Livingston 2, Dundee 2, Almondvale, William Hill Premiership, 13th December-25

Dundee made only one change when Paul Digby replaced the injured Joe Westley from last week's team. 

They started very brightly using the wind at their back. They had a couple of efforts at goal. Then in 13 minutes they took the lead when Ethan Hamilton's shot was pushed out and Yan Dhanda finished well to put the dee 1-0 up. 

Five minutes later and it was 2-0 when Tony Yogane made a great run and  cut back and to  cross to find Cameron Congreve who scored at the back post. 

Ryan Astley went off injured and was replaced by Imari Samuels.

Livi did have a couple of efforts but Jon McCracken saved well to deny them a goal. Dundee had some of the ball, but the home side done well to try and keep in the game.

Second half and after a good 10 minute spell they let Livi back into the game, they forced Dundee back. The wind at their backs it seemed to help them, like wise in the first when Dundee had the wind.

Livingston pulled a goal back when a simp;e ball forward caught out the defence and Bokila finished well.

Dundee sent on Ethan Ingram and Callum Jones to replace Cam Congreve and Yan Dhanda in an attempt to stiffen the midfield and right flank. Drey Wright moved forward into right midfield with Ingram behind him.

Dundee tried but gave the ball away too much and they had lost control of the game. Jon McCracken again had some good saves to deny the lions.

But with five minutes to go a deep cross whas knocked home by Yengi from close range. A very soft goal to lose and the game was now 2-2.

In injury time Ryan McGowan was sent off when he fouled Ash Hay and denying a goalscoring opportunity as the Dee substitute was about to race clear 30 yards from goal.

That was it a tale of two halves which maybe should have been three points, 

Dundee: McCracken, Astley (Samuels 28), Koumetio, Graham, Wright, Hamilton, Digby, Congreve (Ingram 76), Dhanda (Jones 76), Yogane (Acquah 89), Murray (c) (Hay 62). Unused Subs: O’Hara (gk), Donnelly, Fin Robertson, Reilly.

Referee: Dan McFarlane

Att: 3,095

Dundee 1, Aberdeen 3, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 06-December-25

Dundee made three changes to the team, when  Billy Koumetio replaced the injured Clark Robertson. Tony Yogane and Ryan Astley, who dropped onto the bench against Celtic, came back in for Fin Robertson and Imari Samuels.

Both teams started the game brightly attacking each others goal. But on 12 minutes Joe Westley went down injured and had to go off being replaced by Callum Jones.

But minutes later Aberdeen scored when a slack pass lead to the goal when although McCracken saved he could only parry the ball out and Aouchiche who scored from 18 yards.

Dundee attacked but Aberdeen looked the faster team, and almost got a second when they hit the post. The Dark Blues’ luck ran out on the half hour. Dundee dithered and failed to clear an Aberdeen attack. Karlsson’s shot was half blocked and fell perfectly for Aouchiche in space in front of goal to make it 2-0. 

At least Dundee got to the break only 2-nil down and they need a big effort in the second half.

Dundee started the second half and looked much better knocking the ball about and getting wide to trouble Aberdeen.

They pulled a goal back on the hour when Ryan Astley headed home the ball right in the corner to make it 1-2. It was a vital goal as Dundee pushed to get back into the game.

The Dark Blues then put Aberdeen under fierce pressure. Yogane skinned his man and crossed for Hamilton, whose shot was blocked. A Congreve cross caused chaos and only a desperate block stopped Simon Murray scoring. Yan Dhanda had a low 20 yarder turned round the post by keeper Mitov.

Then Dundee threw on Ash Hay and Fin Robertson for Drey Wright and Callum Jones as they went all out for an equaliser.

But time ran out and only three minutes added time, not much for the injury to Callum Jones, Var check for Dundee's goal and the subs who were used.

But as it goes Aberdeen scored in injury time when Nisbet netted to finish the game. Dundee had all the play in the second half, but sadly today it goals that count. 

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Koumetio, Graham, Wright (Hay 83), Hamilton, Congreve, Dhanda, Westley (Jones 15 (Fin Robertson 83)), Yogane, Murray (c). Unused Subs: O’Hara (gk), Ingram,  Donnelly, Digby, Acquah, Samuels.

Referee: Grant Irvine. 

Att: 7,402.

Celtic Photos

 

Celtic 1, Dundee 0, Parkhead, William Hill Premiership, 03-December-25

Dundee made two changes to Dundee’s starting eleven. Imari Samuels and Fin Robertson came in for Ryan Astley and Tony Yogane, who were both named as substitutes.

Celtic attacked straight away and came close in the first few minutes, they forced a few corners which came to nothing at Dundee cleared with ease.

But on 11 minutes they scored a good ball through the middle to Yang which was well saved by McCracken but the ball was headed home by Maeda who had taken a head knock after clashed with Luke Graham who was okay.

But after 15 minutes Dundee settled into the game and they played some neat football. Celtic were alway dagerous but their final ball was mainly poor.

Then Clark Robertson sent Imari Samuels away with a lovely pass but Joe Westley was crowded out in front of goal when he tried to control the cross.

Then after a cross McCracken knocked the high cross waway but luckily the ball was cleared by Samuels. 

Clark Robertson then pulled up clutching his thigh after making a pass and Ryan Astley came on in his place.

At the end of the first half Dundee gave Celtic a scare when Simon Murray got the better of Liam Scales and shot against the crossbar. Kasper Schmeichel saved from Cameron Congreve’s follow up, but the referee awarded Celtic a free kick. It seemed a dubious decision that might have been overturned by VAR if Murray’s shot had gone in.

At the start of the second half Celtic went close when Luke McCowan's shot was saved the rebound was knock wide of the post. 

McCracken excelled once more when he saved superbly from Hatate after Celtic’s slickest attack of the match gave the Japanese midfielder a chance from 15 yards.

As the game approached the hour mark Dundee made three substitutions, sending on Billy Koumetio, Callum Jones and Ash Hay for Cameron Congreve, Yan Dhanda and Simon Murray.

The Dee started to play quicker and more purposeful long balls out of defence to take advantage of Hay’s pace. This gave the Celtic defence a few uncomfortable moments. A long pass from Ethan Hamilton sent Hay clear down the right and Kasper Schmeichel saved the shot with a foot.

Dundee's final change was when Tony Yogane on for Westley. Dundee went for it the final 15 minutes and it put the Celtic defence under pressure.

The last chance fell to Luke Gramham in injury time, but his header just went wide of the post.

Dundee were a wee bit unlucky and it was my first visit to Parkhead since 2018, as usually l have work.

Dundee:  McCracken, Wright, Clark Robertson (Astley 40), Graham, Samuels, Hamilton, Congreve (Koumetio 58), Dhanda (Jones 58), Westley (Yogane 74), Fin Robertson, Murray (c) (Hay 58).

Unused Subs: O’Hara (gk), Digby, Acquah, Ingram.

Referee: Duncan Nicolson. 

Att: 57,302

Dundee 3, St Mirren 1, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 29-November-25

Dundee made two changes Ryan Ashley kept his place after replacing Imari Samuels last week, and Joe Westley replaced Paul Digby, Both Samuels and Digby were listed as substitutes.

Both teams started brightly with St Mirren being big and powerful in attack. Joe Westley had a shot saved ater a good cross into the box.

But St Mirren scored after a bad pass out of defence and Mikael Mandron smashed the ball home. Two minutes later it was 1-1 after a quick breakaway and the ball ball was played quickly to Yan Dhanda who let fly from 25 yards. His low shot flew past Simon Murray and Alex Gogic, taking a touch that left keeper Shamal George helpless. 

At least it cheered up the home fans which was a big bonus. Joe Westley came close with a good effort which just went wide of the goal.

But in 39 minutes Dundee took the lead with a stunning goal, good play down the the wing by Tony Yogane he passed to Drey Wright who smashed the ball home via off the post.

The second half consisted largely of St Mirren attacking in an attempt to save the game but always being denied by a stalwart Dee defence.

Dundee came close to a third goal at the start of the half, but Congreve headed narrowly wide from Yogane’s cross.

Again St Mirren had chances but no cut clear, and Jon McCracken done well when he needed to. 

After 69 minutes Imari Samuels came on as a straight replacement for Tony Yogane, who had taken a knock. Simon Murray and Cameron Congreve were then substituted by Ash Hay and Callum Jones to strengthen the midfield and provide fresh legs. The final substitution was Paul Digby coming on for Yan Dhanda as Dundee tried to see the game out safely.

After a St Mirren attack was stopped by a Imari Samuels tackle, Paul Digby picked up the loose ball and Dundee burst forward. Digby passed to Joe Westley on the left, and he cut in to whip a glorious curling shot around the keeper and inside the far post from 22 yards.

Although St Mirren hit the bar late on the three points were staying at Dens Park in a big bonus. 

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Clark Robertson, Graham, Wright, Hamilton, Congreve (Jones 78),  Westley, Dhanda (Digby 85), Yogane (Samuels 69), Murray (c) (Hay 78). Unused Subs:  O’Hara (gk),  Koumetio, Acquah, Fin Robertson, Reilly.

Referee: John Beaton.

Att: 4,782.

Hibernian 2, Dundee 0, Easter Road, William Hill Premiership, 22nd November-25

Dundee made three changes when Ryan Astley, Billy Koumetio and Emile Acquah dropped onto the bench and were replaced by Clark Robertson, Yan Dhanda, and Simon Murray.

Dundee started brightly but failed to create anything in front of goal, Hibs on the other hand looked dangerous when they attacked and they took control of the first half. 

Jon McCrackrn saved well when Hibernian might have scored. Then Ryan Ryan Astley who went to right back with Drey Wright moving to the left. Imari Samuels had to go off after a head knock. 

McCracken pulled off a good save from Daniel Barlaser’s low 22 yarder as Hibs continued to look dangerous with every attack.

But the goal was coming and it arrived on the half hour mark when a cross was hit home by Bowie a striker's goal in every sense.

Dundee at least got to half-time but the stats were not good. The Dark Blues hadn’t registered a single shot, on or off target.

Dundee at least started brightly but again failed to create anything of note to worry Hibs defence.

Hibernian hit the bar soon after, and they scored the vital second goal a couple of minutes later. 

Josh Mulligan drove into the penalty area from the left and Bowie laid a pass back for McGrath  to score with a precise low shot from 12 yards inside McCracken’s right hand post.

Dundee pushed forward trying to save the game and were inevitably more open at the back. Surprisingly, there were no more goals, and we can blame Hibs for that. They were too casual in attack, and had to call on keeper Raphael Sallinger to make two remarkable saves.

Cameron Congreve put over a tempting cross from the right. Yogane met it beyond the far post with a firm volley across the keeper. Sallinger showed astonishing reactions to twist and paw the ball off the line.

After 80 minutes Sallinger surpassed his earlier save. Congreve’s free kick from the right found Clark Robertson in front of goal. The defender connected well with his shot but somehow Sallinger managed to touch it over the bar from close range when a goal looked certain.

Dundee had one last chance when the ball fell to Reilly but he put the wide of the goal , and the chance was gone.

Hibernian totally deserved the win and were never in any danger. Dundee for sure need to beat St Mirren next Saturday to try and turn our season round.

I missed the game due to my Christmas shifts at work. Normal shift and I would have been off. 

Dundee: McCracken, Wright, Clark Robertson, Graham, Samuels (Astley 18), Digby (Jones 68),  Hamilton, Congreve (Reilly 84), Dhanda, Yogane, Murray (c). Unused Subs: O’Hara (gk), Koumetio, Acquah, Fin Robertson, Hay, Westley.

Referee: Steven McLean

Att: 17,714

Dundee 0, Rangers 3, Dens Park, William Hill Premiership, 09-November-25

Dundee made three changes to the team. Luke Graham, Emile Acquah and Tony Yogane came in for Clark Robertson, who was injured, and Simon Murray and Joe Westley, who were both on the bench.

After the Remembrance Day minutes silence was done the game got underway. Dundee done okay in the first few minutes, but they lost a soft goal from a corner. A free header which was poor.

Worse was to follow when Rangers scored again 5 minutes later with another soft looking goal. This kind of finished the game as a contest as Dundee struggled to create anything of note.

Rangers had the ball in the net again but was ruled off by VAR for offside. 

At least Dundee were a wee bit better in the second half but again failed with the final pass. Jon McCracken made three great saves to deny Rangers , The last one being a full length dive.

Simon Murray and Yan Dhanda came on for Emile Acquah and Drey Wright after an hour. But it made no difference as Rangers looked more likely to do.

They made it 3-0 near the end for the final score. 

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Koumetio, Graham, Drey Wright (Dhanda 59), Digby (c), Hamilton,  Samuels, Congreve, Acquah (Murray 59), Yogane (Reilly 81). Unused Subs: O’Hara (gk), Ingram, Donnelly, Hay, Westley, Jones.

Referee: Matthew MacDermid.

Att: 8,562

Hearts 4, Dundee 0, Tynecastle, William Hill Premiership, 01-November-25

Dundee made one change to the team when Billy Koumetio, came in for his first league game of the season.  Luke Graham was on the bench.

In the first 20 minutes Dundee contained Hearts who were attacking but they never troubled the Dundee defence. Dundee came close to scoring on 30 monutes when Cameron Congreve cut in from the left and his 20 yard shot took a deflection and flicked off the top of the home crossbar. It was the only time in the whole game that Dundee came close to scoring.

Soon after Hearts got the fist goal with a well taken goal, scored by Shankland with a well placed shot. Then seven minutes later it was 2-0 when Kaboré scored,

That was the score at half-time, second half and it was mainly all Herats and it was 3-0 when Kaboré scored again. Dundee lacked the fight and struggled to contain Hearts.

They did well for 20 minutes but failed to create any clear chances, Hearts got a 4th goal to end the scoring. Magnusson forced the ball home after a corner.

Hearts deserved the win they sealed the game with two quick goals. Next up for the Dark Blues is Rangers at home.

Dundee: McCracken, Astley, Clark Robertson, Koumetio, Wright, Digby (Jones 61) Hamilton,   Samuels, Congreve (Reilly 81), Murray (c) (Hay 81), Westley (Yogane 61). Unused Subs: O’Hara (gk), Ingram, Acquah, Fin Robertson, Graham.

Referee:Kevin Clancy.

Att: 18, 767

Fife Dark Blues Meeting Photos

 

Aaron Donnelly was special guest at the Andy Penman Fife Dark Blues meeting last night. He joined for a Q & A which was hosted by Peter Campbell who asked Arron about his past football career and his favourites from food, playing football, his favourite team ect. It was very interesting and it was a great night. Arron posed for photos and signed photos which was great.