Dundee

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Dundee have signed "really talented" French midfielder Julien Vetro on a season-long loan from Burnley.

The 20-year-old joined the English Championship side from Bordeaux this summer, having made 15 appearances in Ligue 2 last season.

Manager Tony Docherty said: "He is another really talented France Under-20 international.

"He's a left-sided attacking wide player, can play anywhere off the front, and is another really exciting young player that hopefully the Dens Park fans will enjoy watching."

Vetro added: "I am very happy to be here at Dundee and I can’t wait to meet the fans and hopefully we can have good times together.

"I want to contribute this season and help the team do well with goals and assists."

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• Dundee have lost five of their last six league games against St Mirren, with the exception seeing them run out 4-0 winners in November 2023.

• St Mirren have lost just one of their last seven top-flight away games against Dundee (W4 D2), winning 3-1 in their most recent meeting in May last season.

• Dundee and St Mirren are the top two sides for highest scoring matches in the Scottish Premiership so far this season. The Dark Blues' games have featured 12 goals (7 for, 5 against) while the Buddies’ have had 10 (4 for, 6 against) in the opening three matchdays.

• Dundee remain unbeaten in the league this season (P3 W1 D2 L0). In the 21st century, only in 2014-15 have they enjoyed a longer unbeaten start to a top-flight campaign (first 6 games).

• St Mirren have lost seven of their last 10 Premiership games (W2 D1), including their last two in a row – this is the most defeats of any side in the competition since the beginning of April.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tony Docherty insists the departure of any key players won't "derail" Dundee.

As Friday night's transfer deadline looms, Dens captain Luke McCowan continues to the subject of intense speculation, with Hibs and Celtic both linked to the midfielder.

Manager Docherty said: "There are moving parts in transfer windows, I can’t say I am confident in anything, a lot of things will happen between now and Friday evening.

"But as manager I just need to make sure we remain focused on what is the most important thing, and that is a match on Saturday.

"Once that window shuts you need to make sure you balance outs and ins and I think we have shown by bringing in young Sammy [Braybrooke] that we are bringing in that real quality to supplement the quality that is here.’

"If the window shuts and we keep what we have got I will be absolutely delighted. But if we don’t, it won’t derail us in any way in terms of what our objectives are and what we are looking to do this season."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media prior to the visit of St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• Docherty is "absolutely delighted" to bring in Sammy Braybrooke on loan from Leicester City, admitting "we didn’t think we would get him" but points out that the player saw the move as a good pathway for him.

• When asked if there would be any more new signings, he said "we are always working behind the scenes".

• Docherty said if the squad remains as it is after the window shuts on Friday night he will be delighted, but if it doesn't "it won’t derail us in any way".

• He says there is nothing to report in terms of bids for any of his key players, and on shutting out the ongoing speculation he said "my focus as manager has to be the game on Saturday".

• Docherty spoke of trying to continue Dundee's unbeaten start to the season but knows St Mirren will be tough, adding: "We are doing okay at the moment but I think we can do better".

• Team news: Josh Mulligan returns to the squad from injury.

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Sammy Braybrooke says he picked Dundee because of the "ambition" of the club after sealing a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Leicester.

The 20-year-old midfielder adds that he is "really attracted" by "the project" at the Dens Park club.

Tony Docherty's side have started the season in impressive form after securing a top-six finish last term.

"It feels amazing to sign for Dundee, it's somewhere I can start my career, it's a great club with a lot of ambition," said Braybrooke.

"I found out Dundee were interested in the middle of the window and I had a few other clubs interested, but ultimately I chose Dundee because of the ambition of the club.

"I saw how the club did last season and they want to build on that, I had a number of conversations with the manager and he just really filled me with confidence."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

This is a big few days for Dundee – not in terms of points, but players.

Their fans will be nervously waiting for the transfer window to shut on Friday night, and will be hoping the club emerge from it with their key players still at Dens Park.

Luke McCowan has been at the centre of a summer of feverish speculation about his future, which is unsurprising given what a big player he has become for Dundee.

His fellow midfielder Lyall Cameron has been just as important – and without doubt there will be other clubs taking a look at him too.

Money talks in this business – and if the Dundee powerbrokers get an offer they can’t refuse then things could change.

However, those in charge at Dens Park would need to balance the financial side of things against the football one.

Tony Docherty has assembled a very strong squad and the early signs are it is one set to challenge again at the right end of the Premiership.

They came within a whisker of getting into Europe last term – and if they can keep everyone together for the remainder of the campaign, they will have a great chance of getting on to the continental stage.

And getting into the European competitions is something that could generate a fair wedge of cash for the club.

So from a Dark Blues fans' point of view, no news could be good news over the next few days.

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Dundee have added Leicester City midfielder Sammy Braybrooke on loan for the season.

The 20-year-old England youth international has been "one of the star performers" in the Leicester academy in recent years, according to the Premier League club.

Braybrooke signed a new long-term deal with the Foxes last year, having made his first-team debut in an EFL Cup tie in November 2022.

He is Dundee's eighth new signing this summer as Tony Docherty looks to build on last season's sixth-place Premiership finish.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Win your home games, don’t lose your away games – it’s a fine mantra to have.

Dundee’s unbeaten run continues and while I am a little disappointed we didn’t walk away from Easter Road with the three points, I am delighted with the performance.

The team showed great character, there was a very strong desire to win the game. At 2-1 down it would be easy for some teams to fold, but Dundee not only fought for a late equaliser but almost sneaked in a winner in at the death.

Scott Tiffoney is in sparkling form, he has always possessed fabulous technical ability but now he is looking like a real sharp-shooter in front of goal.

Luke McCowan has the spotlight with the media at the moment, it may not be too long before we can say the same about Tiffoney who is currently on a three-game scoring streak. We haven’t had a player do that since… Seb Palmer-Houlden earlier this month!

Mo Sylla, dubbed ‘The Derry Vieira’, is the best defensive midfielder Dundee have had since Glen Kamara. It’s his efforts that allow McCowan and Cameron to flourish in supplying our frontline with the goods.

Antonio Portales is reportedly set for a first Mexico call-up, and he deserves it. I often refer to him as a ‘monster’ - he is so colossal in our backline, and his assist for our late equaliser won’t have hurt his chances of getting into Javier Aguirre’s plans.

Simon Murray’s equaliser caused absolute carnage in the away end. He makes those runs in behind constantly and has mastered the craft of scoring awkward goals, a simple but very effective weapon to have in your arsenal.

Next up, we host St Mirren at Dens. Our scoring momentum is still strong and we currently have a 100% record at home this season - so it's a great chance to head into the international break nine matches unbeaten.

Until then, I just hope we weather the storm that comes as Friday night's transfer deadline approaches.

If McCowan departs for anything less than a record fee I will devastated.

If you want to challenge for silverware and get into European places, you simply need to keep hold of players like him. The rewards could be worth his weight in gold - and thus worth the gamble of losing him for free next summer.

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Ready to start thinking about Scotland again?

If not, tough. If so, lucky you - Tuesday is the day Steve Clarke announces his squad for next month's Nations League double-header with Portugal and Poland.

After a disappointing summer in Germany, many feel there is a need to freshen things up - so where could we perhaps see changes in the set-up?

Celtic captain Callum McGregor's international retirement means there's a gap to fill in midfield, might Rangers new boy Connor Barron be the man to replace him?

Clarke suffered intense criticism in the aftermath of Scotland's Euros exit, mainly for a lack of verve in attack.

How can he address that? Will Liverpool's Ben Doak come back into the fold? As reports suggest, will there finally be a call-up for Ryan Gauld?

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the Daily Record's Daniel Caw said: "If the Euros taught us anything, it's that we're crying out for a little bit of creativity and some more firepower options.

"I would love to see Gauld in the squad. The fact he's got zero caps at the age of 28 is unfathomable to me.

"The other guy I'd love to see in would be Simon Murray. I know he's 32 and it might feel like the ship's sailed a little, but 23 goals last season. He's got six this season. What else does he need to do to get a look in?"

Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell, who gained a cap for Scotland in 2010, added: "I would like to see Barron get a call-up. I think he's a young, talented player and he's started his Rangers career really, really well."

And on the goalkeeping situation, Bell feels "it will be hard" now for Liam Kelly to retain his place in the squad after signing for Rangers as a back-up option.

Ronaldinho's son Joao Mendes will not be signing for Dundee, but French winger Julien Vetro - who has been training with Tony Docherty's side - could join on loan should he complete a transfer to Burnley. (The Courier, external)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Brazilian midfield legend Ronaldinho’s son, Joao Mendes, could be sent on loan to Dundee after the 19-year-old winger joined Burnley from Barcelona. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Dundee fans, we asked for your views after the 2-2 draw against Hibs on Saturday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Steve: Definite progress from last season, even defensively. I'd persevere with Billy Koumetio, he has the makings of a top centre-half. As much as we all love the reliable Jordan McGhee he shouldn't be starting at right-back ahead of Ethan Ingram, maybe a blind spot for Tony Docherty.

Iain: Great game. Dundee should have had done and dusted in first half-hour, they were totally in control. An end to end game in second period, but McGhee should have been left in centre of defence. A bad mistake by the manager, he should have kept a winning team. They never give up and got their just rewards with the equaliser. Great to watch this team.

Andy: Another great performance, endeavour and effort till the end. I think the squad is still three players or so light. We need a few more in. Can’t wait to see what we achieve this season.

Kenny: You always want your team to win but win, lose or draw you're pretty much guaranteed entertainment watching Dundee. It feels like both the players and supporters are enjoying it.

Kevin: Decent performance from Dundee and a decent game, probably a point apiece was fair.

Carl: It shows how much we've improved under Docherty when the support were disappointed not to win today. Big Simon Murray and Luke McCowan were my standouts in an entertaining game, as was the fitness level of the whole team. Big Billy Koumetio's debut shows a wee bit of rawness but no doubt he'll improve.

Gary: It feels like we need to blow teams away to be sure of a win because what we have as our starting 11 is about all we can rely on. I think the lack of depth in our squad shows. Albeit we have injury absentees, there’s no "super sub" beside the two goalies on the bench there to change a game.

Watch highlights as Hibs and Dundee draw in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

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Simon Murray says Dundee have to be pleased with their result at Easter Road on Saturday, even if he thinks they could have taken all three points.

Murray found the back of the net in the 88th minute in a captivating 2-2 draw, and the striker believes it demonstrates the "character" Dundee possess.

"It was great character shown at the end from the lads, and to get a point away from home is decent for us," he said.

"As the game goes on, defenders get tired, the spaces start to open, so you get a bit more freedom in the target area.

"Luckily we managed to get on the front foot at the end.

"We could have even maybe nicked it at the end but two goals away from home, a draw against a good side you've got to be happy with that."

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

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "We seem to be involved in a lot of these games. I'd like a dull 1-0 nothing at one stage.

"It's mixed emotions because we were outstanding in the way we started the game. I thought we controlled the game out of possession, we could have been better in possession but we deservedly took a 1-0 lead.

"We were so dominant. But then we allowed them to come into the game, some mismanagement there. Coming in at 1-1 wasn't a fair result.

"In the second half, credit to Hibs they made a lot of changes and I've got to be proud of my team to be 2-1 down in the 87th minute, to dig out an equaliser.

"I thought we were going to go on and win it at the end. But that speaks volumes of the dressing room - the mentality, spirit, and resilience, I couldn't be more proud of them.

"It's a work in progress. It's a new group and we've got to find our way but I think at the moment something is un-coachable is mentality and spirit, and you saw that today."

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Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee have already grabbed 31 goals in eight competitive games this season, and yet again they looked vibrant at Easter Road.

Lyall Cameron continues to grow in stature and buzzed about the midfield along with Luke McCowan, while Scott Tiffoney's pace and Simon Murray's all-round brilliance makes them a threat for anyone.

After finishing sixth on their top-flight return last season Tony Docherty will aim to build on that, but defensively they have work to do.

Centre-back Billy Koumetio, who at 21 has not played many senior games, was brought in to start but was rash in giving away the free kick which lead to Boyle's equaliser, and he was too easily fended off by Bowie for Hibs' second goal.

If Docherty can keep hold of his best players before Friday's deadline and build more robustness in their own box, it could be a memorable season.

Dundee captain Luke McCowan has reportedly been the subject of several bids from this afternoon's opponents, Hibs, but starts.

You feel it's in the script for him to have a big say in this game.

Tony Docherty makes two changes from last week's thumping win over Airdrieonians in the League Cup.

Jon McCracken comes back in for Trevor Carson in goal and Ethan Ingram is replaced in defence with Billy Koumetio.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Hibernian could hand a debut to on-loan Celtic midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu but Elie Youan, Junior Hoilett and Jake-Doyle Hayes are all still working their way back to full fitness.

Dundee trio Charlie Reilly, Josh Mulligan and Clark Robertson are close to a return from injury but unlikely to be involved this weekend. Captain Joe Shaughnessy (knee) remains sidelined, but Seb Palmer-Houlden and Billy Koumetio have both recovered from knocks suffered against Airdrie last weekend.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Despite the blistering start Dundee have made to the season, striker Simon Murray believes there is still more to come from the Dens Park outfit.

Tony Docherty's side have won six and drawn one of their seven competitive games in the campaign to date, and have scored an impressive 29 goals in that time.

Despite the plaudits deservedly coming their way, Murray - who has 5 goals to his name already this term - says Dundee are not getting carried away.

"It has been a good start, we scored a good amount of goals in the League Cup group stages and then have taken that into the first two league games," he said.

"There are definitely things we can improve on, we know that; all in all it has been a fairly decent start but football has a way of bringing you back down to earth.

"We just need to keep doing the basics right that we are doing and training hard and hopefully it continues.

"If you start listening to outside noise you can maybe take your foot off the pedal or start to do things that you wouldn't do before.

"The manager has got us all just focusing on the day-to-day training, staying together as a group and just continuing what we have ben doing."

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• Hibernian have only lost one of their last 15 top-flight meetings with Dundee (W8 D6), a 1-3 defeat in May 2022 when current boss David Gray was in caretaker charge.

• Dundee’s last away top-flight win at Hibernian came in October 2001 under Ivano Bonetti (2-1), with the Dee winless in 14 such trips since (D6 L8).

• Hibernian have lost their opening two league games this season and could be the first team to lose their opening three Scottish Premiership games in back-to-back campaigns since upcoming opponents Dundee did so in 2017-18 and 2018-19, and were relegated in that second season.

• Dundee have taken four points from their two league games this season but the Dee haven’t taken five or more points from their opening three matches of a Scottish Premiership campaign since 2003-04 (6 – W2 L1).

• Luke McCowan has scored in three straight Scottish Premiership appearances for the first time with his two goals this season coming from the penalty spot; since the beginning of last season only James Tavernier (12/16) has taken and scored more penalties in the competition than the Scotsman (5/6).