Dundee

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee midfielder Ethan Hamilton has credited the club's coaching staff with his performances this season as the stand-in captain delivered another impressive display despite defeat by Hearts.

The summer signing from Lincoln City has been an ever-present in the heart of the Dundee midfield this season and was in the thick of the battle against the league leaders.

Asked why he is playing some of his best football, Hamilton said manager Steven Pressley and coaches Scott Patterson, Barry Nicholson, and David Longwell have had a big impact.

"I'm just really enjoying my football," the 27-year-old said.

"It's probably the most I've enjoyed it with the management staff, the manager and who he has behind the scenes.

"Scotty, Baz, Davie Longwell as well are brilliant and work really hard for us. We've got to repay that as players. I think you see that, we work hard for the manager and the club.

"The second half with them down to 10 men you want to try and break them down and get the goal to equalise.

"We had a lot of pressure with plenty of crosses into the box, and then that save [from Craig Gordon] at the end is a brilliant save.

"But we can take confidence into the next few games.

"We feel like coming off the back of three good wins, although it's a defeat today we can take the positive going into the Scottish Cup game against Kilmarnock."

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by 10-man Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

John: Think we deserved a draw. Great save from Gordon but Hearts timewasting was annoying. Only three minutes of injury time. Results yesterday helped us before game.

Alan: Big improvement in Dundee since the start of the season. Looked well organised and threatening against a top team. Had it not been for a worldie from Craig Gordon we would have got a much deserved point. Onwards and upwards for The Dee and Elvis!

Steve: Great performance from the Dee and unlucky not to get at least a point. The work that Pressley and the coaching team have been doing is evident for all to see. Perhaps the naysayers will get off the club's back.

Iain: A great save from Gordon but there's no doubt we were robbed by appalling officiating - there's no way Hearts goal should have been allowed, they took their free-kick a long way from where the 'offence' was. Where was VAR?

Martin: Should have got more from the game. We played well but missed Yan Dhanda's creativity in midfield. Three minutes added time? Hearts time wasted time the whole of the second half (which the weak referee passively ignored) and there were several substitutes. Keep it going Dundee, we are playing some really good stuff and there is a bit of grit in the team that was missing early season.

Watch highlights as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts grind out a potentially vital victory at Dundee despite playing more than half the game with 10 players.

Read more.

Forty-three-year-old substitute goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced an incredible stoppage-time save to earn 10-man league leaders Hearts a potentially vital Scottish Premiership victory at Dundee.

Read the match report

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "I even thought 11 v 11, we were the better side. We carved out the better opportunities and we were aggressive in our pressure. It was very much what I wanted to see.

"Second half, we wanted to get a lot of crosses in. It was just the fine margins. There were a lot of really good things among the performance, and of course, a real world-class save at the end.

"Just when we thought we'd managed to salvage something from the game, Craig produces an incredible stop.

"They have defenders that can really defend the box because we asked so many questions of them."

[On the Hearts goal]: "I don't want to make this an interview about an incident when we gave so much from the game. We're bitterly disappointed, but we've come a long way. We're on the right track.

"[Ethan] Hamilton has been a colossus since he's come to the club. We nullified their attacking threats, they didn't create many opportunities. The fine margins are the things we have to improve on.

"We're trying [for reinforcements]. We're hopeful we can get something over the line."

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Dundee captain Simon Murray returns from suspension but Joe Westley remains out for another 10 weeks.

Hearts will assess whether new winger signing Islam Chesnokov could feature and Landry Kabore is back from international duty.

Ageu, Sander Kartum, Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock are unavailable.

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Dundee's fine form make them a more difficult opponent on Sunday, says Hearts manager Derek McInnes.

The Scottish Premiership leaders visit Dens Park to face a side on a three-match winning run.

Their manager, Steven Pressley, has faced criticism during this season but McInnes is pleased the 52-year-old has enjoyed an upturn in form.

"I was a bit annoyed a few months into the season, a few weeks into the season there was this constant jumping on him and it's too early to judge anybody at that stage," said McInnes.

"I'm pleased that good work's been done, he's just knuckled down. It's not been easy for him and I love seeing when a manager goes through a tough time and comes out the other end.

"Ultimately, I've still got to win a game but there's good work being done, sometimes in this league you come out against teams who are in poor form like Livi struggling for a result on Saturday getting into Saturday's game but they've been competitive.

"And then you're playing Dundee and you're playing them when they're in a really good run of form, particularly after a derby win when you've got that city rivalry and they win a derby game they'll be feeling brilliant about themselves going into the game. So, we're well aware that that's an added difficulty for us and an added plus for them."

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Former Dundee United and Hearts manager Robbie Neilson suggests Dundee are the "form team" in the Scottish Premiership as they look to make it four wins on the bounce.

Before the 1-0 win over Falkirk on 27 December, Dundee had won just three of their previous 18 matches and looked like they were already being dragged into a relegation fight.

Over the festive period they've won three games in a row, including last weekend's Dundee derby at Dundee United, and welcome league leaders Hearts to Tynecastle on Sunday.

"I know Steven very well and speak to him pretty regularly and when he came in at the start of season they were trying to find a way to be defensively stable," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They got it a little bit and then they started to have one or two decent results and he felt maybe they could get a little bit more possession so he changed, they lost a couple of games and decided they needed to go back to being defensively solid.

"They've gone back to being a lot more defensively solid, which has given them a base to then go and win games. They're starting to take their chances as well now. It's very difficult to get a natural goal scorer because they're so expensive so you're, you're never going to have a high conversion rate of chances.

"Dundee are going through a period where they're scoring their goals, yes, but they're being so much more defensively solid - a lot more solid at set plays, a lot more solid out of possession and in possession.

"It's great to see for Steven because after a difficult start to the season, now they look like the form team."

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• Hearts' Cammy Devlin has made 92 tackles in the Premiership this season, at least 42 more than any other player. He has also recorded 51 interceptions, at least 14 more than anybody else.

• Dundee have lost six of their past eight league meetings with Hearts (W2), most recently losing 4-0 in November.

• Hearts have won five of their past seven Premiership visits to Dundee (L2), most recently a 6-0 win in February 2025, which was their biggest winning margin in the competition since January 2016, when they also beat Motherwell 6-0.

• Dundee have won their past three league games, last winning four in a row in the top flight in May 1999 under Jocky Scott.

• Hearts have won four of their past five league games, losing the other 3-2 to rivals Hibernian in December. Hearts had only won one of their previous six league fixtures prior to this (D4 L1).

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Steven Pressley says Dundee have "nothing to be scared about" as he challenged his side to continue their "outstanding" form by taking Premiership leaders Hearts' scalp.

Last weekend's 1-0 derby win over Dundee United made it three wins in a row for Pressley's men, who are up to ninth place, nine points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

"Nothing gives you greater confidence than winning games of football," Pressley said.

"And to win three over that festive period was outstanding work from the players. They'll take a great deal of confidence from that.

"I also told them that sometimes in football you don't enjoy these moments enough and they have to enjoy them. They don't come around every day.

"There's always that voice in your mind saying, be careful, there's something not particularly good around the corner. But they've shown that whatever's around the corner, they can deal with.

"They've responded to some really difficult moments this year and time and again have come back from disappointment. So they've got nothing to be scared about.

"They need to enjoy this period, but at the same time, not taking our foot off the accelerator because we've got another huge game on Sunday at Dens. It's a game that we want to get some form of result from."

Hearts have suffered with just two defeats in 20 league games this season and Pressley says it will take an "outstanding performance" from his side to add to that tally.

"Hearts are the real deal, to be honest," he said.

"And for us to get anything from the game on Sunday, for a Dundee team to win against a table-topping team, it's going to take an outstanding performance.

"But they have demonstrated that."

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Dundee have renewed their interest in signing Celtic right-back Colby Donovan on loan after failing to secure the 19-year-old during the summer transfer window. (Glasgow Times), external

Dundee, who have 10 senior players out of contract this summer and have made an offer to centre-half Luke Graham, must avoid another summer of upheaval, head coach Steven Pressley has warned. (The Courier), external

We asked for your views on what business Dundee need to do in January.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: Realistically we need to hang on to players as much as bring in. Cover/competition for all areas of the park would be welcomed but any potential sales (from the first team) need to be put off until the summer I think, they're only just starting to build up a head of steam. Although we can do with loaning out a few to make room.

George: Dundee need some experienced people to lead the youngsters, Lyall Cameron would be a good start. There are lots of experienced campaigners in the lower leagues who would jump at the chance of being moved to the Premiership.

Ewan: Would like to see a goalie coming in to give competition for Jon McCracken. Craig Gordon might be an unrealistic shout, but could suit both parties ahead of the World Cup. Drey Wright has done a great job at left-back, but someone to release him would help. Another winger to provide cover for Tony Yogane and Cameron Congreve. Swapping out Emile Acquah for another striker would be ideal. Finally, getting Luke Graham tied down on a longer deal would better any signing.

John: I would like either a good left/right full-back. Then give Wright a settled position on either flank. Unlike some I'm not sold on the recent centre-half pairing. Too slow. But they have got better to be fair.

John S: Hard job moving players on. Aaron Donnelly is too good not to be playing. The other fringe players have hardly come off the bench. Stephen Kingsley from Hearts does not play every week but he is experienced, a dead-ball specialist.

Roberto: Nineteen goals for in 21 league games, we need another striker.

Jimbo: RB, LB, midfield cover and at least another body up top as Simon Murray hasn't quite hit the heights he expects of himself. Ashley Hay is now coming on to a game but Acquah has offered hee-haw.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Hearts on Sunday.

Here are the main points:

• The Dens boss is "delighted" with last weekend's derby victory at Tannadice which "brings a lot of happiness" to fans and players.

• Pressley feels his side showed "real character" and had to "dig deep" in the 1-0 win over Dundee United and is "really proud of the players' performance".

• The manager praises the "outstanding work" of his squad to secure three victories in a row, adding "nothing gives you greater confidence than winning games of football".

• Pressley is urging his players to "enjoy these moments because they don't come around every day," and knows his players "can deal with whatever's round the corner".

• "They've got nothing to be scared about" but Pressley warns they "can't take their foot off the accelerator".

• After a good run, the Dundee boss is urging his team to "show consistency" in upcoming games.

• Pressley says Hearts are "the real deal" and stresses for Dundee to get anything from Sunday's game "it's going to take an outstanding performance" but believes his players have shown they can do that.

• On January business, Pressley has a "number of targets we're trying to bring in" and hopes over the coming days and weeks there are deals to be done.

• While Dundee are keen to bring in players for now, with Pressley stressing "we are far from safe this season, 22 points gets you relegated," he insists if there's an opportunity to sign up-and-coming talent in the January window he will jump at it.

• Team news: Joe Westley is still about 10 weeks away but "everybody else is okay" for Sunday.

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Manager Steven Pressley believes it would take a huge offer to persuade Dundee to sell Luke Graham as the 21-year-old centre-half attracts interest from Premiership rivals and clubs in the English Championship. (The Courier - subscription required), external

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley hopes there will be both comings and goings at the club in the near future.

Former Albion Rovers forward Joe Bevan arrived from Burnley last week and goalkeeper Harry Sharp has joined Montrose on loan, with Pressley keen to do more business.

"We've got a number of targets that we are trying to bring in and hopefully over the coming days and weeks we can find the solutions," he said.

"But equally I've spoken about the necessity for certain players to move out and seek consistent first-team football.

"That would be the ideal situation where we had some of the players moving out and also certain individuals coming in and improving the squad."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When the manager of the season awards are handed out at the end of the campaign, it is unlikely Steven Pressley will be under consideration.

But if he can continue the Dark Blues' recent revival and their gradual climb up the table, it will be a job deserving of a special mention.

Why? Well, it isn't a stretch to say he has been fighting against the tide ever since his surprise arrival at Dens Park last summer, mainly because his appointment didn't go down well with the bulk of the support.

So it has felt like he has constantly been having to try to win the fans over, and there are signs in recent weeks that tide is turning.

Performances have steadily improved and the best way to get doubters on your side is by getting positive results, something his team have started to do.

He has also had to completely rebuild the Dundee squad – never ideal, but a task arguably more onerous when you are coming back cold to Scottish football after more than a decade away.

I have seen the good and bad of Dundee this season, but I have witnessed more of the good over the past few weeks.

Their derby triumph over United means it is three consecutive top-flight wins for Pressley's team – a feat the club last achieved 12 years ago.

That in itself highlights the fact the consistency has long been a problem for Dundee.

But if Pressley can find it – as it looks like he is beginning to do – then his team may start looking at what is above them in the table, rather than having to make worrying glances in the rear-view mirror.

So far in the January transfer window Dundee have signed 21-year-old winger Joe Bevan from Burnley.

What other positions need strengthened as the Dark Blues bid to keep their new-found momentum going?

Who would like to see signed - and should anybody be moved on?

Tell us here.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Dundee have recorded three straight victories in the Premiership for the first time since 2014. It's taken a while, but the majority of fans have begun to warm to Steven Pressley.

From the victory over Falkirk, he figured out our strongest line-up which in turn has propelled us up the league. We are now nine and 13 points away from Kilmarnock and Livingston in the bottom two spots.

Yan Dhanda looks completely at home and in his element, while the partnership of Luke Graham and Billy Koumetio is beginning to show real cohesion at the heart of the defence.

Ethan Hamilton, our most consistent performer this season, also seems to have stepped up another level in recent weeks.

We dominated against Kilmarnock, and then the narrow scorline in the derby greatly flattered Dundee United.

Across both games we created a good number of chances, a far cry from the stale attacking efforts earlier in the season.

Ashley Hay has cemented himself as a cult hero with his derby winning goal and you can't say he doesn't deserve it.

For weeks he's been winning duels, chasing shadows and had no luck in front of goal. He terrorised Bert Esselink at Tannadice and the ball is firmly in his court to nail down his place as Dundee's starting striker.

The team look to have a real togetherness and things are finally beginning to click. With a strong January window we could climb further up the table as both Aberdeen and United are within touching distance.

For the moment, we're riding the high of derby delight. Dundee have made amends for their lacklustre performance in the previous meeting with United.

Last Saturday there was only one team who were first to every ball, fighting for the badge and above all winning the match.

Dundee defender Billy Koumetio, 23, says Saturday's derby win at Dundee United was a thank you to manager Steven Pressley. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Ashley Hay (Dundee): An outstanding display from the 22-year-old English forward, who followed Steven Pressley up north from Brentford. A derby goal winner following up his goal in the previous match against Kilmarnock.

Dundee managing director John Nelms reveals they will receive a sell-on fee if in-form midfielder Josh Mulligan leaves Hibernian. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch highlights as Dundee edge out their city rivals to claim a derby victory at Tannadice.

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