Image source, SNSDefender Billy Koumetio could make his Dundee debut after joining from Liverpool. Charlie Reilly and Clark Robertson remain out with hamstring injuries and Joe Shaughnessy (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Hearts boss Steven Naismith expects to have everyone available for selection apart from midfielders Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) and Beni Baningime (knee), who are both set to be sidelined until September.
Image source, Getty ImagesDundee have signed defender Billy Koumetio from Liverpool on a two-year contract, with the transfer subject to international clearance.
Koumetio, 21, joined Liverpool's academy in 2018 but only made two appearances for the first team during his time on Merseyside.
The French youth international spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, but featured just once in an FA Cup loss against Newcastle United.
However, he is keen to impress north of the border and says his former teammate Owen Beck's loan spell at Dens Park encouraged him to sign for Tony Docherty's side.
"I believe and have the conviction that this is the best step in my career. I had discussions with the manager, Liverpool and my agent and once we reached an agreement everything went through.
"I discussed with the manager how he wants to play and how he wants me to play and how I can improve as a player," Koumetio said.
"I spoke with Owen Beck about his time at Dundee and he loved it, everything he said about the club was so positive."
Image source, SNSDundee youngster Jamie Richardson has joined Arbroath on a loan deal until January.
The 19-year-old is part of the development squad but has been training with the senior team this summer.
The attacker made his senior debut in League Cup group stage against Bonnyrigg Rose and played the final 10 minutes of the 7-1 victory.
Dundee have agreed a deal to sign 21-year-old Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio. (Daily Record), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNSManager Tony Docherty is unfazed by speculation over the future of Dundee captain Luke McCowan.
Hibs and Bolton have reportedly had bids rejected for the 26-year-old midfielder, who is into the final 12 months of his Dens Park contract.
"Not to date, not that I’m aware of, nothing that has been brought to my attention," said Docherty when asked if offers have been received for McCowan.
He added: "They might have gone to the club, but certainly as manager there’s been nothing brought to my attention.
"Listen, Luke McCowan is our player and he is a brilliant boy. I’ve got a really special relationship with Luke so as happens in this industry when you are doing well - and he had a good season along with a lot of other players in my squad - of course you are going to attract suitors, but at the moment it’s speculation.
"Luke leads by example every day and he is continuing to do that. Until I am told different he will be my player and that relationship will continue.
"There is so much speculation, I get eight or nine names thrown at me every day but until anything is factual I won't get involved in it, and that is transfers in and out."
Image source, SNSDundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before the Premiership game with Hearts this weekend.
Here are the key points from his press conference:
Docherty says there’s been "no bids" to his knowledge for skipper Luke McCowan.
He adds: "Luke leads by example. I’ve got a really special relationship with him, of course you’re going to attract suitors".
On further signings, Docherty is looking to attract the "right person" and says "I know what I need, I’ve got a really strong core, I need to make sure I can enhance that".
"The dust has settled" after the opening-day derby draw and he is making sure his players are "laser focused" on the Hearts game.
He is "really close" with Steven Naismith who got the Tynecastle post at the same time he came to Dens Park, and says the Hearts manager has done "an absolutely brilliant job".
Dundee beat Hearts at home in the first meeting of last term and Docherty says his side will need to be at their best to repeat the feat.
Clark Robertson and Charlie Reilly are still out, and Joe Shaughnessy remains a long-term absentee.
Image source, SNSDundee have lost each of their last three league games against Hearts, last losing four in a row to Hearts in the top flight in October 2004.
Hearts have won four of their last five league away games against Dundee (L1), including a 3-2 victory most recently in February last season.
Dundee haven't won their first home game of a top-flight league season since 2001-02 (2-1 vs Hibernian), going winless in 11 such matches since (D4 L7).
After beating St Johnstone 2-0 last season, Hearts could win their first away league game in back-to-back top-flight seasons for the first time since a run of three in a row from 2004-05 to 2006-07.
Since the start of last season, Luke McCowan has scored 11 goals in the Scottish Premiership, five more than any other Dundee player.
Luke McCowan will continue to be a driving force for Dundee regardless of speculation over bids for the star midfielder, says manager Tony Docherty. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.
Hibernian have had a bid for Dundee winger Luke McCowan turned down. (Football Scotland), external
Dundee will not be drawn on whether there have been bids for McCowan, 26. (Courier - subscription), external
Ethan Hampton
Fan writer
"A great advert for Scottish football" is a sentence often used when describing the Dundee Derby.
Without a doubt, it was a great game for the neutrals with end-to-end action that never failed to entertain.
Going into this game, I felt more confident than ever about facing Dundee United at Tannadice. I expected Dundee to be sharp and in their element from the first whistle.
However, my hopes were quickly dashed.
Dundee's conservative approach in the first half was disappointing. Struggling to progress beyond our backline, our midfield seemed completely absent.
United took full advantage, with several waves of attack that should have served as warning signs for the Dark Blues. Defensively, we were all over the place, frequently losing the ball through slack passing and igniting United's attacks.
While I believe Dundee were their own worst enemies, credit must be given to United. They were well-prepared, with their awareness and positioning catching us off-guard for both goals. We were fortunate that Lyall Cameron cleared what would have been a certain winning goal for the Tangerines in the second half.
We had four debutants to the Premiership in our lineup - Ziyad Larkeche, Luke Graham, Ethan Ingram, and Seb Palmer-Houlden. I have no doubt these players will only get better from now on after their baptism of fire. They may need time to gel before they'll be at their best, but the character and determination to grind out a result after going behind twice was there for everyone to see.
We finished the game in the manner we should've started it with.
The impact of Scott Tiffoney and Josh Mulligan from the bench changed everything. Suddenly we were far more direct, creating chances and on the front foot.
For the final twenty minutes, it only looked like one team was going to claim victory. If we can maintain that level of performance for the full duration of the contest rather than just the climatic finish, then I have no doubt we will win these types of games.
Curtis Main's chance to grab a winner at the death is going to haunt us until our next visit across the road to settle the score.
A point away from home, coming back twice from behind but rolling into two decades since our last derby victory at Tannadice, leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. The Premiership is back, and there is plenty of time to showcase ourselves as the top team in the city once again.
We asked you for your thoughts following Dundee's derby draw with United to kick off the Scottish Premiership season.
Here's what you had to say:
Steven: Pulsating and tense game, just as you'd expect. Player-wise, young Graham unfortunately looked out of his depth and Cameron seems to have lost his way, another big game where he was anonymous.
I'm a fan of Sylla normally but he looked slow and ponderous. I'll give Larkeche a chance, but didn't excite on debut. Substitutes were excellent.
Garry: Simply not good enough in the first half. Came back into it in the second, but why do we always wait until we're behind, before we start to play? Got away with it last year, but think our league position flattered us somewhat. We're still not clinical in front of goal.
Mike: Main could have written himself into Dundee derby history had he just clipped that wonderful cross from Simon Murray over the keeper. Wee Lyall Cameron kept us in the game, though.
George: A point is a point, but it should of been three.
Rod: I think putting a new signing from the day before straight into the team in a derby was a mistake. Mulligan's strength helped when he came on and Tiffoney could have started on the wing with his speed and energy.
The team or formation seemed a little unbalanced but at no point did I think we would lose. I knew Doc would sort it and he did.
Gaz: Poor in the first half, but could have stole it at the end of the second half, so I'll take a point. Defence needs sorting out having given United two easy goals.
Iain: We shouldn't be happy with that performance today. We got off lightly and our defending was awful.
United could have (and probably should have) been out of sight in the first 50 minutes. Here's hoping this was just shaking off a wee bit of dust but to go in as favourites and come out with one point isn't good enough.
Image source, SNSLuke McCowan rued a below-par performance after Dundee drew their Premiership opener 2-2 with city rivals Dundee United.
Tony Docherty's side came from behind twice at Tannadice through Seb Palmer-Houlden's close-range finish and McCowan's second-half penalty.
Despite the fightback, McCowan says Dundee simply have to improve moving forwards.
"We are not [happy with a point]. We know the performance levels are going to need to get better if we are to come away from home and win games like that," he told BBC Sport Scotland after the game.
"It's a lot of people's first time playing in the Dundee derby and it can be an occasion that can get the better of you.
"It's a huge learning curve. In the first half a few just weren't good enough. We should have played more direct and been more effective.
"We were the top team in the second half but just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal."
Watch the best of the action from Tannadice as Dundee United and Dundee share four goals in an opening-day thriller. (Available to UK users only)
Dundee manager Tony Docherty says he is "greedy" and wanted more after his side came back twice from behind to draw 2-2 with Dundee United.
The Dundee derby was in the spotlight on TV, radio and online as the Scottish Premiership kicked off, but what did you make of the 2-2 draw?
Dark Blues fans, are you happy with the way Tony Docherty's squad is shaping up?
Give us your thoughts here., external
Image source, SNSDundee manager Tony Docherty says he is "probably not" content with a point after his side started the Scottish Premiership season with a 2-2 draw away to city rivals Dundee United.
"The way the game finished, I definitely thought we were in the real ascendency," he told BBC Scotland.
"We got a fantastic chance with Curtis Main, Simon Murray also had one saved by the goalkeeper.
"I thought United were better in the first half. I was a little bit disappointed that the players didn't find a way.
"With a change of shape, we did manage to find that and, from then on, I thought we were going to win it.
"When the dust settles, it's a derby away from home, we came behind twice. I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am. I am greedy, I wanted all three points."
"We have a strong mentality and never-say-die attitude. However, we need to be a little bit braver than we were in the first half. We passed sideways and backwards too often.
"I was really pleased with the contribution of the substitutes, they really made an impact."
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSCurtis Main missed a late chance to win the game for Dundee
The first Dundee derby to start a top-flight season since 2001 ended the same way as the last one - only this time it was a Luke McCowan penalty for Dundee rather than a 90th-minute Jim Hamilton goal that secured a 2-2 draw.
Tony Docherty's current side journeyed the 150 yards down Tannadice Street buoyed by a 100% League Cup record, scoring 18 goals in the process, and last season's top-six Premiership finish.
Like their hosts, early signs suggest summer signings mean an improved squad from last term.
However, on this occasion, Ethan Ingram was quiet, fellow wing-back Ziyad Larkeche was given a hard time by United counterpart Miller Thomson as the on-loan Queens Park Rangers 21-year-old made his Dark Blues debut.
However, although United managed to prevent Murray adding to his five goals in two games on his return to Tannadice as a Dark Blue for the second time, Dundee can thank the returning striker's tenacity for a point that shares the city bragging rights.
It denied Dundee a fifth consecutive win this season, means they have not won at Tannadice in 13 visits since 2004 and have not beaten United in their latest seven meetings.
However, a point from such a traditionally frenetic fixture is not a bad start to their league season.
Image source, SNSSimon Murray had a quiet first half on his return to Tannadice as a Dundee player, but the striker's tenacity drew the foul from Ross Graham that led to the equalising penalty in the 2-2 draw - and he threatened a winner in the closing minutes against United.
Dundee United: Walton; Sevelj, Graham, Gallagher, Holt, Ferry; Babunski, Sibbald, Thomson, Trapanovski, Van der Sande.
Substitutes: Richards, Moult, Odada, Middleton, Fotheringham, O'Donnell, Cleall-Harding, Forbes, Stirton.
Dundee: McCracken; Ingram, Portales, Graham, Larkeche, McGhee, Cameron, Sylla, McCowan, Palmer-Houlden, Murray.
Substitutes: Carson, Sharp, Astley, Tiffoney, Mulligan, Main, Robertson, Richardson, Lochhead.
Dundee are pushing to secure a permanent deal for Aaron Donnelly, the 21-year-old defender who was on loan from Nottingham Forest last season. (Sunday Mail), external
Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSDundee midfielder Luke McCowan is urging his teammates not to get carried away with the occasion in Sunday's derby.
Tony Docherty's side open their Premiership campaign with a trip to Tannadice to face newly promoted Dundee United.
"I think we are quite calm to be fair," the 26-year-old said.
"It is the opening game, it is a tough one away from home regardless of who you are playing in this league.
"I think this season is going to be very competitive, the boys are up for it.
"I think the main message that myself and all the boys in the team will take is try not to play the occasion, once you do that you get caught up in the moment and then it is too big to then get a hold of.
"It is going to be a sell-out crowd but I think most of the players in this team have played in front of bigger crowds at Celtic and Rangers.
"It will be a good day but we just have to know it is a team performance and treat it like another game of football."
Image source, SNSTony Docherty admitted he's feeling the buzz of the Dundee derby as he prepares for his first clash against United as Dee manager.
The two sides meet on the opening weekend of the league season and Docherty revealed his excitement.
"I share that excitement, that buzz about the place," Docherty said. "If you come in to the training ground there is a real buzz about it, there is a buzz about the city.
"It is fantastic, it is great for the city. Two real proper football teams, two institutions who haven’t played a derby for a while, on the opening day of a league campaign we find ourselves playing each other.
"We look forward to our league campaign on the back of our League Cup campaign to date but the fact that it is a derby gives it that added spice."
Dundee haven't beaten United in the top flight since 2016 but Docherty is looking to end that run.
"I have lived a long time in the city and I feel it myself. We are very much look forward to it but making sure we are as prepared as best as we can be.”
"We are professional. Every game we go in to we look at the opposition and analyse strengths and weaknesses.
"It will be no different going into this game.
"The fact that it is a derby does make it more exciting but where we are at the moment as a team, we have had a successful League Cup campaign, taking 12 points out of 12, scoring 18 goals and conceding two, so what we have done is give ourselves a platform, going in feeling good about ourselves, feeling confident.
"We will absolutely respect our opponents as we always do but we go in there in a good frame of mind and in good form.”
