Dundee

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

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Dundee could hand a debut to new left-back Imari Samuels, while Lyall Cameron and Finlay Robertson have a chance of returning from injury, but Billy Koumetio (ankle), Antonio Portales, Jordan McGhee, Ziyad Larkeche (all hamstring), Joe Shaughnessy (knee) and Scott Fraser (groin) are all set to remain sidelined.

Celtic have Nicolas Kuhn and Luis Palma back in their squad and will give Daizen Maeda every chance of shaking off a strain. James Forrest remains on the sidelines with a foot injury.

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Tony Docherty insists Dundee will need to replicate the performance level put in against Rangers last week if they are to take points off league leaders Celtic, too.

The Dundee manager praised his squad for going "over and above for their team-mates" in the 1-1 draw with Rangers and is urging them to do the same on Tuesday night.

"I wouldn't set the team up if I didn't [think we could get a result]," said Docherty.

"We know we are playing a really strong Celtic team, last week we played a really strong Rangers team.

"We asked the squad to go over and above for their team-mates, and I think you saw that in the performance we put in.

"It's going to need that type of performance again.

"Against Celtic there's so much that we're going to have to do right. Out of possession we need to be really defensively organised, but we need to make sure that particularly at home that we carry that goal threat.

"I thought we got that right against Rangers and it will be challenging but we need to endeavour to do the same thing against Celtic."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been talking to the media before his side host Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday.

Here are the main points:

• Docherty is pleased with the arrival of Imari Samuels who is a "really talented and technical player" and gives his side "real competition" for places.

• The Dundee boss also revealed Mexican winger Victor Lopez is close to joining from Monterrey on loan, following Cesar Garza in making the move to Dens.

• Insists the squad went "over and above for their teammates" in the 1-1 draw with Rangers last week and he wants them to "endeavour to do the same" against Celtic.

• On being eighth in the league table, Docherty adds he's not putting much focus on positions because it is "so tight."

• But stresses if Dundee can "maintain the consistency" they're beginning to show then they're "in top-six form."

• Docherty confirmed there are no new injuries and they will be giving Lyall Cameron and Finlay Robertson "every chance" of getting back in the squad for Tuesday night.

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Oluwaseun Adewumi has had his loan stay with Dundee from English Championship side Burnley extended to the end of the season.

The 19-year-old Austria Under-21 attacking midfielder has impressed since arriving from the Clarets on an initial deal until January, scoring three goals in 15 games.

Manager Tony Docherty hoped the club's partnership with Burnley would help smooth the way for an extension of the youngster's stay, and his wishes have been granted.

Earlier today, though, Leicester City recalled Sammy Braybrooke from his season-long loan prematurely.

The 20-year-old initially excited, but has struggled for game time after a bright start, making just eight appearances.

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"Energetic" Imari Samuels has joined Dundee on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Premier League side, Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 21-year-old left-back came through the ranks at Reading, before joining the Seagulls in 2022 and spent the end of last season on loan at Fleetwood Town.

The former England youth international, who made two appearances at the under-20 World Cup in 2023, arrives at Dens Park following "positive talks" with manager Tony Docherty.

In recent games, Dundee have had as many as 10 players out to injury, but Samuels arrives "ready to go and ready to kick on".

"It feels great to get this opportunity and I'm ready to kick on," Samuels, who made one senior appearance in a League Cup tie for Brighton, told club media.

"I spoke with the manager on Tuesday and it was a really positive talk and from there, I knew it was the right choice for me to come here.

"I'm an energetic player who likes to get up and down the pitch and I will fight for every ball.

"I'm ready to go and I can't wait to play in front of the Dundee fans."

Dundee are in talks with Monterrey over a loan deal for 21-year-old winger Victor Lopez, who could be recalled from his current loan to Mexican rivals Queretaro. (Daily Record)

Aaron Donnelly says he is returning to Dundee a better player after spending the first half of the season at Colchester United. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 1-1 draw at home to Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Jefcal: A point from any game against one of the Old Firm teams is good. We did okay and looked better in defence than before Christmas. Rangers taking flak but there were two teams on that park. Penalty claims and offside looked marginal.

Rod: Defence looks better these past few games. Great to get Aaron Donnelly back and our new Mexican midfielder looks like a Rottweiler when defending. Hope Clark Robertson is fit now as he looks good too and it gives us a bit of time to get other players back fit. Rangers had injuries apparently but their extra budget of millions couldn't help this time.

John: I thought Dundee played really well with so many injured first-team players. Donnelly's return was superb and I can't fault a single Dundee player. The Rangers goal should not have stood as there was a clear foul on Simon Murray that should have been a Dundee penalty.

David: I'd take Mo Sylla at Dens for the rest of his career over a new stadium, give him whatever he wants.

Ronnie: Great point although could have taken all three. The defence looked settled, Robertson and Donnelly were solid. Oluwaseun Adewumi waa outstanding, brilliant to have him until end of the season. Night and day in two weeks from the County debacle, don't realistically expect anything against Celtic but cup game revenge v B team is definitely on.

Gary: A great display again by the Dee. Rangers had most of the ball but were limited by themselves and more importantly the good play by Dundee. Well contained and hard working, on a different day the offside is on but I think it showed how competitive the Dee can be on the counter or with their own build-up. Sevens and eights throughout the team.

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• Rangers had an xG (expected goals) of 0.73 - their lowest in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Dundee attempted 12 shots in this match, higher than their season average of 10.7 in the Premiership.

• Vaclav Cerny has created 48 chances this season, more than any other player in the Premiership.

• Josh Mulligan has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), no Dundee player has more.

• Cerny has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Rangers player.

• Dundee have lost 15 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (16) have lost more.

Rangers' away woes in the Scottish Premiership continued as they were held by Dundee to extend their winless run on the road to four matches.

The hosts took an early lead when Oluwaseun Adewumi smartly turned in Josh Mulligan's cross after Rangers were left scrambling at the back.

Vaclav Cerny levelled after a quick counter as the visitors managed to respond before the break.

But the Rangers onslaught which might have been expected never materialised, and Dundee arguably looked the more likely to find a winning goal on the break.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "That was such a strong team performance, taking into consideration we have 10 players out.

"I am a bit disappointed. Against the ball we were fantastic and we carried a real goal threat.

"I'm really disappointed with the goal, I need to see it back but I think it was a penalty. It was such a clumsy challenge from their defender and Simon Murray goes down. We don't react to that second phase though.

"We had a great move to get the offside goal and I thought we were actually going to win at the death.

"I'm really proud of the players, I'm tinged with a bit of disappointment but of course, I'm happy with a point against Rangers, I need to be pleased with it."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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There were a lot of fantastic performances for Dundee, but Adewumi was the best player on the pitch.

His goal was a deceptively difficult one to convert as it sat up off the turf, but the Burnley loanee made it look simple with a swipe of his right boot.

He was in the right place at the right time to tap home another, which might have won it but for Murray being a bit too keen to run on to Josh Mulligan's pass.

Adewumi also had another fierce shot saved by Liam Kelly, and right at the end he was back in his own box shielding the ball out of play to get the result over the line.

Mulligan's running power was so effective on the break for Dundee as well, and he reacted quickest in the box to pounce on Scott Tiffoney's deflected strike and cross for Adewumi's goal.

With 10 players out injured - including star man Lyall Cameron - this was an impressive result and performance from Tony Docherty's side.

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• Dundee have lost 13 of their last 15 meetings with Rangers in all competitions (D2) since a 2-1 victory in November 2017 under Neil McCann.

• Rangers have conceded just one goal in total in their last five visits to Dundee in all competitions (W4 D1), although drew 0-0 in their last such visit in April last season.

• Dundee have lost five of their last eight home league games (W3), including both of their last two in a row.

• Rangers have lost each of their last three top-flight away games played on a Thursday, with their last such win coming in November 1996 at Celtic (1-0).

• Since the start of last season, Dundee have won just two of their 14 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D3 L9), beating Aberdeen in March 2024 (1-0) and Motherwell in December 2024 (4-1).

Dundee are not finished in the transfer market after recruiting defender Aaron Donnelly, 21. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty says Aaron Donnelly possesses every quality he wants in a player after bringing the defender to Dens Park on a permanent basis.

Donnelly, 21, made 21 appearances for Dundee on loan last season as they secured a top-six Scottish Premiership finish, and has now penned a three-and-a-half year deal after signing from Nottingham Forest.

The defender received a senior international call-up during that spell, before making his Northern Ireland debut over the summer, and Docherty is excited by his potential.

"Absolutely delighted to get Aaron in," Docherty said. "As you know, we tried to get him in the summer, but we couldn't agree things with Nottingham Forest.

"Along with Owen Beck and Malachi Boateng, he played a really big part last year in our success.

"We're getting a really talented young footballer. In his time here, we developed him to a level that he made his international debut for Northern Ireland, which is no mean feat for a kid.

"He shows real qualities, real strength, mentality, personality. He's everything I want to bring to the football club. He's got huge potential and I'm just really looking forward to developing that."

Docherty says Donnelly's desire to return to Dens Park highlights the impressive work done by Dundee's coaching staff with younger players.

"He's in the right environment and it's really exciting for me," Docherty added. "I've been pushing it for a while to get him in the building and I'm pleased he trained with the boys today.

"When you bring in a talented young player from Nottingham Forest on loan, and he plays, we're successful as a team, he gets an international call-up, and then he wants to come back to that environment, then that does tell you loads about the work that goes on here."