Andrew At Rugby Park

Kilmarnock 0, Dundee 0, Rugby Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 20-February-16

Dundee started with the same team for the third time in a row, they struggled from the off with the home side causing the Dundee defence a lot of problems. Gary Holt cleared one of the line and O'Dea had to look lively to stop a certain goal with a fine tackle to deny Magennis who looked lively.

Dundee did have a couple of efforts when Stewart's shot was deflected wide, and Loy put one over the ball inches over the ball. Scott Bain made a great save on his line and McGinn headed one off the line to deny Killie the lead.

Second half and Dundee were much better and came into the game more pushing Killie back, Hemmings  was really unlucky with a shot which was well saved by McDonald, the keeper also saved well from a McGowan shot as Dundee turned the screw. Killie did attack but found O'Dea and Konrad in fine form to snuff out any danger.

Dundee forced a few corner at the end but could not get the vital winner. A good point l suppose from a tough venue, the midfield struggled a wee bit to get going. The team worked hard to earn a point.


Dundee: Bain, Holt, Konrad, Stewart, Loy, Hemmings, Ross, McGowan, McGinn, O’Dea, Harkins(c) (Wighton 83’) Subs: Mitchell, Etxabeguren, Arturo, Black, Gadzhalov, Kerr

Ref: Euan Anderson

Att: 3,688

Dundee 2, St Johnstone 0, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 12-February-16

Friday football returned to Dens Park when local Tayside rivals St Johnstone were the visitors. Dundee started the same line up which played against Dumbarton last week. Dundee started well with Harkins and Stewart having efforts on goal.

Dundee did take the lead on 20 minutes when a fine move set up Stewart and his shot was saved and pushed out by the saints keeper, Kane Hemmings was on hand to score from eight yards. Dundee were in total control until half time.

Second half and The Perth Saints started well and Wotherspoon put a shot wide to the relief of the Dundee defence. Dundee's first attack produced the vital second goal. Harkins robbed Swanson on the half way line and send a delightful ball to send Kane Hemmings who ran on and smashed the ball home to the delight of the Dundee fans.

Dundee kept attacking the Perth Saints and Stewart was really unlucky with a shot which cannoned of the ball. No more goals were to follow in the game. A fine performance from the whole team and a very good three points which puts Dundee into fourth place in the table.


Dundee: Bain, McGinn, Konrad, O'Dea, Holt, McGowan, Ross, Stewart, Harkins (c)(Etxabeguren 85), Loy (Low 81), Hemmings. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Arturo, Gadzhalov, Kerr, Wighton

Ref: Craig Thomson.

Att: 4,876 

Award for Kane Hemmings

Kane Hemmings has been named Ladbrokes Premiership player of the month for January.
The striker who has scored 16 goals this season, scored five goals in five games as Dundee held onto their top six position and beating the target of 15 goals set by manager Paul Hartley at the beginning of the season. He started the month by netting in the Dundee derby to set up The Dee for a victory over Dundee United. The striker followed this up with goals against Partick Th, Falkirk, and a late penalty last week against Motherwell. Well done Kane

Dumbarton 0, Dundee 0, The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, Scottish Cup 5th Rd, 06-February-16

Dundee and Dumbarton will have to do it again after a 0-0 on Saturday afternoon. On a pitch that looked heavy both team done well to try and play football. Dundee made no changes to their starting line-up from the eleven who started against Motherwell.

They started brightly and were unlucky after 4 minutes when after good play from Stewart set up Ross who took a touch and cracked a shot off the post. Dundee kept up the pressure with some neat play but lacked the composure to trouble the sons defence. Harkins was unlucky with a 25 yard effort, and soon after Hemmings seen his effort cleared off the line.

The second half was mainly a scrappy affair with the pitch cutting up now did not help the flow of football. Dundee came close a couple of times in the dying minutes. But it will be a replay at Dens to settle this tie.

Dundee: Bain, McGinn, O'Dea, Konrad, Holt, McGowan, Ross (Arturo 71), Stewart, Harkins, Loy (Low 78), Hemmings. Unused Subs: Mitchell (gk), Etxabeguren, Gadzhalov, Kerr, Wighton

Ref: S Finnie.

Att: 1410

Dundee 2, Motherwell 2, Dens Park, Ladbrokes Premiership, 30-January-16

Dundee had to settle for a 2-2 draw against a improved Motherwell side from earlier in the season, The steelmen got off to a great start scoring in 3 minutes when Cadden scored from 15 yards for a fine goal. Dundee came back quickly and after great wing play from Steward his chipped pass found Paul McGowan and the midfielder fired the ball high into the net. Minutes later and Loy hit the ball from 8 yards out. Motherwell regained the lead Pearson played a neat one-two and ran on the score with ease. Dundee kept playing football and were unlucky a few times not to level the game. The closest was a 30 yard shot from Holt which the Well did well to tip over the ball.

Second half and it was much the same with both teams having a go, Arturo came on for his debut, replacing Loy after 69 minutes, and Craig Wighton came on for Loy 10 minutes later. Gary Harkins had a shot deflected just past the post on 86 minutes, and in the scramble that followed the corner Dundee were awarded a penalty. It looked pretty soft Cadden had fouled Holt in the box, Kane Hemmings scored from the spot after the protest had died down.

So a draw it was in the end, maybe on another day Dundee would have taken all three points.

Dundee: Bain, McGinn, O’Dea, Konrad, Holt, McGowan, Ross (Wighton 79)
Stewart, Harkins, Loy (Arturo 69), Hemmings. Unused Subs: Mitchell (gk), Etxabeguren, A Black, Gadzhalov, Kerr

Ref: J. Beaton.

Att: 4,960

Gary Irvine Leaves Dens Park.

Defender Gary Irvine has today left the club by mutual consent. Gary has been with the club for 5 and a half years and has enjoyed some wonderful times at Dens. He was a member of the famous Dee-Fiant playing squad, who broke the club record for run of unbeaten games as they overcame the odds to keep Dundee in the 1st Division.

Three years later Gary was also part of the Championship winning side of 2014 and the following season helped the club to a top six finish back in the top flight. Rumours from the west are saying Gary is set to sign for St Mirren.

Dundee 3, Falkirk 1, Dens Park, Scottish Cup 5th Rd, 26-January-16

Dundee beat high flying Falkirk in the Scottish Cup winning the game 3-1, Kane Hemmings scored after 38 minutes with a great strike from 20 yards. But just before half-time the Bairns levelled when Baird was found all by himself and the striker crossed for Watson to score.

Second half and two quick goals put Dundee in control, first Kane Hemming scored from close range after good play and cross from McGinn. Then good play from Hemmings and his pass into space found Gary Harkins who smashed the ball home for a fine worked goal.

Dundee were never in any danger tonight and Greg Stewart nearly made it 4-1 when his powerfull shot hit the post.

Dundee: Bain, McGinn, Gadazhalov (Etxabeguren 70), Konrad, Holt
Stewart, McGowan, Ross, Low (Loy 70), Harkins, Hemmings. Unused Subs: Mitchell (gk), Irvine, Curran, Kerr, Wighton

Ref: W. Collum.

Att: 4,279

Partick Th And Aberdeen And News Catch Up

 

Aberdeen 1, Dundee 0, Pittodrie Stadium, Ladbrokes Premiership, 22-January-16

Dundee lost 1-0, l missed it due to work after the game got moved to the Friday Night for live TV. Adam Rooney scored after 13 minutes. Given the highlights I have seen Dundee were pretty poor and were lucky it was just 1-0. Scott Bain made some great saves which is the normal for our young keeper. Gary Harkins could have snatched a draw near the end, but his effort went over the bar.

Dundee: Bain, McGinn, O'Dea, Konrad, Holt (Kerr 51), Stewart, McGowan, Ross, Low (Loy 73)
Harkins, Hemmings. Unused Subs: Mitchell (gk), Dryden, Gadzhalov, Curran, Wighton

Ref: A Muir.

Att: 11,805

Dundee have signed striker Arturo Juan Rodríguez Pérez-Reverte on loan from Córdoba until the end of the season subject to international clearance.
Spanish striker Arturo impressed during a short trial period with the Club last week and following a return to Spain the clubs have agreed a deal which will see him at Dens Park until the summer.
26 year old Arturo had an impressive season with La Roda in the Spanish third division in 2013/14 an earned a move to Córdoba who currently are on course to promotion to La Liga in 2nd place of the Spanish second tier. Arturo flew into Scotland today to complete the deal.

Partick Thistle 2, Dundee 4, Firhill Stadium, Ladbrokes Premiership, 16-January-16

Dundee beat Partick Th 4-2 with a fine first half performance sealed the three points for the Dark Blues. They took the lead from the penalty spot after Gary Harkins was fouled in the box. Kane Hemmings stepped up to score with ease. It was 2 nil a couple of minutes later when a high ball was dropped by the Jags keeper and Gary Harkins knocked the ball into the empty net. Minutes later and it was 3-0 good play from Harkins played in Greg Stewart who curled the ball home with a trademark finish from the young striker. Thistle did pull a goal back to make it 3-1, but Gary Harkins scored likely the best goal of the day when he curled the ball home for a truly wonderful goal.

4-1 at half-time the game was over and second half Dundee were in total control Thistle did score in the last minute to make the final score 4-2 to the visitors.

Dundee: Bain, McGinn, O'Dea (Gadzhalov 86), Konrad, Holt, Stewart, McGowan, Ross, Low (Kerr 81), Harkins, Hemmings (Loy 87). Unused Subs: Mitchell (gk), Andrew Black, Wighton, Colquhoun

Ref: Euan Anderson.

Att: 3,262

Captain Kevin Thomson has left the club by mutual consent Rumours say he will rejoin Hibernian in a player/coach role. Youngster Josh Skelly has joined Arbroath on loan for the rest of the season.