we'd have slapped United for six.

Dundee were lively, dangerous in attack and fiercely stubborn in every duel - meeting the demands and expectations that derby games press on to them.

Lyall Cameron threw himself at everything, that was a player giving his all for the badge. And we saw the real Mo Sylla - clever, combative and composed.

But Joe Shaughnessy won us that match. Forget ability, forget experience, that was a presentation on leadership. Taking command of situations, timing his runs and jumps to perfection and setting the standards. He had the league's top scorer, Sam Dalby, locked in the phantom zone!

Jordan McGhee will depart the club in the summer, but this is a beautiful chapter to add at the end as he creeps near 200 appearances.

He holds a strong legacy at the club through his longevity, scoring goals in big games – particularly in the play-off final to secure promotion back to the Premiership in 2021 – and his overall consistency, not just in performances but also in attitude.

He'll play anywhere, makes no fuss if ever dropped from the starting line-up and gives his all every match. Some past fan favourites - Peter MacDonald, Gary Harkins, Leigh Griffiths - never quite had that defining derby moment, so I'm delighted for McGhee that he bagged the decisive brace to secure our first win at Tannadice in 21 years.

Simon Murray's penalty was the icing on a mouthwatering masterpiece. 10/10 – no notes. An iconic celebration for an iconic Dundee derby.

This derby was a chance to create cult heroes - and they delivered. If this fight, grit and desire continue, survival in the Premiership will not be an issue.

Credit to Tony Docherty, Dundee were the best team on the park in every department. That was a result earned by merit, no fortune, no deflections and no refereeing disasters. Just drive, quality and class... everything United didn't have on the day.

Former referee Keith Hackett has suggested the penalty and red card conceded by Dundee United defender Emmanuel Adeboyega in the city derby would not have been given in England and any appeal would fail. (Football Insider), external

Ross Graham insists United have the character to recover from Sunday's derby loss to Dundee. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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• Dundee have won at Tannadice for the first time since August 2004.

• Dundee have beaten Dundee United for the first time in the Premiership since 2 May 2016, a run of five games without a win.

• Dundee United have conceded six penalties in the league this season, only St Mirren (eight) have conceded more.

• Nick Walsh has given five red cards in 19 Premiership games this season, no referee has given more.

Joe Shaughnessy: A real leader for Dundee at the back. His return to fitness could prove crucial.

Jordan McGhee: Two completely different but superbly taken goals from another leader in a pumped Dundee derby display.

Ziyad Larkeche: Two assists in Sunday's historic win. Brings real quality to the left hand side.

Watch highlights as Dundee score four to win a thrilling derby at Tannadice. (UK only)

We asked you for your views after Dundee's seismic derby win at Tannadice... The first down the road in 21 years.

Here's what some of you said:

Martin: That's an absolutely massive result. We were a joy to watch on the counter. But it helps we were more solid at the back. I thought Shaughnessy was immense today. Was worried about Sylla but he also did a lot of great battling and winning fouls - much better game management from us.

Play like that in the remaining eight games and we can be safe.

Steven: One of the best derbies I've watched, and I've seen many. The effort and ability on display from the Dundee players was phenomenal. Can't deny Docherty still has the players backing. They only downside for me was the lack of subs. Adewumi was a liability for the whole of the second half and should have been replaced far earlier.

Rod: Great win, easy! If only we could play United every week, we'd have a chance of winning the league! It's been a strange season because we have a quality squad and we should not be second bottom but we are. Defensively, Doc has not managed to play the players he wanted due to injury and we've leaked goals. Please keep working on defence in training, boys!

Mark: Best performance of the season by a long way. Could have been six or seven. Shaughnessy being back should see us to safety. And for that lot down the road, we look forward to seeing you at Dens after the split.

Jim: What a performance. We could have had a few more just in the first half. Absolutely blew United away. Stood firm when required which is what we have been looking for. And Simon Murray's sprint to the away end was brilliant. Now let's take that into our last games.

Dundee midfielder Scott Fraser is poised for more time on the sidelines after breaking down in training. (The Courier, print edition)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Dundee fans, were you at Tannadice on Sunday or following the action from home? What did you make of that win? How are you feeling about your Premiership survival?

Let us know your thoughts on the performance, external.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "We have been hampered with experienced players being injured, but we had experience in there today. You see more of the Mulligans, the Adewumis, the Camerons.

"That's the performance we're capable of. I take a huge amount of pride today, not just in the result. We've won here for the first time in 20 years. There was a lot on that today.

"I saw the players' spirit and mentality. I had confidence and trust in them. We showed that resilience and I could see the players were carrying that."

"It was a performance from a team that displayed absolutely everything. We dug in. That pleases you more sometimes. They'll get the plaudits and they deserve that."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Tony Docherty and his players were under serious pressure before the walk down the road to Tannadice.

They were winless in eight league outings and had shipped 24 goals in that time. St Johnstone were narrowing the gap as Dundee slumped.

Those struggles were cast aside for the derby as they raced out of the blocks.

Lyall Cameron found the net after Josh Mulligan's shot was parried by Walton, only for celebrations to be belatedly ended by a VAR intervention for a marginal offside against Oluwaseun Adewumi.

Dundee weren't put off by that disappointment though, Jordan McGhee powering a header back across goal after Ziyad Larkeche picked him out with a cross from the left.

The visitors poured forward time and time again and although Walton kept out Cameron's drive, the goalkeeper failed to get behind Scott Tiffoney's shot moments later.

McGhee's finish to make it 3-1 was sublime, weighted to perfection, and only another VAR intervention prevented a fourth - Simon Murray was spotted offside before the ball struck Ross Graham and found the back of the net.

Dundee's attacking excellence in the first half will hearten Docherty, but so too will their second-half resilience.

They weathered a spell of United pressure and it was fitting that Dundee fan Murray sealed the victory in stoppage-time with a cool penalty.

Perform like that until the end of the season and their top-flight status should be safe.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has rated Declan Gallagher, Will Ferry, Ross Docherty and Louis Moult as 50-50 to feature.

Dundee midfielder Scott Fraser could face his former club after a groin injury, while Jordan McGhee (Achilles) will be given every chance.

Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee), Clark Robertson (hamstring) and Billy Koumetio (ankle) remain out.

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Tony Docherty has challenged his Dundee players to make history again and secure a derby victory at Tannadice for the first time since 2004.

Docherty's side have only picked up just one point from their past six matches and sit three points clear of St Johnstone at the bottom of the table.

In the previous Dundee derby - on 20 January - the Dens Park outfit secured a first win in nine attempts against their neighbours, and Docherty hopes another victory could propel them up the table.

"You saw recently when we won the cup tie and broke a record we got a fantastic bounce from that," the manager said of their January win against United.

"That's the message to the players; it would be a big win and it would kick-start a really challenging period.

"A derby is different. The build-up to the match is brilliant. The actual game, the occasion, the walk down to the stadium, the atmosphere in the stadium, it's fantastic.

"It's traditional, it's very unique and it's something you should savour. But you only enjoy it or savour it when you get the desired result.

"It's important you play the game not the occasion, that there's calm heads and you carry out the game plan.

"Allow all the noise round about you but focus on what you can do as a player individually and as a team what you can bring together."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says Dundee's struggles this season have "surprised a lot of people".

Tony Docherty's side have just seven wins in 29 league games and sit second bottom, three points clear of St Johnstone, after marking their top-flight return last term with a sixth-place finish.

As United prepare to host Dundee in the derby on Sunday, Goodwin said: "I am surprised. A lot of people will be surprised given the level of investment that was made in the Dundee squad in the summer.

"Tony Docherty has done a terrific job up to now. There will be nobody more disappointed from a Dundee perspective than Tony because I know how hard he works and what the job means to him.

"But every team in the league outwith Celtic at one stage or another have experienced some difficult moments and it is how you come through it.

"They have got real quality players, but we have got some really good quality players in our team that we believe can go and cause Dundee problems.

"We are still hurting from the cup exit. We felt we performed well on the night - it was just one of the rare occasions when we weren't able to find the back of the net.

"We want to make amends for that one, but in the previous two league fixtures, we have performed really well."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Trevor Carson is desperate to avoid another "horrible" relegation on his CV and is convinced Dundee have what it takes to retain their Scottish Premiership status.

Tony Docherty's men are in a terrible run of form and languish 11th in the Premiership, just three points above St Johnstone, with only nine games left, starting with Sunday's derby visit to Tannadice.

Goalkeeper Carson previously went down with both Bury and Cheltenham Town but says this situation feels different.

"I have had two relegations on my CV in my early career in England and both of those times you are looking round the dressing room more in hope than anything. I certainly don't feel that here," he said.

"There is no worse feeling in the dressing room when you look round and you think 'we are in a pickle here, we don't have what it takes', but I certainly think there is an abundance of talent and we have got experience.

"There is no logic behind it for whatever reason – it is certainly not through a lack of effort, we are putting the work in.

"On Sunday you will see a team battling for their lives, which we are doing and if you keep doing that, keep doing the right things, things will turn and you will get the results you need.

"In terms of my experience, being in a relegation team it is horrible for your CV. It sticks with you all your career - it is not nice, so digging in and sticking together as a team, hopefully we will see that in the next few games."