Dundee

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Dundee have confirmed the departure of Diego Pineda "by mutual consent", with the Mexican forward having made just six appearances during his year at Dens Park.

The Scottish Premiership club say the 29-year-old has returned to his homeland to seek a new club.

Pineda became Dundee's second signing from Mexico's second tier last summer when he followed in the footsteps of former Atlante defender Antonio Portales, who had recommended his compatriot to manager Tony Docherty.

However, while his countryman has since played 26 times, including two this season, the former Correcaminos UAT forward, who scored once in his six outings, has not featured since early November.

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Dundee assistant manager Stuart Taylor insists not having home advantage on Tuesday for the club's League Cup clash against Annan Athletic won't be a problem for the players.

Dundee's home games in the competition are being played at Brechin's Glebe Park to give the new pitch at Dens Park time to bed in.

The club say they have "invested heavily" in a new playing surface and drainage system following a series of postponements due to waterlogging last season.

"It’s not frustrating at all because the most important thing was making sure the pitch at Dens was ready for the first league game of the season," Taylor said.

"The club have looked to go and get a pitch close by for the supporters first and foremost, so they can come in their numbers because they were fantastic for us last season.

"That was a big thing the club looked at and getting Brechin, the pitch is good. It’s a pitch our lads will enjoy playing on.

"With this group of players, you could go anywhere, they just love going on the pitch. They’re in a really good place at this moment in time."

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Dundee assistant manager Stuart Taylor has been speaking to the media before the club's League Cup clash against Annan Athletic.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• On not being able to play this game at Den's Park, Taylor insists it's not a problem for the players who "could play anywhere".

• Says assurances have been made that the pitch will be ready for the first game of the league season and that is the priority.

• Adds that Dundee won't take anything for granted against Annan Athletic who have had a good start to the season themselves.

• Says Tony Docherty "threw down a challenge" for the players and they've taken it on board.

• On Joe Shaughnessy's fitness, Taylor wouldn't give a timeframe but insists he's coming along well which is a "big lift" for the side. He also adds that they won't rush him back to action.

Dundee are keen on a move to take Scott Fraser on loan from Charlton Athletic after the 29-year-old ended last season with Heart of Midlothian. (Daily Record, print edition)

Ethan Ingram has revealed that fellow full-back Owen Beck's success with Dundee on loan from Liverpool last season was key when joining the Dens Park club and rejecting a new contract with West Bromwich Albion. (The Courier), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Tony Docherty hailed his Dundee players for their resilience in breaking down solid Arbroath defending as they notched up a second League Cup win of the campaign.

Jon McCracken saved a first-half penalty before Luke McCowan scored from the spot for the visitors, and new signing Ethan Ingram wrapped things up with just over 10 minutes to go.

"It was a brilliant test for us,” boss Docherty told Dundee TV.

"Arbroath were very well organised and it was tough. The players had to find the answers and that’s what was really pleasing about the result and performance.

"In the first half we were trying to find a way, we addressed it at half-time and in the second half I thought we were really, really strong in our performance.

"The clean sheet from the back three and also the attacking options I had coming off the bench, all in all it was a really good night."

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Long-serving defender Cammy Kerr has done the "hardest thing" in his career by leaving his boyhood heroes Dundee.

Kerr, who has joined Queen's Park on a one-year deal, had been with Dundee for two decades, rising through the youth ranks to make his first-team debut in January 2014.

He departs at age 28 have played 272 games for the club, winning the Championship title in 2014 and 2023 and Premiership play-off three years ago.

Kerr said: "I'd just like to thank everyone at Dundee for an amazing time, an unforgettable time.

"It's been something that's been part of my life since I was five years of age. Growing up, all I wanted to do was play for Dundee.

"I've been incredibly lucky to get to do that for so long. It's extremely hard to say how I feel but leaving this club is the hardest thing I'm going to do in my career."

Kerr had a testimonial game in November before spending the second half of last season on loan at Inverness.

"Cammy has been a tremendous servant to Dundee Football Club and he has given so much to the club," Dundee said.

"Cammy, we wish you all the very best for the next chapter in your career."

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Having secured a sixth-place finish last term on their Premiership return, Dundee are a club that believe they "belong in the top six", says former midfielder Kevin Thomson.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Thomson feels that success - plus having rivals Dundee United back in the top flight - will raise expectancy.

"I think Dundee will have a really good season," he said. "Tony Docherty knows what he's doing. I think he'll back himself against the likes of Derek McInnes, Stephen Robinson and Stuart Kettlewell.

"But there is an expectation now. You've also got your arch-rival back in the league and Jim Goodwin will want to have a say in that."

Despite the demand to back up their top-six finish, Thomson suggests it could be a more challenging campaign this year with rivals improving and United returning.

The former Dundee captain believes achieving anything close to what they managed last season would still be a success.

"The fans want more," Thomson added. "They want to try and squeeze into Europe, they want to get into the top six again, so anything less than that sometimes feels like you're not doing so good.

"But I just think if they can get anywhere near what they did last year and get back into that top six, Docherty will have done an unbelievable job."

Dundee fan Paul Gray "cannot wait" for the derby against United on Premiership opening day and is full of optimism over how Tony Docherty's side will fare in meetings with the newly-promoted Tannadice side in the upcoming campaign.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds

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Dundee have so far added five new recruits this summer, including the eye-catching capture of striker Simon Murray.

However, the Dark Blues' best bit of business may well lurk in the dugout. Having steered the club to a sixth-place finish last season in his first year as a boss, Tony Docherty has been rewarded with a contract extension.

It's a deal that has gone down well among the support.

Paul Gray, of the Up Wi' The Bonnets podcast, said: "I think that's one of the signings of the summer because there was word that other teams were sniffing about him."

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Gray added: "I think a lot of people have taken a liking to Tony. His pre and post-match interviews are absolutely spot on. He says how it is.

"I think he does have this ruthless side, which I absolutely love but he comes across like a guy you really want to play for, a guy that you want to really bust a gut for.

"So it's a great thing having him here."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty says he will will aim to add to his squad "right up until the end of the transfer window".

The Dens Park side have already recruited five players this summer, but Docherty knows he needs to add to that having lost more than 10 from last season's squad.

The Dundee boss has suggested "patience" will be required if they are to land their remaining targets.

"It’s a process and it’s something we'll continue to do," Docherty added.

"Sometimes you need a bit of patience because you are waiting for the right player and person to compliment what's a really good existing playing staff.

"We'll be endeavouring to do that right up until the end of the window. I know what we're going to need to withstand the rigours of the campaign and I know the players I want to bring in."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media prior to their League Cup group trip to Arbroath on Tuesday.

Here are the key lines:

• Docherty was "absolutely delighted" with the opening 7-1 win over Bonnyrigg Rose but feels his side "could have scored a lot more goals".

• The Dundee boss says Saturday's result shows how better equipped his team are for the group stage this year.

• Dundee will be looking to recruit players "right up until the end of the window," Docherty added.

• He says he knows "what we’re going to need" and "the players I want to bring in".

• Docherty adds that progression from the League Cup groups is a "key objective" for his side.

• On team news, Charlie Reilly has a strain but Seb Palmer-Houlden will return.

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Curtis Main is raring to go for the season ahead after netting a hat-trick in Dundee’s opening 7-1 Premier Sports Cup win at Bonnyrigg Rose.

The 32-year-old grabbed two first-half goals and headed in with 10 minutes left to complete his treble.

The former Motherwell, Aberdeen and St Mirren centre forward returned to Scottish football in January following a spell with Indian club Bengaluru, but did not score in his 15 appearances for the Dark Blues last season.

“For a striker it is great to get off the mark early doors, and for myself it is fantastic to get a hat-trick in the first game,” Main said in a club media interview.

“Last season was not what I expected from myself and I know I can do better.

“It was just in terms of the fitness side of things, I was not in a position where I would have liked to have been.

“Now after a full pre-season I’m going into these games feeling really great, confident and really fit so I’m really looking forward to attacking the season.”

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Zak Rudden has signed a two-year contract with Queen's Park 24 hours after mutually terminating his contract with Dundee.

The 24-year-old striker returns to the Scottish Championship after finishing last season on loan to Raith Rovers.

Queen's Park head coach Callum Davidson told his club website: "I worked with Zak before at St Johnstone and I know the positives that he will bring us.

"I have been looking to get him for a while now. He is one of the three or four that we would like to bring in. The others are of a similar quality and, if we get them all, everyone will see the direction we want to go in."

Davidson thinks Rudden will give the Glasgow side an attacking threat they were missing and "be one of the leaders" in his squad.

"Zak likes to be in the box scoring goals, but he also likes to stretch the game as well," he added. "He can extend the game for us as he runs the channels.

"Last season, we played a lot of good football. However, when teams pressed us, we did not have an out or the threat that someone stretching the game brings. We have that now in Zak."

Zak Rudden is poised to sign for Queen's Park after the 24-year-old striker mutually agreed a departure from Dundee. (The Courier), external

Simon Murray says returning to Dundee eased "family difficulties" and the 32-year-old striker praised "second to none" Ross County manager Don Cowie for allowing the transfer. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Striker Zak Rudden has departed Dundee after both parties mutually agreed to terminate his contract, the Scottish Premiership club have stated.

The 24-year-old ended last season on loan to Raith Rovers, scoring three times in 17 appearances for the side who finished runners-up in the Championship but missed out on promotion after a play-off defeat by Ross County.

Rudden joined Dundee on loan from Partick Thistle in January 2022 before signing permanently that summer.

He made his debut in the Dundee derby, coming off the bench for Niall McGinn in a 0-0 draw, and made his first start a few days later at home to County.

During his time at Dens Park, Rudden made 56 appearances, scoring 12 times, but made his last in a 3-0 home defeat by Celtic in December.

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Simon Murray says making a return to his boyhood club Dundee was a "no brainer".

The striker, who scored 21 goals in all competitions for Ross County last season, signed a three-year deal with the Dens Park club on Wednesday.

Murray enjoyed a loan spell at Dundee back in 2018, grabbing three goals in 14 appearances, but is now excited to be a permanent fixture in the city of discovery.

"To come back here is a dream, I'm buzzing for it," the 32-year-old said.

"It was an easy decision for me. I spoke to the manager, he's put a lot of faith into me. He's got amazing ambitions and it aligns with what I want.

"My young family's here, it's my boyhood club. It feels good. The professionalism has really risen since the last time I was here. It feels top level."

The rumour mill linked Murray with a return of a different kind to Dundee's Premiership rivals Hibs.

But the striker says even his dad Gary, who played for the Easter Road side on 79 occasions, felt the Dee was the place to be.

"My dad obviously played as well, you don't replace that feeling [of scoring a goal]. It's the ultimate adrenaline rush.

"He was in total agreement this is the right place for me. Really, in the end, it's a no brainer.

"He doesn't miss a game. He's watched me all through the years - even in Africa!"

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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The return of prodigal son Simon Murray to Dundee from Ross County has captured the headlines this week, but Clark Robertson is no stranger to Scottish football either, having started his career with Aberdeen.

The 30-year-old centre-half was released before he could establish himself as a first-team regular but heads back home after his return to Ashdod’s starting line-up coincided with their escape from relegation in Israel’s top flight.

In between, he amassed plenty of experience, including in the Championship, with Blackpool, Rotherham United and Portsmouth, and will hope to put that to good use away to Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.

• Read Clive's full piece here

Dundee fans, we asked for your views on what would make this season a successful one.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Anonymous: I'd like to see us safe from relegation as early as possible. Top-five and Europe has to be the target but top-six is not a failure. Do not get trapped into thinking all we have to do is beat Dundee United, but that would be great.

Stewart: We need a cup run, it's been years since we've had a Hampden day out. Not fussed about which cup, let's hope we avoid the Old Firm in the early rounds. League-wise, another season of consolidation, top eight and staying clear of the bottom two all year would do me.

Ben: If we were to finish anywhere from ninth upwards and finish above Dundee United and go unbeaten in all the derbies, then I'd say that's a fairly successful season. However, I do genuinely believe that with a few more new signings, this squad and manager are more than good enough to accomplish another top-six finish and maybe even finish in a European place.

David: It’s been 19 or so years since we’ve gotten to Hampden, I’d love to see us push on for once in the League or Scottish Cup.

George: Dundee can get into Europe next season. They have a goalscorer now. The defence has been better during the friendlies. Hope it keeps on going.

Innes: I think a season of consolidation is needed. It was great to get top six last season and we should use this as a blueprint to stop losing so many points from winning positions. The gaffer has got Dundee going places and with Simon Murray on board now we have a proven threat going forward. Exciting times ahead for the Dee.

John: After a strong return to the Premiership, it looks like more shrewd signings from Tony Docherty with Simon Murray being the icing on the cake. Hopefully this year will be a solid top six and maybe Europe, but happy to see the top-six position cemented especially after so many of the loan players returning to their clubs. Is this a realistic expectation?

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Dundee rounded off their pre-season with a 2-0 victory away to Dunfermline Athletic.

Both goals came in the first half as Luke McCowan delivered for Antonio Portales head in the opener before Curtis Main nodded in from a Scott Tiffoney corner.

New signing Simon Murray featured on the Dundee bench, but the striker was an unused substitute at East End Park.

Tony Docherty's side start their competitive campaign away to Bonnyrigg Rose in the League Cup group stage on Saturday.