Dundee 1, Rangers 2, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 20-March-22

Dundee made five changes from the team beaten by Rangers in the cup last Sunday. Ian Lawlor, Christie Elliott, Shaun Byrne, Declan McDaid and Zak Rudden started in the places of Harrison Sharp, Lee Ashcroft, Max Anderson, Niall McGinn and Danny Mullen. Ashcroft and Mullen were injured. The other three were named as substitutes. 

They got off to a great start and scored on six minutes, good play from Rudden and Marshall and his cross was headed home by Christie Elliott to the delight of the Dundee fans. Both teams had chances soon after and McMullen just about got through on goal but the Rangers keeper got there first. 

Rangers got another soft penalty but this time they missed it, justice was done with that. Dundee got to half time pretty well even in the game.

Second half and the visitors made a few changes and it made a difference with more pressure on the Dundee defence with keeper Lawlor having to save a few. Dundee tried to hit on the break but it was tough going. Rangers did levelled when Ramsay scored from close range. 

It did look like Dundee were holding out for a vital point but Goldstone scored the winner for Rangers with 4 minutes to go. 

Dundee put in a lot of effort today, and were a lot better to watch than last week. Next up is Aberdeen at Dens a week on Saturday.

Dundee: Lawlor, Elliott, Kerr, Sweeney, McGhee (c), Marshall, McMullan, Byrne, McGowan (Anderson 53)*, McDaid (McCowan 82), Rudden (McGinn 71). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Mulligan, Robertson, Daley-Campbell, Ibsen Rossi-

Referee: Bobby Madden

Att: 7,669 

Dundee 0, Rangers 3, Dens Park, Scottish Cup 1/4 Final. 13-March-22

Dundee were beaten 3-0 in this Scottish Cup 1/4 tie at Dens Park. Rangers scored early after a bit of pressure. Dundee tried but were second best in the opening 20 minutes. The game was nearly finished when the Referee pointed to the spot to award a penalty. It was a very soft award and with Rangers scoring it was a long way back for the dark blues.

Second half and Rangers scored again to make the final score 3-0. A bad day at the office for Dundee, not helped by the small crowd for a 1/4 Final tie, sadly money and TV has a lot to answer for.  

At least now the club can focus on the final league run in which won't be easy.

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Ashcroft (Daley-Campbell 43), Sweeney, Marshall (McDaid 77), McGhee (c), McGowan, McMullan (Byrne 60), Anderson, McGinn (McCowan 60), Mullen. Unused Subs: Lawlor (gk), Fontaine, Chapman, Mulligan, Elliott, Robertson, Ibsen Rossi.

Referee: Steven McLean

Att: 5,536 

Dundee 0, St Mirren 1, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 09-March-22

Dundee again had to make changes when Luke McCowan and Niall McGinn returned to the starting line up in place of Shaun Byrne and Vontae Daley-Campbell. A vital game for Dundee and they need the points as tougher games are coming up. 

Both teams knocked the ball about with out either keeper getting tested, Dundee had few efforts at goal and only a deflected shot from Max Anderson which went wide. It was much like that in the first half.

Second half and Dundee did much the same as the first half, they had efforts at goal which all went wild. The one thing that got me was a few decent crosses were put in but nobody up front to attack the ball.

St Mirren  should have scored but some how the player put the ball over the ball, it should have been a goal. Dundee tried to go forward but some of the players were now getting tired.

Dundee made two changes with Shaun Byrne and Zak Rudden being introduced in place of Luke McCowan and Declan McDaid but it was the visitors who continued with the pressure.

St Mirren looked the better side and had good efforts on goal, and a headed goal ruled out for a foul. But in injury time they got the winner when Ronan headed home. A poor goal to lose as he was not picked up. 

This goal will make it very hard for Dundee to stay up as the game will be harder before the split. I can only back my team on which l will do.

Dundee: Sharp, Kerr, Ibsen Rossi, Sweeney, Marshall, McGhee, Anderson (Daley-Campbell 82)

McMullan, McGinn, McCowan (Byrne 62), McDaid (Rudden 62) Unused Subs : Welsh (gk), Fontaine, Chapman, Mulligan, Elliott.

Referee:  John Beaton

Att: 5,069

Motherwell 1, Dundee 1, Fir Park, cinch Premiership, 05-March-22

Dundee were forced to make five changes from the team that drew with Hibs on Wednesday. Ian Lawlor was unavailable so Harrison Sharp came in for his league debut in goal. Lee Ashcroft, Shaun Byrne, Vontae Daley-Campbell and Declan McDaid all started, replacing Charlie Adam, Paul McGowan, Niall McGinn and Danny Mullen.

Dundee got off to a great start when Paul McMullen took control of the ball and cut inside to curl home to the delight of the Dundee fans. It really settled the side and they looked really up for the fight. It made  Motherwell  come out a bit and Dundee used this to hit on the break. 

The home side were level on 12 minutes when good play set up Elford who scored with ease, soon after Dundee were looking good and had efforts on goal which on another day they would go in. 

The defence looked a lot better and Harrison Sharp done really well in goal. It was 1-1 at half-time.

Second half and Motherwell put Dundee under pressure but they coped okay, soon after Dundee made two changes as Vontae Daley-Campbell was replaced by Jay Chapman who moved into the central midfield. Anderson went to the left and McMullan switched to the right wing.

The change almost paid immediate dividends. McMullan raced past Ojala and from the cross Declan McDaid hooked his shot past the angle of post and bar. A minute later McDaid had another go. His shot deflected off Jordan McGhee but Kelly was able to readjust and save.

In the last 15 minutes Motherwell went for a winner but Dundee battled well , defended well and seen out the time for a vital point.

Dundee :  Sharp, Kerr, Sweeney, Ashcroft, Marshall, Byrne, McGhee (c), Daley-Campbell (Chapman 57), Anderson, McMullan, McDaid (Mulligan 81)  Unused Subs : Welsh (gk), Fontaine, Robertson, Ibsen Rossi.

Referee: Andrew Dallas

Att: 4,435

Dundee 0, Hibernian 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 02-March-22

Dundee made five changes to the team, in came Jordan Marshall, Charlie Adam, Paul McMullen, Paul McGowan and Niall McGinn started. The five players who dropped out were Vontae Daley-Campbell, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Josh Mulligan and Shaun Byrne who shifted onto the bench and Zak Rudden who was unavailable for Covid related reasons, as were Luke McCowan and Christie Elliot.

Dundee started slowly and visitors Hibernian were much the same, Jordan McGhee was unlucky when he shot over the bar after a good move. Hibs had forced Lawlor into a couple of saves but nothing to worry the keeper. 

Second half was just as slow but sparked into life when Charlie Adam came very close to a goal, his shot shaved the post. Hibernian were down to ten men when Bushiri was sent off for a off ball foul. 

This helped Dundee to have a spell but they failed to score as the game ended in a draw. Poor stuff from both teams in my view. Dundee will see it as points dropped which is vital in their fight to stay in the league. At least it was a lot better than last Saturday.

Dundee: Lawlor, Kerr, Sweeney, McGhee, Marshall (Ashcroft 80), Adam (c) (Byrne 64), Anderson

McMullan, McGowan, McGinn (Daley-Campbell 80), Mullen. Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Fontaine, McDaid, Chapman, Mulligan, Ibsen Rossi.

Referee: David Munro

Att: 5,237