“We Never Got Any Energy Back From The Fans” – Tuchel Demands More From Three Lions Following

England manager Thomas Tuchel felt that the stands of Wembley Stadium were too quiet, despite his side romping to a 3-0 friendly victory over Wales last night. Aston Villa duo Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins had England ahead just 11 minutes in, before Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka made it three on the 20 minute mark. This made it 6 wins from 7 under the German’s stewardship for England, but Tuchel believed that the early domination from the Three Lions warranted a better reception from those in attendance at the national stadium. “The stadium was silent, we never got any energy back from the fans and I think the players delivered a lot to get more back from the fans”, Tuchel said in his post-match interview with ITV. “We had top support in Latvia, we had excellent support in Serbia, but today we were 3-0 up after 20 minutes, we had ball win after ball win and I felt “why is the roof still on the stadium?” There was an estimated 7,000 away fans supporting Craig Bellamy’s Welsh side last night, and the number of empty seats around Wembley has triggered discourse suggesting that the stadium is perhaps too sizeable to be hosting friendlies. “If you then hear for half an hour just Wales fans, it’s a bit sad because I think the team deserved a big support today.” England return to competitive action on Tuesday, as they travel to Latvia with hopes of maintaining their 100% win and clean sheet record in World Cup Qualifying. A win for England and favourable results elsewhere will book their ticket to North America next summer already.

Rangers Are Looking Like ‘Wee Boys’ – Ally McCoist

Former Rangers manager and striker Ally McCoist has said the current playing squad at Ibrox look like “wee boys” and claims that sacked manager Russell Martin and co. were not readily prepared before accepting the job offer in the summer. The Gers axed the ex-Southampton boss just 123 days into his miserable reign, with fans being sceptical pretty much from the beginning. Martin won just once in seven league meetings, and only five times out of seventeen matches in all competitions, as he became the shortest serving permanent manager in the club’s history. Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sportsbreakfast, McCoist said: “The new owners and certainly the old management staff probably underestimated the size of the job and the task. “That aligned to really poor business in the transfer market. “The buck rightly and understandably stops at the manager, but sometimes when you get on the pitch you’ve got to take responsibility, and Rangers just look like wee boys.” When asked who he would bring in to replace Martin, McCoist suggested two England legends and one former Rangers player. “I wish we’d taken my advice for the last one and that was Frank Lampard. my exact tip was Frank Lampard. “I’d quite like to see Steven Gerrard coming back. I don’t think he will though. I don’t know the ins and outs of it but I think he probably has to stay out of the country for a while for other reasons. “We probably missed the boat with Derek McInnes who’s doing a fantastic job at Hearts.” Rangers have the luxury of an international break to find the right replacement for Martin, before they host Dundee United at Ibrox a week on Saturday.

Dundee United and Livingston Draw in Game of Two Halves

Dundee United 1-1 Livingston Pittman (34′) Keresztes ’48’) Dundee United were held to a 1-1 draw at Tannadice to visiting side Livingston, thanks to goals either side of half time from Livi stalwart Scott Pittman, and Hungarian defender Krisztian Keresztes. The result now sees David Martindale’s side without a win since early August, whilst Jim Goodwin’s United continue their inconsistent beginning to the season despite sitting in 4th, albeit with a game in hand of three potential leap-frogs beneath them. The visitors dominated proceedings early, with their first sight of goal coming through a Lewis Smith strike from range. Yevhenii Kucharenko parried it as far as the lively Stevie May, who’s slidden effort appeared to be blocked from going goal bound by Bert Esselink but a goal kick was awarded instead. United responded with a big chance of their own just minutes later. Ivan Doleck threaded a ball through to Nikolaj Moller, but the Swede’s effort ended up closer to the Shed End roof rather than the goal. May continued causing problems for the Dundee United defence and the veteran found himself with acres of space 34 minutes in. The forward selflessly squared the ball for teammate Scott Pittman to tap in to an empty net, and give their team a deserved breakthrough. The home side should have been going up the tunnel level at half time, as Vicko Sevelj’s free header at the back post from a corner went wide, with many of the home supporters believing he had found the net. Instead, they walked up the tunnel to a chorus of boos. The equaliser would come just three minutes after the restart. A Will Ferry free kick found its way to the chest of Krisztian Keresztes, and the centre back made no mistake in firing it across into the right hand side of the net. The hosts maintained the pressure in this game of two halves, with their biggest chance of going ahead coming 20 minutes from time. Another Ferry set play bounced temptingly to Luca Stephenson who unleashed a rocket that was beaten away by Jerome Prior. The following stramash led to Sevelj bundling it goal bound, but Mo Sylla cleared it off the line.

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Two

The UEFA Champions League returned to our screens this week after an absence the week prior. Six Premier League clubs were in action, with some faring a lot better than others. Kairat Almaty, who dumped Celtic out in the qualifiers, hosted European giants Real Madrid in one of the early kick-offs on Tuesday. It would be two defeats from two for the Kazakhstan side, falling to a 5-0 defeat as Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick. Atalanta and Club Brugge played out the other early kick off, with the Series A side leaving it late to complete a 2-1 turnaround victory. Three of the English sides competed on Tuesday night. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in his new role as Benfica manager. His side lost 1-0 to the Blues on the night, but the ‘Special One’ received a hero’s welcome. Less can be said about the reception Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez received from his former fans housed in the away corner. Tottenham Hotspur travelled to the Arctic Circle to take on Bodo/Glimt, who they knocked out of last season’s Europa League semi-final. A Jens Hauge double spooked a rocked Spurs side, but goals from skipper Micky Van De Ven and an own goal enforced by Richarlison meant that the North Londoners were able to escape with a point. Liverpool were the third English club in action, faced with the task of overcoming the cauldron which is RAMS Park, home of Galatasaray. The atmosphere ultimately proved too much for the Premier League champions, with an early Victor Osimhen penalty being the difference between the sides. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1. Inter Milan defeated Czech side Slavia Prague 3-0 in the same week demolition plans of Inter and AC’s shared stadium San Siro were confirmed. Marseille romped to a 4-0 home win over Ajax, and Bayern Munich defeated a Pafos side featuring David Luiz 5-1 in Cyprus. Three more English clubs took part in the nine Wednesday fixtures. Newcastle United occupied one of the early kick off slots, with a convincing 4-0 away win over USG of Belgium, another side with investment from Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom. Nick Woltemade scored his third since arriving in the summer, before two Anthony Gordon penalties and a Harvey Barnes effort completed the rout. Qarabag beat FC København 2-0 to maintain their 100% record in the other early kick off. Arsenal were the only other English side to play at home this week, as Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners the lead before Bukayo Saka clinched a 2-0 win at the death at home to Olympiacos. Manchester City travelled to the Principality of Monaco to take on the Ligue 1 side of the same name, drawing 2-2 after an injury time Eric Dier penalty split the points. Erling Haaland scored two first half goals either side of a Jordan Teze thunderbolt, before Monaco won a penalty late on for a high boot offence. International football returns next week in the form of World Cup qualifiers, so the UEFA Champions League does not come back until October 21st.

David Gray: Hibs Have “Opportunity to Make History” at Celtic Park

Hibernian threw away a two-goal lead to leave the Falkirk Stadium with just a point last night, despite being 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time. A goal from Ross MacIver in first-half stoppage time and a thundering Liam Henderson header midway through the second half earned the hosts a share of the points and left David Gray scratching his head at just what is going wrong with his side at the moment. The result came on the back of Saturday’s defeat to struggling Rangers at Ibrox. The former Hibees skipper turned manager seems to know where his side are falling short. Speaking post-match, he said: “We’re creating enough chances, but we’re not being clinical enough to finish games off. “At 2-0, we should have been three or four up with the big chances we had, you’re always then suspect of the next goal. It feels right now like a defeat because of the manner of the game, but it’s certainly not a disaster. “It almost became a case of taking a point from an opportunity where we should have had three points, but if I try and be positive, we’re undefeated in the league and got a point away from home at a difficult place to come.” He was quick to stress that his side’s mentality is strong enough to recover from recent setbacks and quickly get back to their best: “Every game is difficult in this league, but as a group, they need to stick together, and they will do that. “There is ownership within the squad, there is accountability, and within that, you need to stick together.” Gray also took a share of responsibility for the recent results, which have seen Hibs win only one of their first five league games, drawing four. He said: “It’s my responsibility to put the team together, improve the players, and educate them as to why we think it’s happening and how to be better in those moments.” They must now quickly regroup for a trip to Celtic Park to take on the also-undefeated champions this weekend in Glasgow. While Gray recognises the challenge ahead, he feels it is one the players should embrace, with the opportunity to become heroes for the Hibee support. He said: “The challenge will be extremely tough. The challenge to the away team [at Celtic Park] is to try and quieten the crowd, whatever that looks like. You do that by putting in a level of performance. “It’s also an opportunity for the players to recreate history, and I’ll remind them and give them the belief to go along their way with our game plan, to try and come back with three points.” Celtic supporters voiced their unrest in previous away matches with Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle, and with more protests set to happen at home, Hibs defender Warren O’Hora feels that frustrating the already restless home crowd would be “ideal” for his sides chances of a win. He did acknowledge how tough the task would be to become the first Hibs side since 2010 to win at Parkhead: “It’s a tough test for anyone. We’ve gone there previously and we’ve done well. “We’ve obviously not got results, but we all know how tough it is to go there and win but we’ll back ourselves and give our best shot, no doubt.” While Gray acknowledged the unrest among the Celtic support, he pointed out that Rangers faced similar issues at Ibrox and that it would have no bearing on his side’s preparations or game plan, stating he and his squad had to “focus on themselves.”

“We Showed We Deserve to Be in This League” – John McGlynn Hails Falkirk Spirit

Falkirk came from two goals down to draw with Hibernian at the Falkirk Stadium last night, edging themselves clear of the league’s bottom two. The visitors struck first when Martin Boyle converted a VAR-awarded penalty after a handball decision against on-loan winger Ethan Williams. Jamie McGrath then doubled Hibs’ advantage, spinning smartly in the box before firing home. On the penalty decision Falkirk boss John McGlynn said: “I suppose by the letter of the law; he stops the ball going in the box. “I think it’s a little bit harsh. But that was all separating the teams at half-time. There’s nothing that you can do about these things. “You just hope over the course of the season they even themselves out. I think it’s the first time we’ve been involved in a bad situation and we’re in our fifth game.” The hosts, however, responded right on the stroke of half-time. Williams made amends for conceding the penalty by delivering a perfect cross for Ross MacIver to tap in with the final kick of the first period. Williams was involved again after the break, providing the corner for Falkirk’s equaliser. His pinpoint delivery was met by Liam Henderson, the powerful centre-half rising highest to thunder a header into the net for 2-2. Falkirk pressed for a winner and looked the stronger side in the closing stages, but ultimately had to settle for a point against the green half of Edinburgh. John McGlynn’s men now turn their attention to the maroon half of the capital, travelling to face high-flying Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.  The newly promoted Bairns, who secured back-to-back promotions to return to the Premiership last season, insist they are relishing the challenge rather than fearing it. Previewing the match, captain Brad Spencer said: “That’s why you come to this league, to play the big sides.  “I’m really looking forward to Tynecastle, my first time playing there with fans. These are the games you want as a player.” Spencer admitted, however, that the Premiership brings different challenges: “You get punished a wee bit more for mistakes in the Premiership because you’re up against good players every week.  “But we’re enjoying it. A lot of boys are learning on the job, myself included, and it’s about finding our feet quickly.” McGlynn echoed those sentiments, praising his squad’s resilience and unity: “The team spirit in the dressing room has been massive. It’s a big reason why we’re here.      

Falkirk 2-2 Hibernian

MacIver (45), Henderson (64) – Boyle: (Pen 30), McGrath (43) Falkirk hosted Hibernian for tonight’s Tuesday evening football fix as both teams looked to return to winning ways after defeats in their previous matches. Already eliminated from the Premier Sports Cup at the hands of holders Celtic, the hosts had a free weekend last week following their home loss to St Mirren, whilst Hibernian exited the cup last Saturday, becoming the first Premiership side to lose to Russell Martin’s Rangers. For the Bairns, Manchester United loanee Ethan Williams came in for his first start as the experienced Scott Arfield dropped to the bench in John McGlynn’s only change. In response to the defeat at Ibrox David Gray made two changes with Warren O’Hora and Dan Barlaser coming in for Grant Hanley and Dylan Levitt. Raphael Sallinger retained his place in goal ahead of Jordan Smith and was called into action early doors to deny Ross MacIver inside the area within the first minute. There would be some half chances at both ends before Hibs were awarded a penalty just before the half hour mark. A Nicky Cadden cross hit the arm of Williams inside the area. Referee Calum Scott initially waved away protests but was called over to the monitor at the next break in play and awarded the spot kick. Martin Boyle, who was denied a goal by VAR on Saturday, stepped up and converted past the diving Scott Bain to open the deadlock for his side, the goal met with a chorus of boos from the home support who felt the decision was harsh on their side.There could be no complains over the Edinburgh side’s second however, after some blocked efforts and pinball in the box the ball would fall to Jamie McGrath who would spin excellently in the area before driving his shot low into the corner to double the advantage. Falkirk would pull one back right on the stroke of the half time whistle, Ross MacIver latching onto a Williams cross to tap home. An excellent delivery right into the corridor of uncertainty, Sallinger remained rooted to his line and the Falkirk hitman had the simple task of touching it over the line. Into the second half and McGlynn’s men would remain on top. They would be rewarded for their dominance just after an hour. Liam Henderson thundering a header past Sallinger after a terrific cross from Williams from the corner. A real game of two halves, Falkirk would be closest to a winner as MacIver forced Sallinger into a stop after driving in from the left wing. But it was not to be and the points were to be shared. One gained for the Bairns after their first half showing and two dropped by the Hibees after a dismal drop off in the second 45.

St. Johnstone Remain Unbeaten at Championship Summit After Late Victory Over Dunfermline

St. Johnstone continued their unbeaten start to the league season, with wingers Kai Fotheringham and Josh McPake scoring second half goals to pick up a hard earned 2-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic. The visitors had taken the lead two minutes before the half time whistle through forward Rory Macleod, but a determined, domineering St. Johnstone were able to cancel this out once they regained a foothold on the game. The result leaves Simo Valakari’s men top of the table, having only dropped 2 points from their opening six matches, whilst Neil Lennon’s side are still yet to win two games in the league consecutively, since his arrival late on last season. The home side nearly took the lead on the 3rd minute, when Josh McPake stole the ball from Dunfermline captain Kyle Benedictus deep in the Pars half, but his effort was saved by Mason Munn in the Dunfermline net. Benedictus’ heart was in his mouth again just four minutes later, when Saints captain Jason Holt fell inside the penalty box following a challenge from the centre back. Referee Matthew MacDermid awarded a goal kick to Dunfermline rather than a penalty, with a furious Holt protesting the decision, as well as Benedictus and his teammates, suggesting the midfielder took a dive. There is no VAR to re-referee in the Scottish Championship, remember. St. Johnstone controlled the opening quarter of an hour, but despite their dominance, did not create anything meaningful. Left midfielder Josh McPake, who has scored two in his last two, was at the centre of anything Saints were doing offensively, causing havoc when cutting onto his right foot, and created Saint Johnstone’s best chance when his curling cross from the left was met by right back Adam Forrester, but again Munn was equal to his close range effort. Dunfermline took a while to get going, but when they did, they changed the perception of the match. Their first chance of the game was made around 25 minutes in, a bobbling cross on the deck from Zak Rudden that was hastily defended by St. Johnstone, and this is what seemed to give the Dunfermline players and healthy number of travelling supporters a new lease of life. Pars’ summer signing Jefferson Caceres, who tried catching goalkeeper Toby Steward off his line from range a couple times already, played a dipping cross from the left flank on his right foot on the 43rd minute. The ball curled over everyone and bounced invitingly for young striker Rory Macleod, who fired the ball high into the left side of the goal with aplomb, marking the first league goal of the 19 year-old’s senior career, and giving his side the lead as the teams headed up the tunnel for halftime. The hosts though started the second half just as they did the first, with total control. A 50th minute corner was met the glancing head of Adama Sidibeh, forcing another great stop out of Munn, but it only went as far as Kai Fotheringham who tapped the ball into an empty net to level the scoring. But the breakthrough came for the home side in the 82nd minute. Sub James Gullan whipped a looping ball on from the touchline halfway into the Pars half, sailing over everyone and was met by that man Josh McPake, who’s first time finish completed the turnaround for the league leaders and queued the rendition of the Saint’s faithful’s version of ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA for the talented left winger. Dunfermline chased an equaliser and so nearly had it in the last minute of added time. Andrew Tod’s free kick crashed off the post, before a resulting rebound was tipped onto the bar for a corner, which was then met by the rising Jeremiah Chilkoa-Mullen, forcing Steward into a diving save to protect the points being shared. St. Johnstone look to continue their vein of form next week, as they travel to Airdrieonians on Tuesday, whilst Neil Lennon will face Scott Brown as Ayr United visit East End Park. JOHNSTONE: Steward 5, Foulds 5 (Boyes 2), Diabate 6, Baird 6, Forrester 6, McPake 8, Holt 7, McAlear 7, Svedberg 4 (Wanner 5), Fotheringham 7 (Gullan 6), Sidbeh 5 (Ikpeazu 2)   DUNFERMLINE: Munn 7, Otoo 6, Chilokoa-Mullen 6, Benedictus 5, Fraser 5, Amade 6 (Ritchie-Hosler 2), Gilmour 5, Kearney 6, Caceres 6, Rudden 2 (Tod 4), Macleod 7(Oakley-Boothe 2)

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday One

The UEFA Champions League returned this week, with this season being the second instalment of the still new ‘league phase’ format, replacing the group stages last campaign. No Scottish clubs are in action this year, unfortunately, but there was still plenty of British clubs in action across all three nights of football. Arsenal were the first British club to play in the UEFA’s premier competition this season, travelling to San Mames to take on Athletic Club Bilbao, who knocked Rangers out of the Europa League last season at the quarter final stage before faltering in the semis to eventual runners up Manchester United. Arsenal grabbed a 2-0 victory on the road, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring after just being on the park one minute with just less than 20 minutes to go. Fellow sub Leandro Trossard made sure the points went back to North London, scoring his side’s second with three minutes to go. Hearts’ shareholder Tony Bloom’s other pet project Union Saint-Gilloise stormed to an impressive 3-1 win away to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. The Belgian side dominated proceeding in their first ever match in the Champions League proper, and Hearts fans will be dreaming that Tony Blooms algorithm can be replicated for the Gorgie side to enjoy some European success of their own. USG host Newcastle United next. Elsewhere on Tuesday, Azerbaijani side Qarabag pulled of a heroic comeback away to Benfica to win 3-2 after being 2-0 down. Manager Bruno Lage was sacked following this, and was replaced by returning icon Jose Mourinho, who had loosely been linked with the Rangers post as pressure continues to mount on Russell Martin. Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a potential match of the tournament already, as the giants drew 4-4, with all eight goals coming in the second half, and two from Juventus deep into injury time to steal a point. Former Celtic loanee Timothy Weah gave Marseille the lead at the Bernabeu, but this was cancelled out by two Kylian Mbappe penalties. Former Celtic player Matt O’Riley also starred for the French outfit. And Tottenham Hotspur got off to a winning start against Villarreal, after a gift of an own goal 4 minutes in from goalkeeper Luis Junior. Onto Wednesday’s action now, which seen Chelsea travel to Bayern Munchen and Liverpool host Atletico Madrid. The former slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Bavaria, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane coming back to haunt Chelsea with a deadly double, after Trevor Chalobah’s own goal gave the German hosts the lead. Cole Palmer brought a goal back for Chelsea after Kane doubled their lead with a penalty, but the English forward killed any hopes of a comeback on the 63rd minute after he capitalised on a Malo Gusto mistake. Liverpool left it late to secure all three points at Anfield in their opening bout with Atletico Madrid. The Reds took an early two goal lead, with Scotland captain Andy Robertson scoring from a deflection to net his second career Champions League goal, before Egyptian winger Mo Salah put Liverpool two goals to the good just six minutes in. Goals from Marcos Llorente in first half injury time and in the 81st minute brought the scoring level, before an added time header from former Celtic centre back Virgil Van Dijk made it a memorable European night at Anfield for the Premier League holders. Pafos drew 0-0 away to Olympiacos on their Champions league debut in a Greek vs Cypriot battle, whilst Bodo Glimt who infamously knocked Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic out of the Conference League in 2022 came from two behind away to Slavia Prague to rescue a 2-2 draw. Last season’s runners up Inter Milan won 2-0 away to Ajax with goals two minutes either side of halftime by Marcus Thuram, and holders PSG kicked off their defence of their crown with a defiant 4-0 home win over Atalanta of the Serie A. Two more English sides competed on Thursday night also. Manchester City took on Napoli and Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad Stadium after leaving for Italy this summer ended abruptly after he was sacrificed following an early red card to defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the 21st minute. Scotland’s Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay featured, but it was the light blues of Manchester who prevailed, thanks to second half goals from Erling Harland and Jeremy Doku. Newcastle United hosted Barcelona in their second Champions League campaign in three seasons, but fell to a 2-1 defeat, thanks to two goals from familiar face Marcus Rashford, who signed for the Spanish giants on loan this summer from Manchester United, including a screamer to make it 2-0, before Anthony Gordon netted a 90th minute consolation goal. Club Brugge won the Phillipe Clement derby, defeating another one of the former Rangers gaffer’s former clubs in Monaco 4-1. Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan scored the opener for FC København in a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in a match which also seen former Celtic and Rangers loanees Mohamed Elyounoussi and Malik Tillman appear. Sporting Lisbon dispatched of Kairat Almaty, who defeated Celtic in the playoff qualifier to make the league phase, by 4 goals to 1. And 2022 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt cruised to a 5-1 victory at home over Turkish Superlig opposition Galatasaray. The Champions League returns on the 30th September, with next week being reserved for the Europa League, where we will see Celtic travel to Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday, and Rangers play Belgian club Genk at Ibrox on Thursday.

Hunt For First League Win Continues For Both Dundee and Motherwell

Dundee and Motherwell shared the points on a rainy afternoon in the ‘City of Discovery’, with goals from Tawanda Maswanhise and Luke Graham either side of half time ensuring a share of the spoils for both sides in a 1-1 draw at Dens’ Park.  The result means that Dundee have drawn three and lost two in the league so far under new head coach Steven Pressley, whilst Motherwell remain undefeated after drawing all of their Premiership fixtures so far.  It was a very principled performance from the Steelmen in the first half, playing a fast tempo style of play that has become synonymous with new gaffer Jens Berthel Askou, patiently playing out from the back and when an opening presented itself, they attacked with speed and exploited the gaps.  As for Dundee, they probably soaked in more pressure than they would have liked to in the first period, opting to play a more direct style, with long balls unsuccessfully going over the top to frustrated lone striker Simon Murray.  Ultimately, this played into the hands of Motherwell, who dominated the first half and looked to be the only side trying to score, yet regretfully they found themselves only ahead by one. Winger Tawanda Maswanhise collected the ball from a narrow position halfway inside the Dundee half, and drove to the right to get a shot on his favoured right foot, firing it passed Jon McCracken in the Dark Blues net, putting the visitors a goal to the good with just over half an hour played. The Zimbabwean’s tally now stands at 7 in all competitions.  Motherwell continued with their constant threatening on the break, with Dundee outnumbered numerous times and seemingly spared by Calum Scott’s halftime whistle which killed the backlog of momentum generated by the ‘Well. The home fans made their feelings known to Pressley and his side as boos rang around Dens’ as the players headed up the tunnel.  Whatever Steven Pressley said at halftime, it certainly done wonders for the hosts. Cameron Congreve, who had just come on at the break, drove down the right hand side and crossed the ball in for centre back Luke Graham to produce a powerful header beyond Calum Ward and level the scoring, not even two minutes after the restart.  And they were so nearly ahead come the 50th minute. A looping ball was played into the Motherwell area, met by a diving Simon Murray, but only went as far as the side netting, with many in Dundee’s main stand believing the captain had scored. An even bigger chance for Murray went begging just five minutes later. Congreve was denied a second assist after he put the ball on a plate for his captain who was just 10 yards from goal, but he dragged his effort wide of the post as his hunt for his first goal of the league season goes on after 15 last campaign. Motherwell showed signs of their first half performance again in the closing half hour, with their biggest chance coming 13 minutes from time. Goalscorer Maswanhise could have made it a double when he was played in, but his first time effort was beaten away by McCracken.  Dundee would be reduced to ten men just five minutes from time. Loanee Yan Dhanda, who signed for the season from Hearts, was given his marching orders following a high challenge on Motherwell’s Lukas Fadinger. The visitors from North Lanarkshire face a double header against Aberdeen next, travelling to Pittodrie in the cup before hosting them the week after in the league, As for Steven Pressley’s men, they will be in league action next weekend looking to pick up some points against Livingston at home.   DUNDEE: McCracken 7 , C. Robertson 5, Astley 6, Wright 5, F. Robertson 6 (Jones 1), Murray 4 (Samuels 1), Yogane 6 (Hay 3), Westley 4 (Congreve 7), Dhanda 3, Graham 6, Hamilton 5 MOTHERWELL: Ward 5, Gordon 5, Stamatelopoulos 5 (Osong 4), Fadinger 6, Maswanhise 8, Watt 6, Koutroumbis 5 (O’Donnell 4), Longelo 6, Welsh 6 (Balmer 5), Charles-Cook 5 (Just 4), Said 6(Priestman 3)