Dundee

Did you take in Dundee's Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts, or were you following from home?

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Dundee manger Tony Docherty: "Disappointed. I thought we played our part in the second half. We had Hearts exactly where we wanted them. We had everything going in our favour at 1-1.

"I don't think it's a free-kick that leads to the second goal but we need to defend that better. The third goal kind of kills it. We should do better in the middle of the pitch.

"If I get that bravery for the next nine games, which are nine cup finals, then we'll be okay but I need the players to step up and show that bravery."

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Tynecastle

Although it ended in defeat for Dundee, there were still lots of positive aspects to take from their Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts.

Fin Robertson and Josh Mulligan gave the Hearts midfield a workload they struggled with at times.

And if the strike from Oluwaseun Adewumi had ended up in the back of the net rather than crashing off the crossbar, the game could have had a very different outcome.

The battle now for Dundee is to find a way to beat the drop from the Scottish Premiership.

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Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hearts will still be smarting from the Edinburgh derby that leaves Neil Critchley's side four places behind city rivals Hibernian in seventh spot in the Premiership when they host top-flight rivals Dundee in Friday's first Scottish Cup quarter-final.

However, the Englishman will be reminding his players that Sunday was only their second defeat in 12 outings during a generally upward curve of results and performances.

Included in that run was a 6-0 hammering of Friday's visitors at Dens Park at the start of February and they have also beaten Dundee in their latest three visits to Tynecastle since a 2-1 loss in February 2022.

On this occasion, Tony Docherty's side also arrive having suffered three straight away defeats and therefore as underdogs.

However, while their 1-1 draw at home to St Johnstone on Saturday meant they failed to increase the three-point gap between themselves and the bottom side, it at least ended a run of three consecutive losses overall.

• This is the first Scottish Cup meeting between the sides since Hearts won 1-0 at Dens Park in a March 2001 fourth-round replay.

• Slovakia midfielder Robert Tomaschek was the match winner that day after Argentine striker Juan Sara's opener for Dundee at Tynecastle had been cancelled out by winger Juanjo's late reply.

• Hearts lost to Rangers in the semi-finals last season.

• Dundee, who lost to Rangers the last time they reached the quarters in 2022, are looking to reach the last four for the first time since they lost to Gretna in 2006.

• Dundee have not lifted the cup since 1910, while Hearts won it for the eighth time in 2012.

What to look out for on Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend.

We asked for your views on what the one thing nobody is talking about at Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: The goals have all-but dried up and Simon Murray does a power of running but instead of being in the positions to score, he's usually filling the gaps his team-mates are leaving. They rarely match his workload or drive to succeed. A more stocked midfield would take pressure off both him and the defence, as well as providing the service he needs.

Mark: The proposed move to the new stadium seems to have died a death. Going to be a cracking stadium for championship football. In that case, it will never be full unless Take That play a concert there.

Kenny: The recruitment this season, or lack thereof, has been a complete and utter shambles. One striker for the run in, midfield was weak before the ridiculous last minute sale of McCowan, and hasn't been strengthened either, but one striker to see out the season is amateur planning and is absolutely farcical.

Anon: Best thing about Dundee is that Murray continues to cover over a multitude of defensive howlers. The worst thing is the failure to stop cheap goals. Any ball in our box causes havoc in the defence and heart attacks in the stands.

Rod: Dundee fans can be quick to turn on the team and manager. Other teams know this and use it to their advantage. We need to be more supportive otherwise it will be another few years of relegation and then winning the Championship (which is not easy). We need to have a solid number of years making sure we stay in the Premiership.

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Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin remains sidelined because of concussion, while Aidan Denholm, Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (all hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are still out.

Dundee midfielder Scott Fraser is back in training after a groin injury but is unlikely to feature. They remain without Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee), Clark Robertson (hamstring) and Billy Koumetio (ankle).

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee defender Ziyad Larkeche has told how he turned the "big shock" of his first injury setback into a "learning experience".

The 22-year-old left-back, who is on loan from Queens Park Rangers, recently returned to action after three months out with a hamstring problem.

He said: "When the doctor called me I didn't expect that because I had never had an injury, so it was a big shock at the beginning.

"But after, you try to do the right things to be back as soon as possible – to improve your sleeping, your diet, all the small details like having the good people around you otherwise you are just wasting your time.

"So even improving areas like tactically watching more football and stuff maybe you can't do when you are playing. Of course I don't want to be injured again, but I tried to use this time the best I can, so it was a learning experience for me but hopefully not many more."

Larkeche made his comeback in the 6-0 thrashing by Hearts at the start of last month and the sides lock horns again on Friday night, this time at Tynecastle in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

"I think in everyone's head it is more the focus of going to Hampden, but everyone has got ego and pride and wants to perform at their best on Friday night," added Larkeche.

"I believe in every game you need to be solid because you get punished. It is a totally different context, totally different game, and there is a big opportunity to get to Hampden."

Dundee are locked in a Premiership relegation battle as they struggle to build on the highs of last season's sixth-place finish.

Inconsistency has plagued the Dark Blues this term and their cause hasn't been helped by injuries, while the summer departure of talisman Luke McCowan has been keenly felt.

Tony Docherty's side have gone eight league games without victory, including five defeats, to leave them foundering in second bottom.

It is tense times for the Dark Blues but you know your club best, so what is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about at Dens Park?

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Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tony Docherty wants his Dundee team to "show the best version" of themselves against Hearts in the last eight of the Scottish Cup on Friday and find some "redemption" after last month's league defeat by the capital club.

The Dark Blues were on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline when the sides met on league business at Dens Park at the start of February.

Docherty believes they can use the pain from that experience as an added motivation when the teams met at Tynecastle.

"On that day that professionally we didn't represent ourselves properly," Docherty said.

"When your pride is dented like that you want to do something about it, so there is possibly a redemption there.

"That was a day we didn't enjoy. We want to make sure we show the best version of ourselves and we have an opportunity to do that in a cup competition."

That defeat by Hearts marked the start of a five-match losing run in the league, one which came to an end with their weekend draw against St Johnstone.

Despite failing to get the wins in recent matches, Docherty has seen an improvement in his team's performance levels.

Friday's game represents a break from the Premiership and a chance to create a little bit of Scottish Cup history.

"The last time the club were in the Scottish Cup semi-final was 2006 so there is an opportunity to go and make a wee bit of history there - first time in 19 years to get to a semi-final.

"We are in the competition and we have got an opportunity to get to a semi-final so it is a really exciting prospect."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before Friday's Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Says "there is an opportunity to go and make a wee bit of history" with Dundee aiming to reach their first Scottish Cup semi-final since 2006.

• Hearts beat Dundee 6-0 in the league last month and Docherty admits his side "didn't represent ourselves properly" in that game.

• He is seeking "redemption" and wants "to show the best version" of the team at Tynecastle.

• Docherty insists his side have "looked more like ourselves" in the past couple of games and is focused on the future despite an awful run of league results that has seen them Dundee drop to 11th in the Premiership table.

• On Hearts – Docherty says they are a good side, who have recruited well. He says he knows their strengths but also their weaknesses and wants "to exploit those weaknesses" come Friday.

• Team news: Scott Fraser is back on the training pitch but not ready for this game. Billy Koumetio, Clark Robertson, Antonio Potales and Seb Palmer-Houlden are also out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee manager Tony Docherty declared "we've stopped the rot" after the 1-1 draw with Premiership bottom club St Johnstone at Dens Park last weekend.

He is correct in terms of ending a run of five straight league defeats. But it remains to be seen if his side have turned a corner and can start to head in the right direction.

The Dark Blues remain second bottom, precariously placed just three points above Saints.

They also have a tough looking pre-split quartet of games – away dates at Dundee United and Hibs plus home games against Rangers and St Mirren.

So there is plenty of work to do, but one positive amid the gloom is the welcome return of skipper Joe Shaughnessy after a lengthy spell out injured.

The Irishman made his first start in 11 months against Saints and there is no doubt Dundee are more assured at the back with the 32-year-old on the pitch.

As well as his quality as a footballer, the leadership and organisational qualities he brings to the team on the park – as well as off it – are invaluable.

And those are the kind of characteristics needed when a side find themselves in a dogfight.

One player doesn't make a team, but maybe the return of Shaughnessy could be the catalyst Dundee need to spark them back to life and help banish relegation fears over the next few weeks.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

After a frustrating loss at Motherwell in which Dundee were second best in every department, we stopped the rot of defeats with a draw against St Johnstone - but it was a massive missed opportunity.

St Johnstone will be relieved to keep Dundee within reach, but for us, the bigger concern is that if we can't beat the team at the bottom of the league at home, who can we beat?

Much like the Motherwell game I am annoyed at how little we gave Andy Fisher in the St Johnstone goal to do. After Simon Murray's equaliser, Fisher was tested just once more, with a volley down the middle in injury time.

As stressed many times this season, playing teams out of form is never an advantage for us and it's difficult to see where things will turn around for Dundee.

I am more than familiar with the patterns that emerge with relegated sides, and at the moment I feel very uneasy with what I am watching.

To make things worse St Johnstone will carry unbeaten momentum. With a favourable tie in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals I expect them to have a massive morale boost of a cup run to coincide with their league form.

Cesar Garza and Joe Shaughnessy are among the few players who can hold their head high with their displays on Saturday. Garza fought for everything and Shaughnessy's leadership has been dearly missed.

Meanwhile our next game is at Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup on Friday night.

I'd like to think form goes out the window when it comes to knockout football but I'm not convinced this team have what it takes to rise to the occasion.

There is talk from the players that they're eager to get one back on Hearts for the massacre at Dens last month. Yet I've spent all season listening to them declare they're ready to react to disappointing results and time and again those promises have amounted to nothing.

Lawrence Shankland loves scoring against Dundee - he has netted 10 in just 15 matches against us. While Shankland has scored just four goals in the league this season, three of them were against Dundee.

Coupled with our shambolic defensive record, I sense the outcome on Friday is very predictable.

Charlie Reilly is eager to prove his worth at Dundee. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Sportscene pundits Cammy Bell and Michael Stewart analyse Simon Murray's goal against St Johnstone and discuss his importance to the Dundee squad.

Watch all the action from Dundee and St Johnstone's 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership.

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Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee captain Joe Shaughnessy says he's feeling "stronger than ever" after making his first start for the club in 11 months.

The 32-year-old defender injured his knee against Rangers last April but made his full return in the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone on Saturday.

"To come through a game like that today, although I was cramping up after an hour, shows my fitness wasn't too far off it," Shaughnessy told BBC Scotland. "I didn't feel like I was out of place. I felt stronger than I've ever been because I've had eight months in the gym.

"That's been the main frustration over the last 10 months, watching from the side, not feeling you're able to help out as much. It's good to be back now and help the lads out as much as I can."

Shaughnessy started every game before the split last season, helping Dundee sneak into the split before rupturing his ACL.

"It was eight minutes into the game against Rangers last April," the Irishman explained. "I stepped backwards, there was no one near me, and my knee just popped in the way. No pain, but I knew it was gone, it was ruptured.

"From then I got the scan, got the operation, and then the physio and sports scientist had a programme for me. It was just a case of following that and trying not to get too bogged down in how long it was going to take me."

The skipper found it especially hard not being able to add his voice on the training pitch, as manager Tony Docherty overhauled the squad in the summer.

"You've got all these new players coming in and I'm trying to have an influence around the place as the captain," Shaughnessy explained.

"They're coming in and none of them have seen me play. It's a bit unusual. I'm not maybe as vocal in the dressing room, but I am on the training pitch. That's where you see me, but they weren't seeing any of that. I was trying to find my place over the summer, that was tough."

We asked for your views on Dundee's 1-1 draw against St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Ronnie: Still not good enough, Dundee should be beating teams like St Johnstone at home. Dire defending for the first goal, nobody in midfield picking up the run that everyone in the stadium could see. On that showing, Dundee don't deserve to stay up, nor will they, and following relegation Tony Docherty needs to be replaced, no more excuses.

Innes: I fear for Dundee now in staying in the Premiership. That was a chance to put an unwanted run of form behind them. A point is indeed welcome but if we want to stay in this league we will have to put teams away when the chances are there like they were. Seriously dominant in second half but lack of killer instinct may prove decisive.

Mark: Worrying we could not put that game to bed. Another soft goal to give away. Tough run of fixtures before the split. Six points needed from the next four games. Fingers crossed that starts across the road in a couple of weeks.

Gary: It was the usual mix of frustration and elation. Conceded first again, but a quick reply had us right in it. Too often though the pass wasn't made or a shot didn't come off. We still don't take the good chances we're creating, we're waiting for a pass instead of going to meet it, pretty simple stuff. A draw was fair enough, but it doesn't do us much good. I'm so thankful for Simon Murray. He runs himself into the ground every week and spends so much of the games encouraging his teammates to match his effort, that they rarely do in enough numbers is why we're struggling right now. Great to see Charlie Reilly back in the squad but it's another game we should've got more from.

Stephen: Although we never lost and the second half performance was much better, I think that the heads are down and honestly I can't see where we may get points from as every team seems to have got stronger and stronger and getting results, whereas we may pick up a point here and there I think that will be all.

Iain: Anything less than three points in the game is unacceptable. A flat first half, yet more changes to the line-up. Why Docherty persists with Lyall Cameron is a mystery, he's already gone. Jordan McGhee too, it's bizarre. Play players who want to be at Dens, Docherty's time is up. If he stays, we'll be in the Championship next season. No more excuses.

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• Dundee have failed to win in their last eight games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 6 April 2024 to 4 August 2024, a run of nine games.

• Dundee have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (12) and Hibernian (13) have recovered more.

• St. Johnstone have scored in their last 9 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 15 games from 5 April 2017 to 23 September 2017.

• St. Johnstone have lost 17 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (20) and Hibernian (18) have lost more.

• Simon Murray has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (three goals, 0 assists).

Dundee missed out on the chance to move six points clear of bottom side St Johnstone after being held to a draw by their relegation rivals at Dens Park.

Tony Docherty's hosts had to come from behind to earn a point but passed up numerous opportunities to claim all three.

Saints striker Makenzie Kirk fired the visitors ahead after 40 minutes with his 10th goal of the season, but their lead did not last.

Simon Murray latched on to captain Joe Shaughnessy's flick-on to net his 16th of the campaign and equalise just before half time.

The hosts dominated the second period but failed to find a winner. Aaron Donnelly, Murray and Scott Tiffoney were all guilty of missing big chances as Dundee make it eight matches without a win.

The gap between the league's bottom two remains just three points.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "It's bittersweet. First half I thought St Johnstone were better and I thought we were much better second half.

"I know the importance of the winning the game, but there's also an importance of not losing the game.

"We looked solid with Joe (Shaughnessy) in there organising, the biggest positive I can take is that my captain is back.

"We've stopped the rot and we've picked up a point, but it maybe should've been three.

"I didn't feel at any point in that second half that we'd lose the game, and it was really important that we didn't lose."

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee have not won since beating St Johnstone at the start of January.

At that point, there were four league places and 10 points between the sides.

This match presented the hosts an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and bottom spot, but they failed to take it.

Just as they did against Motherwell on Wednesday, Dundee saved their best for the second half, but their best was not enough.

This team has no issue controlling matches, they just cannot seem to knit things together in the final third and that is why they are still in a relegation battle.