Dundee

Dundee fans, were you at Dens Park to witness today's heavy defeat to Hearts or following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts on the game.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I think to describe that for me is anomaly. I don't know where that came from. We had such strong performances heading into the game.

"When you concede goals as cheaply as we did today, it drains confidence. Hearts caught us on a bad day and they had a good day. These things happen.

"For all the credit we got for recent performances, we now deserve a lot of criticism and I deserve a lot of criticism because I lead the group. I apologise to the Dundee fans. The players will be in tomorrow morning to address that.

"It is a new group, a very young team. It can happen. It is important to learn from that. It is my job to improve on that performance. The fans should not see that type of performance.

"I did not see that type of performance coming. You could see the confidence draining as the game went on. I was a bit surprised."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland at Dens Park

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This has been been a strange season for Dundee. They are in the mix for a European place but are also having to look over their shoulder with the relegation play-off place a concerning vision in their rear-view mirror.

Tony Docherty's team have shown enough of late to suggest they will be able to get themselves away from things at the wrong end of the table.

But, like a number of other teams in a similar predicament, that lingering concern will remain hovering on the horizon until they do.

While things certainly didn't go according to plan here – with players like Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan in their ranks – you do feel it wont be too long before Dundee find themselves back winning.

But the manner of this defeat will undoubtedly be a real cause for concern for Docherty, who must find a way of lifting his players for their daunting-looking midweek trip to Celtic.

Rangers and Aberdeen have both held talks with 22-year-old Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron over a pre-contract agreement to move from Dens Park this summer. (Football Insider), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Dundee could give a debut to Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez. Josh Mulligan returns, while Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee, Joe Shaughnessy, Antonio Portales and Charlie Reilly are also back in training and have a chance of being involved.

Billy Koumetio (ankle) and Scott Fraser (groin) are the only definite absentees.

Hearts could include recent signings Sander Kartum and Michael Steinwender while Calem Nieuwenhof is also in contention after being sidelined since last March with a hamstring problem.

Craig Halkett (hamstring) joins Frankie Kent (quad) and Stephen Kingsley (hamstring) on the sidelines.

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Trevor Carson says Dundee face a "huge" 10-game run to the Premiership split as they look to climb clear of relegation worries and back into the top six.

The Dark Blues sit eighth but are just two points clear of Kilmarnock, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Dundee host Hearts on Saturday and goalkeeper Carson said: "It's a massive game. I think our next 10 games are before the split, every single one of them is going to be huge.

"I can guarantee you in 10 games' time we'll look back and it'll be the odd goal in every game. Every game is going to be tight.

"I think at the start of the season, if someone had said after 23 games you'd have been on the same points as Hearts, we probably would have took that.

"But then you look at the table now, you'd be expecting to be third or fourth in the league. But the way the league is, it's so congested.

"We're really confident and looking forward to the next stretch of games."

Carson insists a settled back three has been key in Dundee's fine recent form.

Tony Docherty's men are four games unbeaten, including draws with Celtic and Rangers plus a derby win over Dundee United.

"We've had that settled back three now for the last four games and you learn each other's games, little traits you've got, and more than anything it breeds confidence and it can only be good for the squad," Carson added.

"You see the lads coming back in training and that just lifts the levels, so we're in a good place, we've had that little run of injuries but we're over the other side of it now and we've got a really competitive squad."

Swansea City are keeping close tabs on Dundee defender Luke Graham after receiving impressive feedback from the 20-year-old's first half of the season on loan to Falkirk. (Daily Record), external

Tony Docherty is "relaxed" about the way Dundee's squad has shaped up, but the manager is not ruling out any more business and is unaware of any outgoings despite reported interest in midfielder Lyall Cameron and Jordan McGhee. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Dundee have scored 37 goals from 25.5 expected goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, with their overperformance of 11.5 by far the biggest of any side in the competition (Celtic closest with 3.8).

• Only Rangers (4 wins, 14 points) picked up more wins and points in the Scottish Premiership in January than Hearts (3 wins, 10 points).

• Dundee have won two of their last three home games against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership (L1) – as many as their previous eight beforehand (W2 D1 L5).

• Hearts have won four of their last five Scottish Premiership games against Dundee (L1), scoring 12 goals in this time (2.4 per game).

• Since winning three successive home league games in November/December, Dundee are winless in their last four on home turf (D2 L2), although have drawn with the Scottish Premiership's top two sides in their last two such games (1-1 v Rangers, 3-3 v Celtic).

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Dundee boss Tony Docherty says there's "a real buzz" about the club as players return to full fitness.

Docherty welcomed five players back into full training this week having been down to the bare bones of his squad.

Now, the Dundee boss is relishing the "healthy competition" between players which he hopes will be an extra benefit for the remaining games of the season.

He's also added the expertise of Victor Lopez, Imari Samuels, Cesar Garcia and Sean Kelly in the January window.

"I'm delighted that this week's training really went up a notch because, as well as the four additions we brought in, all the injuries (outwith Scott Fraser and Billy Koumetio have returned)," he said.

"So this week's first time, I've had a 11 v 11 all season.

"It's really, really healthy competition and at a pivotal stage of the season, you know, we're still in a cup competition and there's 10 games to the split.

"It's brilliant, it's almost like new signings, getting Joe Shaughnessy, Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee, Antonio Portales, Charlie Reilly all back in the training ground.

"So there's a real buzz about the place and there's a real strength to the squad. But I would stress that, you know, any success we're going to get, I said the same thing last year, it's down to healthy competition.

"And I think that's what we've got now. There's real competition for places, but there's healthy competition because everybody is on the same page and everybody's got the same agenda.

"But I've got to give huge credit to, when we were really threadbare and we were maybe only 12, 13 training at a time, these players came through that and they came through it with flying colours.

"So put that all together in the mix and you've got a strong squad that are definitely, you know, vying for places and there's a real competition about it."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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

Here are the key points from the Dundee boss:

• On Stuart Kettlewell resigning as Motherwell boss over fan abuse: "Really disappointed to hear that. Stuart's a good guy and he's done a great job. We're all in this industry for our family and unfortunately he's making that decision because he felt he was getting unnecessary pressure on his family."

• Docherty accepts that managers are in an "entertainment industry" and will be judged on performances and results, but criticism "should only go so far".

• He believes more can be done to protect managers from abuse: "If there's anything positive that can come from this, it could maybe be that wee bit more of a support mechanism."

• A number of key players are back from injury: "It's great, it's really healthy competition and at a pivotal stage of the season."

• Docherty hopes Lyall Cameron will still be a Dundee player when the transfer window closes on Monday night, but says: "There's five days to go, so there's a lot that can happen."

• Having added Aaron Donnelly, Cesar Garza, Victor Lopez and Amari Samuels, the Dens boss is "really pleased" with his January business so far.

• Both Dundee and Hearts are on a "good run" but Docherty is keen to replicate the performance that blew the Tynecastle side away in August.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Momentum can be key in football. With just one defeat in their last six games, Dundee have plenty of that at the moment.

In such a rich vein of form, form which includes back-to-back draws against the Old Firm and a Scottish Cup win over neighbours United, the players will want the games to come thick and fast.

So the cancellation of last weekend's league trip to Celtic - because of storm damage at Parkhead - will have been an unwelcome development for those in Dark Blue.

However, such is the feelgood factor around Dens Park, Tony Docherty will believe his side can pick up where they left off when Hearts come calling on Saturday.

In fact, with his squad stretched recently injury, the enforced break could actually be a positive as Docherty looks to get players back available for selection.

He will need as many of those players as possible, with Hearts' visit marking the start of a hectic week that also include a rearranged midweek trip to Celtic and Scottish Cup fifth-round tie with Airdrieonians.

Experienced defender Joe Shaughnessy is among seven players fit again for Dundee before Saturday's home league game with Hearts. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Attention turns to the home game with Hearts after our trip to Celtic Park last weekend was postponed.

Despite having started the season so poorly, Hearts are level on points with us. They're a very hot-and-cold outfit this season but have won four out of five games this month.

Our last encounter with them, at Tynecastle in early December, was one-sided. The 'real Hearts' - the one that would be expected to fight for third place - showed up that day and beat us comfortably.

The space between fifth and ninth just now is ridiculously tight - just four points - so beating Hearts would be a real six-pointer and a statement of intent that Dundee are getting better with each passing game.

Teams above like Motherwell and Aberdeen have gone off the boil, leaving us the perfect chance to capitalise and climb the table.

We are still the league's third top scoring team, behind Celtic and Rangers, and appear to look much more defensively astute compared to earlier in the season.

We deserved our clean sheet against Dundee United, it was a long time coming and if we can keep that hole patched for the fixtures in February then this could prove to be a very productive month for Dundee.

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Curtis Main has left Dundee by mutual consent and signed for Championship side Ayr United.

The striker, 32, joined Tony Docherty's side in January 2024 and scored six goals in 35 appearances.

In a statement, Dundee said: "Dundee Football Club can confirm that Curtis Main has left the club after both parties mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

"We want to thank Curtis for his service to the club in the past year and we wish him all the best for the rest of his career."

Main has signed a deal with Ayr until June 2026.

Aberdeen have joined Rangers in the race to snap up Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron, with the 22-year-old out of contract this summer. (Daily Mail), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Celtic will begin life without Kyogo Furuhashi, who left for France to finalise a move to Rennes. James Forrest (foot) remains out.

Josh Mulligan is back in the Dundee squad but the game comes too soon for Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee and Joe Shaughnessy despite their return to training.

Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez is waiting for international clearance, while Julien Vetro has been recalled by Burnley. Billy Koumetio (ankle), Antonio Portales, (hamstring), Scott Fraser (groin) and Charlie Reilly remain sidelined.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Oluwaseun Adewumi is ignoring the rave reviews he has been getting off the pitch and is instead focusing on showing his qualities on it.

The Austrian attacking midfielder, who recently extended his loan from Burnley until the end of the season, has been a standout for Dundee in recent weeks and netted in back-to-back draws with Rangers and Celtic.

Adewumi, 19, said: "I know what I have to do and I know what people expect from me, but I just keep it low and don't really concentrate on the media stuff.

"I just try and show my qualities on the pitch, that is the most important.

"I think I have improved a lot throughout this loan deal and when I heard it was extended I just hope the work continues. Things are going really well for me and it is my aim to improve myself."

Adewumi aims to continue his impressive form when Dundee seek an upset in Saturday's trip to face Celtic.

"It was an unbelievable feeling for me, especially scoring against the Old Firm, it was incredible and I'm looking forward for the next game," he added.

"I am very confident in myself right now, especially the run we have got. Every player is in really good shape and I hope I just bring the performances consistently."

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• This will be Celtic and Dundee's second successive league game against one another, after their 3-3 earlier this month. It's the first time the Hoops have faced the same opponent in back-to-back league games since January 2021 v Livingston.

• Dundee remain winless in 45 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L38), although the draw earlier this month was the first time the Dark Blues scored 3+ goals against the Hoops in a match since October 1988 (3-2 win).

• Celtic have won their past seven home league games by an aggregate score of 23-0. They last won more in a row without conceding at Celtic Park in March 2014 (nine).

• Dundee have won their past two away league outings, as many as their previous 17 beforehand (W2 D5 L10).

• After scoring in the 3-3 draw last time out, having also netted two league goals for Dundee earlier this season, Celtic's Luke McCowan is the first player to score both for and against the same side in a Scottish Premiership season since Tony Watt with Dundee United and Motherwell in 2021-22. McCowan is the first to do so for and against Dundee in the competition since Simon Murray in 2017-18.

Dundee chief executive John Nelms says he remains open to a potential ground share with city rivals Dundee United if the club's Camperdown stadium plan gets the green light. (The Courier), external

Dundee United owner Mark Ogren has definitively stated that the Tannadice club have "no appetite" to ground-share with city rivals Dundee at their proposed new Camperdown Park home. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has praised the club's owners for going "over and above" in developing ways to strengthen the squad.

The Dark Blues announced a strategic partnership with Mexican side CF Monterrey in November and have a similar arrangement with English Championship side Burnley.

Current Monterrey midfielder Cesar Garza arrived on loan this month, as did their former midfielder Victor Lopez.

Docherty said "Credit to the club, to John (Nelms) and Tim (Keyes) for looking out further, over and above, looking at partnerships where we can strengthen the team. I think you can see now that we are getting the benefits from that.

"We are also getting benefits from the partnership we have with Burnley in terms of (Oluwaseun) Adewumi's level of performance at the moment, so huge credit to the club for making sure there is no stone unturned in our search to try and develop the team and improve the team."

Despite being ravaged by injury and illness in recent weeks, Dundee travel to play champions Celtic on Saturday in excellent form.

They have lost just one of their past six games, a run which includes back-to-back draws with both the Old Firm and a Scottish Cup victory over neighbours United.

Docherty said: "It is a brand new group, we have been developing as a group, there are young players that are developing.

"And now that we have got incomings, the four are strong signings and the injuries – (Joe) Shaughnessy, (Antonio) Portales, (Ziyad) Larkeche, (Scott) Fraser - they are coming back into the fold at the right time.'

"So as well as the team are doing at the moment, there is a real strengthening of the squad happening and what that gives me is real healthy competition."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to Celtic this weekend.

Here are the main points:

• Docherty says the club are still awaiting international clearance for newly-signed Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez, who has joined on a year-long loan from Liga MX side Queretaro.

• The Dundee boss feels "you can see now we are getting the benefits" from their strategic partnership with Mexican club CF Monterrey, as well as the one with Burnley.

• On further transfer business, Docherty says: "We are still working on things at the moment, both incoming and outgoing."

• Amid continued speculation surrounding Lyall Cameron, who is out of contract in the summer, Docherty will be doing "all I can to make sure he remains a Dundee player for as long as we can".

• But Docherty thinks with the new signings and players coming back from injury "there is a real strengthening of the squad happening".

• He dismisses any notion Celtic will have a European hangover and stresses the importance of concentrating on their own business.

• With just one defeat in six games, Docherty praises his injury-hit squad for going "over and above" and says belief has been boosted by recent results.

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Julien Vetro has been recalled from his season-long loan at Dundee by parent club Burnley.

The French midfielder joined Tony Docherty's side in August and made six appearances during his loan spell.

The 20-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for the Championship club.