Dundee

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Docherty is delighted to get Aaron Donnolly back to the club on a permanent deal having failed to agree terms with Nottingham Forest in the summer. Believes they have a young player with a big future - "He's everything I want to bring to the football club".

• Says some players at the weekend were "running on empty" amid a "really challenging" run of fixtures.

• The following players are out with injury - Scott Fraser, Ziyad Larkeche, Joe Shaughnessy, Antonio Portales, Jordan McGhee, Billy Koumetio, Finlay Robertson and Charlie Reilly. "It's almost a team," Docherty said of his absentees. "A good team that, I tell you."

• He is relying on players' "personality and mentality" to get through games at the moment, and revealed he has adjusted how he works on the training ground.

• To beat Rangers will take a strong mentality and "really sound defensive organisation". Praised Philippe Clement as a manager and the "really talented" squad the Belgian has at his disposal.

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Dundee have signed defender Aaron Donnelly from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Dundee, making 21 appearances following his debut in October 2023 at Livingston.

Donnelly has been on loan at Colchester United this season, playing 22 times for the English League Two club.

He made his Northern Ireland debut in November last year when he came on as a substitute against Andorra.

"I am absolutely delighted to be back at the club," the centre-back told Dundee's website.

"As soon as I knew there was interest, it was a no-brainer to come back. My time here was excellent last season, really successful and I hope to pick up where I left off.

"There was a real connection with the fans and the players and I'm looking to repay them for the great support. I can't wait to get back out in front of them.

"I am really looking forward to seeing the fans again at Dens Park on Thursday night [against Rangers] and make sure to bring the noise."

Dundee are closing in on a deal for Nottingham Forest centre-back Aaron Donnelly, who was on loan at Dens Park last season. (Daily Record)

Luke Graham says Dundee are reaping the benefits of his loan spells as he is now a "more mature and definitely more confident" player. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Losing to your city rivals is always a sore one. We had a lot of built-up frustrations and it was taken out on St Johnstone.

First, though, a few derby grumbles to get off my chest. Dundee were the only team in the contest for the first half and when Simon Murray opened the scoring with half an hour left, I thought we would see it through.

But the result was completely on brand as we threw away the lead and found a way to lose the game. Once again we were our own worst enemy.

I felt Tony Docherty had to make changes in the last 15-20 minutes to secure a result but he didn't act until injury time.

The only silver lining from that result is we will get a second crack of the whip when we host United again in the Scottish Cup. Winning the cup tie is the only way to make up for that collapse.

The fans were looking for a big response against St Johnstone and the Dees delivered - we were 3-0 up before 25 minutes and it could have been five by half-time!

We displayed the spirit shown last season in responding to adversity and in the second half the instructions were to sit back and defend the lead.

We were unlucky not to keep a clean sheet but I am delighted the team held out and got the practice of defending on the back foot for a large spell as that's how we will set up in our next three league games against Rangers and Celtic (twice).

Luke Graham in particular felt like a breath of fresh air, the youngster provided a level of maturity that has been lacking from Dark Blue defenders all season. He is one to keep an eye on.

Next up is Rangers, who have taken just two points from their last three matches on the road. Dundee in recent years have given them a good run for their money at Dens Park.

My main worry is that our squad are a bit depleted as a handful of injuries left us unable to fill our bench on Sunday.

The teams we want to compete with have all taken points off Rangers this season and there is no reason we can't secure a result, but it will take great grit, tenacity and spirit.

Dundee fans, we asked what business you'd like to see your side do in the January window.

Here's what some of you said:

Flynn: I think we need to strengthen the depth in defence. We only have one traditional left-back, who is currently injured, and we need to get at least another central defender in because of our injuries. We've had Luke Graham return on loan, which is a positive, and hopefully we can extend Oluwaseun Adewumi's loan deal.

Gary: I think this window has to be all about cover. In midfield we're generally stocked, but defence could definitely do with a lift and other options up front never go amiss. As long as we keep hold of our next most bankable asset (Lyall Cameron) then anything else is a bonus when pickings are usually slim.

Darren: Defenders, defenders, defenders and defenders.

Ross: We need another left-back for the present and to cover when Ziyad Larkeche comes back. We could do with a bona fide right-back too and maybe another centre-back. I'd love to see an attacking midfielder or a right winger as we need someone to reliably supply Simon Murray and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

Danny: I expect any new signings this window to be loans. What we need is a solid, dependable centre-back, a creative midfield player and another striker. Apart from those we need the rest of the squad to dig in, because we are definitely in a relegation battle.

Kevin: Hopefully a new striker and two centre-halves.

Luke Graham: Excellent team performance overall from Dundee as they reacted superbly from their defeat to Dundee United. And 20-year-old Graham was strong and solid throughout.

Lyall Cameron: Dundee were superb in the first half. Cameron was always probing and prompting, full of energy and brimming with invention. Took his goal well.

Dundee fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's victory over St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Jimmy: What a performance, well done guys. Let's carry that forward and take some points from the next couple of games.

Ronnie: Great to see forwards get in on the goals and Simon Murray on a decent run. The league is so tight, lots of teams winning one week, losing the next and mid-table is hard to predict so it's vital that Dundee pick up points especially with players missing. If we can sort injuries and add one or two signings then play-off chat should hopefully be dismissed and our top six focus back.

Rod: Good victory but we have a tough run of fixtures now. Still would like a clean sheet or two in upcoming games. Hopefully we get some support for the defence in the transfer window. Beating Dundee United in the Scottish Cup would be sweet.

Mark: I was quick to criticize Tony Docherty after midweek, so credit where credit's due. A good way to bounce back but a clean sheet would have been better against an awful St Johnstone.

Gary: A great example of how frustrating it is to be a Dee. Didn't take the chances created in the derby and poor managerial indecision cost us the game. On Sunday it was much better, scored when they created chances and defensive changes made in the second half helped to secure those much needed points.

David: Fantastic result with a squad that possesses the depth of a puddle. Yes, it's three points against rock bottom of the league, however it's the biggest three points of the season, it keeps us afloat heading into a difficult January.

The Sportscene team analyse Dundee's opening goal in their 3-1 win at St Johnstone.

Available to UK users only

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

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From "heartbreak" to the stuff of dreams, it's been a rollercoaster start to the year for Dundee and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

The forward bundled in the Dark Blues' second after 10 minutes in their 3-1 win over St Johnstone on Sunday and he is "happy to get that monkey off the back".

Palmer-Houlden was at the heart of the devastating first-half show from Tony Docherty's side as they left Saints in a spin inside 23 minutes.

The positive performance in Perth came after the "heartbreaking" derby defeat to Dundee United and proved once more Dundee's brilliant bounce-back-ability.

"It was heartbreaking for us," the 21-year-old told BBC Scotland. "I thought we were better in the midweek, but these things happen.

"And, we came back today, like we have done all season. I think when we have a bad result we bounce back really well as a group."

It was a hungry and sharp group in the opening 45, which allowed Docherty's depleted Dark Blues to sit back and rest up a little after the break knowing the job was done.

"We set off to get after them very early doors and once we went 3-0 up, it was just about nullifying their pressure," Palmer-Houlden added.

"It was just about causing them problems. Across the frontline we're all really mobile and we create chances."

That's something they will need to continue to do if their aim of finishing in the top six again is to be achieved.

And there's an added incentive this season, too.

"We want to be getting top six, that's our biggest goal," the striker said.

"We did it last year and that's our aim again, especially when our neighbours are doing so well, you want to just keep battling away and get as high up the table as possible."

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• Simon Murray has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee player.

• Murray has scored in his last three games in the Premiership (four goals in total).

• Murray scored after just two minutes and three seconds, the fastest goal for Dundee in the Premiership this season.

• Adama Sidibeh attempted eight shots in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.

• Jack Sanders attempted 102 passes in this game, the highest total for a St Johnstone player in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee have scored in each of their last three games in the Premiership, scoring six goals in that run.

• St Johnstone have attempted 26 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• St Johnstone have failed to win in their last eight games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 5 August 2023 to 28 October 2023, a run of nine games.

Dundee's stunning opening secures them victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I'm full of admiration for my players, that was challenging after [the derby defeat].

"Against the ball you need to be organised against St Johnstone but carry that threat forward. The third goal typified the way I wanted my team to play.

"You saw the speed of our attack, speed of our running... it was just outstanding. It was a real, real good display of professionalism."

Were you at McDiarmid Park or watching elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

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Tony Docherty had no doubt his side would react to their derby disappointment. He was absolutely right.

In a devastating first half, they were sharper, hungrier and just simply better than St Johnstone.

Every time they nicked the ball or advanced forward, the scent of a goal was strong.

Lyall Cameron and Seb Palmer-Houlden often toyed with the timid home defence, and if there was a little more accuracy, it could have been many more.

In the second half, they completely sat back and protected their well-deserved lead.

For a squad short on bodies, an uneventful second 45 will have suited them nicely.

With Rangers and Celtic to come, these were three vital points for Dundee who remain able to look up, rather than down for now.

Crystal Palace midfielder Jadan Raymond is a target for Dundee and Colchester United in this month's transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Defender Sean Kelly is expected to move abroad after leaving Dundee. (Courier - subscription), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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St Johnstone will be without midfielder Jason Holt through suspension, but striker Makenzie Kirk hopes to return following a minor niggle.

Barry Douglas, Uche Ikpeazu, Sam McClelland and Cammy MacPherson are set to remain sidelined, while centre-half Kyle Cameron has had his loan deal from Notts County cut short.

Dundee are missing defenders Billy Koumetio, Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee Antonio Portales and Joe Shaughnessy, while midfielder Scott Fraser is also still out.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Week after week, the burden of pressure seems to be passed from manager to manager in the cut throat Scottish Premiership.

This week, you could have your choice of three, with Aberdeen's form having fallen off a cliff since their opening 13-game winning streak, and 16 unbeaten, under Jimmy Thelin - they are now without a win in nine, losing their past four, as they visit Motherwell.

Fellow newcomer Simo Valakari has watched his St Johnstone side drop to the bottom of the table after seven games of their own without a win.

Meanwhile, Sunday's hosts, Dundee, looked to have turned their corner with last Sunday's 2-1 win away to St Mirren only to be brought back down to earth with their fourth defeat in five outings.

That it came in a home Dundee derby after which United moved up to third place was all the more painful for some of the Dark Blues' support to stomach and manager Tony Docherty has been facing a fair amount of fan flak over his tactics.

From being top-six contenders, Dundee are now five points behind Motherwell, only two above Hearts in the relegation play-off place and a defeat in Perth would leave only four points between themselves and Saints.

The result against hosts who can little afford to allow another potential relegation candidate increase that gap could decide which end of the table Dundee will be battling for the rest of the season.

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• Both sides have scored in each of their last five league meetings between St Johnstone (seven goals) and Dundee (eight). Before this, only one of the two sides' previous seven such clashes had seen both teams find the net.

• After their 2-1 win in March 2024, Dundee could earn back-to-back top-flight away victories over St Johnstone for the first time since April 2002 (three in a row).

• St Johnstone are without a win in seven league games (D2 L5) since beating Kilmarnock 1-0 in November.

• After beating St Mirren 2-1 last month, Dundee could enjoy back-to-back away wins in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since December 2017/January 2018 – one of which was at St. Johnstone (2-0).

• Only Hibernian (16) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season than both St Johnstone (15) and Dundee (13).

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty aims to sign defensive reinforcements this month after having to throw players in at the deep end in Thursday's derby defeat.

With Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio joining Antonio Portales and long-term absentee Joe Shaughnessy on the sidelines in the festive period, Docherty is short of centre-backs.

Clark Robertson was rushed back from injury to face Dundee United along with Luke Graham, who was recalled from a season-long loan spell at Falkirk, and Ryan Astley in a back three.

Docherty, whose side travel to face St Johnstone on Sunday, said: "Clark Robertson trained for one day, so in normal circumstances he wouldn't have played in that match, but because of the boy he is, and because of the situation we're in, I had to play him.

"I think you may have seen that was a contributing factor in the last goal. He's looking over at the bench and he's struggling at that stage of the game.

"Big Luke, he's 20 years old, he's done fantastically out on loan, but it's that area of the pitch, with experienced defenders, it's cost us this season, absolutely, to have the amount of injuries that we've got.

"When the dust settles, you need to give the players credit, particularly Clark, for coming through that, but certainly we're suffering from the amount of injuries we've picked up, and the position in the team that the injuries fall."

Docherty confirmed Koumetio would be out for a "length" of time following a scan on an ankle injury and added of his missing defenders: "Obviously they're the big players for me, so we'll look at that as a group and see what we can do to try and make things right.

"But it doesn't take away from the fact we should win that game, we should absolutely win that game, and the overriding feeling for myself is one of real frustration and a bit of anger."

We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 derby defeat at home to Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Ian: Embarrassing manager comments. Yes, we played well first half but without any cutting edge. Fortuitous penalty and bad luck with the equaliser but never threatened United's goal in the second half. Lack of early enough substitutes, it wasn't working, change it earlier as Jim Goodwin did. Over the 90 minutes we didn't deserve even a draw.

Danny: This was a game we should never have lost. Once again the manager has failed to react to what is happening on the pitch. His lack of game management and poor tactical awareness has cost us.

Mark: Shambles. Two defensive mistakes cost us yet again. Tony Docherty is to blame. Didn't make a sub until the 90th minute.

Dudley: Yet another manager who has out thought/coached Docherty, losing late goals is his speciality. We're obliviously clueless at the back, we're still not learning. Sorry Tony, but you're losing the Dundee support. Your shocking summer transfer window will be our downfall. Still, putting on very late subs and sadly you're taking us down.

Brian: Really should have had the game won in the first half, totally controlled it. Second half we fell away a bit and didn't deserve to lose. Some refereeing advantage decisions went against us when breaking away. Totally disappointed because we put up a good game.

Steven: Tough to take, once again Docherty's decisions probably cost the points. No subs when clearly required, befuddled to say the least.

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• Samuel Dalby has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other player.

• Dundee have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against St Johnstone (3 games without defeat).

• Dundee United have won their last 3 games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 9 April 2023 to 22 April 2023.

• Dundee have lost 13 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only St Johnstone (15) and Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• Dundee United have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

• Dundee United have scored in 17 of their 20 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.