Dundee

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Tony Docherty says Dundee's excitement for the new season has heightened after landing an "absolutely brilliant" derby visit to Tannadice on the Premiership's opening weekend.

Docherty's men will get their league campaign under way against newly-promoted United on Sunday, 4 August as the hosts unfurl the Championship title flag.

"Fantastic, absolutely brilliant, what an advert for Scottish football and what a buzz when I heard that this morning, as would every Dundee and Dundee United fan," said manager Docherty, a former United coach.

He added: "I was just driving in and it was the topic of conversation on TalkSport when there is a European Championship going on, so for the exposure we get for that I think it is fantastic.

"And coming in to work today there is a real buzz about the place with the announcement of that.

"We are already excited for a new campaign but to start it off with a derby and with Dundee United unfurling the flag it is fantastic, it is great motivation for the players."

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Dundee boss Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media after signing a new deal at the club and learning this season's Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Here are the key points:

• Describes being handed a season opener against city rivals Dundee United as "absolutely brilliant", adding "what an advert for Scottish football".

• On his new deal, Docherty says he is "humbled" to have been rewarded for all the hard work, saying it makes him more driven to continue to take the club forward.

• Very happy with the summer business he has done so far, and while he wouldn't be drawn on how many more new faces he is looking to bring in, Docherty says "it is much more about quality than quantity for me".

• Asked if there were any moves to try and bring Owen Beck back on loan, he says "we have got a good relationship with Liverpool", adding "things are ongoing but there is nothing specific on that".

• After a fine season last term, Docherty points out "that campaign is over now'" and spoke of the "reset" as they look towards the new season.

Now the fixtures are out, how are you feeling about your side's start to the season?

Where do you think Dundee will be after the first 10 games? Will they be pushing the top six again or fighting a relegation battle?

Give us your thoughts. , external

With their city rivals back in the Scottish Premiership, many Dundee fans will have their attention on the dates of this season's derbies on fixture release day.

They won't have to wait long, with Tannadice hosting the first clash on the opening weekend, with kick-off at 13:30 BST on Sunday, 4 April.

The new year's derby will be held at Dens Park on Thursday, 2 January at 17:30 BST, while United again play host in the final pre-split meeting of the sides on the weekend of Saturday, 15 March.

Hearts are the visitors for Tony Docherty's side's first home game of the season on Saturday, 10 August at 17:30 BST.

Dundee avoid playing either of the Old Firm until matchday 10 when they travel to Celtic, immediately followed by the visit of Rangers to Dens.

A trip to Easter Road marks their final game before the split on the weekend of Saturday, 12 April.

Fixtures for the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season have been released.

The campaign will kick off with Hearts hosting Rangers at Tynecastle, a repeat of the sides' final league game of last season which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Newly-promoted Dundee United entertain derby rivals Dundee, while Celtic begin their title defence with the visit of Kilmarnock.

Jimmy Thelin's first Premiership game as Aberdeen boss is a trip to Perth to face St Johnstone.

David Gray starts his reign as permanent Hibs head coach away to St Mirren, while Motherwell are to home to Ross County.

The opening round of fixtures will be played from 3-5 August.

Dundee kick off their 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign by visiting city rivals Dundee United on the opening weekend of the season.

The derby will take place on Sunday, 4 August at 13:30 BST.

You can find all of Dundee's fixtures here

Image source, Dundee FC on X

Dundee have unveiled their new home kit, external for the upcoming campaign.

The strip features the revamped version of the club's crest on their traditional dark blue shirt.

Modelled by Josh Mulligan, Luke McCowan and Seb Palmer-Houlden, the shirt pays tribute to the club's beginnings in 1893, with that date stitched into the fabric.

Dundee fans, we asked for your thoughts after manager Tony Docherty committed his future to the club.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kieran: Simply our most important signing this summer. Docherty has us playing with style and had an eye for a player. He fits perfectly into the set up of the club and is still young in his managerial career. We had a lot of points dropped from winning positions but I think Docherty knows how to improve on that. We're in a good place with him at the helm.

Couttie: Absolutely Dee-lighted that Doc has further committed to the club - knows the league, club and city like the back of his hand.

Douglas: So glad that Tony has been given a new contract. He has been a breath of fresh air at Dens. All in all they have improved immensely since he arrived.

Roberto: Great news. Important for the club. A no-brainer really. The Doc, Stuart Taylor and the rest of the coaching staff did really well last season. Now the task is to maintain that and then to gradually progress.

Kenny: Best signing of summer, great manager, best we've had in decades.

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The 2024-25 SPFL schedule will be unveiled at 09:00 BST on Thursday, and we've got all the information you need before the return of domestic football.

The action in all four leagues kicks off on the weekend of 3 August.

Eight months later, the Premiership split happens on the weekend of 12 and 13 April and the top-flight season concludes on the weekend of 17 and 18 May.

And while it might be too painful to be thinking about the national team, there are international periods in September, October, November and March to bear in mind.

There will not, however, be a winter break this season.

The expansion of Uefa's club competitions - with the new league phase of the Champions League and Europa League running until the end of January - is the reason for that.

The SPFL said the format change "exerts additional pressure on the domestic calendar" and means no mid-season trips to the sunshine for Premiership clubs.

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Defender Lee Ashcroft has pitched up at Partick Thistle after ending his four-year Dundee stay.

The 30-year-old, who ended last season on loan at Raith Rovers, has signed a contract until 2026 with second-tier Thistle.

Jags manager Kris Doolan said: "Lee is a player I’ve admired for a long time. He’s dominant in the air, committed in his tackling and brings plenty of experience."

Dundee boss Tony Docherty has been rewarded for an impressive first season at the helm by signing a new deal.

Are you happy to see the club show their commitment the manager? Can he top last season's achievements in the new campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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Tony Docherty has signed a new contract after steering Dundee to a sixth-place finish in his first season as a manager.

The 53-year-old former St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock assistant was nominated for Premiership manager of the year following the Dark Blues' successful return to the top flight.

The length of Docherty's new agreement has not been disclosed, but BBC Scotland understands it is a rolling contract with no end date.

Docherty says he is "humbled" at being asked to sign fresh terms and has had "great support" from the hierarchy.

He added: "I’m delighted that I’ve got the opportunity to work at such a brilliant club and I want to progress the club further.

"I am really excited with the direction the club is going in. Everybody at the club is on the same page, we all want to improve and develop and be better than we were before.

"To the Dundee supporters, I would like to thank them all for all the support they have given me and the players since I’ve been manager.

"They were such an important part of what we achieved last season, but I believe it’s just the start of things."

Dundee have invited 29-year-old Australian goalkeeper Isaac Carmody, who has relocated to the UK after eight years with second-tier North Eastern MetroStars, to train with them as he seeks a new club. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Jon McCracken says his previous spells at Dundee encouraged him to pen a permanent deal with the club.

The goalkeeper has made his stay at Dens permanent having had two separate loan spells last term.

"Three times in 12 months must be some sort of record but I'm delighted to be here," he told club media, external.

"Delighted to commit to the club when they've committed to me.

"The first spell was very successful, that was why I wanted to come back.

"The most enjoyable part of this year was the second part of the season, securing top six and finishing the season on a high.

"That gave me a bit of a taste of what it could be like here, the ambition at the club and that's why I wanted to come back."

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Lee Ashcroft will leave Dundee after four years at Dens Park after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

The 30-year-old made 110 appearances for Dundee following his arrival from Dunfermline back in 2020, netting 13 goals in that time.

Ashcroft was a regular member of the side that secured promotion back to the top flight in the 2022-23 season.

He also picked up two player of the year awards during his time in Dundee.

Image source, Getty

Dundee have completed their third signing of the day, with striker Seb Palmer-Houlden arriving on a season-long loan from Bristol City.

The 20-year-old scored nine times in 42 appearances on loan at Newport County in England's fourth tier last season.

He joins fellow new recruits, goalkeeper Jon McCracken and defender Clark Robertson, on a busy day of transfer activity at Dens Park.

"It’s a great move for me," said Palmer-Houlden.

"The Scottish Premiership is a great league and when I heard that Dundee were interested I jumped at the opportunity.

"I developed a lot as a player last season at Newport County and I want to continue that this season at Dundee.

"I’m a high-intensity runner, I like to get in behind the defence and score goals."

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Clark Robertson says the chance to work with Tony Docherty again was a "big part" in his decision to join Dundee.

The defender, 30, has signed up at Dens Park for the next two years after leaving Israeli side MS Ashdod.

Aberdeen-born Robertson had "much interest from teams in Scotland and England", according to Dundee, but has opted for a Docherty reunion.

He previously played under Docherty for two years when the current Dundee boss was Aberdeen assistant.

Robertson then had stints with Blackpool, Rotherham and Portsmouth before heading to Israel last summer.

"I’m buzzing to sign for the club and to be coming back to Scotland," he said.

"I’ve worked with the manager before at Aberdeen and when I spoke to him I was really excited about what he had to say.

"He’s played a big part in getting me here and hopefully I can repay that faith he has shown in me.

"Dundee is the perfect move for me at this stage in my career. I got experience over the past nine years playing in England and then abroad last season and hopefully I can use that experience to help the younger boys at the club."

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Dundee appear to have won the race to sign defender Clark Robertson.

The 30-year-old is a free agent following the end of his contract with Israeli side MS Ashdod.

Robertson had also been linked with a possible move to Hibernian, but it looks like Dens Park will be his destination next term.

The centre-half began his career with his hometown club Aberdeen, where he worked under current Dundee boss Tony Docherty, who was assistant manager at Pittodrie at the time.

He then pursued a career in England, turning out for Blackpool, Rotherham United and Portsmouth, before making the move to Ashdod.

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Dundee have signed Jon McCracken from Norwich City on a two-year deal after the goalkeeper's two loan spells at Dens Park last season.

McCracken played four games at the start of the campaign before returning in January and going on to make 11 appearances as Tony Docherty's men secured a top-six finish.

The 24-year-old, who arrives on a free after his Norwich deal expired, said: "It’s great to be back. It’s my third time signing in 12 months, it must be some sort of record, but I’m delighted to commit to the club like they have committed to me.

"At the end of the season, it didn’t feel like I was saying goodbye. We had already had initial talks about me coming back and when I sat down and spoke to the manager about it my mind was made up.

"In the end, it was a fairly easy decision. To be part of the team that finished in the top six was fantastic and I’ve seen the ambition the club has and I want to be part of that."

Manager Docherty added: "Last year we took a lot of loans and some of that strategy is to bring in loans and then make them permanent - Jon is an example of that.

"I thought he did really well and he hugely contributed us finishing top six."

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Dundee boss Tony Docherty says interest in Luke McCowan is no surprise and confirmed the club are in talks with the midfielder over a new deal.

McCowan impressed in helping Dundee to a sixth-place finish last season on their return to the top flight and has been linked with champions Celtic as well as clubs in the English Championship and MLS., external

The 26-year-old still has a year left on his contract but Dundee are keen to secure him on extended terms.

"Luke's been fantastic, he had a great season last year," Docherty said.

"When you're doing well and when you're getting that level of success, you're going to have suitors.

"We hope to keep him here to make sure he does the same this year."

Other than defender Rickie Lamie, who agreed a pre-contract in February, Dundee are yet to make a signing this summer, although Docherty said new arrivals are "imminent".

He added that the club's top-half finish last term, and strategic partnership with Burnley, makes it easier to attract players.

"It's more appealing," he said. "It's a much easier sell this year than it was last year.

"The whole environment here, you look at the training ground, the stadium plans, the strategic partnership we have, it's an attractive place to play."

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Motherwell have announced the signing of striker Zach Robinson on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old spent the past two seasons on loan at Dundee, scoring 19 goals in 58 appearances, but makes the move to Fir Park after his contract with Wimbledon expired.

"It’s pleasing to see another new face at the club," said manager Stuart Kettlewell, who has now signed five players this summer.

"Getting so much business complete early on gives us a real base to work with.

"Zach is still young but has good experience of football in Scotland. He knows where the back of the net is and he adds more options for us up the top end of the park."

Robinson is excited to be continuing his career in the Premiership.

"I've only heard good things about the club from people that I've talked to," said the English forward.

"Everyone I have met has been great and it just makes the move so much easier.

"I feel like I've got more to give and this seems like the perfect place to do so."

Hibernian and Dundee are interested in former Aberdeen central defender Clark Robertson, while the 30-year-old free agent has been offered a new deal to stay on at Israeli club Ashdod. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip