Dundee

Dundee are back in the top six after a win over St Johnstone in Perth and could be just 90 minutes away from their best finish since 2015.

Beat Motherwell and Tony Docherty's side will have ended the visitors' already slim hopes of sneaking into the top half as the Premiership prepares to split into two sections of six. And also the even more tenuous chances of Aberdeen, who are also six points behind with a worse goal difference.

Should Hibs suffer a shock loss at home to struggling Saints, Dundee will have achieved a feat few expected in their first season after promotion - and without having to rely on their game in hand.

Dundee are unbeaten in four games at home, but Well have won their latest two on the road, including a fine victory over then leaders Rangers, as they arrive looking to end a four-game run without a win over the Dark Blues.

Not surprisingly, Well manager Stuart Kettlewell insists he is not giving up on the top six while it remains mathematically achievable.

And Theo Bair has been a major reason why it is still possible, with no player having contributed more than his eight goals and two assists since the turn of the year.

Outwith the Old Firm, Well and their hosts are the division's form teams over the last four games, so Dens Park should witness another tight affair - and cup final atmosphere - considering the sides have drawn their two previous meetings this season.

Let's just hope the Dens Park pitch holds up against the rain.

• Read our Premiership picks in full

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Dundee owner Tim Keyes has been speaking to club media , externalas the Dens Park side's first season back in the Premiership nears a close.

Here are the key points:

• Dundee's place in the top six is a "tribute" to Tony Docherty and his squad, especially considering they had three players under contract in the summer.

• Happy with how the club have used the loan market, as well as seeing academy players "stepping up". Names Lyall Cameron, Josh Mulligan and Finlay Robertson as success stories from the "bare cupboard" of youth prospects when Keys first got involved at the club.

• Says it's "hard to fight mother nature" in relation to the pitch issues at Dens Park. They've brought in consultants and the postponements haven't been "through lack of effort".

• These problems emphasise the need for a new stadium, which Keys says he's very excited about and all the relevant authorities seem "on board". Hopes for the city's approval in August.

• The plans will give Dundee another "crown jewel" and will add to the "overall betterment of the city".

• Understands the "natural attachment" to Dens Park, but believes the "majority" of fans want to "move forward" in a new stadium.

• Strategic partnership with Burnley has been "fantastic". The loan players have been a "huge help" and Dundee staff are learning from the Premier League club's "systems".

Dundee have borrowed pitch covers from Celtic in a bid to keep the rain off the Dens Park pitch, with the wet weather expected to worsen before Saturday's home fixture against Motherwell. (Scotsman), external

If Dens Park fails a Saturday inspection, an effort would be made to play on Sunday and if that is not possible the fall-back plan would be neutral Airdrie on Monday afternoon behind closed doors. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Dundee say the Dens Park pitch is "playable" ahead of the visit of Motherwell on Saturday, but have scheduled a "precautionary" pitch inspection on the morning of the game.

The club put out a statement earlier on Thursday playing down media reports that the fixture could be moved to an alternative venue.

According to Dundee, a category one referee inspected the surface and deemed it fit for purpose as things stands.

With more rainfall forecasted, covers have been put in place and the pitch will be inspected again to ensure it remains in a similar condition.

A club statement read: "Ahead of Saturday’s cinch Premiership fixture against Motherwell at The Scot Foam Stadium, Dundee Football Club can confirm that the pitch is playable.

"A category one referee inspected the pitch on Thursday afternoon and stated the pitch was playable at the time of inspection. This is the result of the hard work put in from the club staff and a range of contractors.

"The club are aware that there is further rain forecast for tomorrow and Saturday morning and therefore the full pitch has been covered with rain covers for that period.

"Due to the weather forecast a precautionary pitch inspection has been scheduled for Saturday morning to ensure the pitch is in the same condition as it currently is."

Motherwell say they expect a further pitch inspection depending on the weather and they will update supporters wherever possible.

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Dundee have surprised many by consistently being in and around the top six for the majority of their first season back in the Premiership.

With three games to go until the split, Tony Docherty's side can cement their place in the top half this weekend.

They'd be guaranteed top-six football if they beat Motherwell at home AND Hibs lose to St Johnstone at Easter Road.

Both outcomes would need to go Dundee's way for their place to be guaranteed this weekend. Otherwise, the wait to secure their spot and keep their European dreams alive will roll on.

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• Dundee have won just one of their last 13 Scottish Premiership meetings with Motherwell, a 3-0 home win in November 2021 (D4 L8). Each of the last three matchups between the pair in the top-flight have ended level, after only three of the previous 21 were drawn beforehand.

• Motherwell have won four of their last six away games against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership, but have failed to pick up three points in both of their last two league trips to Dens Park (D1 L1).

• Dundee have won three of their last four home Scottish Premiership games (D1), their most wins across a four-game stretch at Dens Park in the top-flight since February 2017 (also three wins in four).

• Motherwell have won both of their last two away league games (3-1 v Livingston, 2-1 v Rangers) and could win three in a row on the road for the first time since a run of four victories ending in January 2020.

• No player has scored (eight) or been directly involved in (10 – eight goals, two assists) more Scottish Premiership goals in 2024 than Motherwell’s Theo Bair.

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Luke McCowan says the next three games are "massive" for Dundee and insists they are taking nothing for granted despite their positive league position.

Tony Docherty's side face Motherwell, Rangers and then Aberdeen in the next nine days before the split, and currently sit sixth in the table with a game in hand on the teams around them.

"I think [Dundee's league position] shows you should never judge a book by its cover," McCowan said.

"Everybody wrote us off at the start of the year and said a team coming up was going to go straight back down.

"I experienced it with Dundee, going up and down, and it wasn't nice. So I think the main message was that we stay up and I feel like we've really achieved something good so far but we know it's not finished and we want to keep going.

"Nothing is assured, it is really positive to be talking about top six when at the start of the season your main objective is to stay up.

"We've got three games which are massive for us and we're ready for all three."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty says his side are "buoyed" by their recent good form, as they prepare to take on Motherwell at Dens Park on Saturday.

The Dark Blues sit sixth in the Premiership, one point ahead of Hibs in seventh having played a game fewer.

With just three games until the split, Docherty says his side are in a "brilliant place".

“We are confident," Docherty said. "We have had a good March. It took an injury-time equaliser for Kilmarnock to stop us getting three wins in March.

“But to take seven out of nine against that level of opposition, we have to be buoyed by that and I am really pleased with the level of consistency from the players in that period.

“The boys are in a brilliant place just now and they are such a brilliant group to work with, any challenge put ahead of them they put their all into it and they are getting their rewards.

“I would say we are in a really good place, we are very confident but we are not complacent or getting ahead of ourselves.

“The next game is the most important game which is Motherwell on Saturday and we have prepared for that and look forward to the game.

“We have had two draws against them, they are a good side.

“We are under no illusions as to how difficult a game it is going to be but as I said, we are in a good place and we take that into Saturday’s game.”

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership clash against Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Young Dundee fan Levi Rennie, who was struck by a flare during last weekend's game at McDiarmid Park, spent the day with the club; Docherty condemned the use of pyrotechnics. "I don’t think there’s a place for it. They don’t belong in stadiums."

• Praised the levels of consistency Dundee have shown recently, and says his players are "a brilliant group to work with".

• Thinks they found a different way to win against St Johnstone. “We really worked hard and showed a togetherness to get over the line”.

• Won’t sit and reflect on the season until it’s finished, but made a point of praising the Dens Park crowd and how the home fans lift the players.

• Says they have to be at their “absolute best” to beat Motherwell, having had two tough games against them already this season.

• Team news: Curtis Main is getting closer as is Josh Mulligan. There are no new injury worries.

Dundee moved into the top six with a win against St Johnstone last time out, so should Tony Docherty name the same team against Motherwell?

Tell us your preferred starting XI here.

Daniel Smith
Fan writer

So Dundee's top-six hopes are in their own hands after returning to domestic football with a fine 2-1 victory at St Johnstone.

It wasn't the most pleasing game to watch, but Dundee showed why they are the better team by grinding out the win with a sturdy performance from John McCracken in goal to match-winner Amadou Bakayoko up top.

Normally, Dundee have a wee habit of coming into these games and shooting ourselves in the foot, but this season - and especially on Saturday - we were able to stop any tomfoolery to make it 10 wins in the top flight.

With three games remaining, the Dee have a one-point advantage in sixth and could still challenge for a European place - even though that might be a step too far.

But enough about what might happen, let's look at something that did happen - Lyall Cameron's glorious 46 yard goal.

I've said many a time this boy is special. He's a talent, a special talent. Dundee are a far better team with him in it despite his young age, but Saturday only confirms what I and most Dundee fans know - this boy will go far in the game.

I'm just hopeful we can get a few more years of him in a Dundee top before that happens.

You can find Daniel Smith on the Up Wi' the Bonnets podcast., external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty is poised for a sit-down with chairman Tim Keyes with next season's recruitment on the agenda. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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We asked for your thoughts after Dundee moved into the top six of the league with a 2-1 win over St Johnstone.

Here's a taste of what you had to say on the Tayside derby:

Mark: Three points in the bag, up the road and back in the top six. Not the best performance of the season but wins are all that matter at this stage. A word for Mo Sylla and Lyall Cameron, outstanding performances from both of them.

Anon: Great result away from home and glimmer of hope that a top six might yet happen. Strong mentality finding a winning goal, great management from Tony Docherty and tremendous effort from the players.

Vicar: Started the game well then slowly fell out of it. In the end I think we were lucky to get the three points. Roll on the new season to get new blood in and the dross out.

Brian: Dundee had to work hard today, but the team’s resilience has been evident throughout the season.

Lyall Cameron says it was "critical" Dundee picked up the win over St Johnstone, even if the performance wasn't pretty.

The 21-year-old opened the scoring after just six minutes as Dundee went on to win 2-1 at McDiarmid Park.

"It wasn't a pretty game of football," Cameron said. "We knew coming here that it wasn't going to be an easy game and we had to just get the three points, that's what we did in the end. It was just an amazing feeling to get that goal late on.

"When we play football we're a good footballing team but it didn't really go well for us on Saturday.

"I didn't think it was a good performance at all and I think everybody in the club recognised that but at the end of the day it is three points and at this stage in the season that is critical.

"I think it shows great character, from staff to players we are all just desperate for the three points and we did that, now we just move onto the next one.

"At the start of the season the aim was just to stay up, it would be a big achievement for the club and the players if we get into the top six but we just take every game as it comes and see how it goes.

"I was happy with my goal, I think there is a lot more to come from me, I could give a lot more on the ball but it wasn't one of those games - it was just win the game and get up the road."

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Were you at McDiarmid Park or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty

"My thoughts on the game is that I am delighted at the mentality of my team to go and win a game in a really difficult venue against a good side.

"We have been criticised this season, we have been constantly working on how to win, turning draws into win, and we saw that today. You saw a real team performance, a real disciplined and clinical performance.

"I am more delighted at the fact that it shows we're improving throughout the season.

"To get 10 wins with eight games to go is testament to the players. Credit to St Johnstone, they made a tactical change in the first half that we struggled to deal with. We then made a change tactically [in the second half] and the players adapted really well.

"It was a poor, poor game and there was one moment of quality in it and that was Lyall Cameron's finish.

"That's a game we might not have won. I thought St Johnstone were probably the better team but we came away with the win.

"We will keep our feet on the ground as a squad. We have still got a bit to go, we still keep making sure we are safe and once we mathematically achieve that objective we will look to the next one."

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