Dundee

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

I should be writing about two sensational volleys from Antonio Portales. Instead I'm forced to vent about VAR.

Saturday started so promisingly when it looked like Portales had scored a second worldie of a volley just before half-time.

However, in Scottish football we can't have nice things, so the goal was ruled out for a bizarre offside call.

Clark Robertson, for me, did not interfere with play and his sin was merely existing in an offside position. Dominic Thompson goes to clear the ball regardless of what the Dundee defender is up to – and thus Robertson's actions clearly had no impact on Portales' finish.

Even if one were to make the argument he moved towards the ball and that's enough for an offside offence to be considered, that would imply that if Robertson had taken a half step 30 degrees to each side instead then it's suddenly alright? Nonsense.

It's no wonder all pundits are unanimous on this being an awful decision from VAR, maybe even the worst one seen all season.

Had the goal stood, no one would have been calling for it to to be disallowed.

On one hand, at 2-0 up the dynamic of the game completely changes if the second goal stands. Dundee have command of the game, a healthy lead at home.

On the other hand, Dundee didn't do nearly enough to win the game in the second half, particularly when Motherwell went down to 10 men.

So Dundee were viciously hard done by from poor officiating and also performed abysmally in the second half, both things can be true.

In the end, Motherwell were worthy winners and Dundee once again found a way to lose a game by surrendering a lead they should never have lost.

We should be going to Rugby Park with a weight off our shoulders, but we could potentially slump back to 11th this weekend. The pressure is ramping up as we are within touching distance of Ross County in the relegation play-off.

It's three cup finals for Dundee, we simply can't afford anymore stale performances like that second half against Motherwell.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Dundee boss Tony Docherty couldn't help but vent his frustrations at the officials following Saturday's defeat to Motherwell, where there was a controversial disallowed goal.

The fantastic strike came from Antonio Portales - who had already opened the scoring with a similar effort - and though it was chopped off, the defender still makes my team of the week as he showed his quality.

Watch the Sportscene panel analyse Antonio Portales' disallowed goal against against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

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Watch all the action from Motherwell's 2-1 win over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 loss to Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Gregor: I fear a play-off and possible relegation now. We are in a rut and the manager blaming officials isn't helping our cause. Onwards to next match, but it's a worrying time to be a Dee.

Gary: The game changed on the disallowed goal. Antonio Portales had two perfectly good strikes but chalking off the second gave Motherwell the impetus and we fell out of it.

To concede another late goal, and to lose the game, is just as frustrating as the season has been as a whole, with a poor individual act compounding it. We still need points and favours to be safe.

Brian: Yet again, we throw away a lead. The referee was absolutely shocking, however Tony Docherty has never had a plan 'B' - never mind a plan 'A'. Lyall Cameron, Fin Robertson and Olawaseun Adewumi have been very poor for many games but remain on the park, Scott Tiffoney was poor today also. If we stay up we need a new management team and a half-decent team.

Iain: That game sums up or season perfectly. We threw away another game. 26 points lost from a winning position. Basic errors yet again. Tony Docherty's rinse and repeat post-match excuses are beyond tiresome. We'll do well to avoid the play-off.

Innes: I can't even think who to call out for this. The VAR has a portion of blame here as a two-goal cushion changes the game dramatically. However, the players and manager have to have a good, long look at themselves in the mirror.

John: Possibly our worst display this season. Again, no midfield. Scott Fraser at least looked like he could pass to a player in dark blue, rather than hump up-field for Simon Murray to chase. Their keeper was hardly tested though he did pull off good save in first half. Squeaky bum time!

Image source, SNS

• Dundee have lost 26 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• They have scored 31 first-half goals in 35 games, only Celtic (49) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Tony Docherty's side have conceded 18 goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• They have conceded 18 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (19) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Meanwhile, Motherwell won after trailing at half-time away from home in the Premiership for the first time since 6 April 2024 against Dundee (nine games without a win after trailing at half time).

• Lennon Miller assisted his seventh goal in the Premiership this season, while Tom Sparrow and Tawanda Maswanhise both scored their sixth goals of the league season, more than any other Motherwell player.

Dundee fans, how are you feeling after that one then? Should Portales' goal have been ruled out? Whether you were at Dens Park or following the drama from home, we want to hear from you!

Let us know your thoughts

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Dens Park

While Dundee were full of intent and desire in the first half, playing with plenty of confidence, they dropped off in the second half and their disallowed goal was at the centre of that.

Antonio Portales' goal was a beauty, but when his second was disallowed for offside against a team-mate, it almost proved a turning point and they're under severe pressure going into the last three games.

Their heads didn't quite go down, but Motherwell looked to receive a lift from not going in at half-time two down.

Dundee didn't quite find the same level in the second half and they paid the price. It was a sore loss especially as they were up against a numerically disadvantaged Motherwell.

Tony Docherty will have to move on quickly and he definitely can't allow his frustrations over refereeing decisions to fester as he prepares his side for massive games.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Tony Docherty tells BBC Scotland: "I'm really, really angry and really frustrated. And most of that is directed towards the officials.

"We're finding a way in this country with our officials to disallow goals. We're looking for reasons to disallow goals.

"I will not abdicate responsibility as Dundee manager - I will take full responsibility for my team contriving to lose that game. But, if we go in at half-time like we should, justifiably, 2-0 up, the dynamic of the game is totally different.

"If we brush this under the carpet again and don't address it then it's a disgrace.

"Tony Portales scores a brilliant goal with his right foot and an even better one with his left foot. And the officials contrive to disallow that goal – something to do with Clark Robertson being in an offside position. Does he affect anything to do with that strike into the top corner?

"The officials are killing the game."

Antonio Portales, 28, is "very, very happy" at Dundee as he nears the end of his contract. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Dundee attacker Oluwaseun Adewumi returns after missing the victory at Hearts but Jordan McGhee is still missing.

Motherwell have Tawanda Maswanhise back in contention after he missed the win over St Johnstone with a minor injury.

Centre-backs Kofi Balmer (hamstring), Shane Blaney (knee), Paul McGinn (thigh) and Liam Gordon (concussion) remain out along with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (wrist), Sam Nicholson (knee), Jack Vale, Zach Robinson (both Achilles) and Archie Mair (hand).

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty says he is not "aware" of a move to Rangers for Josh Mulligan, but it would not "surprise" him if the Ibrox club wanted the midfielder.

Mulligan, 22, is out of contract in the summer and has reportedly attracted interest from Rangers and English Championship clubs.

"No, not as far as I'm aware, but it doesn't surprise me," said Docherty.

"I've said it all along, that if these players show a level of performance that I think Josh has consistently shown now, as has Lyall Cameron previously in the season, as had Luke McCown prior to that, of course you're going to attract suitors.

"It's important Josh, he's a level-headed boy, he'll continue to focus on his performance for the team.

"Everything's about the team at the moment and just see where that takes us, but I'm just asking for him and the rest of the team to continue that consistent level of performance."

Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron is Ibrox bound this summer, having agreed a pre-contract in February, but Docherty has no doubts about the 22-year-old's commitment for the remaining four games of the season.

"He's a brilliant boy, he's just such a level-headed boy, he has a real maturity for his age and that comes with the exposure that he's had," added Docherty.

"He's played a lot of first-team football and he's played international football at his stage, as have the other ones, and Mulligan, with that brings a level of maturity and that's something that really impresses me.

"He's very focused, Lyall, and he knows Dundee is his club and he'll do absolutely everything to make sure we get results on Saturday.

"That's the players I want on my team, you know, not just good players, but players that are absolutely committed towards Dundee Football Club and Lyall's one of them."

Discussions between Dundee and Transport Scotland have been constructive since a public spat earlier this month over the Scottish Premiership club's plan for a new stadium, chief executive John Nelms has told fans. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Simon Murray has been named Premiership player of the month for April after his goals helped haul Dundee out of the relegation play-off spot.

The 33-year-old striker netted a double in the 2-0 win over St Mirren and the only goal in last weekend's victory at Hearts.

Murray is joint top of the Premiership scoring charts on 16 goals - alongside Celtic's Daizen Maeda - and is the only non-Celtic player on the four-man shortlist for PFA Scotland player of the year.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before Dundee host Motherwell in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Dens boss.

• He was "absolutely delighted" with the 1-0 win against Hearts which lifted Dundee out of the relegation play-off place, but insists it's now "laser focus" on the Motherwell match.

• On Neil Critchley's sacking at Hearts, Docherty says he has "sympathy and empathy" for him.

• On Dundee's belief: "It is good at the moment and we need to make sure we use the confidence from Saturday's performance and result against Hearts and take that into this Saturday's game against Motherwell."

• A win against Michael Wimmer's side would put Dundee just two points behind seventh-place Motherwell, but Docherty is refusing to look beyond the next game.

• Jordan McGhee is not available for selection but Oluwaseun Adewumi is back. Seb Palmer-Houlden, Antonio Portales and Ziyad Larkeche are "all fit and ready to go".

• Docherty praised "absolutely brilliant" Scott Fraser - who last weekend made his first appearance after six months out injured - and says he's gone "from strength to strength".

• The Dens boss says Josh Mulligan's consistent performances will "attract suitors".

• Lyall Cameron has been "brilliant" despite knowing he's moving in the summer, with Docherty insisting the midfielder is committed to ensuring Dundee do well.

• On Motherwell, Docherty says they are a "tough opponent" and Wimmer's squad contains "versatility".

Image source, SNS

• After their 4-1 win in December, Dundee could earn back-to-back home league victories over Motherwell for the first time since October 2015, and first time within a single season in the top flight since 2001-02.

• Both sides have scored in six of the past seven league matches between Dundee (13 goals) and Motherwell (11 goals), with the exception a 1-0 win for the Dark Blues in October this season.

• Dundee have won three of their past five league games (L2), as many as their previous 16 beforehand (W3 D4 L9). They are looking to pick up back-to-back wins in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since March 2024.

• Motherwell have lost seven of their past nine away league games (W1 D1), conceding 18 goals in this period (two per game on average) while scoring only five.

• Simon Murray has scored in seven of his past eight league appearances (eight goals), and is now the joint top scorer in this season's competition with 16 goals (level with Daizen Maeda) – the most by a Dundee player in a Scottish Premiership campaign since Kane Hemmings in 2015-16 (21).

Watch the goals as Kilmarnock defeat Dundee 2-0 in the Scottish Youth Cup final at Hampden.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock won the Scottish Youth Cup for the first time since 2004 after defeating Dundee with a goal in each half.

Killie took the lead from a Grant Marchant corner with Duncan Barlow stooping to apply the headed finish from close range.

Reuben Cooper's strike deflected off the head of Charley Oosenburgh and into the net for the clinching goal.

Archie Traynor headed home in added time but there would be no third Kilmarnock goal with the offside flag raised.

Cole Burke, son of Killie B's head coach and former Scotland winger Chris Burke, featured as the Ayrshire club celebrated their second success in the tournament.

Kilmarnock first team manager Derek McInnes and Dundee counterpart Tony Docherty were in attendance at Hampden.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The Premiership table looks a little better for Dundee after their win at Hearts moved them out of the relegation play-off spot.

While nobody will be taking anything for granted at Dens Park, they will certainly be breathing a little bit easier.

So please indulge me as I take out my crystal ball and look ahead to what will be a massive summer for Tony Docherty.

With the mercurial Lyall Cameron off to Rangers and speculation continuing about the future of the equally impressive Josh Mulligan, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign, Docherty could well have to find two playmakers.

While one or two players don't make a team, they are critical component parts and their importance is often best highlighted once they are gone.

Dundee have recent history of that. When Luke McCowan left for Celtic last August, the Dark Blues won just three of their following 12 games.

Of course, there were other contributory factors to that form, but the loss of McCowan was definitely a major one.

So the prospect of having to replace Cameron, and possibly Mulligan, in the next window appears a daunting one.

There is cause to be optimistic – Docherty has proved a shrewd mover on the signings front.

And the club have also been pretty good when it comes to promoting players from within – the likes of Cameron, Mulligan and Finlay Robertson being cases in point.

And if that formula continues to prove successful then you suspect all will be well in the Dundee garden, whatever happens in the summer.

Image source, SNS

It will come as little surprise to anyone that the latest attempt at reconstruction of the Scottish Premiership has failed to get off the ground.

A change from the current 12-team set-up to one of 10, 14 or 16 were the options being discussed but the SPFL said "there was no reasonable prospect of achieving consensus".

Maintaining the status quo is a consequence of there being "no perfect option" for change, according to The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, McGowan said: "If you look at the options for expanding the Premiership, for 14 you would have to have probably a top six and a bottom eight and a different number of fixtures. So that's less than ideal.

"Look at the 16, which is the one that supporters really want. But Neil Doncaster has been saying consistently that you would then have to find a way to still preserve your four Celtic v Rangers games because Sky sports are not a charity. They're a subscription network who want to get the biggest numbers for games. So they want more Celtic and Rangers games.

"So it's how you square that circle with the 16 that's the problem. So it's not so much I don't think there's no great desire for expansions. There's no such thing as a perfect option and one that they can all vote for. That's the problem basically."

Former Scotland defender Maurice Ross, meanwhile, has accused Premiership clubs of "self-preservation".

"If they're going to remain the same, okay, let's put two clubs [automatically] down then and have a third-place play-off," said Ross.

"And we'll see what the reaction is of the clubs in four or five years' time. Then they'll want reconstruction."

Dundee manager Tony Docherty is still hopeful of keeping midfielder Josh Mulligan despite interest from Rangers. (Daily Record), external

Read all of Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Before I arrived at Tynecastle last Saturday I had a conversation about what it would take to stay in the league and avoid the relegation play-offs. I estimated seven points would guarantee that desired automatic safety.

Which means beating Hearts is a real statement victory for the rest of the split. With four games left, two of which are at home, the task of gaining four points to meet that target is a very promising prospect.

If we can beat Motherwell this Saturday - and we're more than capable of doing so against a side with practically nothing to play for - it will leave us with a foot in the door towards keeping our Premiership status.

I didn't expect to walk out of Tynecastle with all three points to be entirely honest. It was like watching the Dundee team of last season responding to a crushing result with a well-earned and hard-fought victory.

Trevor Carson at 37 is still providing goalkeeping excellence. Not one, not two but three outstanding saves - displaying cat-like reflexes - had the Dark Blues purring in Edinburgh. He was the undisputed man of the match.

We have to hope talks for a new contract with Joe Shaughnessy have commenced as once again he provided a vintage captain performance.

His pairing with Clark Robertson has now claimed two of the team's three league clean sheets this season. The maturity their partnership provides for the team is eye-catching and I can't help but think how much better we could be doing if we had both of them fit for much more of the season.

Then of course comes the goalscorer. Simon Murray is the signing of the season. A nominee for the PFA player of the Year and he could very well claim the golden boot in May.

If he can finish the campaign as the league's top scorer he will be the seventh Dundee player to accomplish this feat, the first to do so since Tommy Coyne in 1988. It would be special to see him claim that prestigious award.