Dundee

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Defender Ethan Ingram has praised the character shown by Dundee in recent weeks amid something of an injury crisis.

Despite having a raft of players on the sidelines - Billy Koumetio, Antonio Portales, Jordan McGhee, Ziyad Larkeche, Joe Shaughnessy and Scott Fraser are all long-term absentees - the Dark Blues have put together an impressive run of form.

They have lost just one of their last five games, and go into Monday night's Scottish Cup date with neighbours Dundee United in fine fettle after back-to-back draws with both halves of the Old Firm.

"It almost forces you to survive," Ingram said. "All of us coming together, that does show on the pitch as well.

"We are all resilient and fighters and we all want to play. I think there is that drive between everyone so whoever comes on, wherever they come on, they want to succeed and want to play well. That has shown in the past couple of games with the results we are getting."

Monday's showdown will be the third Dundee derby of the season.

Dundee are yet to beat their city rivals this term, but Ingram thinks this is the perfect opportunity to change that record.

"As players you love big games and a big game like that, especially the way it is around the city," Ingram said.

"I think the last one we were unlucky but this time we are on form, we are in a good place as a team so there is no better time for this game to come round for us."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Tony Docherty admits Dundee are fired up to avenge their recent league defeat to Dundee United when the sides meet on Monday night in the Scottish Cup.

The Dark Blues go into the Dens Park showdown in excellent form having drawn against Rangers and Celtic and lost just one - the derby - of their last five fixtures.

Dundee took the lead against Jim Goodwin's side at the start of January through a Simon Murray penalty, but goals from Vicko Sevelj and Sam Dalby gave the Tangerines victory.

"We have been in really good form in the last five games," Docherty said. "We have had two brilliant away wins against St Mirren and St Johnstone and two fantastic performances against the Old Firm where we arguably could have picked up more points than we did.

"The one in that run of five was the loss to Dundee United. We have addressed it with the players, it is something we need to try and atone for.

"I don't think our performance was enough to lose the game but there is more we can do to give us the best opportunity of winning this one."

Docherty believes the big-game experience of back-to-back televised draws with Scottish football's big two will hold his young team in good stead for Monday's derby clash.

"They are the youngest group in the league but they are an exciting, energetic and brave bunch of players," he said. "They are learning and developing all the time.

"Fifteen out of the 24 in my squad are 23 years old and under so all these experiences are going to make them better players."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Monday's Dundee derby has captured the imagination ever since the Scottish Cup fourth-round draw was made - and it arrives at a time when the city rivals are both on a bit of a high.

Dundee are 10 points and four places below third-top United in the Premiership after only two wins in eight outings.

But Tony Docherty's side have recovered from a poor spell and are not only unbeaten in three, but the latest two have been creditable draws with the top two sides - Rangers and Celtic.

After a 1-0 win away to St Mirren last time out, Jim Goodwin's visitors have only lost twice in seven and will be looking to repeat their 2-1 league win at Dens Park just over a fortnight ago.

Indeed, United have not lost on the other side of Tannadice Street in eight visits since August 2017.

Read Scottish Cup preview in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tony Docherty says midfielder Lyall Cameron is "very much focused" on Dundee amid intense speculation about his future.

With his contract up in the summer, the 22-year-old has been linked with several clubs, including Rangers., external

"No update, he is still a Dundee player, he is very much focused," said manager Docherty.

"He came back into training today after having quite a nasty illness, he trained fully so he is still a Dundee player, very much looking forward to a Dundee derby and all the rest is speculation.

"Lyall is a really level-headed young man and he has got brilliant representation as well so he has got the right people, the right support network round about him.

"But more than that, as an individual, I am so impressed with Lyall's personality and the way he handles things, so absolutely no concern about that at all."

Meanwhile, Docherty says captain Joe Shaughnessy's return from a long-term knee injury is "brilliant timing".

The defender has been sidelined since April and Docherty said: "It is important with that length of injury we hopefully get a couple of reserve games in him to make him fully aware and game ready.

"But he is back training fully with the squad just now, which is fantastic because everything that Joe brings, it is not just the player coming there, it is the team captain, so brilliant timing for that.

"We are still going through a period just now where our resources are really quite threadbare but in the knowledge all these ones are going to be coming back soon, so for the team to be doing what they are doing just now, with that coming back puts us in a good position."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before Monday's Scottish Cup tie with Dundee United at Dens Park.

Here are the key points:

• On further potential transfer business, Docherty says: "I'm hoping there might be movement on one other."

• There is no update on Lyall Cameron's future – and Docherty praised the midfielder for how he is handling himself amid the speculation.

• The Dens boss described Monday's match as a "huge game" between two in-form sides, adding how good it is for the city when the teams are going well.

• Docherty says the only disappointment in Dundee's recent run of games was their league defeat to United and they are hoping to "atone" for that.

• He points out 15 of his 24-strong squad are aged 23 or under and insists they will have learned a lot from their last two games – live on TV against the Old Firm – which will hold them in good stead for the derby.

• On the selection front, Cameron returned to training on Thursday morning but there are still eight players out injured.

• Joe Shaughnessy is now back in full training with the squad and Docherty says it will be like having a new signing when the defender makes his top-team return.

We asked for your views on Dundee's dramatic 3-3 draw with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Here's what some of you said...

Andy: Another excellent performance from this depleted Dundee team. Full of energy, drive, desire and commitment. Stout in defence, creative in attack. The Doc has them very well organised and fighting for each other. Superb!

Mark: These games you normally write off and say 'let's hope we don't get a thumping', but an immense performance from the Dee. Great teams find a way, but two great games against the Old Firm in a week and two points won.

Gary: What a performance. Just short of a famous, and well-deserved, win - the frustrations of being a Dee! To say we're disappointed with two points that might've been six against the Old Firm is no bad thing. Standouts throughout the team, as a unit they're all fighting for each other and with a quicker clock we'd have the points.

Rod: Despite having still lost a few goals recently, our midfield and defence are looking much better. Celtic battered us last season but were very lucky to get a draw. On this form I can see us qualifying for a European spot. I still expect us to beat United in the Cup though, after their lucky win in the league. Great transfer window so far!

Carl: Fantastic game! Outplayed the wealthiest team in the league and were so unlucky not to win three points with their non-stop efforts. No failures, a fantastic team effort and kudos to Mr Docherty after recent criticism who got team selection, tactics, subs and team shape just right.

Alan: I was critical of Dundee after the Ross County game but the turnaround from then has been incredible. Unlucky to lose against United but other than that we have really dug in and got some great results. To get back-to-back draws with the Old Firm, both of which could have been wins, sums up the determination that every player has shown recently.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

I have always maintained that I have found Dundee one of the most entertaining teams to watch since Tony Docherty took charge in the summer of 2023.

I associate them with an attractive style of play, as a front foot team that can set about things with a real swagger at times.

Over the last few weeks it has been different, equally impressive traits - those of being gritty and gutsy - that have also come to the fore.

With a squad that has been stretched to the limits in recent times because of injury and illness, the Dark Blues players have gone to the well - and delivered big style.

Docherty described Tuesday night's 3-3 draw with runaway league leaders Celtic as heroic - and it is hard to dispute that assessment, as they came within seconds of securing what would have been a famous victory.

Despite the selection issues they have faced of late, Dundee have put together a very solid run of results.

It is now just one defeat in five games - a sequence which includes away wins at St Mirren and St Johnstone, as well as back to back draws against both halves of the Old Firm.

And - despite what I have outlined above - they have continued to play some very decent football too.

Dundee are now seventh in the table, just two points off the top six.

And you get a sense that if they can continue to perform the way they have been - as well as get all the players who are unavailable back - then there is no reason why they can't attack the second half of the season with a real sense of optimism about what the next few months can yield.

Image source, SNS

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Dundee vice-captain Simon Murray admits Celtic's added-time equaliser was a "gutting" blow on what was otherwise a "good night" for the club.

The Dark Blues were seeking a first win over league leaders Celtic at Dens Park since September 1988, just days after holding second-placed Rangers to a draw.

The home team fell short after coming from behind twice before taking the lead with 12 minutes remaining.

Murray impressed on the night, using his intelligence and physicality to give opposition centre-back Auston Trusty an evening to forget, and remained positive despite Arne Engels' late leveller.

"We knew it was going to be tough. We had a game plan and the boys stuck to it," he said. "Losing the late goal is gutting. But, overall, it was a good night.

"The boys really stuck together. It gives us belief going forward. Massive game next [Dundee United in the cup], but we look forward to it.

"We have got to take confidence from that game going forward."

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Dundee defender Aaron Donnelly says the Dark Blues were "really disappointed" to drop points to Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic as the two sides fought out an exhilarating 3-3 draw.

Donnelly, who re-signed this week following a prior loan spell last season, netted his first goal for the club across both spells when he headed Dundee in front on 78 minutes.

"It was a great performance from us. We stuck to our game plan," he said.

"We were really resilient without the ball and we had a good shape. We really dug in towards the end."

The draw moves Dundee above St Mirren into seventh place, and Donnelly believes the disappointment in the dressing room following the match shows the strong mentality within the squad.

"Celtic are top opposition with top players. We showed how we can compete in this league and climb up it," he added.

"We were really disappointed not to get three points and that shows the way this club is going."

Aaron Donnelly has been criticised for his muted celebration after his goal for Dundee against Celtic. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Were you at Dens Park or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Less than a week after earning an impressive point against Rangers at Dens, this result and performance will only fuel Dundee's bid to achieve a top-six finish for the second season running.

Tony Docherty's starting line-up included two teenagers and seven players aged 23 and under, but they were fearless in their approach after riding their luck for the majority of the first half.

Near misses from Ethan Ingram, Finlay Robertson and Oluwaseun Adewumi, who continues to look a real find, had Celtic rocking throughout the second period.

And Josh Mulligan played an integral part in that with relentless running and quality on the ball.

Much has been made about Lyall Cameron's contract situation - with the midfielder reportedly a target for Rangers - but Mulligan, whose current deal is also up at the end of the season, will surely be attracting interest in this form.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "Immensely proud, but the overriding feeling is one of disappointment. I thought we did enough to win the match.

"I watched Celtic put on [Nicolas] Kuhn, [Arne] Engels, [Luis] Palma. I've asked Lyall Cameron to get off his sick bed to play, Finlay Robertson has not trained, [Cesar] Garza has had to come off.

"To put in that level of performance against that opposition is bordering on heroic.

"We made a Champions League team wobble. We sensed it, we went for it and gave everything to win that match. I thought my players deserved that tonight."

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Last week, I said that taking points off Rangers would require great grit, tenacity, and spirit. Dundee delivered all of that on Thursday.

It was a point gained for us, even though we were the better team overall.

While Rangers dominated possession in the second half, they never truly controlled the game. Aaron Donnelly's return to the club gave everyone a lift ahead of the showdown with the Glasgow giants, stepping in for an in-form Luke Graham, Donnelly played as if he'd never left, slotting seamlessly into the team.

Two 19-year-olds stole the show in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Oluwaseun Adewumi and Cesar Garza, the latter making his home debut, were outstanding. Garza, was fearless. Breaking up play, covering every blade of grass and ensuring Dundee kept a positive flow in transitions. Adewumi, meanwhile, ran riot, leaving Rangers scrambling to handle him. Week after week, I find myself saying, "that was his best game for us".

Defensively, we kept Rangers relatively quiet, with Philippe Clement's side creating few clear chances. Though we were unlucky not to secure a clean sheet, with new signings arriving and injured players nearing full fitness, it is only a matter of time until we go a full game without conceding any goals.

This result should give us confidence as we prepare to host Celtic. While it's another daunting task, their busy schedule and 15-point lead at the top might see them take their foot off the gas. Still, I'm realistic, I don't expect a result, but I do hope for a performance that reflects well on the team.

Where expectation really lies is in the Dundee derby in the Scottish Cup next week. Losing to United in the league was a bitter pill to swallow, and beating them in the cup is the only way to atone for that disappointment.

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• Dundee are winless in 44 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D6, L38) since a 2-0 victory in May 2001. The Dark Blues have lost their last 11 games in a row against the league leaders.

• Dundee have kept the fewest clean sheets of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season (1), with Tony Docherty's side conceding in each of their last 14 league games since a 1-0 win over Motherwell in October.

• No side has dropped more points from winning positions at home in the league this season than Dundee (11), who have gone 1-0 up in both of their last two league games at Dens Park but won neither (D1, L1).

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 35 away games at Dundee in all competitions (W28, D7) since a 1-0 defeat in September 1988.

• Celtic have won each of their last eight league games played on a Tuesday by an aggregate score of 19-2, although the last match they failed to win on this day of the week in the Scottish Premiership was away to Dundee (0-0 in April 2016).

Dundee manager Tony Docherty says transfer talk around Rangers-linked midfielder Lyall Cameron, 22, is "purely speculation". (Courier - subscription), external

Docherty is unsurprised by reported Rangers interest in Cameron but remains hopeful the midfielder will stay at Dens Park. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip