Dundee

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."

Image source, SNS

• Dundee's Steven Pressley will take charge of a side in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since leading Falkirk for their final 15 league games of 2009-10 (W3 D5 L7).

• Dundee are winless in their opening match in each of their past five Scottish Premiership seasons (D3 L2) since beating Ross County 3-1 in 2016-17.

• After winning six successive matchday one games in the Premiership from 2017-18 to 2022-23, Hibs have since lost both of their past two season openers (both v St Mirren – 3-2 in 2023-24, 3-0 in 2024-25).

• Dundee have only lost one of their past five Scottish Premiership home games against Hibs (W2 D2), suffering a 2-1 defeat in November 2023.

• Hibs have suffered only two defeats in their last 18 top-fight meetings with Dundee (W9 D7), although both came away from home (3-1 in May 2022, 4-1 in November 2024).

Ross County striker Ronan Hale is not on Dundee's target list despite a report suggesting interest in the 26-year-old Northern Ireland international. (Press & Journal), external

Former Dundee midfielder Charlie Adam says he received no reply to his application to be head coach before Steven Pressley was appointed and the former Fleetwood Town boss is keen to return to management. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

New captain Simon Murray says the Dundee squad are "buzzing" with the new ideas Steven Pressley is implementing but admits "patience" is required from the support.

Pressley's tenure began with a League Cup group-stage exit as back-to-back defeats to Airdrie and Alloa were followed by wins over Bonnyrigg and Montrose.

The Dark Blues get the new Premiership campaign under way on Sunday with the visit of Hibs.

Striker Murray, who was appointed skipper by new boss Pressley last month, told Sky Sports: "It's a privilege to be named captain.

"It's been great so far. The boys have been buzzing in terms of the ideas and the way that we want to play.

"When you change the system, it's just getting that practice all the time, keep doing it and just getting used to it. When we get results, we'll all be happy.

"There's been change in the summer, and it's just new ideas.

"We've had some players come in, so it's just building these relationships and trying put into play what the manager wants, and that will take time. He knows that.

"It's just asking the supporters for some patience. We've got an exciting season to look forward to starting on Sunday.

"We're working hard on the training ground, getting the ideas in, working, building the relationships with our team-mates. Hopefully it will come good."

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Where will Dundee finish in the league and why?

Dundee have been clear in their ambition to get into the top six, hence why they parted ways with Tony Docherty after a 10th-place finish last season.

We are still lacking half a dozen players to complete our squad so it is very difficult to make a prediction at the time of writing.

What I will predict is 10th or higher. I think we will retain our Premiership status despite the social media hysteria around our fortunes.

We have a good nucleus of players and I expect the two newly-promoted teams to be scrapping to dodge the drop.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Tony Yogane from what we have signed so far looks the pick of the bunch - lively, direct, skilful and very composed on the ball. Steven Pressley worked with him at extensively at Brentford before securing his services on loan for the season.

What do you want from your manager this season?

When he was asked what kind of philosophy he wanted to implement at Dundee, Pressley stressed he didn't want one particular playing style but rather a team that is adaptable and pragmatic.

He said he wanted a team with plenty of dynamism that can perform in various styles. I want him to coach a team that can portray exactly that and to be much more defensively astute compared to last year.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Billy Koumetio signed last season and on a physical basis he has all the right attributes to be a success. He is a strong runner, 6ft 5in, athletic, great in the air and very good with the ball at his feet.

However, he lacked an in-game maturity and struggled to read passages of play. But I am backing him to improve his decision-making and blossom into a key player this season.

Imari Samuels, our left-back, also looks like he's ready to be unleashed after racking up several assists in the League Cup. He had to play second fiddle to Ziyad Larkeche since arriving in January, but now the spot is his to lose.

Samuels and Yogane on the left flank could prove to be a very formidable partnership - definitely one to watch.

What is your one major concern?

That we fail to replace departing key players like Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan with additions of equal impact.

Luke McCowan and Amadou Bakayoko were never properly replaced and that was a huge setback for us last season, so naturally I am fearful of a repeat.

Image source, SNS

Herald football writer Stephen McGowan thinks Dundee's 5-0 win over Montrose will help "steady the ship" at Den's Park, despite their League Cup exit.

After a disappointing start to the group stage, Steven Pressley's side recorded back-to-back wins over Montrose and Bonnyrigg Rose but won't progress to the last 16 of the competition.

"It's been a ropey old start for Stephen Pressley," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"I think it was always going to be a really difficult time.

"A lot of people felt that the sacking of Tony Doherty was pretty harsh, pretty unfair. That wasn't really Stephen Pressley's fault.

"He just came into a slightly unenviable situation where people were dubious about him from the start and against that backdrop, the very last thing you want to do is go out the League Cup in the first couple of games.

"So five goals against Montrose will be welcome. It will help to steady the ship a little bit but I don't think there's any question that they have an awful lot to do.

"I think right now if you were looking at the teams people would expect to struggle in that Premiership right now, I think Dundee would be one of the main picks."

Defender Luke Graham, 21, believes it's time to show he is good enough to play for Dundee. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on Dundee's League Cup win.

Here is what some of you said:

Thomas: Yet again, poor open play against lower league opposition. Fear for the opening day game against Hibs

It could be an embarrassing hiding

Rod: Glad to see Simon Murray get some goals. I'm hoping being captain doesn't distract him from his main task, as we are really going to rely on his goals again this season. When are we getting more players?

Robert: Take any win right now, but it still won't paper over the cracks. We need at least another six half-decent players or we're going down.

Stephen: Wouldn't get carried away, just papered over the cracks

Peter: A win should always raise the confidence within the club, unfortunately this only papers over the massive cracks.

I am very concerned with the head coach's inability to raise the team's tempo during long, boring spells in games, but he doesn't have the know-how.

My glass is half empty.

Brian: Boring match, not sure what tactics are by the coach, but they baffled me. Not a lot of players are standing out. We are in deep trouble

Logie: Yes, we are out of the cup, but I have seen enough in the defeats to Airdrie and Alloa to suggest this is an improvement on last season's Dundee team.

In Elvis we trust.

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Steven Pressley was pleased to see a second-half turnaround from his side after a "concerning" opening 45 minutes.

A Simon Murray penalty - the captain's first of the season - set Steven Pressley's side on their way early on, but the new Dens Park boss felt his side were lacklustre for periods of the first half.

Dundee ended a disappointing group campaign with a 5-0 hammering of third-tier visitors Montrose, to finish third in their league cup group.

"I was obviously pleased with the result, and I thought in the second half in particular we were much better," said Pressley.

"Much better as a unit, as a team, more synchronised in our pressing and our decision making, but I was a little bit concerned in the first half.

"We actually started the game really well, really aggressively and I was excited with our opening 10 or 15 minutes, but I just felt that we became a little bit disjointed at times.

"There were some good things in the second half and of course, three set-play goals again, which is a big part of what we're working on.

"So, the second half, [I was] much more satisfied, first half a little bit concerned on certain aspects."