Dundee

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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."

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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On Sunday, Dundee's city neighbours meet for the fourth, and most likely last, time this season, with concerns in different halves of the league, but the same burning desire for derby day success.

Dundee's need seems more urgent as they bid to get out of the relegation play-off spot, but United are in the thick of a tight race for Europe.

United, promoted over the summer, are already just one point shy of the tally that took Dundee to a surprise sixth place last season.

And they have had the better of this fixture in recent times. Unbeaten in their previous five Premiership derbies, the Tannadice men have lost just one of the past 17 at home in the top flight, winning 11.

However, the last meeting went the way of the Dark Blues in the Scottish Cup, with Simon Murray's first-minute header at Dens Park enough.

Cup interest is over now and that leaves Dundee seeking a first league win since 5 January.

Dundee have conceded the most goals in the division, with problems in midfield leaving defenders exposed too often.

United just happen to have the Premiership's top scorer. Sam Dalby has 13 goals, which have been worth 12 points, also a league-high total for any player this term.

Jim Goodwin's side will go long in search of the powerful striker. Dundee know what's coming, but can they deal with the threat at Tannadice?

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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• Dundee United are unbeaten in their last five Premiership meetings with Dundee (W2 D3), and are looking to win back-to-back derbies against their rivals in the top-flight for the first time since January 2015 under Jackie McNamara.

• After only losing two of their first 10 home league games of this season (W5 D3), United have since lost three of their last four on home soil in the Premiership (W1).

• Dundee have only won one of their last 17 away games at Tannadice in the top-fight (D11 L5), and are winless in 10 (D6 L4) since a 2-1 victory in August 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• Dundee have lost each of their last three away games in the league, last losing more in a row within a single season in the Premiership in January 2022 (five).

• Coming into this round of matches, Sam Dalby is the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with 13 goals, which have been worth 12 points to Dundee United, also a league-high total for any player in the division this term.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty urges forward Simon Murray to push for a Scotland call-up. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tony Docherty says there would be "no point coming to work every day" if he didn't believe Dundee can emerge from their current slump and secure Premiership survival.

The Dark Blues are without a win in eight league games and sit second bottom, just three points above St Johnstone, but have a chance to end their run against neighbours United at Tannadice on Sunday.

"If I didn't believe [we couldn't turn it round], there is no point in me coming into my work every day," manager Docherty said. "I convey that message, not just to the playing staff, but to the coaching staff as well.

"It's important we have a belief in that and we believe in the process."

Dundee's recent poor form means they've picked up just a solitary point from the last 18 on offer, although losses to Aberdeen and Motherwell were by a single goal.

"That is the level of performance that should be winning you points," Docherty said of his side's recent games.

"You can bemoan the fact that maybe fine margins are going against you, or decision-making is going against you, but it is important you don't get bogged down with that.

"If we put in the hard yards, if we do the work on the training ground, if we continue the analysis and development of players, then results will come on the pitch.

"But it comes with the consistency and not just on a matchday but the consistency of what you do throughout the week."

The current plight is a far cry from last season, where Dundee finished sixth, and while Docherty has been around Scottish football for a long time, this is only his second campaign as a manager .

"You constantly learn, that is the message here. That is my job here, to improve and develop players," he said.

"I do that myself. Last year was a real success, winning manager of the month [awards], finishing in the top six, being nominated for manager of the year.

"That is the good side, but you need to go through the other side of it and arguably you learn more in these challenging periods and that is part of development and improvement and that is what I say to the players.

"It's still the same, it applies to me as well."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before Dundee's derby with United at Tannadice this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the Dark Blues boss:

• On whether he believes his second-bottom team can secure survival, Docherty says: "I do, if I didn't believe that there is no point in me coming into my work every day."

• He insists Dundee have to "focus on the process" and the results will come "if we put in the hard yards".

• The manager is refusing to look too far ahead, instead taking things game by game and adding "we are a close-knit group".

• Docherty pointed out the successes he had last season in his first year as a manager but says "arguably you learn more in these challenging periods".

• He is expecting another tight game against United and doubts "either team will be happy with their form" going into it.

• Scott Fraser could return from injury while Jordan McGhee, who went off injured during the cup defeat at Hearts, will be assessed. Clark Robertson and Antonio Portales are expected back after the international break.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The Dundee derby is one of Scotland's most eye-catching fixtures.

It is always a huge game - but this weekend's is the biggest there has been for a while, particularly from a Dark Blues point of view.

Dundee remain in a perilous position in the Premiership, just three points off the foot of the table.

While bottom club St Johnstone have been busy picking up points lately, Tony Docherty's side are in freefall with no wins - and five defeats - in eight league games.

While scoring goals generally hasn't been a problem, they have been crippled by an inability to keep them out. The Dens side have the poorest defensive record in the division - 61 goals shipped in 29 games - and the second worst goal difference.

So far, so grim. But there is still cause for optimism.

A derby win would be invaluable not just for the points and igniting the push for survival, but also the feelgood factor of getting the bragging rights over your neighbours once again.

And the good news for the Dens Park men is that – despite the huge gulf in league position – there has been little between the teams in this season's meetings, with the record reading one win each and a draw.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

The performance at Tynecastle was more spirited than I had anticipated and when Joe Shaugnessy levelled the score I thought it was going to be our night.

The big difference was we were a team low on confidence and Hearts had that extra tad of quality. Sander Katrum was excellent for the Jambos and his two goals were worthy of winning any match.

The average age in this Dundee team is 24.9, the youngest in the division. Notably, it's the experienced players - Shaugnessy, Trevor Carson and Simon Murray - who are improving the team lately. Hopefully Scott Fraser will be fit for Sunday's Dundee derby, ensuring we head to Tannadice with a matured spine.

Saying that, it's 19-year-old Cesar Garza who has been capturing hearts. The Mexican wears his heart on his sleeve, plays without fear and fights for everything on the park.

His grit, determination and attitude is everything the fans want to see from a Dundee player. Those are the attributes we need between now and until the end of the season right across the team.

The last top-flight team we beat was Dundee United in the Scottish Cup. Both teams have only won three games each in 2025 but form goes out of the window for this one.

United are balanced in defence and attack this season – scoring and conceding 36 goals apiece in the league – while Dundee have proven they can gun for goals but struggle defensively. Interestingly, though, we kept a clean sheet in the last derby and have scored in every meeting against United under Tony Docherty.

These players have failed in their attempt to get back into the top six, failed to qualify for a semi-final and failed to keep the club out of a relegation race.

However, there is always an opportunity for redemption. This is not a game that will salvage the season, but ending a 21-year hoodoo at Tannadice by winning the derby is the platform that can create cult heroes and provide that desperately-needed boost.

If there is any time to step up and to be a hero, it's now.

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Former Dundee midfielder Kevin Thomson is "keeping his fingers crossed" for Tony Docherty.

Dundee currently sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership table, only three clear of St Johnstone below them but also only three behind Killie above them.

Friday night's Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Hearts piled even more pressure on the struggling manager.

"I've been a big advocate for Tony Doc," Thomson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I don't know him too personally but I think he's done a really good job up there.

"And it almost feels a wee bit Paul Hartley-esque where they have a really good season, finished top six and then people grow expectation. The manager's profile grows, and all of a sudden you find yourself in the predicament that they're in at the moment.

"When the run starts to go the wrong way for you, it can sometimes be difficult to hold that back.

"The good part I think, for any bottom-six team, is you then get to play the teams soon that are going to be round about you.

"I think that's going to be vital for Dundee but are they going to be good enough to overcome that? I'm not so sure.

"I can only have my fingers and toes crossed for them because it's a brilliant club and I've always been a big fan of Tony Doherty."

Dundee want to prove their doubters wrong in Sunday's Dundee derby, according to defender Ryan Astley. (The Courier), external

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Dundee boss Tony Docherty has the loss of another key player to injury to deal with.

Jordan McGhee was forced off during his side's 3-1 Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat away to Hearts.

The 28-year-old was replaced by Mo Sylla for the start of the second 45, as the struggling Dark Blues went down to a sixth defeat in eight games.

"His Achilles has been bothering him for quite a while," said manager Docherty.

"He's been playing through it but at half-time he said he just couldn't continue. He wasn't able to get into a sprint.

"It affected his performance, I think you could see that in the first half, when our ball retention in that midfield area was poor. But Jordan's a warrior. He'll put himself out there, but he had to come off because of injury."

Docherty has been without several influential players in recent months and he is desperate to get them back on the pitch over the coming months as his team – second-bottom of the Scottish Premiership – bid to ease their relegation concerns.

"I've been ravaged with injuries in terms of experienced players this season," he said.

"When you get to this stage of competitions, that's when players with experience maybe make the right decisions.

"We've had too many injuries this season. I'm relying on a lot of people to come back and really contribute to what is now a nine-game season.

"We've got nine cup finals and out of those, we need to win as many games as we can. Our next game's a derby (away to Dundee United) and we need to make sure we dust ourselves down and be ready for it."

We asked for your views on Dundee's 3-1 Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Alan: Tony Docherty needs a reality check. Our defence has more holes than a sieve, our midfield is nowhere near physical enough to compete at this level and going into a game like this with only two signed strikers (one injured) is an absolute disgrace. To survive a relegation dogfight you need grit and the ability to defend. We have neither!

Mark: Great following but let down as usual. Baffles me that the midfield sat too deep all game but not a soul in site marking their player for the first and third goal on the edge of box. Tactics sit with Docherty so his time is up. I hope they're happy with the million they got for Luke McCowan, will cost us more than that in the long run

Jim: Tony keeps going on about second-half performances. We need them from the start not half way through. Nine cup finals [left in the league]? We could be going down.

Boab: Devastated that we're out but Docherty must now get the team up for the derby and the remaining league games. Didn't think we played that badly we certainly didn't get any 50/50 decisions for a terrible referee. Yet again superb backing from our fantastic support.

Lammy: Midfield over ran again. Defence left exposed. Forwards left with no service. Has been the same story all season.

Kevin: Have always been a staunch supporter of Docherty but I'm afraid my patience has run out, nothing has been done to arrest the constant leaking of goals, we're not going to get anywhere while conceding two-plus goals every week, far too weak in midfield and he doesn't seem capable of making any changes to make us harder to beat.

Did you take in Dundee's Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts, or were you following from home?

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Dundee manger Tony Docherty: "Disappointed. I thought we played our part in the second half. We had Hearts exactly where we wanted them. We had everything going in our favour at 1-1.

"I don't think it's a free-kick that leads to the second goal but we need to defend that better. The third goal kind of kills it. We should do better in the middle of the pitch.

"If I get that bravery for the next nine games, which are nine cup finals, then we'll be okay but I need the players to step up and show that bravery."

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Tynecastle

Although it ended in defeat for Dundee, there were still lots of positive aspects to take from their Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts.

Fin Robertson and Josh Mulligan gave the Hearts midfield a workload they struggled with at times.

And if the strike from Oluwaseun Adewumi had ended up in the back of the net rather than crashing off the crossbar, the game could have had a very different outcome.

The battle now for Dundee is to find a way to beat the drop from the Scottish Premiership.

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Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hearts will still be smarting from the Edinburgh derby that leaves Neil Critchley's side four places behind city rivals Hibernian in seventh spot in the Premiership when they host top-flight rivals Dundee in Friday's first Scottish Cup quarter-final.

However, the Englishman will be reminding his players that Sunday was only their second defeat in 12 outings during a generally upward curve of results and performances.

Included in that run was a 6-0 hammering of Friday's visitors at Dens Park at the start of February and they have also beaten Dundee in their latest three visits to Tynecastle since a 2-1 loss in February 2022.

On this occasion, Tony Docherty's side also arrive having suffered three straight away defeats and therefore as underdogs.

However, while their 1-1 draw at home to St Johnstone on Saturday meant they failed to increase the three-point gap between themselves and the bottom side, it at least ended a run of three consecutive losses overall.

• This is the first Scottish Cup meeting between the sides since Hearts won 1-0 at Dens Park in a March 2001 fourth-round replay.

• Slovakia midfielder Robert Tomaschek was the match winner that day after Argentine striker Juan Sara's opener for Dundee at Tynecastle had been cancelled out by winger Juanjo's late reply.

• Hearts lost to Rangers in the semi-finals last season.

• Dundee, who lost to Rangers the last time they reached the quarters in 2022, are looking to reach the last four for the first time since they lost to Gretna in 2006.

• Dundee have not lifted the cup since 1910, while Hearts won it for the eighth time in 2012.

What to look out for on Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend.

We asked for your views on what the one thing nobody is talking about at Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: The goals have all-but dried up and Simon Murray does a power of running but instead of being in the positions to score, he's usually filling the gaps his team-mates are leaving. They rarely match his workload or drive to succeed. A more stocked midfield would take pressure off both him and the defence, as well as providing the service he needs.

Mark: The proposed move to the new stadium seems to have died a death. Going to be a cracking stadium for championship football. In that case, it will never be full unless Take That play a concert there.

Kenny: The recruitment this season, or lack thereof, has been a complete and utter shambles. One striker for the run in, midfield was weak before the ridiculous last minute sale of McCowan, and hasn't been strengthened either, but one striker to see out the season is amateur planning and is absolutely farcical.

Anon: Best thing about Dundee is that Murray continues to cover over a multitude of defensive howlers. The worst thing is the failure to stop cheap goals. Any ball in our box causes havoc in the defence and heart attacks in the stands.

Rod: Dundee fans can be quick to turn on the team and manager. Other teams know this and use it to their advantage. We need to be more supportive otherwise it will be another few years of relegation and then winning the Championship (which is not easy). We need to have a solid number of years making sure we stay in the Premiership.

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Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin remains sidelined because of concussion, while Aidan Denholm, Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (all hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

Dundee midfielder Scott Fraser is back in training after a groin injury but is unlikely to feature. They remain without Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee), Clark Robertson (hamstring) and Billy Koumetio (ankle).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee defender Ziyad Larkeche has told how he turned the "big shock" of his first injury setback into a "learning experience".

The 22-year-old left-back, who is on loan from Queens Park Rangers, recently returned to action after three months out with a hamstring problem.

He said: "When the doctor called me I didn't expect that because I had never had an injury, so it was a big shock at the beginning.

"But after, you try to do the right things to be back as soon as possible – to improve your sleeping, your diet, all the small details like having the good people around you otherwise you are just wasting your time.

"So even improving areas like tactically watching more football and stuff maybe you can't do when you are playing. Of course I don't want to be injured again, but I tried to use this time the best I can, so it was a learning experience for me but hopefully not many more."

Larkeche made his comeback in the 6-0 thrashing by Hearts at the start of last month and the sides lock horns again on Friday night, this time at Tynecastle in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

"I think in everyone's head it is more the focus of going to Hampden, but everyone has got ego and pride and wants to perform at their best on Friday night," added Larkeche.

"I believe in every game you need to be solid because you get punished. It is a totally different context, totally different game, and there is a big opportunity to get to Hampden."

Dundee are locked in a Premiership relegation battle as they struggle to build on the highs of last season's sixth-place finish.

Inconsistency has plagued the Dark Blues this term and their cause hasn't been helped by injuries, while the summer departure of talisman Luke McCowan has been keenly felt.

Tony Docherty's side have gone eight league games without victory, including five defeats, to leave them foundering in second bottom.

It is tense times for the Dark Blues but you know your club best, so what is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about at Dens Park?

Let us know., external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tony Docherty wants his Dundee team to "show the best version" of themselves against Hearts in the last eight of the Scottish Cup on Friday and find some "redemption" after last month's league defeat by the capital club.

The Dark Blues were on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline when the sides met on league business at Dens Park at the start of February.

Docherty believes they can use the pain from that experience as an added motivation when the teams met at Tynecastle.

"On that day that professionally we didn't represent ourselves properly," Docherty said.

"When your pride is dented like that you want to do something about it, so there is possibly a redemption there.

"That was a day we didn't enjoy. We want to make sure we show the best version of ourselves and we have an opportunity to do that in a cup competition."

That defeat by Hearts marked the start of a five-match losing run in the league, one which came to an end with their weekend draw against St Johnstone.

Despite failing to get the wins in recent matches, Docherty has seen an improvement in his team's performance levels.

Friday's game represents a break from the Premiership and a chance to create a little bit of Scottish Cup history.

"The last time the club were in the Scottish Cup semi-final was 2006 so there is an opportunity to go and make a wee bit of history there - first time in 19 years to get to a semi-final.

"We are in the competition and we have got an opportunity to get to a semi-final so it is a really exciting prospect."