Dundee Archives - Page 2 of 5

Steven Pressley on Luke Graham interest

Dundee defender Luke Graham has been attracting interest from several clubs within Scotland and down south. Scottish sides Hearts and Aberdeen and English Championship sides Portsmouth, Sheffield United and QPR have all been linked with the 21-year-old. The Scottish centre-back, who has started 20 of Dundee’s 21 Premiership matches this season, has received significant praise from his gaffer, who stated: “Any interest wouldn’t surprise me because I think Luke’s been exceptional, Steven stated. Especially over the last two or three months, he’s really grown in stature. “Although I don’t deal with these things, I would imagine it would take a big offer for a club like us to part with him. I think that when I look around at centre-backs, young centre-backs, he’s one of the top ones out there. “He’s played games in men’s football, which is the biggest developer for a young player. His last two or three months suggest to me that he’s moved on to another level. It’s never easy to say, but when I look at the talent out there, he’s as good as anything.”

January 8, 2026

Aberdeen showing interest in young Dundee defender following impressive season so far

Aberdeen are believed to be keen on Dundee centre-back, Luke Graham as Jimmy Thelin insists, he’s keen to reinforce their backline. The 21-year-old began his career in Perth playing for the St Johnstone academy before making a short move to the Dundee youth academy in his early days. In 2021, he was given loan spell at SJFA Midlands League side, Lochee United in the sixth tier of Scottish Football to gain some valuable minutes as his age 16. The 2004 born defender made a loan move to Albion Rovers the following season being a critical player for Albion Rovers. After the impressive loan spell, Graham went on loan to League One outfit, Montrose making 27 appearances at Links Park. Graham was then sent out on loan to Falkirk in League One helping the Bairns to promotion to the Championship where he re-joins John McGlynn’s side on loan before being re-called midway through his spell in the Championship which Falkirk did make it back to the top-flight. So far this season, the Dundee youth prospect has made 23 appearances for the Dees picking up two goals along the way. Luke has also made five appearances for the Scotland U21s where he also grabbed his first International goal. Luke Graham has played the full 90 in all his last 13 outings and has helped Dundee pick up three consecutive wins for the first time in 11 years. With his impressive form at Dens so far this campaign, a move up North to Aberdeen could be on the cards with Jimmy Thelin interested in the young Scottish defender.

January 4, 2026

Dundee leave with the bragging rights in a tight victory over Dundee United

Dundee defeat Dundee United through a first half strike by Ashley Hay in the Dundee derby. Dundee United had a great early chance but Max Watters blocking his team-mates strike preventing the hosts firing ahead. Keresztes almost had Dundee United ahead, a header from close range but being tipped over by Jon McCracken in goals. Dundee nearly went ahead, a wonderful free-kick into the box by Dhanda but Koumetio flashed his header just wide of goal to keep the match goalless. A very end-to-end start but neither side able to break the deadlock. Both sides looking really lively in the early stages with challenges flying in. Dundee had a major chance to fire ahead, Graham with a ball into the back post which was met by Koumetio who took an extra touch which rattled the side netting. Moments on, Dundee should’ve scored again as Yogane smashed a ball in but Astley who took the shot fired well over. Dundee were awarded a dangerous free-kick just outside the box after a foul on Yogane, Yan Dhanda took the strike on but smashed into the wall which fell to Congreve who fired into the stands. Camara unleashed a strike from distance following a throw-in but his effort fires too high. Sapsford had a chance after 35 mins, a strike from close range which was spilt by McCracken with Watters racing to the ball but McCracken managing to save himself and collect the ball. Ashley Hay was close for Dundee, a strike from distance which flew high and wide despite Congreve being wide and open on the right-hand side. Dundee went ahead late first half, a darting run by Ashley Hay who found himself through on goal which struck it past Dave Richards to put the visitors in front. Into the second half, the home side started to show signs of a goal as Camara from distance took on a strike which was blocked. After brilliant play, Fatah had a chance from the flank but his effort was too high to cause any issues. Despite Dundee United dominating, Dundee were unlucky not to double the advantage, Jones from the edge of the box well stopped with goal-scorer, Hay striking the follow-up but a good stop by Richards. Camara had a massive chance inside the box with his volley being well blocked which was eventually cleared. Luca Stephenson had a fantastic chance, a tame effort from close range which looked to be set to go in but McCracken was down well to deny the ex-Liverpool man. Sapsford shortly later should’ve had the game level, Fatah with a pass into the striker who didn’t unleash first time making it a simple stop for the Dundee number one. Poor play by both Keresztes and Sibbald allowed young Finlay Robertson in but his effort being stopped by Dave Richards in goal which could’ve easily been the nail in the coffin in this game. Dundee regained the bragging rights with after edging past United with a late first-half strike by Ashley Hay for the visitors. A deserved victory in the derby for Dundee as they pick up a valuable three points on their short travel across the road. Dundee United: Richards (6), Esselink (6), Iovu (6), Camara (7), Sapsford (6), Ferry (6), Sibbald (5), Fatah (7), Stephenson (7), Keresztes (7), Watters (7). Substitutes: Graham (6), Trapanovski (6), Stirton (6), Dolcek (6). Dundee: McCracken (7), Astley (7), Koumetio(7), Wright (7), Hay (9), Yogane (8), Congreve (7), Dhanda (8), Graham (7), Jones (7), Hamilton (7). Substitutes: F. Robertson (7), Samuels (6), Digby (6).

January 3, 2026

Dundee sign exciting youngster

Dundee Football Club have completed the signing of 21-year-old forward Joe Bevan, who joins The Dark Blues on a two-and-a-half-year deal from English top flight outfit Burnley. The transfer is subject to international clearance. Joe, who will wear the number 27, has previous experience playing in Scotland. The exciting prospect started his career with Kilsyth Athletic and Camelon Juniors, before going on to sign for Albion Rovers, where he spent two seasons. Following his time in Scotland, Joe joined English side Burnley after a successful trial in January 2024, one year later, the Scotsman remained in England, signing for Carlisle United on loan, where he made 14 appearances. Joe has spent the first half of the 2025/26 campaign playing for the Burnley U21s, where he made 11 appearances and scored 4 goals. Steven Pressley on the signing: “There was a lot of interest in Joe, we had to move quickly to secure him. He’s a player with real high potential, and we feel he has a big future ahead of him. We’re very pleased to have him join the squad, and to work on his development.”

January 2, 2026

Dundee United vs Dundee Match Preview

The Dundee Derby returns this weekend as Jim Goodwin’s inform Dundee United side take on Steven Pressley’s Dundee side who come into this fixture off the back of back-to-back league wins at Dens Park. The last meeting between these sides came in late August this year at Dens Park, where United won 2-0. Summer signings Sapsford and Dolcek scored the goals to give the visitors all 3 points. Results have been very even in the past 7 meetings, 3 have ended in a draw, Dundee have won 2 and so have Dundee United. Dundee United come into the fixture off the back of a 3-1 win away against bottom of the league Livingston, which now means that they are currently on a run of 5 games unbeaten, 3 draws and 2 wins, which started with a 0-0 draw against high-flying Motherwell, then a 2-1 win against the champions Celtic, a 1-1 draw against David Gray’s Hibernian, a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, and that 3-1 win in Livingston in their last outing. As a result, The Tangerines now sit in 6th place, above Aberdeen in 7th on goal difference, who lost 2-0 at Easter Road in their last outing, and 1 points above Falkirk in 8th, who lost 1-0 at Dens Park in their last match, albeit having played a game more than both. Dundee come into this fixture off the back of back-to-back league wins for the first time under Steven Pressley and for the first time since March 2024, where they beat Aberdeen at Dens Park then went on to beat St Johnstone in Perth. The Dees now sit in 9th position, 1 point ahead of St Mirren in 10th, albeit having played 2 games more, and 6 points ahead of Kilmarnock in 11th. Should Dundee beat Dundee United this weekend, they would move only 3 points behind their city rivals. However, it will be far from easy based on their away form. The Dark Blues have only picked up 3 points on the road this campaign, 3 draws and 7 losses, which is the worst record of any team thus far. Both sides have only kept 3 clean sheets in 20 matches in the league so far, only Livingston have less with 1 in 19. In terms of goals scored in the league, Dundee United have found the net on 28 occasions, whilst Dundee have only found the net 18 times. Only St Mirren, who have scored 16, have scored fewer thus far. Jim Goodwin on Dundee United’s display against Livingston: “I’m delighted with the overall performance. “The result was the most important thing, but from start to finish we were pretty seamless. “Going in at half-time with just a one-goal advantage was disappointing given the dominance we had in the opening period. “This was the first time we’ve started really quickly and kept that performance going for 90 minutes. “That’s the bar that we have to set now. We have to follow that performance up with another really important performance on Saturday. “We know what Saturday means to the supporters.” Steven Pressley’s on Dundee’s win against Kilmarnock: “We played so well in the first half and went in 1-0 down. I said to them in the dressing room ‘there can be no hard luck stories tonight, we need to make sure we get what we deserve from the game’. They reacted brilliantly. “There’s been so much growth in them recently. We had a really good result against Falkirk and coming into this game, I stressed we hadn’t recorded back-to-back victories in 20 months. “We’re nowhere near where we need to be. We’re progressing, showing some positive signs, but football can change so quickly. But tonight was a really significant for us, a monkey off the back with the 20 months, and the players can take a great deal of confidence.”

January 2, 2026

Dundee 1-0 Falkirk: First Win in Five For The Dee

Dundee survived a late red card scare to secure all three points in a 1-0 win over Falkirk at Dens Park. The home side made two changes to the squad that lost 1-0 to Motherwell last weekend as Ryan Astley and Ethan Hamilton made their way into the starting eleven. The visitors made three changes to the side that won at Rugby Park last week as Keelan Adams, Finn Yeats and Ethan Williams came into the eleven. There was little in the way of action in the early proceedings of the game as Brad Spencer’s early red card for a challenge on Ashley Hay was downgraded to a yellow by referee Duncan Nicolson following a VAR review. As the half was coming to an end, Falkirk midfielder Finn Yates was penalised for handball in his attempt to block the shot and Dundee were awarded the penalty. Yan Dhanda converted his penalty, sending Bairns and former Dundee ‘keeper Scott Bain the wrong way, and gave the home side the lead in a tight affair just on the brink of halftime. This was Dhanda’s second goal for the club since joining on loan from Hearts in the summer. Falkirk started the second half with more urgency and aggression, but seldom troubled Jon McCracken in the Dundee net. Just after the hour mark, Dundee manager Steven Pressley looked to maintain his side’s one goal advantage as Simon Murray and Imari Samuels were brought onto the pitch, meanwhile Falkirk manager John McGlynn pushed for an equaliser as Alfie Agyeman, Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait came off the bench. Almost 15 minutes later Bain was called into action when Drey Wright’s low left footed shot from outside the box was comfortably handled by the former Dundee keeper. A tense Dens Park crowd suffered more stress as substitute Simon Murray was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Ethan Ross, this time with the decision being upheld. With eight minutes of stoppage time, Falkirk continued their pressure as Filip Lissah’s powerful shot was saved by McCracken. The hosts would hang on the secure all three points with Falkirk ending their 2025 in defeat. Following this result, Dundee are in tenth place sitting three points above Kilmarnock in the relegation playoff spot. The two sides face each other back at Dens Park in a Tuesday night kick-off in what is sure to be a relegation dogfight. Falkirk are in eighth place, as they seek a top six finish after their promotion into the Premiership last season. They next face a home tie against Aberdeen with a chance to be right on the Dons heels should they see victory next weekend. Dundee: McCracken (7), Wright (7), Graham (8), Koumetio (7), Astley (7), Congreve (6), Hamilton (7), Jones (6), Yogane (6), Dhanda (7), Hay (7)Subs: Samuels (6), Digby (5), Murray (1), Acquah (5) Falkirk: Bain (7), Adams (6), Allan (6), Henderson (6), Lissah (6), Spencer (5), Yeats (4), Wilson (5), Miller (6), Williams (6), Graham (5)Subs: Ross (6), Tait (6), Agyeman (6), Samuel-Ogunsuyi (5), Nesbitt (5)

December 27, 2025

Livingston 2-2 Dundee: Lions Roar Back From Two Behind to Rescue Vital Point

Livingston came from two goals behind Dundee to rescue a point as both sides played out a 2-2 epic at The Home of the Set Fare Arena. There was a lot riding on the line for both sides, with only four points separating the division’s bottom two, although Dundee have since moved up the table with Kilmarnock not in action until tomorrow. A classic game of two halves, Dundee looked set to win their first game on the road since the final day of the last season as they went up the tunnel at half-time two up thanks to goals from Yan Dhanda and Cameron Congreve. But David Martindale’s side looked reborn in the second period, with goals coming from Jeremy Bokila and Tete Yengi to give the hosts a deserved point as they were the team on the ascendancy for the entire second half. Pressure grows on Steven Pressley in the Dundee dugout, with the away section letting their grievances be heard with expletives this match report cannot repeat. Dundee got the first of their goals thirteen minutes in. Ethan Hamilton tested Jerome Prior with a pile-driver from distance, and the Frenchman’s save only went as far as Yan Dhanda, who made no mistake tapping the ball home for an away lead. And just five minutes later, the advantage doubled. Tony Yogane looped a ball in from the left wing, and the Dee’s star man Cameron Congreve executed a deft finish to send the travelling support into raptures. Not to be down and out, Livingston tried clawing their way back into the game, with Scott Pittman having the Lions’ best opportunity of making the game a contest once more. He found a half yard of space after some superb combination play from the home side, but Jon McCracken was equal to the effort. Just moments before referee Dan McFarlane’s half-time whistle, Dundee came close to making it three. Dhanda tried his upmost to turn provider, but his whipped set-piece glanced off of Billy Koumetio’s head and flew wide of the post. In the opening ten minutes of second period, McCracken in the Dundee net was on a one-man-mission to maintain his clean sheet. The former Scotland call-up was forced into two saves from Livi’s Lewis Smith and Cristian Montano in the same minute, with the latter effort potentially being a cross that was caught in the West Lothian wind. The hosts would get themselves back into the game with just over 25 minutes left to play. Colombian utility man Montano broke the Dundee defensive line with a wonderful ball through to Jeremy Bokila, who showed great composure to find the top left corner as his side’s persistence finally paid off. Stevie May stung the palms of McCracken with his attempt for the equaliser. His shot carried a lot of venom from the edge of the area, and the veteran had a low rocket deflect wide just one minute later with the game entering its final fifteen minutes. With 84 minutes on the clock, Australian Tete Yengi got Livingston’s inevitable equaliser having barely been on the pitch for a minute. A ball floated in from left and Yengi’s header sneaked through the legs of McCracken who will not want to see that one back. Livingston were reduced to ten in the final minute of added time, with captain Ryan McGowan adjudged to have denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Four points separate Dundee and Livingston, as it did before the game as well. Dundee move up to tenth with a game played more than Kilmarnock in eleventh. Livingston remain winless since the second game of the season, but will be delighted to get back into the game from two behind this afternoon. Livi make the trip to Paisley next weekend to face St. Mirren who have a cup final to deal with tomorrow. As for Dundee, it is another trip Southward to face Motherwell at Fir Park. LIVINGSTON: Prior 5, Montano 7, Wilson 6, McGowan 5, Finlayson 5, Susoho 4 (May 63’ 4), Tait 7, Smith 6, Pittman 6 (Yengi 83’ 4), Brenet 3 (McLennan 46’ 3), Bokila 7 (Muirhead 87’ 1) DUNDEE: McCracken 6, Wright 6, Koumetio 7, Graham 5, Astley 1 (Samuels 28’ 4), Yogane 7 (Acquah 89’ 1), Hamilton 6, Dhanda 6 (Jones 76’ 1), Digby 5, Congreve 6 (Ingram 76’ 1), Murray 5 (Hay 63’ 2)

December 13, 2025

Livingston vs Dundee – Match Preview

The bottom two will go head-to-head on Saturday as both look to pick up much needed points. The last meeting between these two came in September of this year, where Dundee won 3-2 courtesy of a last minute penalty from Callum Jones. Dundee have had the better of Livingston in each of their last four meetings. The last time Livingston beat Dundee was back in May 2022, when Andrew Shinnie and Alan Forrest both scored late on. Livingston have struggled on their return to the top flight. David Martindale’s side sit bottom of the table on eight points, winning one, drawing five and losing nine of their fifteen matches, which is the fewest by any side at this stage of a Scottish Premiership campaign since Falkirk back in 2009-10, who also won one. Livingston’s one and only win so far came in their second game of the campaign, where they beat fellow promoted side Falkirk 3-1 at home. The Lions come into this fixture off the back of a 3-0 loss against Motherwell at Fir Park. Dundee have also had a difficult start to their Premiership campaign. Steven Pressley’s side sit in 11th place on twelve points, winning three, drawing three and losing ten of their sixteen matches. Dundee’s last win came against St Mirren on November 29th at Dens Park, where Alexandros Gogic scored an own goal, Drew Wright and Joe Westley both found the net in a 3-1 home win. Despite their dismal start to the season, The Dark Blues have picked up some notable results so far this season, drawing 1-1 against Rangers at Ibrox in their second game of the Premiership campaign and beating Celtic 2-0 at home, however, despite that, their league position does not lie, but a win on Saturday could see them climb up to 10th, should Kilmarnock fail to beat an inform Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday. Both of these sides are right at the bottom in terms of clean sheets. Livingston have kept the fewest, only managing to keep one in sixteen Premiership matches, while Dundee have only kept two in sixteen matches. Dundee have scored the fewest goals in the Premiership so far, only scoring thirteen in sixteen matches, which is an average of 0.80 goals per game. Livingston have enjoyed a slightly better start in front of goal, scoring fifteen in fifteen matches. David Martindale’s reaction to defeat against Motherwell: “We shot ourselves in the foot, we were playing too narrow. They hit us with a couple of counters. “Second half I didn’t think there was a lot in it and we give away a penalty. I’ve not had a chance to look at it back, i’m not interested in that to be honest. Then the game becomes difficult.” Steven Pressley’s pre-match thoughts: “This weekend is a big game for us and Livingston, very much so. “I said before St Mirren that the position of the teams heightened the importance of the game and this one is the same. Both teams know they have to try to get something from it. “Going into this time of the season is always really important and we’d love to do it with some momentum. “Our run of games has been really difficult but over the Christmas and New Year period we play a lot of the teams around us. “That’s a good thing but it also heightens the importance of each game.”

December 12, 2025

Dundee 3-1 St Mirren: Dundee claim vital win over St Mirren

Dundee ran out 3-1 winners over St Mirren on Saturday afternoon to end a run of four defeats in the Scottish Premiership. An own goal from Alex Gogic and goals from Drey Wright and Joe Westley gave Dundee a much-needed victory and lifted them up to ninth in the Premiership table. It was the visitors, St Mirren, who started the brighter of the two sides and looked a constant threat from set pieces in the early stages. They began to create a few half chances inside the Dundee box; however, Luke Graham did well defensively to clear any danger. Dundee’s first chance of the match came on the 15th minute mark when Drey Wright’s delivery into the box was met by Joe Westley; however, the Dundee winger was unable to get a proper connection onto the ball to trouble Shamal George, as he comfortably collected. Following this, St Mirren carved out two chances of their own in quick succession. The first coming when Marcus Fraser looked destined to head beyond Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken until a Dundee body got back in time to clear the ball over the bar. The second coming when Conor McMenamin whipped a powerful ball across the face of the goal for Dan Nlundulu, whose effort sailed narrowly wide of goal. St Mirren had the lead on the 25th minute. Slack passing from Dundee defender Clark Robertson within his own half allowed Mikael Mandron to drive forward with the ball and rifle an effort from distance past McCracken to give his side a deserved lead. Dundee wasted no time in responding to going behind as they had an equaliser within minutes, with an Alex Gogic own goal putting them on level terms. Hearts loanee Yan Dhanda let fly from range; Gogic attempted to put a leg out in hope of blocking the shot; however, all it did was take the ball past the helpless Shamal George. It was an end-to-end affair now with both teams showing a real desire to get forward. Dundee came from behind to lead with five minutes remaining, as Drey Wright’s thunderstrike from the corner of the box went in off the post. Shamal George looked to get a touch to it; however, he couldn’t keep it out as Dundee went into the break ahead. The tempo of the game appeared to slow down in the second half; however, Dundee pushed to add to their advantage early on, when Tony Yogane beat his man with a neat piece of skill before crossing high into the Dundee box for Cameron Congreve, whose headed attempt sailed wide of goal. Moments later, Jayden Richardson’s strike for St Mirren from 20 yards out flew just over the crossbar. Richardson was quickly involved up the other end as his clearance was blocked, leaving Simon Murray with freedom to strike, but his effort was tame and went comfortably into the hands of Shamal George. From that point onwards, St Mirren had Dundee pinned back into their own half for much of the second 45, with Dundee unable to get a proper foothold on the game. Frustrations began to grow for St Mirren as they looked to their bench with twenty minutes to go, making a double change with Roland Idowu and Jonay Ayunga coming onto the park, with Conor McMenamin and Mikael Mandron making way. St Mirren continued to pile pressure onto the Dundee backline, but despite Saints controlling possession, Jon McCracken remained untested. With four minutes of additional time to go, Dundee netted a third to all but secure a vital three points for Steven Pressley’s men. Joe Westley’s curling strike from outside the box completed what was a much-improved performance from the Dees.

November 29, 2025

Dundee v St Mirren Preview

Dundee welcome Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren to Dens Park on Saturday afternoon, with both teams in desperate need of three points. A single point separates these two sides in the Scottish Premiership table, with Dundee sitting in 11th place and St Mirren positioned in ninth. Dundee come into this afternoon’s encounter on the back of a 2-0 away defeat to Hibernian last weekend. Goals from Kieron Bowie and Jamie McGrath meant that Dundee would fall to a fourth consecutive defeat and have also failed to find the back of the net in their last three matches. Victories have been hard to come by for Steven Pressley’s men so far this campaign, having only registered two wins from thirteen matches, both of those coming at Dens Park against Livingston and Celtic respectively. A tough run of games awaits the Dees in the next few weeks, with away trips to Celtic and Livingston and a home match against Aberdeen awaiting Steven Pressley’s side. The visitors, St Mirren, have had their own struggles as of late too, with their last victory coming at the end of September, which was against Dundee, their opponents today. The Buddies are winless in their last six league games, losing five of those, and find themselves two points off the bottom of the table, with only two wins picked up this campaign; however, they have played a game less than Kilmarnock, Dundee and Livingston, who are all below them in the table. Despite their disappointing league form, Stephen Robinson’s men convincingly defeated Motherwell 4-1 at Hampden Park at the start of November to book their place in December’s Scottish League Cup final against Celtic. The Paisley outfit also came into one on the back of a defeat, as they fell to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at home to champions Celtic last time out after a stunning strike in stoppage time from Callum McGregor ensured Celtic claimed all three points. Previous encounter The last meeting between these came earlier this season, back in September. St Mirren were narrow 1-0 winners that day; a first-half strike from Killian Phillips was the difference between the two sides in a tight encounter. Team news Dundee manager Steven Pressley will have a full squad to pick from for today’s match, with no fresh injury concerns. For St Mirren, they will be missing their captain, as Mark O’Hara misses out with a foot injury. Second choice goalkeeper Ryan Mullen is also unavailable.