Image source, SNSAmadou Bakayoko doing what strikers do best, getting in and about the goals. Not only did the 28-year-old score the winning goal for Dundee, he also set up Lyall Cameron for the opener.
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Tony Docherty said before the game that a win on Saturday would send his Dundee side well on their way to achieving their main objective of the season – survival.
Not only is that well within their grasp, a potential top six finish could also be on the cards.
It was looking like the visitors were going to have to settle for a point at McDiarmid Park following Adama Sidibeh’s second half wonder goal but they kept pushing and eventually managed to find a winner.
They’re now one point ahead of Hibernian in the table with a game in hand.
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone make three changes to the side that were on the losing end of a 3-1 scoreline against Celtic last time out.
Andy Considine and Graham Carey drop to the bench, while Sven Sprangler misses out completely with an injury. Tony Gallacher, Nicky Clark and Max Kucheriavyi all start. Connor Smith, who was a doubt with illness, is fit enough to make the bench.
Just the one change for Tony Docherty's side from the last time they played a competitive match over two weeks ago. Curtis Main drops out of the squad with a hamstring injury but Jordan McGhee, Zach Robinson and Ryan Howley are all fit enough to make the bench. Still no sign of Trevor Carson with Harrison Sharp on the bench.
Image source, SNSAmadou Bakayoko is back in the starting line-up for Dundee for the first time since 28 February.
St Johnstone: Mitov, Gallacher, McGowan, Gordon, Clark, Kucheriavyi, Sidibeh, Robinson, M. Smith, Keltjens, Phillips
Substitutes: Richards, Considine, May, Carey, Crawford, Kimpioka, Franczak, C. Smith
Dundee: McCracken, Dodgson, Shaughnessy, Tiffoney, Bakayoko, Cameron, McCowan, Donnelly, Sylla, Portales, Costelloe
Substitutes: Sharp, Astley, McGhee, Lamie, Robinson, Robertson, Howley, Boateng, Mellon
Burnley youngster Owen Dodgson says he has learned the lessons of his early games for Dundee that saw him punished twice by VAR and which resulted in penalties. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Saturday's gossip.
Sven Sprangler's injury adds to that of Ali Crawford, Cammy MacPherson, Ross Sinclair, Kerr Smith and Drey Wright for St Johnstone.
Lee Ashcroft, Owen Beck, Trevor Carson, Ryan Howley, Jordan McGhee, Josh Mulligan, Diego Pineda and Zach Robinson have been missing of late for Dundee.
Image source, SNSJon McCracken wants to end a “mixed” season on a high with a run of games in the Dundee team.
The goalkeeper moved to the Dark Blues on loan from Norwich in the summer, but was recalled in August after just four appearances. He then joined Accrington in late September before returning to Dundee in January.
McCracken has had to be patient to get his chance in Tony Docherty's side, but has started the last two games against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen after Trevor Carson's injury.
“It’s been a bit of a mixed season,” McCracken said.
“I’ve been here, there and everywhere. Getting recalled (from Dundee) wasn’t an ideal situation but I’m grateful to the management team for bringing me back and giving me an opportunity to play so hopefully I can put a run of games together and repay them.”
Carson is now fit again but McCracken hopes to retain his place for Saturday’s trip to St Johnstone.
“A right-back can come on for 10 minutes and get the manager’s trust that way but with a goalkeeper, you either start or you don’t start,” McCracken said. “It’s been a tough season but I’m glad I’m playing now.
“I’m out of contract at the end of the season [at Norwich] so I’m just kind of weighing up my options just now. It’s still quite early though.
“A lot of teams don’t know what position they’re going to be in, and I don’t know where I stand within that. I’m just enjoying playing now, and when it comes to the end of the season, we’ll gather thoughts on that.
“I’m not really looking too far forward into what’s happening next season. There’s a job to be done in the here and now, so I’ll let the rest of it take care of itself.”
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone’s Dimitar Mitov has faced more shots (449) and made more saves (108) than any other goalkeeper in the Scottish Premiership this season. Mitov has prevented 10.4 goals this season according to Opta’s expected goals on target metric, the most of any goalkeeper in the competition.
Dundee have lost each of their last three league matches on the road, conceding 11 goals during this run – an average of 3.7 goals conceded per match.
St Johnstone have failed to win any of their last five home matches in the top-flight (D3 L2), their longest winless run at McDiarmid Park since going nine without a win between November 2022 and April 2023.
Dundee have won just one of their last 11 away matches against St Johnstone (D3 L7), failing to win any of their last six (drew two and lost four) since a 2-0 win in December 2017.
St Johnstone have failed to win any of their last five Scottish Premiership matches against Dundee (drew three and lost two). They last went on a longer winless run against the Dee between September 2000 and April 2002, a run of seven games.
Image source, SNSJordan McGhee (right) is one of four players available again after injury
Dundee manager Tony Docherty is delighted to welcome back four key players from injury, as the Dark Blues prepare to face St Johnstone in the Premiership on Saturday.
Trevor Carson, Zach Robinson, Jordan McGhee, Ryan Howley, Josh Mulligan, Owen Beck, Lee Ashcroft and Diego Pineda were all absent for Dundee's win over Aberdeen two weeks ago, and would have missed the Rangers game too had it gone ahead.
However, the international break has allowed time for rest and recuperation, and the club's injury woes have eased before the return to league action.
“I’m really pleased, we’ve got a lot of the injured boys back,” Docherty said.
“Last week was a bit of a concern, we had about eight out. But we’ve now got Trevor Carson, Zach Robinson, Jordan McGhee and Ryan Howley back, which is great.
“That bolsters the squad. We’ve had three really good training days so there’s a real buzz about the place.
“The boys have enjoyed the break, some have been away on international duty, and with those four added to the group, we’re in a good place."
Dundee have taken the first step to solving their Dens Park pitch problems - by pinching city rivals Dundee United's groundsman. (Scottish Sun), external
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Dundee return to action on Saturday away to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Put yourself in the manager's shoes and choose the team you'd like to see start here.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSDundee manager Tony Docherty has been talking to the media before his side's trip to face St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Here are the key points from his press conference:
Insists he isn't thinking about a potential top-six spot, and his primary goal is still to avoid relegation.
He doesn't think Dundee have over achieved this season, and he knew they would be competitive when he saw the quality of player that arrived in the summer.
Says they take confidence into the game in Perth, having taken four points from six against "good teams" in Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.
Docherty has asked his players to “be brave” this season and says you can see that in performances.
Has no insures with Craig Levein after the "highly competitive" last meeting between the clubs. Thinks fans want to see games like that one.
Says the country should be "hugely proud" of Steve Clarke despite Tuesday's defeat to Northern Ireland.
Docherty has "every confidence" the national team will deliver in Germany.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland
Dundee return to Premiership action this weekend after a longer than anticipated break, following the controversial late postponement of their last scheduled outing, at home to Rangers on 17 March.
They will come out of cold storage away to St Johnstone on Saturday.
You could argue the Dark Blues will be fresh, and the extended rest may have helped ease their injury issues.
But momentum can be key in football, and the Dundee players will no doubt be frustrated that they have not yet had a chance to build on an impressive win over Aberdeen in their last game – exactly two weeks ago.
Regardless, Tony Docherty's side still have plenty to play for between now and the end of the season.
Their hopes of securing a top-six spot remain in their own hands, and it would be foolhardy to bet against a team that have really caught the eye this term.
Docherty will be confident his side can pick up where they left off when they take to the pitch in Perth this weekend.
Defender Antonio Portales has targeted a Scottish Premiership top-six place with Dundee and a debut for Mexico. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSDundee's first season back in the top flight has been a considerable success so far, but it could have been even more special had it not been for surrendering so many leads.
No team in the Premiership have lost more points from winning positions than Tony Docherty's side this term. It's an issue that speaks to a more creaky defence than some might initially suspect of Dundee.
Only the bottom two clubs - Livingston and Ross County - have conceded more goals than the Dens Park outfit in the division, while they've let in the most goals from open play, apart from David Martindale's strugglers.
Dundee have been aerially dominant at set pieces from an attacking perspective, but defensively, their imposing centre-halves seem to be struggling to replicate that commanding presence.
The Dark Blues have conceded the most goals from crosses and the most headed goals in the entire division. Something to improve on if the newly-promoted side are to finish the campaign on a high.
We asked you whether Dundee can finish in the top six, and perhaps even sneak into Europe, as we head into the final stretch of the season.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Mark: Excellent season so far. Owen Beck's injury could be an issue. Top six is there for the taking.
Anon: Fifth is possible if they win the remaining games before the split. Just finishing top six would be a huge achievement.
We're firmly into the business end of the season.
Dundee are hoping to finish their first season back in the top flight with a place in the top six. Maybe Europe is on the cards. We want to know how you're feeling heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
Where do you think the Dee will finish? Who will be the key players in the last part of the season? And what's your biggest concern that could trip Dundee up?
Image source, SNSDundee have impressed on their return to the top flight this season, with Tony Docherty's side still fighting for a top-six finish.
A key role in their performances has been scoring goals from set-pieces. They have scored 20 goals from dead-ball situations - 50% of their total league goals, and the most of any club in the Premiership.
Four have been penalties, 10 have come from corners, with the other six coming either directly or indirectly from free-kicks.
Image source, SNSThe Scottish Premiership match between Dundee and Rangers has been rescheduled for Wednesday, 10 April and will kick off at 20:00 BST.
The game at Dens Park was originally meant to be played on Sunday, 17 March but was postponed after referee Don Robertson deemed the pitch unplayable.
Despite clashing with two Champions League quarter-finals - Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund v Atletico Madrid - the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland
Amid the swirl of controversy, discussion and debate surrounding the latest postponed game at Dens Park, it is easy to forget that having another rearranged fixture to fit in to their schedule is something Dundee manager Tony Docherty could probably do without.
His team are going well, and are very much in the fight to finish in the top six. In fact, their destiny on that front remains very much in their own hands.
That sounds straightforward enough, but football is very rarely straightforward.
Securing their place in the top half of the table beyond the split would be a fine achievement for a side that were playing in Scottish football’s second tier last term.
However, to do just that Docherty will be wanting things to go as smoothly as they can. To that end, having another fixture to fit in at some point over the next few weeks will be far from ideal, particularly at a stage of the campaign where the stakes are potentially so high.
After beating Aberdeen last time out the Dark Blues would have been taking some real momentum into the game against Rangers – will that still be the case when the sides meet on their rearranged date? Only time will tell.
It can be small margins that make the difference during the course of a season, and Docherty will be hoping something like this doesn’t have a negative influence over how the remainder of it plays out for his side.
But his squad have proved they are a resilient bunch already this term, and he will be confident they can continue to positively deal with any bumps in the road that are put in their way between now and the end of the campaign.
Dundee manager Tony Docherty is facing the biggest list of injuries of his short time as manager. (Courier - subscription required), external
Daniel Smith
Fan writer
What turned out to be a pretty decent start to the week with a comfortable victory over Aberdeen on Wednesday night at Dens Park was washed away with the postponement of Dundee's clash with Rangers on Sunday.
If truth be told, the Dens Park pitch has struggled massively in the past few years to withstand any heavy downfall.
I make that at least eight games that have succumbed to the effects of the weather in the last two seasons - a very worrying stat for the club, especially with the governing body now investigating why this latest game failed the pitch inspection.
Don't get me wrong, a good whack of these games have been called off on the back of torrential rain but for years the same pitch was able to withstand assaults from the elements, so what has changed now?
The aftermath of the game was tiresome. Accusations from the away team that they weren't informed - despite their social media posting about the pitch inspections.
Fan outrage, especially from those traveling from up and down the country was entirely understandable.
But when it comes down to it, the rainfall the night before was double what was expected - something John Nelms pointed out in his interview afterwards.
Since the late call-offs against Aberdeen and St Johnstone, the men in charge of the pitch have done a stellar job to have every game on, up until last weekend. Could it just be the elements that night were a touch too far? It's not like we can control the weather.
But anyway, Dundee did defeat Aberdeen a few days earlier in a dominant display against the poorest Dons side to come to Dens in many a year. The only negative was we didn't score a few more.
It's always good to enter the international break on the back of a win, regardless of the circumstances surrounding it.
You can find Daniel Smith on the Up Wi' the Bonnets podcast, external.
