Dundee entertained bottom club Ross County to Dens Park on Sunday, manager Paul Hartley made four changes to the team in came Scott Bain in goal, Paul McGinn returned after his one match ban , Kevin Thomson after injury and loan signing Alex Harris made his debut.
Both sides started well with good efforts being made towards both goals, a wild tackle from Dunfield on McGinn and County were down to ten men after only nine minutes gone, it would be changes to their line up and they sat back and kept things tight. Dundee had a few decent chances with Stewart not having a good day in front of goal. But the best miss was to come when Clarkson was set up with a easy tap in but atlas the striker somehow missed the goal gaping. Gary Irvine had a good chance but his shot went just wide of the near post.
Second half and the dark blues looked for the opening goal and they got it when good play from Harris and the ball fell nicely to Jim McAlister who scored with a delightful taken goal. Soon after and sub Tankulic should have put the home side two nil up but somehow hit the post when a certain goal looked on the cards. Minutes later and they paid for that miss McGowan lost the ball in midfield and when Kiss's cross fell to the six yard box Curran was on had to score a vital goal for the staggies. Dundee kept at the task of trying to get a winner, but in the end had to settle for a point
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, McPake (Konrad 68), Davidson, Irvine, Thomson, McAlister, Harris, McGowan (Harkins 78), Stewart, Clarkson (Tankulic 55). Unused subs: Schenk (gk), MacDonald, Carreiro, Dyer.
Ref: C.Thomson
Att: 5,017
As been rumoured recently Bulgarian defender/midfielder Kostadin Gadzhalov signs for the club. Kostadin, 25, he has spent his career playing in his home country. His most recent club was Dobrudzha Dobrich.
Dundee have taken Alex Harris on loan from Hibernian with Dundee winger Martin Boyle moving to Easter Road on loan as well. Maybe the change of scenery will do both players well.
Dundee lost 6-2 at Tannadice on Thursday Greg Stewart and Luka Tankulic got the dark blues goals I won't dwell on it too much, but things need to improve and quickly. Or we will be involved in a relegation battle. Sundays game with Ross County is massive now one we can't afford to lose.
Dundee 1, St Mirren 3, Dens Park, SPFL Premiership, 27-December-14
Dundee lost 3-1 to league strugglers St Mirren, in game which the dark blues struggled to find any rhythm in their play, nd with some sloppy defending the buddies took the lead midway thro the half a slip by Konrad let them in and McLean finished well with a well placed shot.As Paul Hartley changed the team St Mirren got the vital second goal Mallen breaking away to score fine goal. Soon after and it 3-0 as McLean got his second McGinn was sent off to add to Dundee's woes. Dundee at least kept at it and Gay Irvine got one back with fine finish to make the final score 3-1.
Dundee: Letheren, McGinn, McPake, Konrad (MacDonald 81), Irvine, Boyle (Roberts 62), Thomson, McAlister, Stewart, Tankulic (Harkins 67), Clarkson. Unused subs: Schenk (gk), Dyer, Davidson, Carreiro
Partick Thistle 1, Dundee 1, Firhill Stadium, SPFL Premiership, 20-December-14
Dundee earned a point thanks to a last minute own goal from Jags player Balatoni when a Roberts shot was going wide it hit the defender to give Dundee a unlikely point. Partick had scored on 57 minutes and on the balance of play should have had the game wrapped up. Kyle Letheren returned to keeping goal due to a injury to Scott Bain.
Dundee: Letheren, Irvine, McPake, Konrad, Dyer, Thomson (Roberts 65), Ferry (Boyle 51), McGinn (Tankulic 65), Stewart, McAlister, Clarkson. Unused subs: Schenk (gk), Davidson, McBride, Carreiro
Dundee lost 2-1 at New Douglas Park on Saturday, they got off to a poor start losing a goal in just three minutes when Hamilton top scorer Andreu headed home. Worse was to follow in 14 minutes when Antoine-Curier scored with a powerful volley which Scott Bain just failed to keep out.
Greg Stewart came on at half-time for Boyle and the young striker turned well to run forward to score with a well placed shot to give the dark blues a life line. But in the remaining 29 minutes they could not muster a goal for at least a draw. On the highlights I have seen Hamilton deserved to win.
Gary Harkins was sent off when he got a second yellow when he clashed with Jason Scotland, it doe mean the midfielder will miss the next two games.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, Irvine, McPake, Konrad, McAlister, Ferry, Boyle (Stewart 46), Harkins (Wighton 57), Roberts, Clarkson. Subs Not Used: Schenk, Allan, Black and McBride.
Att: 2,636
Ref: Alan Muir
Dundee lost 2-1 to Inverness Caley Thistle at Dens Park on Saturday, the dark blues had taken the lead in the 20th minutes when Greg Stewart volleyed home at the back post after a Gary Harkins free kick had found the young striker.
ICT levelled when Billy McKay scored early in the second half but it looked a hand was used to divert the ball into the net, I don't think he meant to do it but most Referee's would chalk it off for handball. The winner came with just 2 minutes to go after a flowing move by Caley Thistle and Christie finished it well
Dundee will be disappointed in losing the game but by reports ICT were the better team second half, the injury to Greg Stewart upset the home team with the subs not working this time.
Also a pity David Clarkson was unable to get the goal to equal Johnny Bell's record. Next game is away to Hamilton Accies which will be a tough game as usual.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Irvine, Thomson (McBride 71), McAlister, Boyle (Tankulic 63), Harkins, Stewart (Ferry 38), Clarkson. Unused Subs: Schenk (gk), Dyer, Roberts, Wighton
Att:5,421
Ref: W Collum
Dundee booked their 5th round place with a great 2-1 win again fellow SPFL Premiership side Aberdeen, Dundee's only change was for the injured Paul McGown with Martin Boyle coming in. Aberdeen should have scored in their first move but lucky for us McGinn failed to get the vital touch. But it was Dundee who took the lead in four minutes when a clever taken free kick from Harkins and his perfect cross found Thomas Konrad headed home to sent the Dundee fans wild with delight.
Aberdeen levelled in 17 minutes when good play from McGinn and his cross was turned into his own net by Konrad, it was a blow but it was a even cup tie with both teams having a go and playing good football. Dundee could have had a penalty when Boyle looked to be fouled then Stewart blasted over when the young striker was in a good position. Then Scott Bain pulled off a superb save from a Rooney header which looked to be going in.
The second half and Aberdeen took control and only some good goal keeping from Scott Bain kept Aberdeen at bay with Rooney and McGinn missing good chances as the game wore on it looked like it was heading for a replay at Pittodrie. Then with minutes remaining a long ball from Irvine into the box found Clarkson who headed on to McPake and his great header down found David Clarkson who scored with a low drive across the keeper to send Dens Park wild. But The Dons would have one more chance and it took a great save from Bain to touch a McGinn shot which hit the underside of the bar and the ball was cleared on the line with the Aberdeen fans claiming a goal. Son after and the referee blew for time up and made the Dundee fans happy going home.
Not the best performance but will take the result any day as we have suffered in the past in cup games. The players gave their all and can't fault them today.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn (Dyer 73), Irvine, Konrad, McPake, Thomson, McAlister, Boyle (Tankulic 84), Harkins (Ferry 73), Stewart, Clarkson. Subs Not Used: Schenk, McBride, Black and Roberts.
Ref: S McLean
Att: 5,956
Dundee lost 2-1 at Parkhead on Saturday going by reports from the papers and what l have seen in highlights the team played well and had two great chances when on another day both Stewart and Konrad would have scored. Also Clarkson was unlucky when his chip was headed of the line. Celtic scored right on half-time when Stokes headed home, typical in games like this.
Second half and Guidetti scored from 12 yards after a quick break away, Dundee still kept their heads up and McPake was unlucky for his header ruled out for off side, but soon after David Clarkson scored after good link up play from Stewart and Irvine. Dundee kept at it and both Stewart and Harkins went close with good efforts at goal. Celtic hit the post late on and Dundee denied a penalty for handball was not given. But the game ended 2-1 to the home side, but Paul Hartley can take a lot of positives from the way Dundee played football.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Irvine, Thomson (Ferry 72), McGowan, McAlister, Harkins (Tankulic 80), Stewart (Boyle 68), Clarkson. Subs Not Used: Schenk, Dyer, McBride and Roberts.
Referee: K Clancy
Att: 43,787
It was good to see that Dundee had a good support at Parkhead on Saturday, next up is the Scottish Cup tie against Aberdeen at Dens which is live on BBC 1 kicking off at 12:15pm.
Dundee drew 1-1 with St Johnstone in a game spoiled by the Referee's performance, he had a big decision to make in the opening minutes when the Saints keeper fouled Clarkson in the box, but he booked the striker for diving when it looked like a penalty to Dundee and then the saints keeper would have had to be shown the red card. Sadly for the game the Referee's performance got worse as the game went on and that is for the both sides.
Dundee had chances with Boyle and Clarkson unlucky not to score with good efforts, but just before the break good play from Stewart and he found David Clarkson in the six yard area and he netted his 6th goal for the club. Just after that St Johnstone should have had a penalty when Fraser was pulled back in the box but the Referee waved away the appealing saints players.
Second half and St Johnstone started to push Dundee back and it was no surprise when they levelled the game from the penalty spot after Graham had been adjudged to be fouled by McPake it looked very soft one, but the striker took it himself to make the score 1-1.
Both teams had chances with Dundee coming back into the game in the last 10 minutes with McPake nearly scoring with a back post header, Greg Stewart was tripped in the box but no whistle from the Referee.
It ended 1-1 fair on the state of play with Dundee the better side in the first half and St Johnstone were the better side in the second half. The Referee had a day to forget and hopefully he will be better the next time he is at Dens Park.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Irvine, McGowan, McAlister, Boyle (Thomson 67), Harkins, Stewart, Clarkson. Subs Not Used: Schenk, Black, Dyer, McBride, Davidson and Roberts.
Referee: B Madden
Att: 6,931
Nicky Riley has left the club by mutual consent the winger has been on loan at Peterhead and he goes my best wishes. he had been at the club since 2010 and played his part in the dee-fiant season and last season getting the club back up to the top league.
Cammy Kerr has joined Peterhead on a month long loan deal, it will give the young defender much needed games.
Dundee will play Aberdeen at home in the 4th Round of The William Hill Scottish Cup, the game should be played on Saturday the 29th of November. It will also depend if it will be shown on TV, but with five all Premier teams facing each other, and with Celtic playing Hearts it is unlikely the game will be picked.
Dundee came away from Rugby Park with three massive points last Saturday which put them 6th in the league. Another fine performance winning 3-1 at a pretty difficult venue at the best of time.
Manager Paul Hartley handed a starting place to Martin Boyle in place of Kevin McBride so it looked like Dundee would attack Killie from the start. But it was the home side that stated better with a few efforts on goal which did not trouble Bain in the Dundee goal. Dundee looked dangerous on the break and midway trough the half Bole got past the full back as he seen sight of the goal he smashed the ball against the post with Samson the Killie goalie was well beaten. Soon after Boyle had a great chance but again he blasted the ball with power which forced Samson to tip the ball over the ball. But right on half-time Dundee took the lead with a great flowing move from their own box the ball was moved fast up to Harkins who passed to Clarkson who found Greg Stewart inside the box, and the young striker finished it superbly to put the Dark Blues ahead at the break.
Second half and both team had a go at each other, but it was Dundee who went 2-0 up on 51 minutes a good break from Harkins who then passed to David Clarkson who drilled a shot home to score in his 5th consecutive game for the club. This opened play up more with Killie having to attack to get into the game with Dundee were happy to hit on the break. Harkins was unlucky not to score but his shot was blocked on the line. But Killie scored with 15 minutes to go when Eremenko turned well in the six yard box and knocked the ball past Bain to score. But as Killie was pushing to level the game Craig Samson came up for a corner Dundee managed to clear the ball and found Greg Stewart around the half way line with Samson in no mans land the keeper tried to block him with a sliding tackle, the young striker got back him and another defender made his way into the box where his first shot was blocked. Luckily it cam back to Greg who stepped inside and curled a beauty into the top corner to send the 1,000 Dundee fans wild with delight.
It sealed another three points and it proved that we can play nice football and what a signing David Clarkson has been who has linked up so well with young Greg Stewart who has stepped up from part time football and looks a great prospect.
Had a great day out with the Andy Penman Fife Dark Blues it was well worth the trip down to Rugby Park. Next up is St Johnstone at Dens next Saturday.
Dundee: Bain, Irvine, Konrad, McPake, McGinn, McAlister, Harkins (Roberts 89), McGowan, Stewart, Clarkson (Thomson 82), Boyle. Subs Not Used: Schenk, Davidson, McBride, Kerr, and Dyer.
Ref: G Aitken
Att: 4,481
Looking forward to my trip down to Kilmarnock today with The Andy Penman Fife Dark Blues. l have not been at Rugby Park for a league game since April 2005. I missed the last Premier League games a couple of seasons ago due to work although l did make the Scottish Cup replay the season before.
Team news both Kevin Thomson and Willie Dyer have trained all week and will be in the squad, Luka Tankulic, Peter MacDonald, Simon Ferry and Kyle Letheren are all out injured, and Craig Wighton is struggling with a injury picked up in the Unders 20's game against Aberdeen.
The players trained at Forfar Ath on Thursday as the loons have the same artificial pitch as Kilmarnock so they have prepared for the game in the right manner.
Dundee have signed goalkeeper Arvid Schenk on a short term deal for cover for the injury to Kyle Letheren. The 25 year old has played in Germany for various clubs.
Dundee beat league leaders Hamilton Academicals at Dens Park this afternoon winning the game by two goal to nil, going by reports it was a even contest in the first half with both teams having chances. But two quick goals in the last quarter of the game sealed the points for the dark blues. Striker of the moment David Clarkson headed home on 69 minutes from a Harkins corner his fourth goal in just 4 games to send Dens wild, and Dundee scored again just four minutes later when young striker Greg Stewart scored from 15 yards after he was played in by a clever Harkins header into space.
So another great three points for the Dark Blues and with 16 points from the first quarter of the league season seem a very good solid start.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, McPake, Konrad,Irvine, McBride (Boyle 59), McGowan, McAlister, Harkins (Thomson 77), Clarkson, Stewart ( Roberts89). Subs Not Used: Gourlay, Kerr, Wighton, and Allan.
Att: 6,035
Ref: J Beaton.
