Dundee

Dundee defender Ricki Lamie has called on his teammates to show their character again after their 7-1 defeat to Celtic in midweek.

The Dens Park side play host to Kilmarnock on Saturday, and the 30-year-old defender wants to see the same spirit that contained Celtic in the second half of their rout.

"As a defender as well it’s embarrassing to concede that many goals," he said.

“But listen, plenty of teams have gone there and conceded heavily or been dominated from the first whistle.

“Not every team can bounce back straight after. It’s a massive game on Saturday, when you look at results elsewhere we probably got away with it in terms of the league table, so it’s imperative that we pick ourselves up and go again.

“There’s plenty in that dressing room, a blend of young, energetic players that want to do well and kick on, and a wee bit of experience as well, who have been on the back of poor results but know how it is to bounce back.”

Having shipped six goals before half-time on Wednesday, Dundee limited Celtic's opportunities in the second half, and grabbed a consolation goal, despite being down to ten men after Finlay Robertson's red card.

“The gaffer touched upon it, ‘go out and try and win the second half’," said Lamie.

"Again, it’s even harder again with 10 men. When they are five or six goals to the good, it’s probably fair to say they maybe weren’t as at it as they were in the first half, but I thought we showed a wee bit of personality.

“Not that it means a lot, but in terms of having that bit about us, I think that’s another positive to take on a poor night.”

Image source, SNS

Dundee don't have long to bounce back from that 7-1 defeat to Celtic on Wednesday night as they prepare to welcome Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Who do you want to see in the starting lineup?

Put yourself in Tony Docherty's shoes and pick your XI here.

Dundee's miserable night at Celtic was completed when their team bus broke down and had to be towed away. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Dundee fans have you got any questions for one of our Sportscene pundits after that crushing defeat against Celtic?

On the game or the season as a whole, send them over via this link.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "Really disappointed. The first three goals are so preventable, and it's something I've not seen in my team all season.

"You don't give a good team like Celtic chances like that. We just need to make sure we're ready for Saturday and get back on it.

"There has to be a wee bit of reality - we're a newly promoted team and I'm disappointed with our record against the Old Firm this season. I back those players 100% because they've given me everything this season.

"There's no time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's important we show that personality so there's a reaction to that disappointment tonight. Celtic were fantastic, but they didn't have to work hard to get their goals."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland

That was an almost faultless performance from Celtic, full of intent and energy. The starting 11 set the tone.

The pressure they applied was constant; the finishing sublime and clinical. The scoreline meant Celtic could bring on fresh legs in the second half, but their high tempo wasn't disrupted - they went looking for more.

This will be a sore one for Dundee, moving on may be easier said than done. But they’ll need to. For all Celtic were lively and dangerous, Dundee didn’t defend well, they’ll need to rectify that and quickly.

Image source, SNS

Celtic: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, Iwata, McGregor, O'Riley, Yang, Maeda, Idah.

Substitutes: Bain, Palma, Kyogo, Kuhn, Bernardo, Vata, Kelly, Ralston, Welsh.

Dundee: Carson, McGhee, Shaughnessy, Lamie, Portales, Beck, McCowan, Boateng, Robertson, Main, Bakayoko.

Substitutes: McCracken, Dodgson, Astley, Tiffoney, Cameron, Mulligan, Donnelly, Mellon, Sylla.

Image source, SNS

Dundee defender Jordan McGhee insists there will be no hangover from Saturday's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Hibs, and says they are out to frustrate Celtic on Wednesday.

"We never turned up [against Hibs] and put our stamp on the game, but we’ve got a good group - we’ll try to bounce back on Wednesday night," he said. "We know it’ll be tough, but we’ll give it our best shot.

“They are a top team, but we’ve got good players as well. We’ll go down there and give it our best.

"We’ve got a gameplan to try to frustrate them. When we get chances, we’ve got to be clinical and make the most of set-pieces.”

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland

The season may not quite be at its business end yet, but in terms of the shakedown for top six spots, we are fast approaching the time where a couple of wins, or a couple of defeats, could prove decisive for those teams who are embroiled in the battle to secure their place in the top half of the table come the split.

Dundee are one such team. They currently occupy sixth place, and they will be determined to hang on to a position they have worked so hard to get themselves into.

However, this midweek’s trip to play Celtic wouldn’t be the fixture they would have chosen to have next as they look to try and further cement their top half of the Scottish Premiership credentials.

A tough assignment undoubtedly, but Tony Docherty has watched his side grow during the campaign, and it is a challenge they certainly won’t be daunted by.

But in terms of the bigger picture, after their trip to Parkhead, four of the next five games the Dark Blues play are at home, a run of fixtures which will undoubtedly have all those connected to the club believing that they can go on and get the job done.

That would really be the icing on the cake, amid what has been a hugely impressive return to the top flight for the club.

A hamstring injury sidelines Celtic's Maik Nawrocki with Liel Abada and Reo Hatate also missing.

Dundee will be without Ryan Howley, Diego Pineda, Charlie Reilly and Zach Robinson.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 41 meetings with Dundee across all competitions (W35 D6), winning 10 of 11 such games against them under Brendan Rodgers (D1) and keeping a clean sheet in each of the last eight under him.

• Dundee have failed to win any of their last 37 games against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, since a 2-0 away win in May 2001 (D6 L31).

• Celtic have won each of their last 21 successive home league games played in midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) since a goalless draw with Kilmarnock in May 2018.

• Dundee are winless in their last 38 league matches against reigning top-flight champions (D6 L32) since a 2-0 win at Rangers in March 2001 under Ivano Bonetti.

• Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi has scored six goals in four previous Scottish Premiership appearances against Dundee, including four in two at Celtic Park.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty says his side are under "no illusions" of the challenge they face against Celtic on Wednesday, but believes they are capable of taking points away from Parkhead.

The Dens Park outfit have lost both their games against Brendan Rodgers' side this season 3-0, but Docherty maintains they have a fighting chance.

“It’s a difficult game; a difficult venue," he said. "We’re under no illusions - they are the champions for a reason, but we know what we need to do.

“I’m focused on performance. I want to see a level of performance from the players to cause Celtic problems, and if we do that, we give ourselves a chance.

“The reason for being promoted is for these nights. You want to pit yourself against the best, and Brendan Rodgers is a manager I’ve got huge respect for."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been talking to the media before his side take on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

Here are the best lines from his press conference:

• Says his side are under "no illusions" about the challenge they face when they go to Parkhead, and believes Celtic are "champions for a reason".

• Fully believes his side are capable of causing Celtic problems, and says they "give themselves a chance" if they perform to their best.

• Going to places like Celtic Park is what you want when you get promoted, in order to pit yourself against the best players and managers.

• Docherty praised Luke McCowan's leadership qualities, and believes that his move into a more central role this season has allowed him to influence games more.

• Injury-wise, Zach Robinson will be out for a couple of weeks, Diego Pineda is out with a calf issue, and Ryan Howley remains on the sidelines.

Luke McCowan says Dundee must own their poor display in defeat at Hibernian - and that the Dark Blues must deal better with the tactical side of the game. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

Celtic Park is not the place you want to be visiting when trying to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat away to Hibernian, but that's the task facing Tony Docherty's side on Wednesday.

Not only are Brendan Rodgers' team unbeaten in 11 games, but Dundee have lost their last eight meetings with the reigning champions since a 0-0 draw in Glasgow six years ago and have not won at Celtic Park in 20 visits since 2001.

Who would you like to see in Dundee's starting line-up? Pick your team here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC/SNS

Of course, the final say in the race for Europe all depends on where the Scottish Cup winds up at the end of the season.

In terms of the league table, however, I would definitely expect Kilmarnock and St Mirren to be finishing fourth and fifth.

The only way I can see them being knocked off their perch is if there’s a dramatic turn of events at Easter Road, or if Tony Docherty can pull something out the bag in his impressive first season at Dens Park.

Dundee would need to put on a really consistent run of form to wind up on the continent. They’ve done very well this term and absolutely deserve to be in the hunt for top six.

However, that lack of consistency may just hold them back from being able to challenge St Mirren and Killie.

In particular, you have to praise the business done in Ayrshire this campaign. Even before the start of the season, you could see that they had recruited sensibly. They’ve done so again in January.

With a good manager in charge, it feels as though it’s onwards and upwards for the Rugby Park side.

Michael Stewart was speaking to BBC Scotland's Sean McGill.

Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson's botched attempt at collecting a corner results in him conceding a penalty for Hibernian's opener at Easter Road. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee's top-six hopes took a dent as Hibs prevailed at Easter Road.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Boab: I was at the game and thought Dundee were second best all over the park, could have stole a point.

Brian: Shaughnessy looks tired & needs rested. Main, Bakayoko & Robinson are all awful.