Dundee

Experienced defender Joe Shaughnessy is among seven players fit again for Dundee before Saturday's home league game with Hearts. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Attention turns to the home game with Hearts after our trip to Celtic Park last weekend was postponed.

Despite having started the season so poorly, Hearts are level on points with us. They're a very hot-and-cold outfit this season but have won four out of five games this month.

Our last encounter with them, at Tynecastle in early December, was one-sided. The 'real Hearts' - the one that would be expected to fight for third place - showed up that day and beat us comfortably.

The space between fifth and ninth just now is ridiculously tight - just four points - so beating Hearts would be a real six-pointer and a statement of intent that Dundee are getting better with each passing game.

Teams above like Motherwell and Aberdeen have gone off the boil, leaving us the perfect chance to capitalise and climb the table.

We are still the league's third top scoring team, behind Celtic and Rangers, and appear to look much more defensively astute compared to earlier in the season.

We deserved our clean sheet against Dundee United, it was a long time coming and if we can keep that hole patched for the fixtures in February then this could prove to be a very productive month for Dundee.

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Curtis Main has left Dundee by mutual consent and signed for Championship side Ayr United.

The striker, 32, joined Tony Docherty's side in January 2024 and scored six goals in 35 appearances.

In a statement, Dundee said: "Dundee Football Club can confirm that Curtis Main has left the club after both parties mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

"We want to thank Curtis for his service to the club in the past year and we wish him all the best for the rest of his career."

Main has signed a deal with Ayr until June 2026.

Aberdeen have joined Rangers in the race to snap up Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron, with the 22-year-old out of contract this summer. (Daily Mail), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Celtic will begin life without Kyogo Furuhashi, who left for France to finalise a move to Rennes. James Forrest (foot) remains out.

Josh Mulligan is back in the Dundee squad but the game comes too soon for Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee and Joe Shaughnessy despite their return to training.

Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez is waiting for international clearance, while Julien Vetro has been recalled by Burnley. Billy Koumetio (ankle), Antonio Portales, (hamstring), Scott Fraser (groin) and Charlie Reilly remain sidelined.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Oluwaseun Adewumi is ignoring the rave reviews he has been getting off the pitch and is instead focusing on showing his qualities on it.

The Austrian attacking midfielder, who recently extended his loan from Burnley until the end of the season, has been a standout for Dundee in recent weeks and netted in back-to-back draws with Rangers and Celtic.

Adewumi, 19, said: "I know what I have to do and I know what people expect from me, but I just keep it low and don't really concentrate on the media stuff.

"I just try and show my qualities on the pitch, that is the most important.

"I think I have improved a lot throughout this loan deal and when I heard it was extended I just hope the work continues. Things are going really well for me and it is my aim to improve myself."

Adewumi aims to continue his impressive form when Dundee seek an upset in Saturday's trip to face Celtic.

"It was an unbelievable feeling for me, especially scoring against the Old Firm, it was incredible and I'm looking forward for the next game," he added.

"I am very confident in myself right now, especially the run we have got. Every player is in really good shape and I hope I just bring the performances consistently."

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• This will be Celtic and Dundee's second successive league game against one another, after their 3-3 earlier this month. It's the first time the Hoops have faced the same opponent in back-to-back league games since January 2021 v Livingston.

• Dundee remain winless in 45 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L38), although the draw earlier this month was the first time the Dark Blues scored 3+ goals against the Hoops in a match since October 1988 (3-2 win).

• Celtic have won their past seven home league games by an aggregate score of 23-0. They last won more in a row without conceding at Celtic Park in March 2014 (nine).

• Dundee have won their past two away league outings, as many as their previous 17 beforehand (W2 D5 L10).

• After scoring in the 3-3 draw last time out, having also netted two league goals for Dundee earlier this season, Celtic's Luke McCowan is the first player to score both for and against the same side in a Scottish Premiership season since Tony Watt with Dundee United and Motherwell in 2021-22. McCowan is the first to do so for and against Dundee in the competition since Simon Murray in 2017-18.

Dundee chief executive John Nelms says he remains open to a potential ground share with city rivals Dundee United if the club's Camperdown stadium plan gets the green light. (The Courier), external

Dundee United owner Mark Ogren has definitively stated that the Tannadice club have "no appetite" to ground-share with city rivals Dundee at their proposed new Camperdown Park home. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has praised the club's owners for going "over and above" in developing ways to strengthen the squad.

The Dark Blues announced a strategic partnership with Mexican side CF Monterrey in November and have a similar arrangement with English Championship side Burnley.

Current Monterrey midfielder Cesar Garza arrived on loan this month, as did their former midfielder Victor Lopez.

Docherty said "Credit to the club, to John (Nelms) and Tim (Keyes) for looking out further, over and above, looking at partnerships where we can strengthen the team. I think you can see now that we are getting the benefits from that.

"We are also getting benefits from the partnership we have with Burnley in terms of (Oluwaseun) Adewumi's level of performance at the moment, so huge credit to the club for making sure there is no stone unturned in our search to try and develop the team and improve the team."

Despite being ravaged by injury and illness in recent weeks, Dundee travel to play champions Celtic on Saturday in excellent form.

They have lost just one of their past six games, a run which includes back-to-back draws with both the Old Firm and a Scottish Cup victory over neighbours United.

Docherty said: "It is a brand new group, we have been developing as a group, there are young players that are developing.

"And now that we have got incomings, the four are strong signings and the injuries – (Joe) Shaughnessy, (Antonio) Portales, (Ziyad) Larkeche, (Scott) Fraser - they are coming back into the fold at the right time.'

"So as well as the team are doing at the moment, there is a real strengthening of the squad happening and what that gives me is real healthy competition."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to Celtic this weekend.

Here are the main points:

• Docherty says the club are still awaiting international clearance for newly-signed Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez, who has joined on a year-long loan from Liga MX side Queretaro.

• The Dundee boss feels "you can see now we are getting the benefits" from their strategic partnership with Mexican club CF Monterrey, as well as the one with Burnley.

• On further transfer business, Docherty says: "We are still working on things at the moment, both incoming and outgoing."

• Amid continued speculation surrounding Lyall Cameron, who is out of contract in the summer, Docherty will be doing "all I can to make sure he remains a Dundee player for as long as we can".

• But Docherty thinks with the new signings and players coming back from injury "there is a real strengthening of the squad happening".

• He dismisses any notion Celtic will have a European hangover and stresses the importance of concentrating on their own business.

• With just one defeat in six games, Docherty praises his injury-hit squad for going "over and above" and says belief has been boosted by recent results.

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Julien Vetro has been recalled from his season-long loan at Dundee by parent club Burnley.

The French midfielder joined Tony Docherty's side in August and made six appearances during his loan spell.

The 20-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for the Championship club.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There is no doubt Dundee have made massive progress since Tony Docherty arrived at the club in the Summer of 2023.

But one word that has reared its head from time to time has been '"consistency" or a lack of it.

While much has been achieved on Docherty's watch, a failure to put a real run of results together has been something which has often been noted.

However, they certainly appear to have solved that conundrum.

The Dark Blues are currently on a run of just one defeat in six games across all competitions, a sequence which has seen them win three times and draw twice against the Old Firm.

If they can maintain these sort of levels then you would fancy they have every chance of improving on last season's top six Premiership finish.

And having landed what many would see as a favourable Scottish Cup fifth round draw – at home to Airdrieonians - the Dens Park faithful may just also be starting to dare to dream about reaching the latter stages of that competition.

Before a ball was kicked in the half dozen games I have highlighted above, there would have been those looking at those fixtures perhaps questioning how injury ravaged Dundee would fare.

Well the team has certainly stepped up to the plate and delivered.

Dundee's recent progress will be tested to the limits in their next outing – away to Celtic at the weekend – but on the basis of the last few weeks, you wouldn't bet against them going to Parkhead and really making life uncomfortable for the champions, having taking points off them in the City of Discovery last week.

Dundee manager Tony Docherty hopes to have Mexican winger Victor Lopez's year-long loan move from Monterrey completed this week. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Beating your local rivals is the best feeling in football and I am over the moon that we got our own back on them.

Performance and results wise - particularly after a fantastic display against Celtic, who were lucky to leave with a point - we had strong momentum going into the Scottish Cup derby.

I felt with the backline revolutionised by Aaron Donnelly's return, a clean sheet was going to come very soon and this proved to be the case.

Dundee were the better team in the first half and failed to capitalise on the chances to give us a more comfortable cushion to protect after Simon Murray's first-minute opener.

It made the rest of the contest a very nervy watch. United looked out of their comfort zone as they got to dictate the play and Dundee were challenging the visitors to break us down. Trevor Carson made a handful of great saves and the decision-making and duelling provided from Clark Robertson and Donnelly were top notch.

The cherry on top of victory is we have drawn Airdrie in the fifth round. We beat them 6-1 in the League Cup earlier in the season and they currently reside at the bottom of the Championship.

If we get the job done and have another favourable tie in the quarter-final, we could finally return to Hampden for the first time in 19 years.

When we got beaten in the new year's derby, the task was simply to show an immediate reaction and win the cup tie. Regardless of what happens at Parkhead on Saturday, we can walk out of January with our heads held high and attack the second half of the season with intent.

We asked for your views of Dundee's derby win in the Scottish Cup fourth round.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: Started like a rocket and fitting that Simon Murray got the flick that put us through. Dundee tried to play with the ball at their feet, United were happy to send aimless balls up field, hard to see why they're third on that first-half showing. Some tired legs in dark blue but they got what they deserved.

Brian: Truly a game of two halves. We had United on the ropes in the first then United had 95% of the second half. On the break we were great. The defence was outstanding, Tony Docherty's signings have proven to be excellent. A nail-biting end to the game but a great result. Fantastic to a man.

Ronnie: Brilliant result and performance, the result was all that mattered and such sweet revenge for league defeat. Dundee have a doggedness and steel about them now and with players back from injury and great looking new signings settling, we're hopefully on for decent cup run and top-six finish.

Anthony: First half we were excellent - quickfire start from Murray put us into dreamland. Had a good few chances to add to our lead but couldn't quite take them. United to their credit threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half but we showed great resilience and overall fully merited the win.

Kevin: As a whole from back to front worked hard for each other. Considering the amount of defenders Dundee have injured the back four played well. Since signing Aaron Donnelly he has been a big plus. Still feel we need another striker. Overall happy with the way the team is developing.

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Is an in-form Simon Murray key to Dundee having a memorable end to the campaign?

The Dens Park side and their fanbase are dreaming of a first Scottish Cup triumph in 115 years after ending Dundee United's unbeaten derby record on Monday.

It was Murray's first-minute header that settled an absorbing fourth-round tie, setting up a last-16 clash at home to Championship bottom side Airdrieonians.

Tony Docherty's men also have the top six in their sights after an impressive four-game unbeaten run that has seen them draw with both Old Firm sides.

Integral to that form has been striker Murray, who is now on 14 goals for the campaign after returning to the club from Ross County in the summer.

Five of those goals have come in his past six matches, with his relentless off-the-ball work also catching the eye.

"He's an absolute force of nature and I think adding to his game," broadcaster Jim Spence told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"As a younger guy, he was all about pace and running direct, but he's added to that. He's added real game intelligence. He links up well, makes clever runs, brings people into play.

"He's just a great player to have about any club. He's got such a will to win, such desire and such an irrepressible nature about him that lifts people around him."

So could this be the year that Dundee finally get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 1910?

"I'd love to think so," Spence added. "It'll be very difficult, but Tony Docherty really is putting a side together.

"They've got goals in them, they're starting to tighten up defensively and that's really important as well. So yes, it's a big, big ask, but it could be."

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Simon Murray revelled in his derby heroics after sending Dundee through to the Scottish Cup fifth round at United's expense.

The striker, whose first-minute goal proved to be the winner as Dundee advanced to a home tie with Airdrieonians, told Premier Sports: "We had the disappointment in the league a few weeks ago - that was a low and tonight is the opposite of that.

"We knew how tough it would be and the boys dug in. We put everything into that. It's a great feeling, just buzzing to get the win.

"I'm from here, I wanted to be back with family. That's what it's all about. The derbies are one of the fixtures you look out for and it's good to come out on the positive side of it.

"Old legs were knackered at the end but it's all worth it. Absolutely delighted and looking forward to the next round."

Dundee fans, were you at Dens Park to see your side beat neighbours Dundee United and reach the last 16 of the Scottish Cup? Either way, we want your thoughts on the game.

Who impressed you, and how far do you think Tony Docherty's side can go?

Have your say on the game., external

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Dundee manager Tony Docherty tells BBC Scotland: "A really pleasing start to the game. You then saw the mentality, the resilience and character of the team to see out the game and get a clean sheet.

"The players wanted to atone for [the derby defeat at the start of the month], there was a bit of redemption. That was a really strong performance from Dundee United in the second half.

"I just think everything considered - I've got five centre-halves out - to put in that performance speaks volumes. I've got good players and we're very good on the counter attack.

"They put us under pressure but my lads stood up to that.

"Simon runs himself into the ground, gets himself a goal and I'm delighted for him and all the players.

"We'll give Airdrieonians the upmost respect. I've just glad we've got a home tie. I see the atmosphere tonight and that's what you can get at Dens Park with the synergy between players and fans. They see the effort the players are putting in.

"We're not getting ahead of ourselves. Tonight was a real big task to beat a good side at home and keep a clean sheet. We'll see what happens."

Fans of both sides anticipate Monday's Dundee derby in the Scottish Cup fourth round.

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Tonight's Dundee derby "couldn't come at a better time" for hosts Dundee, says defender Ethan Ingram.

The Dark Blues welcome their street rivals to Dens Park with a place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup on the line and Ingram insists they're "in a good place" for the game.

Tony Docherty's side have only suffered one defeat in their last five - to United - including home draws with Rangers and Celtic.

The 21-year-old, who joined from West Brom last summer, said: "As players you love big games and want to play in this derby.

"We're in good form, in a good place as a team.

"There's no better time for this game to come around for us."