Dundee 0, Rangers 1, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 25th September 2021

Dundee Manager James McPake made one change from Wednesday night. Ryan Sweeney came in for Paul McGowan as the Dee switched to five at the back.

Dundee got off to a fast start, taking only six seconds to get their first shot in. From the kick off Paul McMullan startled Rangers by racing past three players before his shot from 18 yards was blocked. The ball was quickly returned into the penalty area but Leigh Griffiths couldn’t get any power in his header.

Then Jordan McGhee send in a header but it was straight at the Rangers keeper, Rangers did have some attacks and scored on 16 minutes when Aribo finished well when he was sent clear on goal.

Leigh Griffiths had two efforts on goal as Dundee kept attacking when they could. The striker who carring a injury came off after 39 minutes replaced by Jason Cummings.

Dundee were dangerous right from the start of the second half. Ryan Sweeney got onto the end of Paul McMullan’s free kick but sent his header straight at McLaughlin.

Max Anderson robbed Glen Kamara in midfield but with Rangers’ defence wide open he overhit the pass that should have sent Cummings clear.

Anderson hit a fine long pass for McMullan whose first touch with his chest took the last man, Goldson, out of the game. McMullan raced in on goal, rounded the keeper, but was flattened by McLaughlin’s challenge before he could roll the ball into the empty goal.

Referee Bobby Madden decided the keeper’s goal-saving foul was worth only a yellow card and McLaughlin stayed on the field to block Cummings’ penalty kick. The ball rebounded high into the air and McLaughlin was able to gather it as it came down.

Dundee kept going until the end the closest they came is when McGhee headed wide, good play from Jordan Marshall who had two great runs down the wing.

I was not over impressed by Rangers and Dundee should have got a draw and they played well. 

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr, Ashcroft, Sweeney, Fontaine, Marshall, McGhee (c), Byrne (Jakubiak 73), Anderson (McGowan 61), McMullan, Griffiths Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), McCowan, Panter, Sheridan, Cummings.

Att: 8,574

Referee: Bobby Madden

Dundee 0, St Johnstone 2, Dens Park, League Cup 1/4 Final, 22nd September 2021

Dundee made one change  Liam Fontaine keeping his place after replacing Ryan Sweeney during the Derby on Sunday.

Dundee started well and early on Clarke had to tip the ball over the bar after a shot was deflected from a corner and it was heading for the net. 

Adam Legzdins tipped over a 25 yarder from David Wotherspoon before the Dee almost scored from a fast break. Leigh Griffiths’ cross was met by Jordan McGhee’s diving header but the ball flew straight at Clark and the keeper parried. Either side and it would have been a goal.

Then Leigh Griffiths went close with a snap shot which just went past the post. Cammy Kerr came close just on half time when his effort was well saved by Zander Clarke.

Dundee flew at Saints from the start of the second half. Anderson’s burst through the middle was stopped by a cynical foul. Griffiths’ shot from the resulting free kick was parried by Clark into the path of Paul  McMullan but the winger shot against the keeper’s body.

But as in recent weeks Dundee paid the price when Saints took the lead when Rooney scored from close range, it changed the game a bit and Dundee pushed forward in search of a goal. 

With six minutes to go Saints scored again when Crawford fired home from 15 yards to end Dundee's hopes of a semi final place.

They played well enough on the night, but failed to take their chances and paid the penalty.

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr, Ashcroft, Fontaine, Marshall, Anderson (McCowan 80), Byrne, McGhee (c) (Sheridan 74), McMullan, Griffiths, McGowan. Unused Subs: Lawlor ,Sharp, Jakubiak, Elliott, Robertson, Panter.

Att: 4,707

Referee: Steven McLean

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Dundee United 1, Dundee 0, Tannadice, cinch Premiership, 19th September 2021

Dundee boss James McPake made two changes from the team that drew with Livingston. Paul McGowan and Paul McMullan started, replacing Luke McCowan and Alex Jakubiak, who were on the bench.

Dundee started well and Leigh Griffiths was unlucky to see his header go just wide after a superb cross from Jordan Marshall. Soon after the same pair combined again this time Leigh Griffith's shot was well saved by the United keeper. 

Ten minutes from half time and Ryan Sweeney was replaced by Liam Fontaine, Ryan had not recovered from a injury picked up earlier. Dundee keeper Adam Legzdins made a great save to deny Pawlett pushing his shot onto the post. 

Second half and the game became pretty scrappy, but Shaun Byrne had a great chance but his shot was saved by the United keeper , the ball fell to Griffiths but the ball would not come down in time and his effort went over the bar. 

Alex Jakubiak came on for Max Anderson and Jason Cummings replaced Paul McGowan as Dundee knew that this was a game they could win and refused to settle for a point.

But it was United who  grabbed the vital goal when Harkes shot home from the edge of the box, Dundee pushed forward to try and level the game and came close twice in the final minutes, first  Sheridan was about to shoot but a good tackle denied the big striker. Then Jordan Marshall has a shot which was blocked on the line.

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr (Sheridan 85), Ashcroft, Sweeney (Fontaine 35), Marshall, Anderson (Jakubiak 60), Byrne, McGhee, McMullan, Griffiths, McGowan (Cummings 74). Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), McCowan, Panter.

Referee: John Beaton.

Att: 12,806

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Dundee 0, Livingston 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 11th September 2021

Dundee  made four changes from the team that played Motherwell. Jordan Marshall, Ryan Sweeney and Alex Jakubiak returned to the starting eleven, and Leigh Griffiths made his debut, second time around. Jason Cummings and Liam Fontaine moved onto the bench, while Charlie Adam and Paul McMullan were injured. 

Dundee started well and McGhee had a early chance but his cross was too close to the keeper, then McCowan sent Max Anderson clear but his shot was well saved by the Livi keeper. 

Luke McCowan had a 20 yard shot deflected over the bar as Dundee pushed for the opener. Leigh Griffiths then missed with a header, again the Livi keeper saved well when he pushed a Ryan Sweeney header on to the bar. 

Second half and the game became a bit flat, Cammy Kerr had a effort but he sent it over the bar. McCowan and Griffiths had half chances as the game got worse with too many stray balls as both teams struggled in the last twenty minutes.

Dundee made made changes Jason Cummings and Declan McDaid replaced Alex Jakubiak and Luke McCowan. 

So it ended a draw which Dundee will look at two points dropped, we need to start winning our home games and hopefully get our first league win at Tannadice next Sunday.

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr, Ashcroft, Sweeney, Marshall, Anderson (McGowan 81), Byrne, McGhee (c)

McCowan (McDaid 64), Griffiths, Jakubiak (Cummings 64). Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Fontaine, Panter, Sheridan.

Att: 5,015

Referee: Alan Muir

Leigh Griffiths Signs For The Dee................

 

Dundee have signed Leigh Griffiths on a season loan from Celtic, it should prove a very good deal for the club. Leigh will wear No 29 this season.