Dundee

Centre-half Lee Ashcroft, on-loan Burnley midfielder Marcel Lewis and forward Diego Pineda are pushing for returns with Tony Docherty's side.

Meanwhile, on-loan Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, who was man-of-the-match last time out in their win over Ross County, is expected to be fit after struggling with a groin issue.

However, defender Antonio Portales is out until after the winter break with a hamstring injury.

Odin Thiago Holm is in contention for Celtic following illness.

Fellow midfielder Tyomoki Iwata has missed several games after picking up a knock, while Liel Abada and Reo Hatate are in the latter stages of their rehab.

Image source, SNS

Dundee could have Lee Ashcroft, Marcel Lewis and Diego Pineda back in contention after they missed last weekend’s win at Ross County through injury, but Antonio Portales is out until after the winter break with a hamstring injury. Owen Beck has been struggling with a groin issue but is expected to be fit.

Jack MacKenzie’s return from a hamstring issue means Aberdeen are at full strength.

Image source, SNS

Image source, Dundee FC

Sean O'Neil, BBC Scotland

Dundee's proposed new stadium - which is to serve as a multi-purpose venue - would become the city's "crown jewel", says managing director John Nelms.

After a concept image was unveiled on Friday, the American owner talked up the modern experience the new ground would give supporters, arguing it would appeal more to youth in the area.

"Right now, we're basically a 19th century building trying to put on a 21st century entertainment product," Nelms said.

"Being in a modern 5G stadium that has all the additions that go along with that will be fantastic, especially for the young fan that expects to have all the flash that goes along with being in a modern stadium.

"We're looking at being here for the next 125 years of a stadium with long-term investment into not just the football club but the city itself and other aspects we have investments in.

"The LEDs will give those modern effects that our fans have surely never been a part of. Having those types of things is going to be amazing. The ability to have large concerts in the city of Dundee, we think that's going to be amazing.

"Overall, we hope it's kind of like the crown jewel of the city of Dundee. It'll be glowing as you drive past it on the Kingsway."

Sean O'Neil, BBC Scotland

Dundee managing director John Nelms has been speaking to the media after the club unveiled a concept image for their proposed new stadium.

Here are the key points...

• The plans are an "accumulation of work since 2016", with the club now ready to put their proposal to the City Council.

• "Definitely pushing" for 2025 completion date, but admits that may not happen.

• There is a need for diversification with concerts and conferencing to be held at the venue, creating a "crown jewel of the city".

• Dens Park is a "19th century building for a 21st century entertainment product", adding that younger fans expect "flash" elements.

• "Really proud" of the way Tony Docherty's team has adjusted to life in the Premiership, looking at "enhancing that" in January and "solidifying their place in the league".

• The "ever-evolving" nature of the plans mean the full cost of the project won't be known "until we're ready to put a spade in the ground."

Image source, Dundee FC

Dundee have released a new concept image for a proposed 12,500-seater stadium to replace Dens Park.

The Camperdown Stadium Development campus would include a safe standing area in the home end and state-of-the-art LED screens, with plans to also use the venue as a music venue.

Further details are to be discussed at a news conference later on Friday.

John Nelms, Dundee FC Managing Director: “The project team have been working with an extensive planning and consultancy team to ensure we have a robust business case and project evaluation prepared for the local council as part of the Planning Permission in Principle process.

“We want to make Dundee Football Club and the stadium campus project a key part of the city’s regeneration and we have been encouraged by comments from the council that they are committed to helping remove barriers and working with developers to accelerate projects that will help the regeneration.

“We look forward to working in partnership with the council throughout this process and want to give Dundee fans a stadium befitting our future ambitions, one that is viable seven days a week through various entertainment and event offerings – in addition to cheering on the Dark Blues."

Image source, Holmes Miller Architects

Image source, SNS

He may be an old head in the dressing room, but Trevor Carson insists he's still got hunger to achieve with Dundee this season.

The goalkeeper says he's been "blown away" with the young players in the Dens Park dressing room, and hopes they can help to power his side to victory this weekend.

Carson said: "I think Aberdeen are in a false position with the squad they've got and the investment they've made.

"They're out of Europe now, and I expect them to move on. We're expecting a really though battle.

"Hopefully they're still hurting from the cup final on Sunday. We're going to be fresh on the back of a positive result on Saturday. In front of our own fans, we're expecting a big performance and a positive result. We see it as another opportunity to win a game of football.

"I've been blown away with the energy and intensity of the young boys. I think the manager has got the perfect blend of youth and experience.

"Everyone's here to do well. I'm the oldest in the squad and I'm certainly not here just to see out the end of my career. I'm here to achieve things."

• Dundee have won just one of their last 25 league meetings with Aberdeen (D6 L18), a 2-1 victory in October 2021 under James McPake.

• Aberdeen are winless in seven away league games at newly-promoted clubs (D3 L4) since a 3-1 win at Ross County in November 2019.

• Dundee have lost just two of their last 11 home league matches (W4 D5); after they’d lost four of their previous five at home before this run (D1).

• Aberdeen have lost three of their last four Premiership matches on the road (W1) and could lose three on the trot away from home for the first time this season - last doing so in May.

• Only Harry Paton (32) and Sven Sprangler (28) have completed more tackles in the top flight than Dundee’s Owen Beck (27) this season.

Image source, SNS

Tony Docherty certainly isn't taking Derek Adams' comments lightly.

After the Ross County manager used his post-match interview from Saturday's last-gasp Dundee defeat to slam the standard of Scottish football, the Dens Park boss says his team were "disrespected".

Docherty said: "As Dundee manager, I won't allow others - no matter who it is - to make comments that are disrespectful to the football club and that disregard the football club, and in particular, disrespect my players.

"I think there's been a narrative and a general consensus that we're a newly-promoted club that have displayed a high level of performance on a consistent basis, and I won't allow that to be rubbished by anyone's comments.

"I was [surprised], but I've been there. We've been the victim when we've lost late goals this season. There's irrefutable stats there that prove we are the better team - we had more opportunities, more crosses, more corners. Those are facts.

"To go on and talk about Scottish football the way [Adams did], I thought it was disrespectful to not only my football club, but the other football clubs they've come up against.

"I think we've got a good product, and I think it's highlighted by Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen's performances last week in Europe. We can't rubbish the product, it's important we talk it up.

"I picked up an anger from the players because there was that level of disrespect. [You're] angry when someone makes those comments about you that you feel are unjustified, and the facts back up that they're unjustified.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been talking to the media before Saturday's visit of Aberdeen.

Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of questions about Derek Adams' comments on the state of Scottish football following last weekend's dramatic win over Ross County...

• Docherty says he "won't allow anyone to disrespect or disregard the football club, in particular my players".

• He can "understand the emotion" behind Adams' remarks, but says there are "irrefutable stats" that prove Dundee were the "better team".

• He has had no contact with Adams since the comments were made, though his players were "angered" by the "disrespect".

• Scottish football has a "good product" which has been highlighted by European victories last weekend.

• He is looking forward to getting back in front of "fantastic" home fans over the festive period, starting with a "difficult" Aberdeen test.

• Beyond a few "bumps and bruises" he expects everyone but Antonio Portalles to be fit for Saturday.

Image source, SNS

Liverpool are in talks with Dundee over recalling left-back Owen Beck from his loan spell in January. (Daily Record)

Dundee need to manage defender Beck - one of the promoted side's stars of the season - through his injury, says manager Tony Docherty. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Seventh-placed Dundee are seeking to make it successive Premiership wins when they host Aberdeen on Saturday.

Should Tony Docherty freshen up his side? Put yourself in the manager's shoes and choose your starting XI here.

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

After three games on the road, Dundee will be delighted to be able to look forward to some home comforts for their next couple of fixtures.

I wrote a little while back about how the trio of away days would be a real test for Tony Docherty’s side.

Well it is a test they have passed with flying colours.

The Dark Blues only lost one of those games – at Ibrox where they gave a very good account of themselves.

They were victorious at Ross County last time out, and drew at Motherwell – another encounter they will feel they should have won.

So if you look at all of that, Docherty can rightly be hugely satisfied with how they have performed.

They’ve emerged from that little sequence of games, still very handily placed in the Premiership table – they are seventh, with a couple of games in hand on the three teams above them.

In fact, three of their next four games are at home, starting with Dens Park dates with Aberdeen and Celtic.

On paper those look difficult obstacles, but if, as they have done so well already this season, they can find a way of successfully clearing the hurdles that have been put in front of them then the Dundee faithful can rightfully really begin to believe that 2024 can be a very, very happy new year.

Dundee might look to strengthen in the January transfer window. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Derek Adams stands by his explosive assessment of Scottish football since his return to Ross County, but does "regret" bringing Morecambe into his point.

Adams pulled no punches in his post-match interview with the BBC, branding the top flight as "rubbish".

Previewing his side's final fixture before Christmas on Saturday against Hibernian, the County manager reiterated his comments.

"What I said on Saturday was based on what I've seen from the five games I have witnessed," he said.

"Sometimes, it's probably better if I keep my thoughts and opinions to myself.

"After the game, there was a situation where we'd lost a last minute goal and you probably do say things quite quickly after it, and that's what I did but what from what I've seen in the five games, I stand by what I said.

"What I probably shouldn't have done was refer to my former employer and that is something that I do regret."

Image source, BBC Sport

Daniel Smith, Up Wi' the Bonnets podcast, external

What a win. What a goal to win it at the death. What a celebration from the near on 1000 strong travelling Dundee army. What a post-match interview from Derek Adams.

There is no way I can sit here and write this week's article without dedicating it to a gentleman who's rattle was firmly flung out of the the pram at the end of the 97 minutes of Saturday's fine 1-0 victory for Dundee away to Ross County.

Not only did he demand that our manager should be saying that County were the better team, he was also flinging his own team, fans and owners under the bus with quite frankly, some outlandish comments.

We know that the standard can sometimes be rotten up here. But is it the same of any other league in any other country? Of course it is.

How many times do we sit down to watch a top of the table clash in what is supposedly the "greatest league in the world," only to be met with a drab 0-0 with next to no action? I'll tell ya. Plenty of times.

What we lack in all the glitz and the glamour of more appealing leagues, we certainly makeup for it with passion.

Just look at our celebrations when the winner went in. Show me many other leagues in the world that will celebrate like we did.

Now some will say it was excessive. It was over-the-top for a County vs Dundee tie. But I don't buy that at all. Absolute limbs.

So, getting back to those Derek Adams' comments before I finish up here.

Unfortunately your views on the whole of Scottish football are very much widely off the mark.

This is our game. The Scottish game.

We know that it isn't pretty. It could be a chore sometimes to watch when results aren't going your way.

But moments like Saturday, that's what we pay our money to watch our clubs for. It's unmatched. Nothing comes close.

Give me Scottish fitba over any other of these imposters any day of the week.

Image source, SNS

Tony Docherty has been a brilliant assistant manager all of his career before choosing to step out on his own and take up the Dens Park hot seat this summer.

Undoubtedly, he's shown this season that he's more than capable of being a manager in his own right.

He's assembled a really good squad at Dens Park, so much so that we're now at the point that it's not a shock when Dundee go and pull off a result.

When they win a game - no matter who the opposition is - it doesn't really come as a surprise.

I think it's safe to say at this point that this side is unlikely to be involved in a relegation battle. One thing's for sure though, Docherty won't be telling his players that.

He's done a fantastic job so far, and those fans who are singing his praises just now will be hoping that continues right until the end of the season.

James McFadden was speaking to BBC Scotland's Sean McGill