Dundee Sign Ziyad Larkeche on Loan

Dundee have signed Ziyad Larkeche from Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan deal, subject to international clearance.

Left-back Larkeche moves north of the border after playing 22 times for the Championship side last season.

The 21-year-old came through the youth system at PSG before moving to Fulham in 2020. He then went out on loan to Barnsley where he got his first taste of regular football playing 23 times in all competitions for The Tykes. Last summer he joined Championship side Queen’s Park Rangers. Larkeche has also played six times for the French national side at Under 20’s level.

Ziyad will wear No 21 this season. 

Photos From Glebe Park v Inverness CT

 

Dundee 6, Inverness CT 0, Glebe Park, League Cup, 27-July-24

Dundee made four changes to Dundee’s starting eleven from the side that secured qualification from the group with a win over Annan on Tuesday. Trevor Carson came in for Jon McCracken in goal, Luke Graham came into the back three for his first competitive start, Josh Mulligan into midfield, and Seb Palmer-Houlden started in attack. Ryan Stley, Lyall Cameron and Curtis Main moved onto the bench.

Dundee started quickly and scored in the 1st minute, Ethan Ingram hurled over a long throw, Seb Palmer-Houlden nodded on and Simon Murray stretched to get a touch to send his shot looping in slow motion over the keeper 1-0 Dundee.

After 18 minutes it was 2-0 when a great Josh Mulligan run he then played in Simon Murray who scored with ease. Four minutes later it was three. Luis Longstaff sent a dodgy backpass towards Newman. Seb Palmer-Houlden was lurking and nipped in to drag the ball past the helpless keeper and score with a very tidy finish from a tight angle.

Mulligan had another great run but shot just wide of the far post, Dundee were playing some superb football. No 4 arrived afer Robertson found Simon Murray to poke home to complet his hat-trick. 

Seb Palmer-Houlden got his second goal when he shot home after a good pass from Ingram to make the half-time score 5-0 to blow ICT away. It could have been more.

Second half Lyall Cameron came on for Luke McCowan ICT battle well and blocked a few Dundee efforts on goal, 

Curtis Main and Scott Tiffoney replaced Murray and Palmer-Houlden just before the hour. It made no difference to Dundee’s dominance. Ryan Astley also came on for Mo Sylla with Jordan McGhee stepping forward into the midfield enforcer roled in which Sylla excelled today.

Dundee scored no 6 when a great ball in from Cameron and Antonio Portales headed home after 79 minutes. Dundee kept going to the end and were denied any more goal by decent ICT defending.

A great win for the dark blues and it will make them seeded in the draw which takes place on Sunday.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, McGhee, Graham, Sylla (Astley 75), Ingram, Mulligan, McCowan (c) (Cameron 58), Fin Robertson, Palmer-Houlden (Tiffoney 58), Murray (Main 58).  Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Sharp (gk), Astley, Tiffoney, Main, Cameron, Richardson, Lochhead.

Referee: John Beaton

Att: 1,057

Dundee 3 Annan Ath 1, Glebe Park, League Cup, 23-July-24

Dundee made one change when Simon Murray came in for Scott Tiffoney who moved to the bench.

Annan started the game well and showed why they done well last season. Curtis Main and Simon Murray combined well with each other and also with the attacking midfielders, Luke McCowan and Lyall Cameron. The Dark Blues repeatedly worked their way into promising positions without being able to end moves with shots that troubled Jamie Smith in Annan’s goal. Annan had fewer attacks but were also able to mount good moves without having any worrying attempts on goal.

Dundee had some efforts on goal but they scored on 34 minutes when followling a corner McCowan had a second chance to cross and found Simon Murray to score with a header.

Dundee were in control but Annan scored just before half-time after a neat move.

Second half Annan started well and hit the post which saved Dundee, it was a bit of luck Dundee would need over the next 20 minutes. 

Midway through the second half Dundee made three substitutions, sending on Luke Graham, Scott Tiffoney and Seb Palmer-Houlden to replace Fin Robertson, Ryan Astley and Curtis Main. They switched to four at the back with Graham and Ingram as advanced full backs and Tiffoney attacking from the left wing.

As it looked like the game going to penalties Dundee scored after a good wee run from Sylla he found Simon Murray who scored from eight yards.

Annan pushed forward to try and save the game, but McCowan raced clear to cross for Seb Palmer-Houlden to head against the bar he followed up to score the killer third goal.

A tough game as Annan played well on the night.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley (Graham 66), McGhee, Portales, Sylla, Ingram (Mulligan 86), McCowan (c), Cameron, Fin Robertson (Tiffoney 86), Main (Palmer-Houlden 66), Murray. Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Sharp (gk), Richardson, Lochhead.

News From Dens Park

Goalkeeper Ruaridh Lynch who is part of Dundee FC’s Development squad has joined Cowdenbeath. Craig joins the Lowland League side on a season long loan deal. It will help get game time at a higher level.

Max Anderson has left the club to join English League One side Crawley Town on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.

Max came through the club’s youth academy and made his first team debut in September 2019 coming on as a second-half substitute against Elgin City in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup. Max’s performances and progression at the club were recognised in recent years with him winning the Isobel Sneddon Young Player of the Year award for 2020/21 and then again in 2021/22.

Max was part of the Dundee side that won the Scottish Championship in 22/23. During his time at Dundee Max played 94 times competitively scoring eight goals.

Diego Pineda has left the  club by mutual agreement. he  has went back to Mexico to continue his career. He played 6 times for Dundee and scored 1 goal. Injury has not helped his time at Dens. 

Arbroath 0, Dundee 2, Gayfield , League Cup Group D, 16th July 2024

Dundee started with the same team as Bonnyrigg which was expected. Dundee started well and looked like scoring early on. But after six minutes they gave away a penalty after a needless tackle in the box.

But they had Jon McCracken to thank when he dived and made a great save from Murray's spot kick. At least it made Dundee get back into the game and they had several chances in the first half.

Luke McCowan was denied twice by McAdams in the Arbroath goal who pulled off a couple of great saves. Antonio Portales was unlucky when his header came back of the post. 

Just before half time McCracken had to save well again from Murray and then at the other end Main beat the keeper but his effort was cleared off the line. 

Sylla went close from a corner at the start of the second half but his looping header dropped just over the bar. Dundee were in control and went 1-0 up when Tiffiney was fouled in the box. Luke McCowan stepped up to score with ease. 

Cameron and Robertson had shots blocked as Dundee went in to kill the game with a second goal, Arbroath did hve a wee spell on attack and forced a few corners but never troubled the dark blues defence.

The Dark Blues soon reasserted control and three substitutions gave them fresh impetus. Seb Palmer-Houlden, Josh Mulligan and Simon Murray came on for Curtis Main, Lyall Cameron and Scott Tiffoney.

After 78 minutes it was 2-0 Murray had a shot saved but it fell to Ethan Ingram who smashed the ball home to seal the three points.

Dundee saw the rest of the game out with out adding to the final scoreline. Another vital win which puts them top in the group. 

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, McGhee, Portales, Sylla, Ingram, McCowan (c), Cameron (Mulligan 72), Fin Robertson, Main (Palmer-Houlden 61), Tiffoney (Murray 72). Unused Subs : Carson (gk), Sharp (gk), Anderson, Graham, Richardson, Lochhead.

Referee: Chris Graham. 

Att: 1,776

News from Dens

Cammy Kerr has left the club after being involved with the club since he was eight years old, he played 272 games for the club, Cammy had a Testimonial Game which nowadays are pretty rare. He is one of our own and will always be remembered in years to come by DFC fans. 

Dundee will play their two League Cup home games at Glebe Park Brechin. It is to give the pitch plenty time to recover for our first League game against Hearts on the 10th of August. 

Zak Rudden has left the club after the club and Zak came to a agreement on his current contract. Zak has signed for Queens Park. 

Dundee sign Simon Murray on a three year deal from Ross County, a great signing for the club.

Bonnyrigg Photos

 

Bonnyrigg Rose 1 Dundee 7, New Dundas Park, League Cup Group D, 13-July-24

Dundee started  their competitive season with a familiar line-up. Only Ethan Ingram wasn’t with Dundee last season. New signing Simon Murray was on the bench and Seb Palmer-Houlden was injured.

In the first ten minutes they could have scored four times but somehow missed the target when in great positions. They hit the bar as well in these attacks.

The first goal came two minutes later when  Luke McCowan combined in a fast attack with Tiffoney before passing across goal for Curtis Main to knock home from close in.

Three minutes later Robertson sent a free kick from the left, just outside the penalty area, and Antonio Portales flicked in the second goal. Dundee got their third goal all in five minutes when Tiffoney raced wide and his ball in was knock home by Lyall Cameron.

Dundee kept going and Tiffoney was unlucky when his effort was cleared off the line, Dundee got their fourth goal after 31 minutes when Cameron ran through the middle, took a neat backheel from McCowan and set up Curtis Main to smash in his second of the afternoon. A very well worked goal which must have left Bonnyrigg stunned. 

At half time Josh Mulligan came on for Ethan Ingram and his pace, strength and skill gave the beleaguered Bonnyrigg defence yet more problems to cope with.

After 52 minutes a Dee corner on the right was cleared to the left. Tiffoney crossed and Main headed on for Ryan Astley to score from a few yards out. 

Half through the second half and Dundee scored a great goal wonderful passing involving McCowan and Cameron, and Lyall Cameron ran on to score the sixth goal. 

Dundee kept at it and Main just missed the target and McCowan hit the post. But against the run of play Bonnyrigg scored a goal. It was a bit sloopy one for Dundee to lose.

However they picked it up again and scored number seven when a corner was not cleared and Cameron chipped the ball in for Curtis Main to get his hat-trick. 

Dundee kept at it but failed to get goal no 8. It was a wonderful performance and least thy have a goal differnce in the group.

Only down side was the injury to Charlie Reilly who had to go off .

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, McGhee, Portales, Sylla, Ingram, (Mulligan 45) McCowan, Cameron, Fin Robertson, Main, Tiffoney (Reilly 66 (Richardson 90)). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Murray, Reilly, Kerr, Anderson, Graham, Lochhead.

Referee:  Dan McFarlane. 

Att: 987

Dunfermline 0 Dundee 2, East End Park, Pre Season Friendly, 10-July-24

Dundee having returned from Poland won thus game 2-0 with two first half goals from Curtis Main and  Antonio Portales . Both goals were from headers in the first half.  Dundee were in contro; for most of the game and a young team finished the game. It gave the full squad a good run out.

I missed the game due to work so the reason for a basic repott. This was the last Pre Season game before the season really starts with a League Cup tie at Bonnyrigg on saturday.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, McGhee, Graham (Astley 76), Trialist (Fin Robertson 66), Ingram (Kerr 66), Sylla, McCowan, Reilly (Rudden 84), Main (Palmer-Houlden 66), Tiffoney (Cameron 66). Unused Subs: McCracken (gk), Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), Lochhead, Murray, Anderson.

Referee: Ryan Lee.

Attendance: 893.

Poznan and The Tour in Poland

Dundee were based just outside Poznan for Pre-Season build up for the new season. So my wife Carmie and our two boys Andrew and Alexander decided to go across for 6 nights and make it a holiday.

We were lucky enough to fly out on the Monday with the Dundee FC staff and Players on the same flight. A few other Dundee fans were onboard as well. The flight was quick and we arrived on time.

We booked a apartment for the six nights which was close to supermarkets ect, so breakfast was easy. On Tueday we went round Poznan old town and seen various museums. Had a few beers in the centre with other Dundee fans. We also went to the see the goats come out at 12 but they were broken. They played a old song ect in which they do when this happens.

On Wednesday day was more going round the centre and later the boys and myself met up with others Dundee Fans to plans out trip out to Stadion MKS Promień Opalenica where the game would be played against FC Baník Ostrava with a 6pm kick-off. 

Instead of getting the train we all shared Uber Taxis which took about 40 minutes and we all arrived just before 5pm and we had a few beers in the lovely hotel. 

FC Banik Ostrava 0, Dundee 3, Stadion MKS Promień Opalenica, 3rd July 2024

It was the usual pre-season game with Dundee started brightly an Seb Palmer-Houlden and shot past the post. FC Baník Ostrava looked a strong side and they got a goal ruled out for offside. 

Dundee kept going and Tiffoney and Palmer-Houlden had shots blocked.  The best chance of the half came right on half-time and it came from Banik, the ball was thrown into the box and their striker had a free header which he knocked past the post. 

Eight minutes into the second half, Dundee opened the scoring through Luke Graham, the ball came out to McCowan who crossed the ball into the box and found Graham who headed the ball past the keeper.

Dundee continued to attack through Palmer-Houlden who had two chances. Substitute Jamie Richardson came close after Max Anderson drove forward. Richardson got his goal when he followed in off a shot and knocked the ball into the back of the net. 

Three minutes later Dundee had a third through Fin Robertson who took the ball around the keeper and smashed it into the back of the net.

It was a strong performance for The Dee tonight in our second pre-season match against a good Banik Ostrava side. 

Dundee: McCracken (Sharp), Astley, McGhee (Kerr), Tiffoney (Robertson), Camero(Anderson), Mulligan (Corrigan),  16 – Trialist (Reilly), McCowan (C) (Richardson), Palmer-Houlden (Rudden), Graham (Lochhead), Sylla (Trialist), Unused Subs:  Legzdins

Dusan with Me and My Boys 

It was great to meet with ExDundee player Dusan Vrto who came to meet all the Dundee fans at the game, Great memories and stories were shared after the game Dundee Manager Tony Docherty came and met the Dundee fans in the bar and we all ended up in 3 Mini buses back to Poznan great effort for 50 zloty each. 

On Thursday we went out to the Lech Poznan's ground, it was about 20 minutes out from the centre so it was easy to get to, We booked a guided tour and was great to go round and see inside the ground. The history of the club and we enjoyed it. Got some great photos and it was a nice sunny day as well. After that we spend time in the centre food and went to a American Diner based on the 1950's.

On the Friday we done the Castle, Polish History done by Lego and we spend time with the boys at the play area for a hour. Then we went for some local Polish food at a busy outside cafe.

On Saturday we again met up and we got the train at 12:10 train to Wronki it was a 30-40 minute journey on a high speed train busy train. We got to the ground after a 30 minute walk with the help from some Lech Poznan Fans. It was a hot day and after we got into the ground we were dee-lighted to have some cold beer and burgers. 

Lech Poznań 1, Dundee 1, Stadion Akademii, Wronki, 6th July 2024

Lech started the match brightly forcing two corners in the first five minutes. Sousa then had a shot outside the box but McCracken tipped it over the bar.

They looked a strong side and were a good test for Dundee. Lech Poznan scored on 28 minutes when     Ishak smashed the ball home. They could have scored another two before half time. Curtis Main put a header just wide of the post in a rare Dundee attack.

At half-time, Lech Poznaǹ changed their full team for the second half. It was The Dee who started the second half the brightest, Palmer-Holden played in McCowan who had a shot but the keeper pushed it away. 

Substitute Sylla had a shot blocked  with the ball going out for a corner, McGhee then attempted an over-head kick from the corner but Lech cleared. Palmer-Holden came very close when McCowan played him in, but his shot was saved. 

But a minute later The Dee were level through Seb Palmer-Holden who won the ball off the defender and smashed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. 

With  minutes to go Charlie Reilly nearly found the net as he curled a shot from the left-hand side but the keeper got a hand to the ball.

Dundee done well to get a draw and it was good to finish strongly again a good team.

Dundee: McCracken,  Astley,  McGhee (Reilly), Main (Tiffoney), Cameron (Sylla), Ingram (Kerr),  McCowan (Anderson), Robertson (Trialist), Palmer-Houlden (Rudden), Portales (Graham). Unused Subs: Legzdins, Sharp, Lochead, Mulligan, Corrigan, Richardson, 

After the game it was a few beers at a local bar then back to Poznan for a few more, a good night was had with fellow dees and l got home just before 12pm.

Next day it was home time and we had to leave the apartment and we made our way back to the Airport in a Uber Taxis the way to go. We had a few hours to wait so had food and we seen the Dundee FC squad again. Carmie got Cammy Kerr's autograph for our sister in law Jo.

It was a quick flight and Jo came and gave us a lift home getting home just before 3am. Tired but we had a great time and the only other time l have been to Poland was in 2006. 

Poland Photos