Dundee

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Steven Pressley believes Luke Graham can gatecrash Scotland's World Cup squad and says it would make "real sense" for the defender to remain at Dundee until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old, who is under contract until summer 2027, has been a standout in Pressley's improving side over the past few months and was reportedly subject of a rejected bid from Portsmouth, external last week.

Head coach Pressley said: "He has really excelled, he has really grown.

"Some of his performances just now are of a really high level, but again he comes into that category where we don't want to lose him and only a bid of what we believe is the market value would change our mind on that.

"It would make real sense for him to remain at the club between now and the summer. I think in this form he can push his way into Steve Clarke's thoughts if he keeps progressing in the way he is doing.

"And then I think with that type of experience behind him, there will be some great opportunities for him in the summer.

"In the last three months his level of performance has been at such a high level for a 21-year-old. And in his performance at Kilmarnock at the weekend you saw he has taken his game to another level, so he should be really proud himself.

"But we just hope, like all our players, they can remain at the club."

Dundee are ninth in the Premiership and have won four of their past five games before Sunday's trip to face Rangers at Ibrox.

"Although we have had some really positive results of late we are far from safe and we can be drawn right back in there very quickly, so a lot of work to do to remain in the league, we can't take our eye off the ball in that respect," added Pressley.

"So retaining a lot of our players is going to be really important but we are like every club with the exception of maybe one or two within the world, we are a selling club.

"But the one good thing is, and I know this from speaking to the people above me, no player will leave this building this transfer window without us achieving what we consider to be their market value."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee boss Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's trip to face Rangers.

Here are the main points:

• When asked if he can hang on to his best players during this window, Pressley said: "I certainly hope so", adding: "No player will leave this building this transfer window without us achieving what we consider to be their market value."

• On further new recruits, Pressley says "we have to consider another few" but also "move a couple" of players out.

• He admits "it is going to be difficult" to hold on to "pivotal" defender Luke Graham amid reported interest from elsewhere.

• But Pressley believes "it would make real sense" for Graham to stay until the summer and believes he can push his way into Scotland boss Steve Clarke's plans "if he keeps progressing the way he is doing".

• On his side's Ibrox test: "To face a Rangers team that are on the back of six straight wins, five of those in the league, that are growing in confidence, have a lot of momentum and have just recruited a number of very talented players, makes the job very difficult."

• But Dundee have found "a little bit of form ourselves" although Pressley says they "need everything to go right" on Sunday.

• He says Rangers' evolution under Danny Rohl is "similar to our own" in the way they "became a little bit more pragmatic and addressed their vulnerability from set-plays".

• On the Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock, the Dundee boss thinks his side took "strength and belief" from their previous performance against the Rugby Park men when they also came from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

• Pressley praises striker Ashley Hay as being "a shining example" of a player who worked hard to get into the team having been "starved of opportunities" and was "ready to take the opportunity when it came".

• Team news: Billy Koumetio and Joe Westley are out injured, while Clark Robertson is a doubt.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

It's not often Dundee fans get to truly enjoy a Scottish Cup weekend, yet on Saturday we recorded our first victory in Kilmarnock in five years - and our first there in front of supporters in nine.

My initial reaction to a trip to Rugby Park was one of unease. Yet as matchday approached, that feeling steadily gave way to a growing sense of confidence.

History now threatens to repeat itself; the draw for the fifth round brought familiar anxiety with Celtic lying in wait. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

For now, Dundee look a better side with each passing week. There are clear improvements across all thirds of the pitch, with Ash Hay thriving as our main attacking outlet. The impact confidence can have on a striker is remarkable.

Between Hay and our wide players, opposition defences have been stretched to the point where we've seen defenders hauled off at half-time in three consecutive matches.

Ibrox awaits. Confidence is soaring. In 180 minutes of football at Parkhead and Ibrox this season we have only conceded one goal from open play.

Even with Rangers coming into this game in strong form, I wouldn't put it past Dundee to frustrate them again.

We'll either fly too close to the sun and come crashing back to earth - or cast the shadow of a giant.

Image source, SNS

Bulgarian defender Plamen Galabov has ended his Dundee contract by mutual consent, just seven months after joining the Dens Park club.

The centre-back joined Steven Pressley's side back in June following the expiration of his contract at Maccabi Petah Tiva but made just two appearances during his brief spell in Scotland.

The 30-year-old made his debut in Dundee's 1-0 defeat at Alloa Athletic in the Scottish League Cup at the start of the season. His only other Dundee appearance came in the same competition, a 45-minute cameo in the 5-0 victory over Montrose.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-1 win against Kilmarnock, which sealed their place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Alex: Another outstanding performance, the score flattered Kilmarnock. I must admit I thought Steven Pressley was not the man but after a consistent run of great performances and efforts we need to back Pressley and get right behind him. He did say performances will come over time and he has proved that has happened.

Brian: Totally controlled the game, should have been well ahead before getting the equaliser and winner. Team played really well, maybe, just maybe we are on the up.

George: This must be the first time Dundee have got past the fourth round for some considerable time. Good team effort, hope we get an easier home draw in the next round. Then maybe we can get to the final.

Gary: It might've been an error that decided the game but Dundee were definitely good for it. Finally little breaks are going our way and the good play that Pressley has grown into the team makes these things happen. Hoping for a good draw and a positive remainder of the transfer window.

Carl: Fantastic watch for our fans, spurred on by a noisy support who appreciated every player giving their all and playing some very fine football. I'd go so far as to say this was our best performance this season, we completely dominated Killie and created so many scoring opportunities. Tactics, formation and substitutions were all perfect making for a happy trip home.

John: Great performance, a bit of fortune and we could've been a couple up before Killie scored a decent goal. Certainly deserved our win, great goal from Ashley Hay and Drey Wright in the right place at the right time!

Dundee rejected a six-figure offer from Portsmouth for 21-year-old centre-half Luke Graham before the Dark Blues' Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock on Saturday. (Daily Record), external

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has confirmed a bid from Portsmouth for 21-year-old centre-half Luke Graham has been rejected. (The Courier), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

An injury-time defensive calamity handed Dundee a place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, with Drey Wright's simple finish extending nine-man Kilmarnock's winless run to 16 matches.

Read the match report

Have your say

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "It was always going to be difficult coming here with the bounce of a new management team. We found ourselves behind at half-time after a very good first-half performance.

"I've told the players we have to prove ourselves over a long period of time. I'm really pleased that we've progressed through to the next stage. It's a great competition. We don't want to be at home watching other teams in the next round.

"I've got to say it was a really difficult game against a very organised Kilmarnock side, they kept us at bay for large parts of the game, but we showed that bravery and mentality that I think is growing within the team."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Callum Jones insists defeat to 10-man Hearts has not dented Dundee's positivity as they eye Scottish Cup progress.

After a disappointing start to the campaign Steven Pressley's side appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks.

A run of three straight Premiership wins was ended by the home loss to Hearts, a game the ninth-placed Dark Blues could easily have taken something from.

The Dark Blues are determined to return to winning ways against Premiership strugglers Kilmarnock in Saturday's fourth-round cup tie.

"The outside doesn't see what the manager the staff and the players do daily," Jones, 24, said.

"We have always believed in the way we play and the way the manager wants to play but it is hard to convince people when you don't win.

"Now we have strung a couple of good results together, seeing is believing so hopefully people will believe it too.

"We see the progression and I believe as a group we have enough in the building to be successful.

"I definitely don't think it has derailed the confidence [the defeat to Hearts]. I think it has just shown what we have got in the group and we are a team at the moment with a lot of confidence.

"I think we are in a good place as a team, as a group, and we have showed a lot of good work the past few weeks."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Head coach Steven Pressley has challenged his players to end Dundee's 116-year wait for Scottish Cup glory.

The Dark Blues, who kick off their road to Hampden with a fourth-round trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday, last lifted the trophy in 1910 and haven't progressed beyond the quarter-finals in 20 years.

Dundee are are ninth in the top flight, but have shown impressive form lately with three wins in four.

"I think it is a real break from the grind of the Premiership," Pressley said of the cup tie.

"It has been a really tough four or five months for us.

"For clubs like Dundee, the likelihood of you winning the Premiership is so slim that the real opportunity to get your hands on silverware lies in these competitions."

With a disappointing League Cup campaign that ended in the group stage, Pressley is hopeful Dundee can redeem themselves in this competition.

"We had a disappointing League Cup run but we in a much better place this week going into the Scottish Cup," he added.

"I like statistics and I challenge the players all the time about breaking certain statistics.

"I think this weekend's one is the longest statistic, it is 116 years since a Dundee side last won the Scottish Cup so that has to be our motivation."

Image source, Getty Images

Dundee have signed midfielder Joel Cotterill on loan from Swansea City until the end of the season, as the Wales under-21 international links up with several old team-mates at Dens Park.

The 21-year-old was at Bristol Rovers for the first part of the season, playing 16 times and scoring one goal.

Cotterill has known winger Cameron Congreve for seven years having come through the academy together at Swansea.

"I had a Zoom call with the gaffer, was really interesting, said nothing but good things about the club, that really hooked me in," Cotterill.

"Obviously knowing Cam (Congreve), Yan (Dhanda) and Joe Westley helped, I had a few chats with Cam who spoke highly about his time up here so far and would be really good for me, ready for a new challenge."

Cotterill will wear the number 24 for Dundee.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before the Scottish Cup fourth-round trip to Kilmarnock this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• Pressley says "there were a lot of pursuers" for new signing Brad Halliday, who has arrived on a two-and-a-half year deal from Bradford City and will bring great character plus a "wealth of experience".

• The Dens boss hopes to further add to his squad, saying the "time to strengthen is at a time of strength" and it shows the players "we want to keep improving".

• Despite allowing Emile Acquah to join Harrogate Town on loan, Pressley says "most definitely there is a place for him here" but stresses the importance of the striker going out to get regular game-time.

• Pressley doesn't believe the narrow defeat to Hearts last time out will dent the positivity that had been building and insists "there is still a lot more to come from this group".

• He is optimistic about his side's chances of making progress in the Scottish Cup, but "only if we play at the levels we have been over the last four or five weeks".

• He adds: "It is 116 years since a Dundee side last won the Scottish Cup, so that has to be the motivation."

• Pressley believes it is "very, very difficult to predict" what Killie will be like under new "very intelligent coach" Neil McCann, saying the focus has been on themselves.

• Team news: Joe Westley is the only absentee through injury.

Image source, SNS

Brad Halliday has joined Dundee from Bradford City after being sold on the Scottish top flight by "best mate" Joe Wright, the former Kilmarnock defender.

Right-back Halliday, 30, moves to Dens Park on a two-and-a-half year deal to become Dundee's second January arrival after striker Joe Bevan.

Coming through the youth set-up at Middlesbrough, Halliday has gone on to make over 450 senior appearances throughout his career.

He joined Bradford in summer 2022 and was included in the EFL team of the year for League Two last season after helping the club win promotion.

"I'm delighted to finally be up here," Halliday said of his Dundee switch.

"My best mate in football [Joe Wright] was at Kilmarnock last year, he's given me his insight and experience on the Scottish Premiership. I'm really excited and can't wait to get going."

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Dundee's run of wins may have come to an end, but our performance form remains strong.

We look tough to beat, which is essential in the recipe for making a good cup team. It's Scottish Cup duty for us next and our tails are up.

Other than a world-class save on derby day, Jon McCracken has been quiet, which is testament to how well Dundee have been controlling matches.

The team are in a position to balance the nullifying of opponents' attempts to create chances while threatening from the flanks.

The skilful pairing of Tony Yogane and Cameron Congreve have rightfully earned praise for their recent displays.

At the time of the cup draw, facing Kilmarnock was daunting. This marks the fourth consecutive year we have drawn a Premiership team in the fourth round, and the third time we have to play them away from home.

Since 2020, Dundee have faced top-flight opposition nine out of 12 times in knockout games across both cup competitions before the quarter-final stage.

Despite that history, the initial pessimism has faded. The performance in victory over Kilmarnock just two weeks ago was encouraging, and coupled with Dundee's continued improvements on the pitch, we head to Ayrshire with no fear.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Dundee midfielder Ethan Hamilton has credited the club's coaching staff with his performances this season as the stand-in captain delivered another impressive display despite defeat by Hearts.

The summer signing from Lincoln City has been an ever-present in the heart of the Dundee midfield this season and was in the thick of the battle against the league leaders.

Asked why he is playing some of his best football, Hamilton said manager Steven Pressley and coaches Scott Patterson, Barry Nicholson, and David Longwell have had a big impact.

"I'm just really enjoying my football," the 27-year-old said.

"It's probably the most I've enjoyed it with the management staff, the manager and who he has behind the scenes.

"Scotty, Baz, Davie Longwell as well are brilliant and work really hard for us. We've got to repay that as players. I think you see that, we work hard for the manager and the club.

"The second half with them down to 10 men you want to try and break them down and get the goal to equalise.

"We had a lot of pressure with plenty of crosses into the box, and then that save [from Craig Gordon] at the end is a brilliant save.

"But we can take confidence into the next few games.

"We feel like coming off the back of three good wins, although it's a defeat today we can take the positive going into the Scottish Cup game against Kilmarnock."

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by 10-man Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

John: Think we deserved a draw. Great save from Gordon but Hearts timewasting was annoying. Only three minutes of injury time. Results yesterday helped us before game.

Alan: Big improvement in Dundee since the start of the season. Looked well organised and threatening against a top team. Had it not been for a worldie from Craig Gordon we would have got a much deserved point. Onwards and upwards for The Dee and Elvis!

Steve: Great performance from the Dee and unlucky not to get at least a point. The work that Pressley and the coaching team have been doing is evident for all to see. Perhaps the naysayers will get off the club's back.

Iain: A great save from Gordon but there's no doubt we were robbed by appalling officiating - there's no way Hearts goal should have been allowed, they took their free-kick a long way from where the 'offence' was. Where was VAR?

Martin: Should have got more from the game. We played well but missed Yan Dhanda's creativity in midfield. Three minutes added time? Hearts time wasted time the whole of the second half (which the weak referee passively ignored) and there were several substitutes. Keep it going Dundee, we are playing some really good stuff and there is a bit of grit in the team that was missing early season.

Watch highlights as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts grind out a potentially vital victory at Dundee despite playing more than half the game with 10 players.

Read more.

Forty-three-year-old substitute goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced an incredible stoppage-time save to earn 10-man league leaders Hearts a potentially vital Scottish Premiership victory at Dundee.

Read the match report

Have your say

Image source, SNS

Dundee manager Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "I even thought 11 v 11, we were the better side. We carved out the better opportunities and we were aggressive in our pressure. It was very much what I wanted to see.

"Second half, we wanted to get a lot of crosses in. It was just the fine margins. There were a lot of really good things among the performance, and of course, a real world-class save at the end.

"Just when we thought we'd managed to salvage something from the game, Craig produces an incredible stop.

"They have defenders that can really defend the box because we asked so many questions of them."

[On the Hearts goal]: "I don't want to make this an interview about an incident when we gave so much from the game. We're bitterly disappointed, but we've come a long way. We're on the right track.

"[Ethan] Hamilton has been a colossus since he's come to the club. We nullified their attacking threats, they didn't create many opportunities. The fine margins are the things we have to improve on.

"We're trying [for reinforcements]. We're hopeful we can get something over the line."

Image source, SNS

Dundee captain Simon Murray returns from suspension but Joe Westley remains out for another 10 weeks.

Hearts will assess whether new winger signing Islam Chesnokov could feature and Landry Kabore is back from international duty.

Ageu, Sander Kartum, Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock are unavailable.