Dundee

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before Sunday's derby with Dundee United.

Here are the key lines:

• On reported interest in former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, Pressley says he is "a player we've certainly spoken about within the club".

• The Dundee boss says his squad are "excited" and "apprehensive" about Sunday's derby at Dens Park, which will be his first in charge.

• Pressley anticipates a "great game" and "great spectacle", adding: "There's a real sense within group that they are excited about it".

• The head coach knows "how important it is to the city of Dundee and our supporters" and is aiming to "continue to build" on back-to-back draws at Rangers and Kilmarnock.

• Winning the derby would "give everyone an enormous lift," he adds.

• Pressley says there is "growing confidence" within his squad and promises "a really honest performance" from his players this weekend.

• On the potential of further summer signings: "Very dependent on a number of things. I want to find that sweet spot where we have enough players but not too many. We're not far away from that."

• Team news: Paul Digby is still missing and Charlie Reilly is "not quite there yet".

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• After their 4-2 victory in March, Dundee could win back-to-back derbies against United in the top flight for the first time since November 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• There have been 17 goals in the past four Scottish Premiership meetings between Dundee (nine goals) and United (eight goals), an average of 4.3 per game.

• Dundee have only won one of their past 12 home league games (D4 L7), a 2-0 victory over St Mirren in April.

• Dundee United have won just one of their past seven league matches (D1 L5), beating Aberdeen 2-1 on the final day of last term.

• Dundee have both had the fewest shots (15) and faced the most shots (47) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season so far.

Dundee have held talks with Scotland international Ryan Jack over a return to the Scottish Premiership. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee's biggest flaw last season was a weakness at the back.

Their effectiveness in the attacking third was neutralised by a fragility in defence, a porousness which ultimately cost Tony Docherty his job as manager.

Solving that brittleness will be key to Dundee avoiding a dogfight at the wrong end of the table this time round.

You would think Docherty's successor, Steven Pressley, has the credentials to do just that, having served various clubs and his country with distinction in defence.

And there are signs he may be finding a way to tighten things up. Dundee were unfortunate to concede a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Rangers, which was followed by a goalless stalemate at Kilmarnock.

The backline will need to stand firm on Sunday as Pressley's men host neighbours United in the season's first Dundee derby.

There will still be sections of the Dens Park faithful who remain sceptical following Pressley's surprise appointment.

But a victory over their big rivals would go a long way towards to getting remaining doubters onside.

Dundee's threat in attack will increase in games to come as the new signings get to know each other, insists manager Steven Pressley. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Last season we had to wait until the middle of October for our first league clean sheet. We have now reached that feat after three games.

Dundee looked tough to beat in the stalemate against unbeaten Kilmarnock - at a stadium every team dreads visiting - and I can't remember the last time we could say that as a Premiership side.

Looking defensively astute cannot be taken for granted; our lack of defensive prowess was our Achilles heel last season.

Hopefully that backline momentum holds us in good stead for Sunday's Dundee derby. It's a special match, the first one you look out for when the fixtures are announced.

Dundee have a good record in the derby in recent years, yet a win on Sunday would be the first Premiership derby victory at Dens Park since 2016, when we famously relegated our neighbourhood rivals down to the Championship.

In the build-up, I feel like I'd rather be in our shoes than theirs.

Simon Murray has scored in the past three Dundee derbies - he steps up for these games. Alongside Yan Dhanda and Joe Westley, I feel Dundee carry a strong goal threat with players who fancy themselves as matchwinners. Sometimes these players are the difference.

We look strong at set-pieces while United appear vulnerable in that department, conceding four goals from dead balls across their past three games.

While things read well on paper, all that counts is the practice on grass.

What we've seen so far from our league action is encouraging, and a victory in the derby would be the perfect result to carry into the international break.

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Dundee's newest signing Ethan Hamilton "couldn't wait" to complete his move to Dens Park as soon as he knew the club were interested.

Steven Pressley's side have signed the 26-year-old midfielder on a three-year deal from Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.

The Scot has spent all his professional career down south since signing for Manchester United's academy at age 15, and played for them up to Under-21 level.

He has also had spells at English sides including Peterborough, Accrington and Bolton.

"I'm delighted to be at the club," said Hamilton.

"When I first heard of the interest, it was something I was really interested in and something that I wanted to take on.

"I spoke to the manager and couldn't wait to get it done."

Hamilton moves to Dens Park after a two-year spell with Lincholn, scoring three times in 82 appaerances.

"I'm a high-energy player who will always give my all for the team, and I'll hopefully chip in with some goals as well," he added.

Watch Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith analyse Steven Pressley's tenure at Dundee so far.

Watch highlights as Kilmarnock draw 0-0 against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 0-0 draw against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Ross: Improving game by game. Not exciting football but at least defensively we look better. Small gains.

Stephen: Good point and defence and keeper had a fine game, clean sheets mean points so keep it up.

Gary: Dundee came away from a notoriously difficult venue with a decent point, no reported injuries and a clean sheet, that's about all the positives that can be taken from that game. Steven Pressley's team seem to be building resilience and a unity for the games to come.

George: Very pleasing to get a point at Kilmarnock. We seem to be sorting the defence out. All we need now is some goals going in. The team seem to be in better shape.

Iain: We might be more resolute at the back, but our attacking stats are a massive worry. Worst attempts on goal in the league so far. We really lack creative threat. Still early days. Three or four signings needed.

Brian: Not enough fire power from Dundee, all the hard work at Ibrox followed with an inept performance against not a great Kilmarnock side. Three at the back terrifies me and the goalkeeper's kicking is awful, out of play more times than in. A point is a point, but better play needed.

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Kilmarnock remain unbeaten under new manager Stuart Kettlewell as they played out a goalless Scottish Premiership draw against a much more resolute-looking Dundee.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "It's a good point. We've had a really difficult start to the season, and the games on paper are hard games. The encouraging aspect for us is in all three, we've seen growth in certain areas.

"It was important to come here and get a clean sheet, do the basics of the game well. The one thing you need in a squad is spirit and determination, and I saw that in all our players today. That was really encouraging.

"They showed resilience in abundance. We know we need to improve offensively and with the ball, and I think that will come with work on the training ground and belief. Results like today give you that belief.

"There's a lot of hard work ahead of us. We've shown some green shoots, and a spirit and determination I'm really proud of. In terms of where we want to get to, we're still a million miles away.

"We're very close on a couple [more players]. I'm hopeful we can get them in in the coming week."

A Dundee move for Celtic right-back Colby Donovan, 18, is in the balance after an injury to Alistair Johnston. (The Courier - subscription required, external)

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Cameron Congreve is delighted to complete a move to Dundee that was "months" in the making.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has joined on a season-long loan after extending his Swansea City contract to 2028.

Congreve, who has played 19 games for the Swans, spent last season on loan at League Two Bromley, scoring six goals in 47 appearances.

On his Dundee move, Wales Under-21 international Congreve said: "It feels amazing, I'm absolutely delighted to be here and I can't wait to get started.

"It's been going on for quite a few months, and I've known about it for a while. I went back to Swansea for pre-season, and then I was allowed to go out on loan, and then it all happened quite quickly.

"I spoke with the gaffer, assistant and [technical director] Gordon [Strachan], and then I was here a day later.

"The call was really impressive, the amount of detail they went into, in terms of training, games, breaking things down and how they want to play. Every aspect they covered was really impressive and I made up my mind straight away.

"I played quite a lot last year and I just want to continue that, but most importantly, I just want to help the team as much as possible.

"I'm a player who likes to score goals, create goals. I like to excite and just get forward. I try and beat players, combine with my team-mates and just make things happen."

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Djenairo Dabiels (shoulder) and an unnamed player are doubts for Kilmarnock, but they have Tom Lowery back and Kyle Magennis getting close to action. Scott Tiffoney (calf) remains out.

Dundee have lost Paul Digby for five or six weeks to a calf injury but Simon Murray and Cesar Garza return and Charlie Reilly is back training after a broken collarbone. Plamen Galabov is hoping to shake off an illness.

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Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez has left Dundee after the club reached agreement with Queretaro to cut short his loan.

The 22-year-old arrived in January on a year-long deal and made his debut the following month in a 4-0 Scottish Cup victory against Airdrieonians.

But he made just one further appearance, in the 1-0 League Cup group-stage defeat at Alloa in July this season.

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Former Dundee, Hearts and Dunfermline striker Craig Wighton has announced his immediate retirement from professional football at the age of 28.

Wighton joined Montrose earlier this summer after a loan spell from Dunfermline last season, but says he can no longer "cope with the physical demands" on his body.

Capped six times at Under-21 level by Scotland, Wighton won the Championship with both Dundee and Hearts, while he also lifted the League 1 trophy with Dunfermline.

Wighton has struggled with knee problems since an ACL injury in 2017 and told his family, friends and team-mates of the decision yesterday.

"Just want to thank Montrose for the short time I've been here, I've really enjoyed the changing room and appreciate how nice everyone connected to the club has been," Wighton said.

"This is a decision I feel I've had to make as I can't cope with the physical demands on my body any more and I can't perform the way I want to and know that I can.

"I also want to thank the manager for understanding and for how well he took the news when I had the conversation - that meant a lot to me.

"I wish Montrose nothing but the best for the season, I'll be supporting the boys and have no doubt they'll have a successful season as they are a great group of players and guys!"

Dundee are in talks over a loan deal for Swansea City midfielder Cameron Congreve. (The Courier), external

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• Dundee have had the fewest shots (nine), recorded the lowest expected goals (0.5), faced the most shots (35) and averaged the lowest possession (28.9%) of any side in the Scottish Premiership in 2025-26 so far.

• Kilmarnock have only lost one of their past 14 Scottish Premiership games against Dundee (W5 D8), going down 3-2 in November 2024.

• Dundee have failed to win six Premiership visits to Kilmarnock (D3 L3) since winning 1-0 in May 2017 under Neil McCann.

• Both of Kilmarnock's two league games this season have ended as 2-2 draws, despite one side being 2-0 ahead – Killie led Livingston and trailed Hibs before both matches finished level.

• Sixty-five per cent of Dundee's Premiership points in 2025 have come away from home (13/20), a league-high share.

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley is hopeful that he will be able to add to his injury-hit squad before the transfer window shuts.

Midfielder Paul Digby is the most recent player to be sidelined, after he was ruled out for six weeks.

Before their Scottish Premiership match with Kilmarnock this weekend, the head coach said new additions are likely to happen following their trip to Ayrshire.

"It's highly unlikely to happen before the weekend but we have a couple of targets we are very close on that we believe will happen," Pressley said: .

"One of them being a midfielder that we think will come in early next week. Both ourselves and the club want it to happen, the player wants it to happen, it's just a matter of timing.

"And we have also not got an agreement in place with a club, but we believe we are getting close to that, for a player in another position.

"I think it will make a big difference. Competition for places creates consistency of performance. I want players to be under pressure to keep their positions. That type of environment breeds success.

"I don't want too big a squad. I want a squad of players that are very much manageable and feel part of it, but I want them to be breathing down each other's shoulders to be playing."

Digby has been an ever-present since joining from Cambridge and played the full game as Dundee drew at Ibrox last time out.

"Paul Digby, who played exceptionally well against Rangers and has been a pivotal player, has a calf injury," Pressley said. "It could be anything up to five, six weeks before we see him return. So that's a big blow."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Following an eye-catching 1-1 draw at Rangers last time out have Steven Pressley and his Dundee side turned a corner after a bumpy start to the season?

We will find out over the next few weeks. Having been on a high after their Ibrox exploits, the dark blues will have been desperate to get back into action as soon as possible.

However, because of their early Premier Sports Cup exit, they were left kicking their heels last weekend.

That break may not necessarily be a bad thing. Their showing in Glasgow served to illustrate the work Steven Pressley has been doing on the training ground is just starting to bear fruit.

Can another couple of weeks on the training ground further implement ideas and bring about a first league win?

To coin an old phrase, one swallow doesn't make a summer - but there were encouraging signs at Ibrox. The challenge now will be to use that as a platform upon which to build a more substantial body of work to reinforce the theory that his new look side are indeed now on the up.

Following the appointment of Pressley, and the subsequent turbulent opening to the campaign his side experienced, many observers – and dare I say it Dundee fans themselves – had written his team off.

While tactics and strategy are obviously key to delivering success, a siege mentality and a desire to prove the doubters wrong can also go a long way to getting a side motoring in the right direction.

Dundee boss Steven Pressley says Luke Graham is a player with "a big future" as he explained why contract talks have started with the defender. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.