Zak Rudden is poised to sign for Queen's Park after the 24-year-old striker mutually agreed a departure from Dundee. (The Courier), external
Simon Murray says returning to Dundee eased "family difficulties" and the 32-year-old striker praised "second to none" Ross County manager Don Cowie for allowing the transfer. (The Courier), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNSStriker Zak Rudden has departed Dundee after both parties mutually agreed to terminate his contract, the Scottish Premiership club have stated.
The 24-year-old ended last season on loan to Raith Rovers, scoring three times in 17 appearances for the side who finished runners-up in the Championship but missed out on promotion after a play-off defeat by Ross County.
Rudden joined Dundee on loan from Partick Thistle in January 2022 before signing permanently that summer.
He made his debut in the Dundee derby, coming off the bench for Niall McGinn in a 0-0 draw, and made his first start a few days later at home to County.
During his time at Dens Park, Rudden made 56 appearances, scoring 12 times, but made his last in a 3-0 home defeat by Celtic in December.
Image source, SNSSimon Murray says making a return to his boyhood club Dundee was a "no brainer".
The striker, who scored 21 goals in all competitions for Ross County last season, signed a three-year deal with the Dens Park club on Wednesday.
Murray enjoyed a loan spell at Dundee back in 2018, grabbing three goals in 14 appearances, but is now excited to be a permanent fixture in the city of discovery.
"To come back here is a dream, I'm buzzing for it," the 32-year-old said.
"It was an easy decision for me. I spoke to the manager, he's put a lot of faith into me. He's got amazing ambitions and it aligns with what I want.
"My young family's here, it's my boyhood club. It feels good. The professionalism has really risen since the last time I was here. It feels top level."
The rumour mill linked Murray with a return of a different kind to Dundee's Premiership rivals Hibs.
But the striker says even his dad Gary, who played for the Easter Road side on 79 occasions, felt the Dee was the place to be.
"My dad obviously played as well, you don't replace that feeling [of scoring a goal]. It's the ultimate adrenaline rush.
"He was in total agreement this is the right place for me. Really, in the end, it's a no brainer.
"He doesn't miss a game. He's watched me all through the years - even in Africa!"
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesThe return of prodigal son Simon Murray to Dundee from Ross County has captured the headlines this week, but Clark Robertson is no stranger to Scottish football either, having started his career with Aberdeen.
The 30-year-old centre-half was released before he could establish himself as a first-team regular but heads back home after his return to Ashdod’s starting line-up coincided with their escape from relegation in Israel’s top flight.
In between, he amassed plenty of experience, including in the Championship, with Blackpool, Rotherham United and Portsmouth, and will hope to put that to good use away to Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.
Dundee fans, we asked for your views on what would make this season a successful one.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Anonymous: I'd like to see us safe from relegation as early as possible. Top-five and Europe has to be the target but top-six is not a failure. Do not get trapped into thinking all we have to do is beat Dundee United, but that would be great.
Stewart: We need a cup run, it's been years since we've had a Hampden day out. Not fussed about which cup, let's hope we avoid the Old Firm in the early rounds. League-wise, another season of consolidation, top eight and staying clear of the bottom two all year would do me.
Ben: If we were to finish anywhere from ninth upwards and finish above Dundee United and go unbeaten in all the derbies, then I'd say that's a fairly successful season. However, I do genuinely believe that with a few more new signings, this squad and manager are more than good enough to accomplish another top-six finish and maybe even finish in a European place.
David: It’s been 19 or so years since we’ve gotten to Hampden, I’d love to see us push on for once in the League or Scottish Cup.
George: Dundee can get into Europe next season. They have a goalscorer now. The defence has been better during the friendlies. Hope it keeps on going.
Innes: I think a season of consolidation is needed. It was great to get top six last season and we should use this as a blueprint to stop losing so many points from winning positions. The gaffer has got Dundee going places and with Simon Murray on board now we have a proven threat going forward. Exciting times ahead for the Dee.
John: After a strong return to the Premiership, it looks like more shrewd signings from Tony Docherty with Simon Murray being the icing on the cake. Hopefully this year will be a solid top six and maybe Europe, but happy to see the top-six position cemented especially after so many of the loan players returning to their clubs. Is this a realistic expectation?
Image source, SNSDundee rounded off their pre-season with a 2-0 victory away to Dunfermline Athletic.
Both goals came in the first half as Luke McCowan delivered for Antonio Portales head in the opener before Curtis Main nodded in from a Scott Tiffoney corner.
New signing Simon Murray featured on the Dundee bench, but the striker was an unused substitute at East End Park.
Tony Docherty's side start their competitive campaign away to Bonnyrigg Rose in the League Cup group stage on Saturday.
Dundee fans, after last season's top six success, what would you like to see the club achieve this season? Is top six a must? What about European football?
Have your say on what you want to see from Tony Docherty's side here, external.
Image source, SNSSimon Murray believes Dundee are "going places" after joining the Dens Park club from Premiership rivals Ross County.
The 32-year-old striker spent half a season on loan at Dens back in 2018, scoring three goals in 14 appearances.
"To be here permanently feels amazing," the 32-year-old told club media, external.
"It felt right for me. I grew up here, I grew up watching the club.
"The club is going places at the moment and I'm desperate to be a part of it. At this point in my career, I just felt it was right to be back."
Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla relishes his ‘Derry Vieira’ nickname and is looking forward to his first Tannadice derby "fight". (The Courier)
Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip
Image source, SNSDundee manager Tony Docherty insists Cammy Kerr, Zak Rudden and Max Anderson - who were all sent to Championship sides on loan last season - remain in his first team plans after impressing during pre-season training. (The Courier, external)
Ross County will let Simon Murray leave Dingwall – with the striker attracting interest from Hibs and Dundee – once they complete the signing of 25-year-old Irish striker Ronan Hale from Cliftonville (The Press & Journal, external)
Image source, SNSDundee's newest recruit Ethan Ingram says Tony Docherty played a huge part in convincing him to join the club.
The 21-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Premiership club after rejecting a new contract at West Brom.
The right-back says he was hugely impressed by the manager's approach to the transfer.
"The detail he went into, watching my performances, reading how I am as a player, he spoke to a few people who knew me personally," the defender told Dundee's media team, external.
"The detail he's gone into surprised me, the love I received from him almost swayed it for me.
"Any player wants to feel loved and appreciated and that's what he's done for me."
New 21-year-old Dundee right-back Ethan Ingram says he rejected a new deal with West Bromwich Albion because there was no guarantee of first-team football. (The Courier), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNSSeb Palmer-Houlden scored Dundee's second-half leveller
Seb Palmer-Houlden scored his first goal for Dundee as his side drew away from home with Polish top-flight side Lech Poznan.
The hosts went ahead through Mikael Ishak in the opening 45 minutes after a slick passing move carved open the Dundee defence.
Palmer-Houlden then pressed the Poznan defence on the edge of their area before unleashing a low, driving strike into the bottom corner from just outside of the box just shy of the hour mark.
The 20-year-old joined on a season-long loan from Bristol City this summer and has opened his account for the club.
Tony Docherty's side play their final pre-season friendly against Dunfermline on Wednesday 10 July.
Image source, Getty ImagesEthan Ingram was on loan to Salford City last season
Dundee have signed former England Under-20 right-back Ethan Ingram on a two-year contract after he rejected the offer of a new deal with West Bromwich Albion.
The Gloucester-born 21-year-old had been with the Championship club since the age of 12 but told Dundee's website that he views the move to the Scottish Premiership as "a good opportunity for me".
Ingram, who revealed that "talks have been going on for a few months", added: "I'll bring a lot of athleticism and a lot of direct football and I love to get forward and run."
The defender, who has made three first-team appearances for West Brom, spent last season on loan to Salford City, playing 27 times in all competitions for the side who finished 20th in League Two.
We asked who you are backing to be Dundee's breakout star in the new season.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Ben: Scott Tiffoney. He was a signing that the fanbase got very excited about last summer off the back of an excellent season with Partick. He had a fairly underwhelming first season in dark blue, however did show signs of promise towards the back end of the season and looked sharp in our first pre-season friendly back against Arbroath.
Jim: I'm hoping Finlay Robertson can start to show some of his early promise again.
Carl: The standout for me is 20-year-old Luke Graham, an academy graduate and left-footed central defender. Built like a brick outhouse, the way most people like a central defender to be, excellent with the head and very mobile for his size and build. Loaned out last season to Montrose and was their star man, promoted to our first team squad this season.
Kenny: Luke Graham, will play for Scotland one day, a solid young centre-half.
Ian: Luke Graham has looked particularly strong in the friendlies so far. Comfortable on the ball and good in the air. It would be interesting to see how he gets on in the coming friendlies and cup games.
Midfielder Alex Rodriguez and defender Ethan Bristow played as trialists for Dundee in their 3-0 friendly win over Bannik Ostrava. (Courier - subscription), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSDundee ran out 3-0 winners over Czech side Banik Ostrava in Poznan, as Tony Docherty's side continue their preparations for the new season.
Luke Graham, Jamie Richardson and Finlay Robertson all scored in the second half for the Dark Blues after a goalless first 45.
Dundee next face Lech Poznan on Saturday, before their final pre-season friendly against Dunfermline Athletic on 10 July.
Who do you think will be Dundee's breakout star in the coming season?
Is there one particular youngster you are backing to impress or perhaps a fringe player who will come to the fore?
Dundee are closing in on signing 22-year-old Minnesota United left-back Ethan Bristow. (The Courier), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNSBBC Scotland pundits love a prediction, but usually they're not asked until the beginning of the season.
But, with a Dundee derby to kick off the campaign in early August, one question has been posed well in advance...
Who is going to finish higher? Dundee or Dundee United.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, former Dens Park striker Kenny Miller backed Dundee in a one word answer, while ex-United forward Billy Dodds opted for the Tannadice club as long as "they sign half a dozen players".
With no skin in the game, former Scotland midfielder John Collins had the deciding say and he agreed with Miller... just about.
"I think you've got to say Tony Docherty after last season, they were outstanding in the Premiership," he said.
"United have just come up with a lot of Championship players and there is a big difference between the Championship and the Premiership.
"They've signed six new players, they need new players, a lot of foreign players so you don't know how long it's going to take them to adapt, but Dundee United are a bigger club with a bigger budget and a bigger support."
