Dundee

Daniel Smith, Up Wi' The Bonnets podcast, external

After coming away from Pittodrie with a great point, even though it was against a struggling Aberdeen side, the Dee faithful went into our home tie against Hearts on Saturday with high hopes of a victory.

At the final whistle, we were all left wondering how we managed to leave with no points.

Slack defending certainly comes into play when we look back on the defeat, but some dubious refereeing decisions with yet another penalty given against us certainly takes centre stage.

For me, the penalty Hearts were given, after Lawrence Shankland blasted the ball against Lee Ashcroft's hand from five inches, wasn't a penalty.

Aye, letter of the law and all that jazz but seriously, how are any players supposed to stop the ball hitting their hands from that distance? What chance have you got?

Dundee certainly felt hard done by but, we still had a few chances to grab the three points - most notable would be Robinson's header which he totally fluffed at 2-2.

We played some great attacking football and despite the frailties at the back that we showed, this performance gives me more hope than doubt for the second half of the season.

Play like that against clubs around and below us and we will certainly be walking away with the three points more often than not.

Dundee have requested clarity on the use of VAR following the contentious penalty given against them against Hearts on Saturday, the fifth spot-kick they have conceded in the last four games. (Courier)

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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It was a frustrating afternoon for Dundee on Saturday as they twice lead Hearts, only to lose 3-2 at Dens Park.

Tony Docherty's side make the trip to Paisley to take on St Mirren on Wednesday in a meeting of two sides with top-six ambitions.

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

Rangers' visit to Dundee has been rescheduled to Sunday 17 March after the game was picked for television coverage.

Initially slated for the day prior, the game will now kick off at 12pm and will be shown on Sky Sports.

The most recent meeting between the sides at Dens Park was delayed due to the Rangers bus being late, before being pushed back again following the use of pyrotechnics in the away end.

Philippe Clement's side would run out winners when the game got into full swing, with Ryan Jack, Danilo, Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers and James Tavernier all on the scoresheet in a 5-0 victory.

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Jonathan Sutherland, Sportscene presenter

Impressive performances from individual players can sometimes be lost in the aftermath of defeat - especially in Dundee's case when they were twice ahead on Saturday.

But Lyall Cameron was the beating heart of their midfield and competed well against an in-form Hearts side, as well as finishing off a fine team move in the second half.

The Dens Park faithful have a serious talent on their hands in the 21-year-old.

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Hearts manager Steven Naismith said he was pleased with his players’ efforts, but gave high praise to Tony Docherty’s young Dundee team.

“I actually enjoyed the game and thought our overall performance was decent, which made it enjoyable,” the Tynecastle boss said.

“If we had come away with one point or no points then it might have been different but there were loads of positives and it was a good game of football.

“Dundee are at the start of a journey with a good manager and young players who are talented.

“They have been really good and we knew we would have to work really hard to get the win. They will win more games than they don’t here at Dens.”

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Were you at Dens Park on Saturday or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I would love to come in after a game and talk about my team and how good they've been.

"But it seems to be the last five weeks all you do is talk about decisions. I just spoke to big Ash there, who is the most honest boy you could meet.

"What are you meant to do there? Are you meant to cut off a body part? What are you meant to do when you are a yard away from the player and it hits you.

"It was such a pivotal point in the game. We had gone from 1-1 to score a wonderful goal to go 2-1 up and I thought we were comfortable.

"Hearts are a really good side with a top striker in Lawrence Shankland. I thought we were handling it well but it was just that moment in the game that changed everything.

"Why doesn't he go and check it? I don't understand. He's told me: 'Had I seen it again...' Why did you not go and see it again?

"We have invested as an industry and a football club in a piece of apparatus there that you can go and check.

"Yet you don't do that. It is just galling for me."

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Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

Tony Docherty was visibly fuming at full time as he went up to referee Graham Grainger to protest about the penalty award, as his side repeated their mistakes of 11 days ago.

The manager said his players had learned lessons from that frustrating night in Edinburgh, and in a sense they did.

In the first game they sat off and invited pressure from Hearts, which eventually told. This time they looked to build on their one-goal lead, the problem was they paid from their profligacy.

Robinson missed a gilt-edged chances in front goal at 2-1 and 2-2, and Dodgson headed against the upright. That ended up being the difference.

Everything good about Dundee was evident, the skill and industry of Luke McCowan and Lyall Cameron in midfield, the presence and touch of Amadou Bakayoko, and the quality of Owen Beck.

But again defensively, they were passive and naive when it mattered. There is so much to like about them, but they need to keep their composure.

Dundee have influential midfielder Luke McCowan back from suspension, and Michael Mellon also starts against Hearts.

Mohamed Sylla and Zach Robinson drop to the bench after the midweek draw at Pittodrie.

Dundee: Carson, McGhee, Ashcroft, Shaughnessy, Dodgson, Beck, Boateng, McCowan, Cameron, Mellon, Bakayoko.

Substitutes: Legzdins, Sharp, Astley, Tiffoney, Main, Mulligan, Robinson, Robertson, Sylla.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty believes his side's tough run of away fixtures has tested the limits of his squad's character, and is pleased to be back at home for Saturday's clash with Hearts.

Seven of Dundee's last eight league fixtures have been on the road, with the last three of those coming in the space of a week.

"That [run of away games] tests your squad in terms of the resilience, the mentality and spirit and I think we have come out of that with flying colours," Docherty said.

"Now you look forward to the home games because you do get the home comforts, and there is nothing better than stepping out on to Dens Park with the crowd behind you and making it as intimidating as you can for the opposition."

Hearts prevailed 3-2 when the sides met at Tynecastle a couple of weeks ago, despite Dundee taking a two-goal lead.

Docherty praised the job done by opposite number Steven Naismith, but believes his side can take real positives from their first-half performance in the reverse fixture.

"They are not ten points clear in third place for no reason," he said.

"I am really impressed with the job Naisy has done there, they have got a style of play but they are adaptable within it.

"But they will remember us going against them two weeks ago, in particular our first half performance.

"If we can bring that level of performance it will be a great game because it is two really good teams fully out to try and win the game."

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Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee manager Tony Docherty says his squad is emerging from January "a lot stronger" than it was before the winter transfer window.

The deadline day arrival of goalkeeper Jon McCracken - who has joined on loan from Norwich City - took their recruitment drive to six players.

Docherty said: "Absolutely delighted and in general I am really, really happy with the January window that we have had. I think we are coming out of the window a lot stronger than when we went in to it, and I felt we were strong going in to it.

"I feel really positive about that and with regards to Jon and with regards to the whole squad, I just want competition in every position and the goalkeeping front is no different to that, so whether it is a goalkeeper, a central midfielder, a wide left player, I want competition and am seeing that in my squad just now.

"I am really pleased with the business that has been done in the January window and I would like to give great thanks for the fantastic support I have had from Tim [Keyes], John [Nelms], Gordon [Strachan] and all the recruitment staff that have been involved."

And when asked if there would be any more deadline day arrivals, Docherty added: "No, that would be us. I am really happy with the squad that we have assembled at the moment. That competition for places is so important if you are going to achieve anything, you achieve it as a squad and I think we have got a strong, robust squad and it makes you look forward to the business end of the season."

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Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership clash with Hearts on Saturday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Is delighted to have signed goalkeeper Jon McCracken and has spoken of having competition for places right throughout his squad.

• Says he is "really happy" about the business done in January, and believes Dundee are stronger than they were when they went in, adding that there is a real buzz around the place after the work they have done.

• There will be no more business before the deadline.

• Docherty is anticipating a tough challenge against Hearts, but says the Tynecastle side will remember Dundee’s impressive first-half display a couple of weeks ago.

• On the sacking of Barry Robson at Aberdeen, Docherty says he really feels for him, but believes "time will be kind to him" with regards to his achievements at the Dons.

• Docherty dismissed his name appearing in some of the betting lists for the next Aberdeen manager as pure speculation.

• Team news: Luke McCowan is back from suspension, Michael Mellon returns to training tomorrow, while Ricki Lamie is not ready yet.

We asked for your hopes as the transfer deadline ticks closer, as well as how you're feeling about Dundee's window so far.

Here's what some of you had to say...

Steven: We're needing a proper right-back instead of the usual utility player. As much of a great shot stopper Carson is, he flogs too many bad goals, better keeper please. Obviously with Beck back no-one's complaining about the business to date.

Boab: Extremely happy with our squad as it’s the strongest for years. Once our defensive injuries have cleared we will be a force to be reckoned with. Huge credit to the Doc and also the backing he’s received from the board.

Ron: Business so far has been top drawer and Owen Beck’s return has been the cherry on top. If there is something missing it would be a senior holding midfielder to provide some nous when we need to finish out a game. We have gifted youngsters in the middle of the park but a solid veteran to go along with Shaugnessey and Carson in the spine would be ace.

Rod: Back up in central defence would be great but I think most would agree that we have a good squad anyway. The Doc has done amazingly in the transfer market.

Gary: At this point it’s maybe more about keeping players than anything. Be interesting to see if another striker could come in to add to the options upfront. Going fine though.

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Norwich City goalkeeper Jon McCracken has returned to Dundee on a loan deal until the end of this season.

The 23-year-old signed for Dundee in the summer, but was recalled by Norwich after making just four competitive appearances.

McCracken was then loaned to English League Two side Accrington Stanley, where he made 13 appearances.

“I’m delighted to have Jon back at the club, he made a big impression on everybody at the start of the season," Dundee boss Tony Docherty said.

"He is a really competent goalkeeper, he’s very popular amongst the boys in the dressing room and he will fit right back into the dressing room.

"It is important for me to have strong competition in every position for the last part of the season and I want that with our goalkeepers and bringing Jon in gives us a real level of competition.”

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• Dundee have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 top-flight league games against Hearts, although that was earlier this season via a 1-0 win in August.

• Hearts have won just one of their last 11 Scottish Premiership away games at newly promoted sides (D2 L8), although this was a 1-0 win at Dundee in December 2021.

• Dundee have lost each of their last two home matches in the Scottish Premiership; they haven’t lost three on the spin at home in the division since May 2019 – a run of six.

• Hearts have won each of their last three away league matches, and are looking to win four consecutive games on the road in the top-flight for the first time since January 2011 (run of seven).

• Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland has scored a league-high 14 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season from an expected goals (xG) total of 10.2, with his difference of +3.8 the highest overperformance of xG by a player in the division in 2023-24. Shankland has also had 80 shots in the competition this term, at least 17 more than any other player.

Dundee chief executive John Nelms says manager Tony Docherty is under no obligation to pick the three players signed on loan from Burnley this month despite the new knowledge and talent sharing agreement between the clubs. (The Courier), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, BBC Sport