Rangers 5, Dundee 2, Ibrox, cinch Premiership, 14th May 2024

Dundee made a couple of changes when Mo Sylla and Scott Tiffoney started, with Aaron Donnelly and Michael Mellon moving to the bench.

Dundee started well and were going forward with some neat football, but it was Rangers who had efforts at goal with McCracken saved with ease.

After 32 minutes Luke McCowan sent a badly misjudged pass across the face of the Dundee penalty area straight to Ross McCausland. McCracken spared his skipper’s blushes by touching the shot over the bar.

Into the last 10 minutes of the half and all off a sudden Dundee had good efforts on goal as they came close twice. First, Butland held a firmly struck 30 yard shot from Scott Tiffoney. In Dundee’s next attack McCowan played Tiffoney into the penalty area. Butland saved and Tiffoney’s goalbound follow up was headed away by Ben Davies.

The Dark Blues kept attacking and Butland again saved well from Malachi Boateng’s curling 20 yarder.

But minutes later Dundee scored after a neat play across the midfield ended with a Owen Dodgson and he  hit a lovely low cross across the face of goal for Jordan McGhee to shoot past Butland at the far post.

Two minutes later the Dark Blues had a free kick wide on the left. McCowan played it short to Dodgson who hit another wicked cross into the danger area and Antonio Portales scored with an cheeky flick off the outside of his boot.

In a crazy period Dundee went close again when Sylla put a effort just wide off the post, but in injury tme Rangers scored to get back into the game.

Second half and it took Rangers 7 minutes to level the score at 2-2. It was all Rangers and after 65 minutes it was 3-2. Dundee struggled to get back into the game.

Silva spun and shot from the edge of the penalty area but McCracken saved well. The Dee keeper then pulled off a magnificent save to keep out a Dessers header. 

It was a great save Dundee put on Robertson, Costello and Main to try and get a vital goal but after a ten minute spell they were under more pressure from the home side.

Rangers scored twice more in the final minutes to end the game 5-2. It was a tale of two halfes with Dundee better team in the first half, Rangers controlled the game second half a deserved the win.

The European dream is over and at least Manager Tony Docherty will know now what is needed to get better next season. Last game of the season is when Kilmarnock come to Dens Park on Saturday.

Dundee: McCracken, McGhee, Astley, Portales, Dodgson, Sylla (Robertson 74), Boateng (Mellon 86), Cameron, McCowan, Tiffoney (Costelloe 74), Bakayoko (Main 74). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Mulligan, Robinson, Howley, Donnelly.

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

Att: 45,760

Hearts Photos

 

Hearts 3 Dundee 0, Tynecastle, cinch Premiership, 11th May 2024

It was a fine sunny day in Edinburgh for Dundee"s visit to Tynecastle in a big league fixture for the club. Dundee made three changes to the team with Ryan Astley made his first start replacing the injured Ricki Lamie. Malachi Boateng and Michael Mellon also came in for Mo Sylla and Scott Tiffoney, who were on the bench.

Hearts started very well and pushed Dundee back and they looked eager to get the first goal. Ryan Astley made a vital interception to stop Kenneth Vargas’s cutback reaching Alan Forest in front of goal. It was a quick break away and could have been a goal.

Dundee were giving the ball away too much in midfield but slowly they were getting better as the game went on. Jon McCracken saved well from Vargas’s close range header after Lawrence Shankland dinked a clever cross to the far post.

Soon after Hearts scored their first goal when a good ball to the back post and Vargas scored with a neat finish. 

Dundee were given a fleeting moment of hope late in the first half when Lyall Cameron’s shot struck Stephen Kingsley’s arm and referee Nick Walsh pointed to the penalty spot. It looked very much like the crucial penalty Hearts were given against the Dark Blues in February. This time, however, after a lengthy VAR review the referee changed his mind and awarded Dundee a corner.

Dundee started the second half well and looked a lot better, Ryan Howley came on at half time as a straight replacement for Jordan McGhee, Then they lost a sloopy goal when they switched off and Hearts were able to break for Forrest to round McCracken and tap the ball home.

It was a big blow to our hope of getting something from the game, At least Dundee went forward and forced Craig Gordan into make two good saves from  Luke McCowan’s low shot from 16 yards and then a minute later turned Owen Dodgson’s volley onto the post.

Soon after Gordan turned Aaron Donnelly’s shot round the post, after he dropped a corner. It was as close as Dundee came to scoring. Hearts scored again with a good move for Shankland to net to make the final score 3-0.

Dundee were a wee bit outclassed today. The penalty Var check was hard for them, and after l have watched it on Sunday morning it should have been given. It does not make sense that one week that is given and the next week it is not.

A great support through and everyone enjoyed their day out in the Capital. Next game is at Ibrox l just hope they get something from the game.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Astley, Donnelly, McGhee (Howley at half time), Cameron (Main 82), Boateng (Mulligan 77), McCowan (c), Dodgson (Costelloe 68), Bakayoko, Mellon. Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Tiffoney, Robinson, Robertson, Sylla.

Referee: Nick Walsh. 

Att: 18,757

St Mirren Photos

 

Dundee 1, St Mirren 3, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 4th May 2023

Dundee made two changes to the team that lost narrowly to Celtic. Aaron Donnelly and Lyall Cameron returned to the starting eleven, replacing Josh Mulligan and Malachi Boateng who were substitutes.

They made a slower start than normal and struggled to get the ball down, as usual St Mirren made it tough and even after the first ten minutes Dundee continuted to struggled. St Mirren could have scored twice early on and only bad finishes let them down.

Dundee did create a couple of chances when Cameron played in McCowan but he failed to control the ball well enough, then he had a decent shot saved by the saints keeper.

But St Mirren took the lead on 37 minutes it was a sloppy goal to lose when Gogic put the ball home after Dundee failed to clear.

Mo Sylla took a head knock in the first half and he was replaced at half time by Malachi Boateng.

Second half and it was much the same from Dundee too slow on the attack and they just looked out of sorts than normal.

Cameron had a shot but it troubled the saints keeper, then soon after it was 2-0 when they failed to clear and Tanser made space and beat McCracken with neat finish.

Curtis Main and Michael Mellon came on for Amadou Bakayoko and Scott Tiffoney and did give the Dee some fresh energy up front. Any hope, however, was extinguished after 72 minutes when St Mirren punished more poor defending and helped themselves to a third goal.

Dundee did fight back and Michael Mellon headed home to give Dundee some hope, Cameron came close soon after and Mulligan had a effort which was just wide. Also McCowan had his touched onto the post and that was that.

St Mirren deserved to win today and they just done the job in hand needed to seal the vital three points.

Next up is a trip to Tynecastle next Saturday it should be a good day hopefully.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Lamie (Costelloe 77), Donnelly, McGhee, Cameron (Mulligan 81), Sylla (Boateng at half time), McCowan (c), Dodgson. Bakayoko (Main 65), Tiffoney (Mellon 65). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Astley, Robinson, Robertson.

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

Att: 6,877

Celtic Photos

 

Dundee 1, Celtic 2, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 28th April-24

Dundee made two changes when Antonio Portales kept his place after coming on as a replacement for the injured Joe Shaughnessy against Rangers. Lyall Cameron was also injured so Josh Mulligan started in his place.

Celtic started well and Jon McCracken make two good saves in the first five minutes, Dundee came into the game with some nice attacking football but the moves missed the killer touch. 

Just past half way mark of the half Cetic should have scored but Hatate knocked his effort just wide of the goal. The Dee responded with their best move of the first half, moving the ball smoothly through the Celtic half and out to the left wing. Owen Dodgson whipped over a dangerous cross and Jordan McGhee couldn’t make contact with his attempted header; Amadou Bakayoko failed to make a clean connection with his volley at the far post, allowing Hart an easy save.

But then Forrest scored with a fine finish which gave McCracken no chance as he shot home the ball being right in the corner. 

For the rest of the half both teams had moved but either keeper were tested and it was still close score wise for the dark blues.

Second half and  Dundee stepped up their game and forced Celtic to defend, the best chance came from a fine inswinging corner by Dodgson which found Mo Sylla six yards out, but the midfielder headed narrowly wide. McGhee found space at another Dodgson corner but sent his header straight at Hart.

But after this the defence got in a wee muddle and Forrest scored the second goal for the visitors, but at least Dundee came out and with Dundee put on Fin Robertson and Dara Costelloe for Malachi Boateng and Scott Tiffoney as they tried to dig their way back into the game. Hatate almost put the match beyond Dundee’s reach but he shot against the post from 18 yards after lovely footwork to make space.

A minute later Dundee pulled a goal back to make the last 20 minutes very interesting. The Celtic defence couldn’t clear Dodgson’s corner and Antonio Portales shot from 12 yards deflected off Adam Idah to leave Hart helpless. It was the Mexican defender’s first goal for the Dee, so there’s no chance of it going down as an own goal!

Aaron Donnelly came on for Josh Mulligan, with the Dee switching to three at the back for a spell with a front two in Costelloe and Bakayoko. A further striker, Michael Mellon, replaced Owen Dodgson for the last 10 minutes of play.

Dundee pushed for an equalizer with real intent, and were unlucky not to get a draw, even Hart in the Celtic goal got booked for time wasting.

Dundee: McCracken, McGhee, Portales, Lamie, Dodgson (Mellon 86), Sylla, Mulligan (Donnelly 75), Boateng (Robertson 68), McCowan, Tiffoney (Costelloe 68), Bakayoko. Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Astley, Main, Robinson, Howley.

Referee: John Beaton. 

Att: 9,120.

Dundee 0, Rangers 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 17th April 2024

Dundee made three changes to the team which played at Aberdeen, Ricki Lamie, Owen Dodgson and Malachi Boateng came in for Antonio Portales, Aaron Donnelly and Dara Costelloe, who all moved to the bench.

Dundee started well and in the first minute Amadou Bakayoko swung over a great cross which found Malachi Boateng and he drilled a low shot inches wide. They looked sharp and looking up for the game.

But minutes later they lost skipper Joe Shaughnessy when he landed awkwardly making a challenge in midfield. After receiving treatment he was replaced by Antonio Portales.

Rangers had a good chance soon after but McCracken saved well with his feet, minutes late there was a VAR check for penalty when the ball was handled by a Rangers player. It was not given after a check.

Dundee’s best moment came midway through the half after Scott Tiffoney was fouled inside the D, 20 yards from goal. Luke McCowan’s free kick flew through the wall. Jack Butland reacted well to save and recovered to block Tiffoney’s follow up. Bakayoko tucked the ball into the net, but he was offside when the second shot was made.

Then Rangers had another chance but again Jon McCracken pushed his shot round the post. In the closing stages of the half Rangers were better but they never troubled the Dundee defence who all worked hard to keep the score at 0-0 at half-time.

Rangers started the second half in the same way but again Dundee coped well and they made three changes but never made much difference. Dundee put on Curtis Main and Dara Costelloe to replace Amadou Bakayoko and Scott Tiffoney, who had both put in a power of work.

Dundee were still trying to attack but a few passes fell  short. On the other hand Jon McCracken had to make only one save of note in the second half, and that was a fine one. After 72 minutes substitute Cyriel Dessers skipped inside Ricki Lamie and fired a fierce shot for the top corner only for McCracken to respond superbly.

The Dark Blue’s only real chance of the second half came when Jordan McGhee picked up a deep cross from Luke McCowan and chipped a cross back into the goalmouth. The clearance went straight to Lyall Cameron whose shot was charged down.

Dundee saw the game out and fully deserved the point which l see as a bonus. I missed the game due to work and could not get a holiday. Next up is Celtic at Dens a week on Sunday another test for the Top Six Dundee Team.

Dundee: McCracken, McGhee, Shaughnessy (c) (Portales 9), Lamie, Dodgson, Sylla, Boateng, Cameron, McCowan, Tiffoney (Costelloe 63), Bakayoko (Main 63). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Astley, Mulligan, Robertson, Donnelly, Mellon.

Att: 9,010

Referee: Don Robertson.

Top Six Fixtures..........................

Happy enough with our remaining fixtues after tonights game at Dens against Rangers:

Sunday 28th April 2024  Dundee v Celtic  3pm 

Saturday 4th May 2024  Dundee v St Mirren 3pm

Saturday 11th May 2024  Hearts v Dundee  3pm

Tuesday 14th May 20204 Rangers v Dundee 19:30pm

Saturday 18th May 2024  Kilmarnock v Dundee 12:30pm

It will be a case of any points against the top Three will be a bonus, plus three home games so you never know. 

Aberdeen Photos............

 

Aberdeen 0, Dundee 0, Pittodrie, cinch Premiership, 13th April 2024

Dundee in action for the first time since the Motherwell game at Dens. They started with the same team as that game. The game started and Aberdeen seemed to be the better side in the first 25 minutes of a scrappy game.

Dundee did change their formation and it helped them settle into the game, they managed to get two shots on goal. Luke McCowan robbed Connor Barron and played Cameron in but keeper Roos parried the shot. Late in the half McCowan worked a neat move with Tiffoney which gave Cameron space to shoot from 20 yards and his fierce shot clipped the top of the bar.

Dundee upped their game and took charge after the restart. Malach Boateng replaced Mo Sylla at the start of the second half. At last the Dark Blues were working their way conistently through the midfield with quick passing and smart movement.

Aberdeen had a few attacks but never troubled the Dundee defence, as Dundee kept looking for the vital goal. Tiffoney raced down the right. With the Dons defence scattered all over the place, he passed across goal for Cameron whose shot beat Roos but was somehow cleared off the line by Angus MacDonald.

It was agreat chance and another day it might have went into the net. Then Bakayoko only for the striker to prod his shot wide. Curtis Main came on for Dara Costelloe and thought he’d grabbed the winner from close range following a goalmouth scramble. The officials disallowed the goal for offside, a decision that was eventually confirmed after an agonising, interminable VAR review.

Aaron Donnelly saw a ferocious shot charged down following a long throw. In the resulting stramash Main hooked the ball over his head and Roos touched the ball onto the bar and over.

It was going into eight minutes of injury time when a big roar went up as Motherwell had scored to level the game and now Dundee only needed a draw to make the top 6.

Owen Dodgson and Ricki Lamie came on for Aaron Dodgson and Amadou Bakayoko as Dundee played out the remaining few minutes calmly as the fans sang and cheered them over the line. 

Then Aberdeen went down to 10 men when Shinnie was sent off for a second booking when he done a late tackle on  Malachi Boateng.

Aberdeen did have a wee spell of pressure but Dundee held out for the vital point to the sheer delight of the Dundee fans who celebrated when the final whistle blew. It was great to see and was so glad myself and Alexander had travelled up from London on Friday after a wee family break.

Well done to Tony Docherty his staff and all the players to archive the top six this season.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly (90+3), McGhee, Cameron, Sylla (Boateng at half time), McCowan, Costelloe (Main 74), Bakayoko (Lamie 90+3), Tiffoney (Mellon 85). Unused Subs: Sharp (gk), Astley, Robinson, Robertson.

Dundee 2, Motherwell 3, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 6th April 2024

The only change to the Dundee side was Jordan McGhee coming in with Owen Dodgson dropping on to the bench. The game went ahead after two pitch inspections at 11am and 1pm thankfully it went ahead.

The game got off to a slow start with Dundee playing some nice football in midfield but never any clear cut chancers were create. Motherwell looked fast and dangerous on the break.

The opening goal arrived after 36 minutes. Aaron Donnelly’s deep cross from the left found no takers. Camerom retrieved the ball and sent over a superb cross to the far post. Bakayoko headed back across goal leaving Jordan McGhee with a simple header to make it 1-0.

It was a big bonus for Dundee and Motherwell fought back and looked dangerous until hal-time.

Second half and Motherwell continued to look good pushing Dundee back and they missed a couple of good chances. 

Michael Mellon came on for Scott Tiffoney midway through the second half. The Dee perked up briefly for a few minutes and Luke McCowan missed by inches from the edge of the penalty area. Dundee then extended their lead with the strangest of goals after 70 minutes.

Luke McCowan took a corner on the right. Everyone missed his viciously inswinging delivery and the the ball flew straight into the net inside the far post.

It should have sealed the game but Dundee sat back too much and after a VAR check Motherwell scored from the penalty that was given. McCracken had saved the first effort from Blair but they scored from the second shot this time from Gent.

Within two minutes of play restarting a long ball through the middle found Bair up against Donnelly. The Well striker muscled Donnelly out of the way, ran on and rounded McCracken to score.

Worse was to follow when Motherwell scored again a cross was put and Ebiye scored with an emphatic near post volley.

It felt like a defeat at the end, Dundee did try and score when it was 2-2 but nothing fell for them. Motherwell deseved the win and Dundee paid the price with sitting back too much at 2-0.

Dundee: McCracken, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly, McGhee, Cameron (Robinson 90+5), Sylla, McCowan, Costelloe, Bakayoko, Tiffoney (Mellon 68). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Sharp (gk), Dodgson, Astley, Robertson, Boateng, Mutale.

Att: 5,924 

Referee: David Dickinson. 

Motherwell Photos plus night out with my Motherwell Mates

St Johnstone Photos..............