Latest from Dens Park...Dingwall Next.....

Dundee's Craig McKeown has revealed how he is on the verge of returning to full training and eager to repay the Dark Blues for their treatment of him since he signed from Clyde earlier in the summer. Two years of injury misery for McKeown has been compounded by his missing the bulk of this pre-season after suffering a set-back in his recovery from a hernia operation.
But thanks to the medical support he’s had from the Dark Blues he’s hopeful those fitness woes are behind him. He will miss the visit to Ross County, in fact the dark blues have all three centre halfs out for the trip. Gary MacKenzie had no chance of making it, and now the experienced Jim Lauchlan has been ruled out because of a groin problem. And possible stand-in Eddie Malone is also struggling, Bob Davidson is also out this weekend. Spaniard Kiko Torres, who arrived on Tuesday on trial is not expected to feature at the weekend.

Alloa Ath 2 Dundee 1, Challenge Cup 1st Rd, Recreation Park, 26/July/08

Dundee failed to perform and they must be better next Saturday at Ross County. Jamie Stevenson made a fine return to Alloa Athletic by scoring one and setting up the other as they upset Dundee in the Challenge Cup. Stevenson, back at Recreation Park for the third time, this time on loan from Morton, sent in a fine cross that was headed home by Derek Townsley. The returning hero lobbed home the second after defensive hesitancy. Mickael Antoine-Curier stabbed home a reply after 88 minutes, but the Second Division side held on for victory.
Dundee: Roy, Paton, Malone, Mearns, MacKenzie (Forsyth 40), Cowan, Daquin (Deasley 72), McHale, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, Gilhaney. Subs Not Used: Milne, Benedictus, Spence.
Goals: Antoine-Curier 88.
Att: 793
Ref: C Boyle

Latest From Dens Park........

Dundee have been forced to drop their interest in trialist Makhtar N’Diaye after it was confirmed he broke his arm against Bradford and will be out for a prolonged period. Despite more reports to the contrary, Freddie Daquin has not been freed and is in tomorrow’s squad. The Dark Blues have again been linked with Steve Lovell, but the club were adamant no transfer business was set to be done before tomorrow. Dundee have enlisted the help of local MSP Joe FitzPatrick in their bid to get the SFA to reconsider their decision to demote the Dens Park club from their youth performance league. Mr FitzPatrick has also written to Stewart Maxwell, the Scottish government’s minister of sport asking him to investigate. Dundee were punished on a technicality concerning a second youth licence holder not being in employment when the SFA conducted an audit at the club. This was due to an employee moving on from Dens and a new licence holder not being recruited for several weeks.

Dundee 0 Bradford City 1, Dens Park, 23/07/08

Dundee lined up without striker Mickael Antoine-Curier, who injured his ankle during Sunday’s defeat by Wolves, so that meant a starting slot for Bryan Deasley. The Dark Blues fell behind early when Conlon out-muscled the home defence with ease to head home Paul McLaren’s corner. Only a super saving tackle from Gary MacKenzie on 18 minutes stopped Kyle Nix from bursting the net as the Bantams put the pressure on. There was concern over trialist midfielder Makhtar N’Diaye just before the half-hour mark, when he came off the park clutching his arm. He had to be replaced by Paul McHale and later went to hospital for an X-ray. The Dark Blues came closest to getting a goal back when the lively Deasley played the ball across goal but it was just a few inches beyond Colin McMenamin. Bradford suffered a blow six minutes before half-time when McLaren was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious leg injury after trying to block a clearance from Dundee’s Eric Paton. Stuart McCall’s men made a change at half-time, with the exotically-named Willy Topp replacing Chris Brandon. The Dark Blues nearly fell further behind on 55 minutes when sub Bullock found space inside the box but home keeper Robert Douglas saved well. Two minutes later, Colin Cameron had his strike blocked by full-back Paul Arnison after Deasley had a claim for a penalty turned down. Jim Lauchlan did well to stop Conlon in his tracks, before McMenamin could only bundle the ball past the post following a good cross from Mark Gilhaney. Gilhaney seemed the likeliest source for a breakthrough and from his cut-back in 76 minutes McHale shot just over. A great reverse pass from McMenamin then released Gilhaney only for his cross to just miss Cameron’s outstretched boot. The Dark Blues had the ball in the net two minutes later but MacKenzie was correctly ruled to be in an offside position as he converted a mis-hit shot from Cameron.
Attendance—1239.
Dundee—Douglas, Cowan (O’Brien 70), Malone (Forsyth 70), Cameron, MacKenzie, Lauchlan, Paton, N’Diaye (McHale 28), McMenamin (Mearns 81), Deasley, Gilhaney. Subs not used—Roy.

Wolves On Tour

Dundee Sign Jim Lauchlan............

Dundee manager Alex Rae secured the signature of central defender Jim Lauchlan just before kick-off on Sunday. Jim has signed a one year deal, and will add experience to the defence. He has played for city rivals Dundee Und, as well as Kilmarnock, Ross County and lately Queen of the South. Dundee play Bradford on Wednesday night at Dens Park.

Dundee 0 Wolves 1, Dens Park, 20/July/08

DUNDEE were out-foxed by Wolves in the dying seconds of their pre-season friendly, with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake securing a last-gasp victory for the visitors. The Dark Blues appeared to be about to record a decent draw against the English Championship side but had to grin and bear it when the former Manchester United man netted with almost the last kick of the match. New boy Colin Cameron, making his debut against his old club, was joined in midfield by Senegalese trialist Makhtar N’Diaye (26), who had a spell at Rangers. The Midlands side used the fixture to field two distinct line-ups, playing a half each. The hosts opened up the Wolves defence on 14 minutes when Eric Paton’s deep cross from the right found Colin McMenamin at the back post, but the striker’s volley went a couple of feet past. Up at the other end, Paton crashed the ball off his own bar but ref Stephen Finnie ruled he had been fouled by frontman Sam Vokes, and play was pulled back for a free kick. The game fell flat after that but N’Diaye broke clear on 35 minutes, only for far-side assistant Jeff Banks to raise his flag, much to the disappointment of the Dundee fans. N’Diaye was clearly enjoying his run out and, when his shot was deflected on 41 minutes, it broke to Paul McHale, who had a chance to shoot but chose to cross and the danger was cleared. Paton clashed with Vokes inside the Dundee box and there was an appeal for a penalty, but the ref waved play on. Wolves’ half-time changeover wasn’t exactly smooth as, with Dundee ready to re-start, their “new” opponents were still having a training kickabout. The visitors nearly took the lead on 51 minutes when Michael Kightly was given loads of time in front of goal but could only shoot past the post. Dundee, trying to find a spark, brought on three subs with Bryan Deasley, Bob Davidson and Eddie Mearns replacing McMenamin, Mickael Antoine-Curier and N’Diaye. Antoine-Curier had picked up a leg injury. Wolves should have taken the lead on 69 minutes but, instead of bursting the net as he should have done, striker Chris Iwelumo smashed his close-range header against the post. Matt Jarvis then had a golden chance to give Wolves the lead on 81 minutes when he sneaked in at the back post but his effort went across goal and out. Iwelumo then pounced on a Jarvis corner with just two minutes remaining but the angle was too tight for the header to trouble keeper Rab Douglas. Just as the home side seemed to have held on, poor defending saw the ball fall to the feet of Ebanks-Blake, who blasted his shot home via a post to give Wolves victory.
Attendance: 2091.
Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone (Forsyth 75), N’Diaye (Mearns 62), Cowan, Lauchlan, McHale, Cameron (Daquin 79), McMenamin (Deasley 58), Antoine-Curier (62), Gilhaney (O’Brien 75). Subs not used: Roy.
Referee: Stephen Finnie.

Latest from Dens Park...........

Dundee have dropped their interest in one central defensive target and it’s now not certain the other will be making his Dens stay permanent. George Santos has been told he isn’t what was required, but the surprise today was that Jim Lauchlan had not put pen to paper on a deal.
Lauchlan remains on trial and could feature in Sunday’s Dens friendly against Wolves. There were no injury worries from Tuesday’s draw against Aberdeen and longer term injury victims Darren Young and Craig McKeown are making progress, though neither are nearing a return just yet. Dundee will have more trialists for the Wolves game.

Dundee Sign Colin Cameron

New Dundee signing Colin Cameron has set his sights on promotion with the Dens Park club.
"Promotion is the main goal," said the veteran midfielder. "They were neck and neck with Hamilton last season right to the end. "Hopefully, with acquisitions like big Rab Douglas, myself and the youngsters at the club, it can be the right blend to get us promoted. The 35-year-old former Scotland international, who is under contract to MK Dons until 31 July, is looking forward to working with Dens Park manager and former team-mate Alex Rae. Cameron also hopes that, despite his advanced years, he still has a couple of seasons left in the game. Great news for the club, and will push us back to hopefully the SPL..

Dundee 0 Aberdeen 0, Dens Park, 15/July/08

Dundee struggled to make much of an attacking impression in the first half last night. Their only effort of note was Mickael Antoine-Curier’s 30 yarder that Jamie Langfield clawed round his left-hand upright. A strong Aberdeen side didn’t exactly carve out loads of chances either, but they did go closest to scoring when Lee Miller looked to have headed home Stuart Duff’s cross only for the ball to come back off the post. The Dark Blues had summer acquisitions Eric Paton, Mark Gilhaney, Eddie Mearns and Mickael Antoine-Curier involved from the start along with trialist George Santos, who looked solid alongside Gary MacKenzie and a potential threat at set-pieces. But it was two survivors of last term who combined to almost break the deadlock after the interval, Colin McMenamin flicking Eddie Malone’s cross just wide as Dundee enjoyed the better of the second period.
Attendance—2422.
Dundee—Roy, Cowan, Malone (Forsyth 83), McHale, MacKenzie, Santos (Lauchlan 63), Paton, Mearns (O’Brien 68), McMenamin (Davidson 72), Antoine-Curier (Daquin 77), Gilhaney (Deasley 77). Sub not used—Douglas.

Referee—Stephen Finnie.

Eddie Signs...and Maybe Colin?

Dundee have signed midfield player Eddie Mearns on a one year deal with an option to extend at the end of that time. The youngster showed his versatility during an outing as a trialist at Stirling. Eddie was at Hearts last season, and will add depth to the current squad. Dundee are being linked with Colin Cameron, hope so as he would be a very good signing for the club. Colin played as a trialist at Stirling last week.

Cowdenbeath 1 Dundee 5, Central Park, 12/July/08

First Division Dundee eventually emerged as clear winners of this friendly at Central Park on Saturday. It was only in the closing quarter of the game that Dundee took complete control and by that time the Fifers had sent on a number of their younger players for seasoned campaigners. Dundee had virtually a full side out but it was the hosts who dominated the opening phase of the game. John Gemmell went close in nine minutes before Mark Ramsay work good space for himself three minutes later but his finish lacked venom and former Scotland ‘keeper Rab Douglas saved easily. In 17 minutes Jon Robertson’s inch perfect pass found Fairbairn in acres of space in the Dundee box and his fierce shot from 13 yards brought out a marvellous save from Douglas. Dundee had been somewhat quiet in an attacking sense but in 23 minutes a Trialist header set up Mickel Antoine-Curier but the Frenchman was slow to react and David Hay saved. However, Dundee went ahead nine minutes later. Full-back Craig Forsyth sent over a fine cross and Colin McMenamin was lying handy to headed past Hay. The visitors looked more menacing now and Eric Paton forced a fine finger-tip save from Hay and from the midfielder’s corner Curier’s header forced Jay Shields to clear off the line. The second period opened with Andy Traube on for Kenny Adamson for the hosts but the recast defence was beaten in 53 minutes. McMenamin sent over a dangerous cross from the right and Curier was able to slide the ball home after Hay had failed to cut the ball out. To their credit Cowden were soon back in the picture. In 55 minutes Fairbairn’s cross from the right deceived the Dundee rear guard and McQuade was left with an easy chance 10 yards out which he tucked away. But Dundee were not down for long. In 57 minutes another McMenamin cross posed danger and Curier's header flashed past Hay. With both teams making full use of the the friendly substitutes ruling the game died for a spell but in the last 15 minutes the visitors stepped their game up. In 77 minutes a long ball caught the the Cowden defence square and Bryan Deasley, who was on loan at Central Park last season, ran through to make it 4-1. Then with eight minutes left Freddie Daquin’s cross was turned in by Deasley to complete the scoring.

 Dundee:Douglas; Cowan, Forsyth (Deasley 63); McHale, McKenzie, Trialist; Paton (Gilhaney 67), Trialist (Mearns 45), Antoine-Curier (Daquin 67), McMenamin, O’Brien (Malone 62). Sub not used: Roy. 

Referee-Craig Charleston. 

Att: 344.

Stirling Albion 0 Dundee 3, Forthbank Stadium,

A ten minute hat-trick from Colin McMenamin eased Dundee to a second 3-0 win in just over twenty four hours and he was assisted by new boy Mark Gilhaney who turned in a very impressive first forty five minutes in Dark Blue on Scottish soil.Included in that number was a former international midfielder and after a slow start he showed flashes of his class with a fine range of passing and some incisive runs forward. Dundee went ahead on the half hour when a Gilhaney cross from the left was deflected towards substitute Kevin Milne who had replaced Bob Davidson after the striker picked up an early knock, Milne played a nicely weighted pass into the path of McMenamin who’s shot from twenty yards made it four in a row for goals from outside the penalty area in pre-season. In thirty eight minutes it was 2-0 thanks to some quick thinking from Gilhaney and McMenamin, the winger was fouled on the left and with Stirling still arguing the award Mark took the set piece quickly and McMenamin was alert to race in and fire the ball high into the net from close range. It took just two more minutes for the scoring to be completed, Gilhaney going down the left and firing in a low cross which McMenamin flicked goalwards, this time Christie did well to block the effort but could only parry it back into the striker’s path and Colin stayed cool to stab the ball into the net despite close attention from the home defence. The match faded after the interval as the blustery wind got stronger, but the experienced midfield trialist came close to capping an impressive personal display with a goal when he raced forward, played a neat one two with McMenamin and was inches too high with a lobbed effort which had sub keeper Hogarth scrambling backwards and grateful to see the effort miss the target.

Dundee - Roy, Paton, Malone, Trialist, MacKenzie, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, McMenamin, Davidson, Gilhaney Subs - Grant, Collins, Milne, Marshall, McHale

Montrose 0 Dundee 3, Links Park, 08/July/08

Dundee opened their account on 17 minutes when Bryan Deasley brought down a high ball 20-yards out and fired it low past keeper Mark Peat’s left. The hosts went close to a leveller moments later when a John Baird effort caused the visitors’ hearts to skip a beat.A trio of Montrose half-time substitutions helped lift them briefly, although Dundee quickly shut down anything that looked especially dangerous. When Paul McHale doubled the visitors’ advantage with a shot from the edge of the box on 65 minutes the result never looked in doubt. Just seven minutes later Mickael Antoine-Curier made it three with the best score of the game—taking time with his back to goal before turning and curling the ball into the corner from inside the penalty box. Substitute Graham Collins and Antoine-Curier both had golden chances to make it four as the clock ticked down, but the match ended without further scoring.

Dundee—Douglas, Cowan, Forsyth, McHale, Trialist, Trialist, Daquin, Grant, Antonie-Curier, Deasley, O’Brien. Subs—Hegarty, Collins, Milne, Ritchie

Been on Holiday..more After T in the Park

I've been on Holiday and been really busy in the last week, more updates will be done next Wednesday..and I miss Halo Halo!

Latest From Malta...............

DUNDEE have former Carlisle United midfielder Neale McDermott with them at their Maltese training camp. McDermott (23), who had an unsuccessful trial period at Dunfermline in 2006, is the son of Liverpool legend Terry. The Dark Blues are also running the rule over Northern Irish central defender Sean Webb, once of St Johnstone, and an unnamed Czech midfielder. Defender Jim Lauchlan is a transfer target for both Dundee and Stirling Albion. Lauchlan is understood to have flown out to Malta to join the Dark Blues’ training camp but is also interesting Binos boss Allan Moore. The 31-year-old is looking for a new club after being released by Queen of the South. Dundee’s trialist midfielder Neale McDermott has jetted home from the training camp after suffering an abductor injury.

DUNDEE are hoping, in the course of today, to obtain a full diagnosis of the complaint which forced them to send Craig McKeown home from their Maltese training camp. Close season signing McKeown, who underwent hernia surgery for the third time in as many years this summer, had a scan yesterday after flying back to Scotland and is scheduled to visit a specialist this morning for the results. Manager Alex Rae will run the rule over trialist defender Jim Lauchlan in Friday’s friendly with Birkirkira.

Birkirkara 0 Dundee 0.
DUNDEE could not break the deadlock at the Luxol Sports Club last night, playing out a goalless draw with Maltese Cup holders Birkirkara in the only match of their pre-season trip to the island. Jim Lauchlan had the Dark Blues’ best chance of the opening period but his header was well saved by the home keeper. Lauchlan was paired with fellow trialist Sean Webb in central defence and the pair went on to play almost the full game together. David O’Brien was posing problems for the Maltese backline and consecutive crosses around the half-hour mark both deserved to be finished off. Dundee goalie Ludovic Roy did well to save a shot hit from outside the box after a Birkirkara corner caused concern for the Dundee defence as the match headed towards the interval. The Dens men made six changes at the break, including the introduction of Bryan Deasley and Mickael Antoine-Curier to the attack. On 53 minutes, good inter-passing ended with Antoine-Curier mis-hitting his shot and the ball rolled harmlessly wide. Dundee had a claim for a penalty turned down four minutes later when sub Mark Gilhaney went down in the box, with the local referee waving play on. Summer signing Darren Young took the place of the trialist Czech midfielder on 73 minutes before Antoine-Curier had a decent strike well saved.
Lauchlan and Webb were replaced by Gary MacKenzie and Ross Grant then Roy had to dive full length as a Birkirkara shot went just wide in the closing stages.
Dundee—Roy, Cowan (Paton 46), Webb (Grant 81), Lauchlan (MacKenzie 81), Malone (Forsyth 46), Trialist (Young 73), McHale, Trialist (Dachin 46), O’Brien (Gilhaney 46), McMenamin (Antoine-Curier 46), Davidson (Deasley 46).
DUNDEE BOSS Alex Rae is not rushing to judgment on any of the four trialists who featured in the goalless draw with Birkirkara. Rae, who has arrived back safe and well with his squad from the 10-day trip to Malta, saw Jim Lauchlan, Sean Webb, a Czech midfielder and a Dutch striker play on Friday night against the local side. Now he wants to see them in further action before deciding whether or not to hand out contracts.

McDonald Leaves For Burnley

Burnley have signed midfielder Kevin McDonald on a three-year deal after agreeing a fee with Dundee. Burnley boss Owen Coyle had two previous bids for the 19-year-old rejected but finally succeeded with an offer that could rise to £500,000. The Scotland Under-21 international scored 11 goals in the Scottish First Division last season and had a year of his Dens Park contract to run. "It's always important for a club like us to generate revenue but in terms of the playing side it's a big loss," Dundee manager Alex Rae told BBC Sport. "Last year he was the driving force for us and I think he's a fantastic talent who can go the whole way."
West Brom, Plymouth and Crystal Palace have all been credited with an interest in the powerful teenager. He will be missed but at least he did not go to the old firm, and the club got money as well.

Defender Paul Dixon has signed for city rivals Dundee Und. The 21-year-old was out of contract at Dundee and the neighbouring clubs agreed a compensation fee last week. Norwich had an offer for Dixon rejected last summer and Kilmarnock had been interested in signing the Scotland U21 international.

Former Gretna captain Chris Innes is on the verge of joining Dundee, while goalkeeper Robert Douglas may be returning to Dens Park. Douglas is under contract at Leicester until 31 July but will begin pre-season training with his former club. Central defender Innes, 31, who had a spell with Dundee United, was laid off when Gretna went into administration. A late hitch prevented Innes from signing on Tuesday and Dundee must now wait to see if they get their man. Douglas, 36, spent three years with Dundee before moving on to Celtic for £1.5m in October 2000. He has not featured for Leicester since February 2006 and was limited to a handful of loan appearances at Millwall and Wycombe Wanderers last season.