Dundee

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Sometimes you get one of those weeks where nothing goes to plan. We went to Perth with reasonable expectations of a decent performance and a potential result.

St Johnstone won the game, as they deserved to. They were impressive both in and out of possession. There's just a lingering frustration that we didn't give a good account of ourselves over the course of the full 90 minutes.

Owen Goodman and Ethan Hamilton's mistakes cost us the vital goals that sent us to defeat. Ironically, they're the two most dependable players in the team week in, week out.

What are the odds of them both making uncharacteristic errors in the same match? They both have plenty of credit in the bank, and hopefully they've cashed in all their error credits for the season.

We're still sitting pretty in the league. Between our trips to Perth and Paisley, it's just very annoying that our great start could have been even better, with zero points from six across the two games, and both decided by very fine margins.

The international break comes at a good time. We can lick our wounds and, at the first opportunity to get back into action, we could go fourth again with a victory over Hearts.

It's easier to take defeat on the chin when you feel you can trust the players to make up for it. Every time they've been tested on their tenacity, they've passed with flying colours.

More often than not, we're having weeks that go exactly to plan. A few bumps in the road are simply part and parcel of the game. I'm backing us to remain in good stead after the break.

Image source, SNS

Former Aberdeen player Richard Foster believes Dundee boss Steven Pressley should be in the frame for the vacant Pittodrie manager's job and also feels Falkirk boss John McGlynn is worth consideration.

Stephen Robinson was sacked on Monday after eight months in charge.

Elgin-born Pressley, 53, has been at Dens Park for 17 months and secured Dundee an eighth-placed finish in last season's Scottish Premiership.

McGlynn, 64, secured a top-six place in Falkirk's first season back in the top flight last term after successive promotions from League 1. His team are currently third in the division.

"Just go 60 miles south and go to Steven Pressley," Foster told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast.

"He's got the experience of a big club. I know he's got a quiet, laid-back demeanour, but I think in the dressing room, he commands respect. The players at Dundee seem to love playing for him.

"He knows the game very well. Having played at Hearts, having played at Celtic, he knows what it's like to be at a huge club.

"Him and John McGlynn are the two that stand out for me domestically. I think they should look at both of those two."

Foster spent nine years with Aberdeen, interrupted by a year on loan at Rangers, and believes now is a time for introspection at Pittodrie.

"It's probably at this point that everyone at the club needs to take a little step back to see where they've gone wrong," Foster said.

"Do they think the choice of manager's been wrong? Is it the recruitment that's been wrong? Is it a mixture of both?

"On paper Stephen Robinson should've been a good appointment - did really well at Motherwell, did well at St Mirren, won the League Cup - coming to a bigger club, bigger budget.

"Is it the case that he was unable to deal with the size of the club and the fact you've got 15,000, 16,000, 17,000 fans at every home game? That also plays a part.

"You need to be a big character to be manager of Aberdeen. Stephen Robinson is a big character, he's lively on the touchline. Was Jimmy Thelin that? Not too sure.

"First and foremost, you have to get someone who can handle the pressure of managing Aberdeen, which is not easy."

And Foster said of the club's chairman: "To be fair to Dave Cormack, yes, he's been through a lot of managers, but he puts his hand in his pocket. Managers are typically backed, they have money to spend."

Dundee will face Livingston in a bounce game to give a group of players, including recent signing Alfie Harrison, game time. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Sportscene pundit Andy Halliday says the international break has come at a good time for Dundee, and he believes Saturday's defeat at St Johnstone will not derail a positive start to the season for Steven Pressley's men.

Watch the best of the action as St Johnstone beat Dundee 2-1 at McDiarmid Park. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 Tayside derby defeat to St Johnstone in Perth.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian: Abysmal performance, not one player gets a pass mark. Our passing was awful, gave the ball away consistently and had no fight whatsoever. A great turnout by the fans, the team never turned up.

Bob: A below-par performance. We never really matched St Johnstone's drive and intensity and that needs corrected quickly. Too many of our regular performers seemed to leave their best in the dressing room. Consistency is required.

Iain: Definitely wrong tactics, sat far too deep right from the kick-off. When we attacked them with urgency for a brief spell in the second half they wobbled in defence, clearly we should've been attacking them from the start. Wasted opportunity, again, against a team lower than us in the league. Dodgy refereeing & VAR, again, but that's no excuse for losing this one.

Martin: There was no urgency to get the ball back and no desire to be creative and get forward. We made it far too easy for Saints. Ethan Hamilton gave away the ball cheaply leading to the second goal, he has done this a few times costing us goals and needs to cut it out his game. No excuses, we were very poor and got what we deserved. The fantastic Dundee support was the only plus, only to be let down by the players. Hopefully we can recover after the break and put it behind us.

Albert: The owners need to back the manager and forget about the mythical new stadium. Our squad is far too weak.

Gary: If you don't take your chances in football you need some luck and ours let us down. Couple weeks off then try to get back on track at home against Hearts.

Dundee will play Livingston in a bounce game at Almondvale on Tuesday with head coach Steven Pressley admitting he may have to rethink his approach to away games after Saturday's defeat by St Johnstone. (The Courier, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

St Johnstone moved level on points with fifth-place Dundee in the Scottish Premiership after Kai Fotheringham's second-half winner settled an error-strewn Tayside derby in Perth.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "Over the course of the 90 minutes I think St Johnstone deserved the three points.

"The players have received a lot of plaudits over this period and rightly so but we were just a little bit under par today, not quite at our levels. Some days you need to take your medicine and today was one of those days.

"We base a lot of our performances around the basics of the game and we were maybe just a little bit below par in those elements, that's the disappointing factor.

"We were a little bit loose in possession, turned things over on too many occasions. I can't complain too much because this group of players have been terrific and sometimes you have to take your medicine and respond, that's what this group do."

A fresh public consultation is to be held on Dundee's plans for a new stadium as the wait for a decision goes on. (The Courier, external)

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari says Danny Schmidt is likely to miss Saturday's game against Dundee with an ankle injury the midfielder played through against Kilmarnock. (The Courier, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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St Johnstone midfielder Danny Schmidt is a likely absentee after playing on with an ankle injury in last weekend's draw with Kilmarnock, while goalkeeper Toby Steward is suspended.

But forward Kai Fotheringham returns from a ban and midfielder Sam Stanton and right-back Liam Smith are fit again.

Owen Bevan and Ryan Finnigan will return to the Dundee squad after recovering from respective thigh and ankle problems.

Bobby Wales (ankle), Simon Murray, Finlay Robertson and Jack Moorhouse (all ACL) are still out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Despite his side's impressive start to the campaign, Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has warned: "If we take our eye off the ball we will be in trouble."

Having lost one of their past five games, the Dens Park side are handily placed in fifth in the Premiership.

Speaking before Saturday's Tayside derby at St Johnstone, Pressley said: "The league is so so tight, the margins are so, so fine.

"I spoke in the post game against Kilmarnock that if they had beaten us that night the gap between us would be down to three points. Of course getting the win increased it to nine at that time.

"But it just shows you the margins at present and there is very little between all the teams apart from the top three, which makes every game a really big test."

While Dundee's form has been good, so has St Johnstone's.

The Perth side are three points behind the Dark Blues and have lost just once in the league at McDiarmid Park.

Pressley said: "They have been a really impressive team and handled the transition from the Championship to the Premiership in a similar sort of fashion to that of Falkirk last year.

"I think continuity about the group, a clear understanding in the way that the manager wants them to behave and play, is really important. It makes this game a really difficult one.

"They have played six home fixtures and they have only lost one - and that was to Celtic - so that shows the challenge that lies ahead for us.

"I have nothing but praise for them, the manager is doing a terrific job there and has a lot of good players."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

For a team that has been so heavily hit by injuries in attacking areas, it is no mean feat that Dundee are the fourth highest scorers in this season's Premiership.

Steven Pressley's side have netted 17 league goals - only the top three of Celtic, Rangers and Hearts have scored more.

What has helped the Dark Blues get through their selection troubles is that those goals have been spread around the squad.

They have had eight different scorers in the league so far - striker Bradley Fink leads the way with four, while both Joe Westley and Ashley Hay have three.

Joe Bevan and Owen Bevan have two each, with Drey Wright, Charlie Reilly and Callum Jones the other scorers.

Why is this important? It shows Dundee have a number of players capable of chipping in with goals.

And that is a good habit to have - it allows you to find a way of winning a game, or eking out a draw, in times of adversity.

Pressley will be hoping this trend continues over the coming months.

There will be a new public consultation over Dundee's plans for a new stadium in the Camperdown area. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

• The top two players for clearances in this season's Premiership are Dundee central defensive pair Owen Bevan (98) and Ryan Astley (94), while Astley also leads the league for interceptions (22).

• St Johnstone have drawn their past three home league games, last drawing four in a row at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Premiership in August 2018.

• St Johnstone have won just one of their past 11 top-flight games against Dundee (D5 L5), a 2-1 away victory in October 2024.

• Dundee have won their past three Premiership visits to McDiarmid Park, more than their previous 13 beforehand (W2 D3 L8).

• Dundee have won five of their 11 league games this season (D2 L4) - it took them 20 matches to reach five wins last season.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Joe Westley says fierce competition for a starting role is driving Dundee's strikers on.

The Dark Blues' scoring form has been a big factor behind their good start to the season, with their 17-goal Premiership haul bettered only by the Old Firm and Hearts.

Westley is the club's joint top scorer, alongside Ashley Hay, with five goals in all competitions.

"When all the strikers are scoring it is good to be part of an attack that is doing well because you create for each other and you want to score as many goals as you can," said the 22-year-old.

"So if everyone is firing and doing well it increases your chance of getting goals and assisting as well, so it is a really good time to be an attacker at the club.

"It is starting to click between everyone and whoever is on up front I think has got a great understanding of what is wanted from them and it gives them the best possible chance to score goals and win games.

"I think it is a healthy competition, everyone wants to be playing and be in the team.

"So when you have got Ash and Bradley (Fink) scoring it means 'Right, I need to up my game and score as many as I can when I am given the chance', because you know when you have got the shirt people are waiting to take it off you."

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Steven Pressley is eager to secure "a number" of players - including injured captain Simon Murray - on new Dundee deals.

Striker Murray, 34, is sidelined with an ACL injury that is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season, by which time his contract will have expired.

"Firstly his situation was so unfortunate and of course with only a year left to run of your contract it brings a lot of pressure to him, to his family, a lot of uncertainty and that is difficult," said boss Pressley.

"So I am hopeful in time that Simon will sit down with (managing director) John (Nelms) and those decision-makers and get a really positive outcome because I think it would be great for the football club and most importantly really important for Simon and his family."

Left-back Imari Samuels last week signed fresh terms until summer 2029 and Pressley hopes more extensions will follow.

"I think these are all aspects that the club will certainly be looking at at present," he said.

"We have a number of players that we would like to secure their services and (technical manager) David (Longwell) along with John and (technical director) Gordan (Strachan) will be very much on top of those things.

"It is an area I don't tend to get too much involved in, which suits me. But very much so we have a number of players that we think are really important to the group and hopefully over the next weeks and months we can secure more."

Dundee have enjoyed a good start to the season. They are fifth in the Premiership and have lost just one of their past five games despite a lengthy injury list which finally appears to be easing.

"Yes, I think so, and the one thing we are really pleased about is that over the last five or six weeks it has been a real squad contribution," added Pressley.

"We have been stretched at times but whenever any player has been asked to perform they haven't let anybody down and I think that has been a really important factor.

"I have said all along I wanted a tight and very united group and it would appear that way just now, so I am really pleased the way they have come through a difficult and challenging period."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership trip to St Johnstone (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key points:

• With Owen Bevan and Ryan Finnigan back available, Pressley says he is starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of Dundee's injury plight.

• Despite selection problems, the Dark Blues are in fifth place and Pressley says: "Over the last five or six weeks it has been a real squad contribution."

• After defender Imari Samuels last week signed a new deal, Pressley says: "We have a number of (other) players we would like to secure."

• On the prospect of a new contract for long-term injured captain Simon Murray, whose deal expires at the end of the season, Pressley hopes for "a really positive outcome because I think it would be great for the football club and most importantly really important for Simon and his family".

• Despite his side's good start to the season, Pressley notes "the league is so, so tight" and warns: "If we take our eye off the ball we will be in trouble."

• He is expecting a really tough game against a St Johnstone side who have "good variation and a clear understanding of how they want to go about things".

• Pressley also praised Saints for the way they have adapted to life back in the Premiership, saying manager Simo Valakari has done "a terrific job".

Image source, SNS

As he recovers from an ACL injury, 34-year-old Dundee captain Simon Murray says he has spoken to manager Steven Pressley about his future and is hoping it leads to a new deal. (Daily Record - subscription required, external)

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

The death of Giorgi Nemsadze is a tragedy that's hurting everyone in the Dundee FC family.

This was a midfielder who played before my time, but when you speak to the lucky spectators who got to watch the dazzling Georgian they speak about him as the absolute pinnacle of a Dundee player.

Words alone can't capture exactly what he meant to Dundee. As he lays to rest his name will stand forever immortalised in the soul of the club.

If you were to search for the last time Dundee qualified for Europe or reached a cup final, you would find his footprint all over it. He was an icon and will be dearly missed.

On to matters on the pitch, good teams are defined by how they react to setbacks and last week's win over Kilmarnock showed what Dundee are about.

Not just in bouncing back from defeat to St Mirren, but holding our nerve when Kilmarnock had us under the cosh and were brought to level terms thanks to a shambolic penalty decision from Duncan Nicholson.

With a disallowed goal soon following, a Dundee team of the past maybe would have felt hard done by and let the heads drop.

But the effort remained unquestioned until we struck gold and killed off the game.

There's a synergy and unity in this team that I've not seen from any Dundee side in a long time. The optimism is palpable.

On-loan Bournemouth defender Matai Akinmboni feels "blessed" after the 20-year-old made his first professional appearance in two-and-a-half years in Dundee's win over Kilmarnock last week. (The Courier, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Dundee technical director Gordon Strachan has recalled being exiled by the club aged just 15 after scrapping with twins in a reserve team derby against Dundee United. (Open Goal, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.