Dundee

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Steven Pressley told BBC Scotland: "I asked all the players today to show courage and belief to get a result here, and they showed that in abundance.

"I said to them in the dressing room I could cry for them today because they left every last ounce out there on the pitch.

"I'm hugely proud of the preface but it's still only one point and you can get relegated on one point.

"We were a big threat on set plays today, we caused them problems, there were a number of really positive aspects about the game.

"Today I saw further improvements and we'll work again tirelessly before the Kilmarnock game.

"I couldn't be prouder of those group of players today. The most important thing for me is to see progression and I certainly saw that."

Image source, SNS

Rangers defender Max Aarons has shrugged off a knock while Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane are working their way back to fitness.

Mikey Moore is still waiting for international clearance on his loan move from Tottenham.

Striker Joe Westley could make his Dundee debut but Yan Dhanda will have to wait following his loan move from Hearts as he is suspended.

Steven Pressley will make a late call on Simon Murray (knee) while Charlie Reilly (broken collarbone) and Cesar Garza (concussion) miss out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Callum Jones believes Dundee's form will "definitely" turn around under "really impressive" head coach Steven Pressley.

The Dark Blues have made a disappointing start to the season, crashing out of the League Cup in the group stages and losing their Premiership opener at home to Hibernian last weekend.

Jones, who arrived from Hull City last month as one of eight new faces at Dens Park so far this summer, has backed manager Pressely to turn the tide in their favour.

The 24-year-old said: "We are new, everyone is new, I think the gaffer's detail is really good, the principles that he wants and shows.

"Obviously everyone doesn't get to see that, but as a player I have worked with quite a lot of managers and the detail the gaffer wants is really impressive.

"It is not going to come out straight away in the first game, but Hibs are an established team, they have been together for a long time, big budget, and I don't think they really put us to the test too much.

"They won the game, but we never really looked out of shape, I think we were comfortable and compact and the units were exactly what we wanted.

"Obviously we want more going forward, which is fine, me included, but it will definitely come."

Given the way the campaign has started, unsurprisingly, a number of Dundee supporters are unhappy at the current situation.

On the fans' frustration, Jones said: "I know from previous places I have been, I have been hated one week then I have scored the next week and I have been a fan favourite, so it is how it is.

"It changes but they are right to have their opinion because they come and pay for the games and it is our job to try and change that opinion and get them onside.

"I definitely think they supported us at the weekend, and I am sure the more the season goes on and the better we do, then they will stay behind us."

• Rangers are unbeaten in their past 17 meetings with Dundee in all competitions (W14 D3) since a 2-1 league defeat in November 2017 under Graeme Murty.

• Dundee have lost each of their past 19 away games at Rangers in all competitions, a run that began in 2001. Only against five sides have Rangers ever won 20+ consecutive home matches in their history, most recently an ongoing run of 21 against Dunfermline from 1999 to 2021.

• Rangers drew 1-1 with Motherwell on matchday one but haven't failed to win both of their opening two matches of a Scottish Premiership campaign since 1989-90 under Graeme Souness (lost to St Mirren and Hibernian).

• In their opening-day defeat to Hibs, Dundee managed just two shots, their fewest in a Scottish Premiership home game since October 2018 vs Celtic (2). The Dark Blues did, however, win three of their final five away league games last term (L2), as many as across their 17 matches prior.

• Joe Rothwell has recorded three assists across his past eight league appearances, with each assist coming from a set-piece (2 for Leeds, 1 for Rangers) – the midfelder created the joint most chances (3) of any Rangers player against Motherwell, including his assist via a corner for James Tavernier.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Dundee look in no rush to complete the first-team squad that Steven Pressley admits is shy of five players.

The expectation of a slow start has been set with the manager stating we may be in for more hurt before positive results come our way.

The performance in the season-opening home defeat by Hibs was ultimately too negative. We lacked urgency in getting forward and struggled to create. In possession we lacked cohesion and the decision-making was all over the place.

For what it's worth, Dundee looked solid out of possession in keeping a rigid shape. Hibs didn't carve out many chances and every goal, including ours, stemmed from defensive mistakes.

The main positive was the standout performance of Luke Graham, who could be colossal for the team this season. The centre-back looks ready to steal weekly headlines in the vacuum left by fellow youth academy graduates Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan.

What is clear is Dundee are a team that need time to gel and require more quality to see through the rest of the campaign. Hopefully we'll see a much stronger team crafted for our trip to Rugby Park in two weeks.

Despite Rangers' failure to win on the opening day, our trip to Ibrox this Saturday is essentially a write-off from the fans' perspective. The last time we avoided defeat at Ibrox was in 2001.

I am fully braced for defeat, although I hope to see a more disciplined Dundee team.

The signing of Joe Westley may prove to be a coup over time as the young striker looks to have bags of potential. The priority now is to ensure Westley will be supplied with service as we are in dire need of creativity from midfield.

Dundee have started talks with Luke Graham about a contract extension for the 21-year-old defender, whose current deal lasts until summer 2027. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Pressley is "really delighted" to get striker Joe Westley signed from Burnley and thinks the club have "unearthed a really good young player" who is a "natural goalscorer".

• On further transfers, Pressley says the club "need a much better process" around signing players as they don't want to be "scrambling" for new additions at the last minute.

• After coming under criticism in his first few games, Pressley says he doesn't "listen to the outside noise" and "has never read any newspapers".

• He accepts not everybody is going to like him and knows at a club like Dundee that "we have to expect more criticism at times".

• On Saturday's game, Pressley believes his side will need to produce the "perfect performance" to win at Ibrox.

• After missing the last game with a knee injury, Pressley hopes Simon Murray will be back to full training at the end of the week, but he has still to decide if he will be ready for this weekend's game.

Image source, SNS

Dundee have signed striker Joe Westley on a three-year deal from Burnley.

The 20-year-old joins Steven Pressley's side after spending the second half of last season on loan at Swindon Town where he scored three goals in 17 League Two appearances.

Westley came through Burnley's youth academy before spells at AFC Fylde and Rochdale on loan.

"I'm buzzing to be here and I can't wait to get going," the forward told club media, external.

"It's a really exciting opportunity for me to come to Scotland and challenge myself in a different environment.

"David Longwell spoke to my agent about the opportunity of me coming up here, and the way he sold the club to me and what the project was, I was really excited by it, and it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

"In England, I've played in the National League and League Two. I could have gone back to Swindon, and I loved my time there, but this felt like the right move for me to progress my career.

"Michael Mellon was one of my best mates at Burnley, and I spoke to him yesterday and he spoke about how much he loved his time at Dundee, says it was a great club with great fans and that I should definitely take this opportunity."

Watch the Sportscene panel analyse Dundee's performance against Hibs in their 2-1 defeat to the Edinburgh side.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 defeat against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Albert: I'm still an optimistic Dundee fan despite our bad start to the season. I'm fully behind our manager, I just wish the rest of the fan base were.

Mark: Dundee are awful. Relegated by February. No creativity at all. Couldn't even get the substitutes on properly.

Stephen: I have supported Dundee for over 55 years and I can honestly say this is the worst set I have ever seen at this club and the future certainly doesn't look rosy.

Doug: On the basis of the three Dundee games that I've watched, including Sunday's, there is no doubt in my mind that we are already relegation fodder. We look weak all over the park, there is no fight in the team when Simon Murray isn't playing, and we seem to be content playing for low-scoring defeats. This season has disaster written all over it.

Jimmy: Another abysmal performance with only one shot on target, I'm fearful that we might get stranded at the bottom end again. There is nothing on display to show any difference.

Watch highlights from Dundee's 2-1 defeat to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Hibernian bounced back from their midweek Midtyjlland heartbreak to pick up three points on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership with a controlled victory at Dundee.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley told BBC Scotland: "We worked very hard. We did some good things defensively. We had a good shape around us. Gave away two disappointing goals in a time where I felt we'd settled into the game quite nicely.

"The big frustration was in possession we didn't show the belief, we turned the ball over unopposed at times when we could have made better choices. As a result of that, we had to defend more. Only with time and work and some level of continuity, we'll get there.

"I said pre-game, we're still in the market for six players. That will help the players that are. We need time on the grass with the players, giving them that belief.

"I saw enough green shoots today [to suggest], we'll be okay.

"I can never be sure [I'll get time] but I've been very transparent and honest about the situation. We're nowhere near where we need to be at this moment in time.

"We're also playing against a Hibernian team that are way ahead of us just now. We understand that, but my responsibility is to try and reduce that gap. We're working tirelessly to do that."

Image source, SNS

Dundee striker Simon Murray is a doubt with a knee injury while Charlie Reilly is out with a broken collarbone.

Hibs will make a late call on Nicky Cadden after he was substituted with a tight hamstring in Thursday's Europa League defeat by Midtjylland.

Lewis Miller has been missing with an ankle injury and is the subject of transfer interest from Blackburn, while captain Joe Newell is still working his way back to full fitness after a long-running groin issue.

We asked for your views on how Dundee are shaping up for the new Premiership season, which gets under way against Hibs on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

George: Need at least six players plus a good midfield general to replace the lost players. Need to concentrate for 90 minutes and not have any lapses. A few players are looking good but we certainly need some good reinforcements.

Steve: To win the odd derby and to finish 10th I'm sad to say. That's the best we can wish for with Steven Pressley at the helm.

Brian: Not very confident for the season ahead, do not think Pressley is the right man for the job. Some of the players recruited are poor, very poor. As a fan for over 50 years my motivation to head to home and away games is waning badly. John Nelms is killing our club.

Carl: Too early to give an opinion, but I feel more than a little pessimistic about the season. Losing 14 players from last season and we still need another five or six for this seasone. Looks like we're playing catch-up before a ball is kicked. Going to be a long season.

Alan: We are a total shambles and there is no sign of any ambition at the club. The squad is short in terms of numbers and lacking quality all over the park. Dundee do not have a playmaker. The facilities at Dens are dire and it is becoming increasingly clear that the much-talked-about new stadium will not materialise. We will be in the Championship next season and could be relegated by February.

Callum: First few games may be damage limitation, but Pressley knows what is needed. Dundee may be a tighter unit than a lot of folk believe. Could be a surprise package.

Stuart: I have supported the Dark Blues for nearly 50 years. I've long passed from childish optimism to pragmatic middle age, but never have I felt the fans so fearful and the squad so ill-equipped and under-prepared for a new season. No wins in the first eight games and then roll the managerial dice again.

Image source, SNS

Steven Pressley says his Dundee side are moving in the right direction but remain "nowhere near" where they need to be as he prepares for his first league match in charge.

The former Hearts skipper endured a turbulent start as defeats by Airdrie and Alloa ended Dundee's hopes of League Cup progression before wins over Bonnyrigg and Montrose brought respite.

Pressley says it will take time to and patience to turn around the fortunes of the Dark Blues, who kick off the new campaign at home to Hibs on Sunday.

"I think people think that us managers can come in and change things immediately," he said.

"We can't. It takes time, it takes process, it takes working on the training field relentlessly before you really start to see the signs.

"I've seen us moving in the direction, but we're nowhere near where we need to be and that will happen only through time on the training ground.

"I'm realistic on the whole situation. We're not going to get anywhere near where we need to be short term. It's going to take time, it's going to take a real resilience from us and a real work ethic to get there.

"But every day on the training ground, every game, we hope we can see elements of improvement and certainly come Sunday we hope that we're another step forward from the Montrose game."

Pressley praised Hibs for sticking with head coach David Gray last term amid an awful start to his tenure in which the club were bottom of the table in late November.

"It shows you that when you work towards something, there's always challenges, there's always difficulties, as he experienced," Pressley added.

"But sometimes if you keep working that way and working towards a process, things can change, and that's what they did.

"The other thing was that Hibs as a football club deserve credit for sticking by him during that difficult period, and they got their just rewards.

"He's shown great resilience, great leadership, and they were rewarded with a really strong campaign."

Image source, SNS

Former Dundee striker Rory Loy says the board's shock sacking of Tony Docherty put an "unnecessary amount of pressure" on successor Steven Pressley, who is now striving to overcome a rocky start.

Pressley's side were knocked out of the League Cup group stage after losing two of their four matches.

They open their Premiership campaign on Sunday at home to Hibs - who were beaten in extra time by Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying on Thursday night - and Loy sees it as a fresh start for the new manager.

"I think Sunday presents a completely clean slate for Pressley and Dundee," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I do understand it's been a poor start but it's now the start of the league campaign. The only winners out of last night's Hibs tie, given that Hibs went out and went to extra time, were Dundee.

"So Presley will be looking at this going, 'Let's change the narrative, let's go and win on Sunday, beat the team that finished third last year, get the crowd up at home and approach the season in a positive frame of mind.'

"It is going to take time but I also think the Dundee board, given their actions in sacking Doherty, and that's not Pressley's fault, have put an unnecessary amount of pressure on Pressley because the fans were so split and so frustrated.

"I think with the sacking it automatically puts more pressure on the new manager, which isn't fair on Presley.

"But I think he'll see Sunday as a clean slate and a chance to go and start the season well."