Dundee

Dundee manager Tony Docherty reacts to the 3-1 win over Hearts.

A superb first-half display earned Dundee a comfortable Scottish Premiership victory against below-par Hearts at Dens Park.

Scott Tiffoney fired in the opener after a poor clearance from visiting goalkeeper Zander Clark and Steven Naismith's side never recovered in a dismal opening period.

Gerald Taylor netted a calamitous own goal in first-half stoppage time and just seconds later Frankie Kent fouled Tiffoney to concede a penalty, which Luke McCowan calmly dispatched.

Things appeared to get worse for Hearts when Lyall Cameron netted from Seb Palmer-Houlden's cross, but a handball from Mo Sylla in the build-up denied the hosts a fourth.

Hearts improved after the break and pulled one back through Frankie Kent's close-range header, but some wasteful finishing meant a potential comeback never looked likely.

Send us your thoughts on Dundee's win here, external.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Punching above their weight has almost become the norm for Dundee since they returned to the top flight, and they overwhelmed Hearts in a superb opening half.

Tony Docherty's side were organised in defence, and hit Hearts again and again on the break as they poured forward at pace and in numbers.

Mo Sylla was excellent at breaking up the play in midfield, allowing Luke McCowan and Lyall Cameron to create and dictate, with Simon Murray his usual bundle of energy up front.

Roared on from the stands, Dundee appeared first to every second ball and their lead at the break was fully deserved.

They tired as they game went on and retreated more into their own half, but that was understandable after such an intense opening half.

It's now 23 goals in six outings for Dundee this season, and they look likely to build on last season's success.

The Dens Park outfit will look to add to their goal-scoring tally when they face Airdrieonians in League Cup action next Saturday.

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Scott Tiffoney scored the opener, won the penalty and got the better of Hearts' Gerald Taylor down Dundee's left flank. A superb performance.

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "That was almost a complete team performance. Deservedly we went in 3-0 at the break. The level of performance in and out of possession was outstanding.

"That sets the benchmark for us now. Hearts are a very good team. The players executed the gameplan to the letter, and showed real bravery with the ball. Our incisiveness and our decision-making was excellent.

"We'll need to make sure that we're as organised and resolute behind the ball, but also show that bravery in possession [against Airdrieonians]."

Dundee: McCracken, Ingram, Portales, McGhee, Larkeche, Tiffoney, Sylla, McCowan, Cameron, Palmer-Houlden, Murray.

Substitutes: Carson, Sharp, Astley, Main, F. Robertson, Koumetio, Graham, Lochhead.

Hearts: Clark, Taylor, Oyegoke, Kent, Rowles, Penrice, Devlin, Grant, Vargas, Shankland, McKay.

Substitutes: Gordon, Kingsley, Halkett, Oda, Spittal, Forrest, Boateng, Dhanda, Boyce.

Dundee have rejected a second bid for Luke McCowan from Hibs, with the improved offer still well short of what the Dens Park club are looking for. (Sky Sports), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Defender Billy Koumetio could make his Dundee debut after joining from Liverpool. Charlie Reilly and Clark Robertson remain out with hamstring injuries and Joe Shaughnessy (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Hearts boss Steven Naismith expects to have everyone available for selection apart from midfielders Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) and Beni Baningime (knee), who are both set to be sidelined until September.

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Dundee have signed defender Billy Koumetio from Liverpool on a two-year contract, with the transfer subject to international clearance.

Koumetio, 21, joined Liverpool's academy in 2018 but only made two appearances for the first team during his time on Merseyside.

The French youth international spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, but featured just once in an FA Cup loss against Newcastle United.

However, he is keen to impress north of the border and says his former teammate Owen Beck's loan spell at Dens Park encouraged him to sign for Tony Docherty's side.

"I believe and have the conviction that this is the best step in my career. I had discussions with the manager, Liverpool and my agent and once we reached an agreement everything went through.

"I discussed with the manager how he wants to play and how he wants me to play and how I can improve as a player," Koumetio said.

"I spoke with Owen Beck about his time at Dundee and he loved it, everything he said about the club was so positive."

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Dundee youngster Jamie Richardson has joined Arbroath on a loan deal until January.

The 19-year-old is part of the development squad but has been training with the senior team this summer.

The attacker made his senior debut in League Cup group stage against Bonnyrigg Rose and played the final 10 minutes of the 7-1 victory.

Dundee have agreed a deal to sign 21-year-old Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Manager Tony Docherty is unfazed by speculation over the future of Dundee captain Luke McCowan.

Hibs and Bolton have reportedly had bids rejected for the 26-year-old midfielder, who is into the final 12 months of his Dens Park contract.

"Not to date, not that I’m aware of, nothing that has been brought to my attention," said Docherty when asked if offers have been received for McCowan.

He added: "They might have gone to the club, but certainly as manager there’s been nothing brought to my attention.

"Listen, Luke McCowan is our player and he is a brilliant boy. I’ve got a really special relationship with Luke so as happens in this industry when you are doing well - and he had a good season along with a lot of other players in my squad - of course you are going to attract suitors, but at the moment it’s speculation.

"Luke leads by example every day and he is continuing to do that. Until I am told different he will be my player and that relationship will continue.

"There is so much speculation, I get eight or nine names thrown at me every day but until anything is factual I won't get involved in it, and that is transfers in and out."

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before the Premiership game with Hearts this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Docherty says there’s been "no bids" to his knowledge for skipper Luke McCowan.

• He adds: "Luke leads by example. I’ve got a really special relationship with him, of course you’re going to attract suitors".

• On further signings, Docherty is looking to attract the "right person" and says "I know what I need, I’ve got a really strong core, I need to make sure I can enhance that".

• "The dust has settled" after the opening-day derby draw and he is making sure his players are "laser focused" on the Hearts game.

• He is "really close" with Steven Naismith who got the Tynecastle post at the same time he came to Dens Park, and says the Hearts manager has done "an absolutely brilliant job".

• Dundee beat Hearts at home in the first meeting of last term and Docherty says his side will need to be at their best to repeat the feat.

• Clark Robertson and Charlie Reilly are still out, and Joe Shaughnessy remains a long-term absentee.

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• Dundee have lost each of their last three league games against Hearts, last losing four in a row to Hearts in the top flight in October 2004.

• Hearts have won four of their last five league away games against Dundee (L1), including a 3-2 victory most recently in February last season.

• Dundee haven't won their first home game of a top-flight league season since 2001-02 (2-1 vs Hibernian), going winless in 11 such matches since (D4 L7).

• After beating St Johnstone 2-0 last season, Hearts could win their first away league game in back-to-back top-flight seasons for the first time since a run of three in a row from 2004-05 to 2006-07.

• Since the start of last season, Luke McCowan has scored 11 goals in the Scottish Premiership, five more than any other Dundee player.

Luke McCowan will continue to be a driving force for Dundee regardless of speculation over bids for the star midfielder, says manager Tony Docherty. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Hibernian have had a bid for Dundee winger Luke McCowan turned down. (Football Scotland), external

Dundee will not be drawn on whether there have been bids for McCowan, 26. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

"A great advert for Scottish football" is a sentence often used when describing the Dundee Derby.

Without a doubt, it was a great game for the neutrals with end-to-end action that never failed to entertain.

Going into this game, I felt more confident than ever about facing Dundee United at Tannadice. I expected Dundee to be sharp and in their element from the first whistle.

However, my hopes were quickly dashed.

Dundee's conservative approach in the first half was disappointing. Struggling to progress beyond our backline, our midfield seemed completely absent.

United took full advantage, with several waves of attack that should have served as warning signs for the Dark Blues. Defensively, we were all over the place, frequently losing the ball through slack passing and igniting United's attacks.

While I believe Dundee were their own worst enemies, credit must be given to United. They were well-prepared, with their awareness and positioning catching us off-guard for both goals. We were fortunate that Lyall Cameron cleared what would have been a certain winning goal for the Tangerines in the second half.

We had four debutants to the Premiership in our lineup - Ziyad Larkeche, Luke Graham, Ethan Ingram, and Seb Palmer-Houlden. I have no doubt these players will only get better from now on after their baptism of fire. They may need time to gel before they'll be at their best, but the character and determination to grind out a result after going behind twice was there for everyone to see.

We finished the game in the manner we should've started it with.

The impact of Scott Tiffoney and Josh Mulligan from the bench changed everything. Suddenly we were far more direct, creating chances and on the front foot.

For the final twenty minutes, it only looked like one team was going to claim victory. If we can maintain that level of performance for the full duration of the contest rather than just the climatic finish, then I have no doubt we will win these types of games.

Curtis Main's chance to grab a winner at the death is going to haunt us until our next visit across the road to settle the score.

A point away from home, coming back twice from behind but rolling into two decades since our last derby victory at Tannadice, leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. The Premiership is back, and there is plenty of time to showcase ourselves as the top team in the city once again.

We asked you for your thoughts following Dundee's derby draw with United to kick off the Scottish Premiership season.

Here's what you had to say:

Steven: Pulsating and tense game, just as you'd expect. Player-wise, young Graham unfortunately looked out of his depth and Cameron seems to have lost his way, another big game where he was anonymous.

I'm a fan of Sylla normally but he looked slow and ponderous. I'll give Larkeche a chance, but didn't excite on debut. Substitutes were excellent.

Garry: Simply not good enough in the first half. Came back into it in the second, but why do we always wait until we're behind, before we start to play? Got away with it last year, but think our league position flattered us somewhat. We're still not clinical in front of goal.

Mike: Main could have written himself into Dundee derby history had he just clipped that wonderful cross from Simon Murray over the keeper. Wee Lyall Cameron kept us in the game, though.

George: A point is a point, but it should of been three.

Rod: I think putting a new signing from the day before straight into the team in a derby was a mistake. Mulligan's strength helped when he came on and Tiffoney could have started on the wing with his speed and energy.

The team or formation seemed a little unbalanced but at no point did I think we would lose. I knew Doc would sort it and he did.

Gaz: Poor in the first half, but could have stole it at the end of the second half, so I'll take a point. Defence needs sorting out having given United two easy goals.

Iain: We shouldn't be happy with that performance today. We got off lightly and our defending was awful.

United could have (and probably should have) been out of sight in the first 50 minutes. Here's hoping this was just shaking off a wee bit of dust but to go in as favourites and come out with one point isn't good enough.

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Luke McCowan rued a below-par performance after Dundee drew their Premiership opener 2-2 with city rivals Dundee United.

Tony Docherty's side came from behind twice at Tannadice through Seb Palmer-Houlden's close-range finish and McCowan's second-half penalty.

Despite the fightback, McCowan says Dundee simply have to improve moving forwards.

"We are not [happy with a point]. We know the performance levels are going to need to get better if we are to come away from home and win games like that," he told BBC Sport Scotland after the game.

"It's a lot of people's first time playing in the Dundee derby and it can be an occasion that can get the better of you.

"It's a huge learning curve. In the first half a few just weren't good enough. We should have played more direct and been more effective.

"We were the top team in the second half but just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal."

Watch the best of the action from Tannadice as Dundee United and Dundee share four goals in an opening-day thriller. (Available to UK users only)

The Dundee derby was in the spotlight on TV, radio and online as the Scottish Premiership kicked off, but what did you make of the 2-2 draw?

Dark Blues fans, are you happy with the way Tony Docherty's squad is shaping up?

Give us your thoughts here., external