Dundee

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It is turning into a season of 'what ifs' for Dundee. Their last outing, against Hibs, is a case in point.

Steven Pressley's side came back from a goal down to lead on 72 minutes - but had to rely on a Cameron Congreve wonder striker in the dying seconds for a 3-3 draw.

What if Dundee had managed to hang on to that lead?

For a while now their performance levels have been on an upward trajectory - but that hasn't been fully reflected in their accumulation of points.

For example, the Dark Blues, who are ninth in the table, have taken six points from the last 21 on offer.

Few would argue they have not merited a better return.

Following their outing with Hibs, Congreve admitted they have to "learn how to control the game better".

He is right – but that is simply part of the continued learning curve for this Dundee squad, which was rebuilt last summer.

If they can add a streetwise streak, they should avoid getting dragged back into the battle for the relegation play-off spot.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

A thrilling draw crowned by Cameron Congreve's sublime equaliser showcased Dundee's new-found fluidity.

Our patterns of play have really picked up, we look a lot more dangerous moving forward and the quality of the goals speak for themselves. We've scored eight in three games!

Congreve's excellent strike will naturally claim the spotlight. For me, the delivery from Drey Wright for Luke Graham's goal is the pick of the bunch.

The main takeaway here is Dundee can threaten from each department – defenders, midfielders and forwards alike.

Crucially in the latter, Simon Murray of old is back up and running, netting four in his past three games.

It's been a lengthy wait but he seems to have found his confidence alongside catching up with fitness. He got back into the starting line-up initially through the injury of Ash Hay – now he holds that spot by merit and it's his to lose.

Neutrals might be surprised to hear Congreve has only netted twice for Dundee this season and it looks like Steven Pressley is challenging him and Tony Yogane (who is still yet to score) to boost those numbers.

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

Watch as Sportscene pundit Richard Foster heaps praise on Dundee winger Cameron Congreve for his stunning late equaliser in their 3-3 draw with Hibernian.

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Watch the best of the action as Dundee and Hibernian share six goals in a Scottish Premiership draw.

We asked for your views on Dundee's 3-3 draw against Hibernian.

Here's what some of you said:

Albert: Steven Pressley deserves a lot of praise for bringing in a strong mentality to the group. More than confident now we'll stay up.

Gary: Disappointed with the draw, but happy with a point.

Ethan Hamilton went from winner to sinner, holding the ball too long when a pass was seemingly available.

Great effort to come back for the third goal, but again our keeper doesn't instil massive confidence and had it not been for errors we'd have won that game.

Best parts were another goal for Simon Murray and injury returnees back on the bench.

Steven: We have the makings of a very good side, however, as has been the case for many years, we were exposed time and again for lack of a right and left-back.

I'm confident we would have won this had Brad Halliday been fit to play. Hibs spotted this early and exploited it to the full in the second half, as many before them have.

Brian: A great game of football, both teams played well and a draw was probably right. Would add that the referee [Ross Hardie] was excellent allowing play to flow. Happy to see some of our injured players back.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Cameron Congreve believes Dundee are getting better by the week but says they "have to learn how to control the game better".

The Dark Blues looked to be heading for a league win over Hibernian on Saturday when Luke Graham fired them 2-1 up after 71 minutes at Dens Park.

However, the visitors turned the game on its head and were leading 3-2 deep into added time before Congreve scored a spectacular leveller in the dying seconds.

"It was bit of a mad game, but I think when we are going in front now we just need to learn how to control the game better and see the game out a little bit better," the winger said.

"Hibs are a really good team, so if you go ahead, especially late on, you want to see the game out."

The result means Dundee remain ninth in the table, but they are now just a point behind Aberdeen in eighth.

Congreve added: "Some of the performances we have been putting in recently have been excellent, I think we have been unlucky with a few results, but I think we are improving week in, week out."

Despite a string of fine displays since arriving on a season-long loan from Swansea City last summer, Congreve's stunning strike is just his second goal of the campaign.

He said: "I think probably a minute before I should have slid the ball across, I should have put a better ball across and we should have equalised then, but I think I redeemed myself with the finish.

"It is probably about time I scored one of them to be fair, coming inside and into the far corner, but I'm really happy to get it."

Hibernian dropped points in the race for Europe as Cam Congreve's dramatic late screamer rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Dundee in a six-goal thriller at Dens Park.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "It was a terrific game of football, both sides going out there to try and win the game.

"Hibs are a great side and have really good quality, but I thought for 80 minutes we were excellent. We did some great things and once we got our noses in front, we just lost a bit of composure.

"Credit to Hibs, they made some really positive changes and found themselves a goal ahead.

"But it says everything about our team at present that from a position of winning, to then being behind, we didn't give up. We kept going and going until that final whistle, and we got a very much deserved point.

"Luke has been an outstanding performer this year. The amazing thing is he can play off both feet. He's terrific and a real good finish from him.

"I always critique my own performance - should I have made certain changes within the game? What could I have done better to help us get over the line? But in perspective, we've grown a lot.

"We were a team that was very pragmatic, now we're a team that scores goals and plays positive football. I'm really proud of the players just now, I mean that."

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Yan Dhanda credits Dundee's coaching staff for making him a better player and insists he is now "an all-round midfielder".

The 27-year-old Hearts loanee, who forged his reputation as a number 10 at Ross County, has been a regular starter for Steven Pressley's side since November in a more central midfield position.

"I'm playing a deeper role, so I'm getting used to that, I think the coaching staff here have definitely improved me as a player," said Dhanda.

"I'm more of an all-round midfielder now rather than just an attacking midfielder, so credit to the staff because they've improved me so much as a midfielder.

"I'm enjoying getting on the ball deeper in possession and helping in the build-up and getting us higher up the pitch. But at the same time, defensively, I'm enjoying that as well.

"I've improved so much. I can tell from where I was before I came here to now how much I've improved as a player, so I can only thank the staff for that."

Ninth-place Dundee beat Aberdeen 3-2 last weekend and Dhanda is hopeful they can continue their momentum in Saturday's visit of Hibernian.

"It was a big result for us. We have to take confidence from it, but at the same time we can't get complacent because this league's very difficult and no game's easy," he added.

"We have another very difficult game on Saturday. Hibs are a very good team. I've seen them quite a few times this season and they play some good football and have got some very good players.

"We know it's going to be difficult, but at the same time, we're at home, so we have to make that count and try and attack them."

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Dundee welcome back Joe Westley, Ashley Hay and Brad Halliday but Callum Jones is a doubt and Billy Koumetio (knee) and Clark Robertson (thigh) are still out.

Hibs captain Joe Newell is back in contention along with Chris Cadden, but Josh Mulligan (ankle), Jordan Obita and Grant Hanley (both hamstring) are still out.

Image source, SNS

• Dundee have lost their past three league meetings with Hibernian, last losing four in a row to the Easter Road side in the top flight in April 2001.

• After their 2-1 win in August, Hibs could win successive Scottish Premiership visits to Dundee for the first time since February 2019 (three in a row).

• Over half of Dundee's points this season have been earned since Christmas (14/27). The Dark Blues won just three of their 18 league games prior to Christmas Day (D4 L11), but have since won four of their nine matches (D2 L3).

• After their 2-1 victory at Celtic last time out, Hibs could win back-to-back away league outings for the first time since December 2024.

• Simon Murray has scored three goals in his past two Premiership appearances, more than his previous 26 beforehand (2). Since he rejoined Dundee at the start of last season, Murray's 20 league goals are more than double any other player for the club (Lyall Cameron second with nine).

Dundee attacker Scott Wright is back in training after missing the weekend win over Aberdeen. (Courier - subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The first thing Steven Pressley had to do when he took charge at Dundee last summer was rebuild a squad.

Fast forward to now and the Dark Blues seem to be reaping the rewards of some pretty smart recruitment.

More often than not it is going to take a bit of time for a new look squad, or team, to grow and find its feet. What we have seen over the last few months is a real evolution in the group Pressley has assembled.

The likes of Yan Dhanda (on loan from Hearts) and Drey Wright (from St Johnstone) arrived last close season. Guys familiar with the Scottish game, who have caught the eye elsewhere so it is no surprise that they have gone on and proved key cogs in this Dundee team.

Further evidence of smart, common sense recruitment.

Then there are the players who were brought in to little fanfare – under the radar, not household names to followers of football up here.

Midfielder Cameron Congreve is one – he has been a real star performer since arriving on loan from Swansea City.

Ethan Hamilton – who scored a spectacular winner against Aberdeen last time out – is another who has really caught the eye after moving to Tayside on a three year deal from Lincoln City.

And there are others who we could mention. Pressley certainly seems to have an eye for a player.

While the prospect of another big turnover of players at the end of this campaign may not be something Pressley would want – it is something he is likely going to have to contend with.

But on the evidence of what we have seen so far, if he can continue to unearth some hidden gems on the signing front going forward, then such a process can be approached with a sense of optimism rather than one of trepidation.

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

The last time Dundee won at Pittodrie before this weekend, I was a fortnight away from turning three.

I'm only 24 now, but that record felt eternal. To finally see it erased is immensely satisfying.

Another hoodoo gone under Steven Pressley. Whether this group have blocked out the noise or quietly used it as fuel, they deserve their flowers - many critics and doubters have proved to be way off the mark with this group.

Ethan Hamilton's winner is one of the best goals I've witnessed in the flesh - a strike worthy of deciding any match.

I'd prophesised that it was only a matter of time before he lashed in a screamer, and after his cup goal against Celtic I thought he'd used up his quota. Evidently not. Add goals to his engine and aggression and you might be looking at Dundee's most complete midfielder since Gavin Rae.

Perhaps most importantly the timing feels significant. I had genuine concerns about how long a winless run could stretch before confidence began to fracture. Instead, this result resets the mood entirely.

With three home games up next and Joe Westley, Ash Hay, Brad Halliday and Scott Wright all nearing returns, there's a real opportunity to build momentum. And with the derby just three matches away, there is no better time for everything to come together.

Image source, SNS

At the start of this season, many tipped Dundee for relegation from the Scottish Premiership, especially after they failed to win any of their first five league matches.

They are still not safe, but Saturday's win at Aberdeen has Steven Pressley's side six points above Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot.

Their 3-2 success at Pittodrie was their first victory in that stadium for 22 years and is the latest in a string of impressive milestones in this campaign to date.

In August, they left Ibrox with a point for the first time in 21 years and that set the tone for what was to come under Pressley's management.

Clark Robertson's header and a Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal earned Dundee a first win at Dens Park against Celtic since 1988, when Tommy Coyne scored the only goal of the game.

They had not won back-to-back games away to rivals Dundee United since the 1998-99 season, but Ashley Hay's goal ensured they took the points back to Dens in January, following on from their 4-2 at Tannadice last season.

With 11 league matches still to play, can Pressley's side break yet more records?

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jerome Prior - Livingston: A superb performance from the Livingston keeper, who pulled off a variety of fantastic stops to repel Rangers time and again. No shame in ultimately conceding two given the deluge he was under.

Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell: Has been a true, versatile hero at the back for the Steelmen this season. Looks like a player rejuvenated every weekend in this brilliant Motherwell side.

Brooklyn Kabongolo - Livingston: What. A. Strike! Finished like one of the world's best strikers to put Livingston ahead against Rangers. Also put in a big shift at the back.

Harry Milne - Hearts: Not one of the most celebrated at the time, but has to be one of the best recent signings Hearts have made. A model of consistency. The former Partick Thistle player put in another energised, dependable performance for his manager.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell: Thought he looked offside for his goal, but who am I to argue with the VAR lines. Has been an awesome presence down the left for the Steelmen all season.

Felix Passlack - Hibernian: The former Borussia Dortmund player arrived at Easter Road with a fine CV and underlined those credentials with a fine showing at Celtic Park. Took his opportunity superbly with an unstoppable header to fire Hibs in front.

Elijah Just - Motherwell: Every weekend Just underlines his credentials as a player of the year contender. Opened the scoring in the demolition of St Mirren with another brilliant goal.

Ethan Hamilton - Dundee: For his thunderbolt winner against Aberdeen. Great follow-up to his sublime strike against Celtic in the cup, but that was ultimately in vain while this strike at Pittodrie bagged what could turn out to be a vital three points. A statement season for the midfielder.

Callum Slattery - Motherwell: Difficult to look past the fact he went down far too easily as Richard King was sent off. However, the actual football performance from Slattery was excellent. Three assists for the midfielder as the Steelmen further underlined their title credentials by tearing St Mirren apart.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian: Hibs are simply a far better side with Nicky Cadden in it. His delivery from the left offers so much to Hibs in attack, as shown by the assist for Passlack's diving header against Celtic.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen: The light in the north for the slightly dismal Dons at the moment. His first was freakish - helped massively by Dundee keeper Jon McCracken - but his second was an absolute firecracker of a free kick. On another day might easily have had a hat-trick.

Watch the pick of a thrilling contest as Dundee beat 10-man Aberdeen 3-2 for a first win at Pittodrie in the Premiership for more than two decades. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after Dundee won at Pittodrie in the top flight for the first time in 22 years by beating 10-man Aberdeen 3-2.

Here's what some of you said:

Flynn: Another record broken by Pressley, outstanding performance again but this time a result to merit it. Past Dundee teams would give up after going 1-0 down but for once Dundee didn't give up and deserved all three points. Another great performance from Ethan Hamilton and the only issue will be keeping him in the summer.

Darren: Great win, but Jon McCracken at fault again, he has cost us goals in the last three games. He made the same mistake as last week but fortunately we were not punished on this occasion.

Jim: Absolutely brilliant result. The players showed fight to get the win and proved that they can win games after setbacks. And what a winner as well. We've been playing well without getting results and we needed that. With four difficult games coming up Steven Pressley may have to look at McCracken's position. He's made mistakes in a lot of games.

Gary: 22 years! Another stat this team have binned! After the mistake for the first goal and slow second-half start I feared the usual dropped points, but what a cracker from one of our captains! Still think the keeper needs swapped out and we could use our bench better, but can't really argue with the quality of the winning goal.

Mark: Beyond words, unbelievable result.

Albert: Fantastic to see Pressley's great work coming to fruition now. A long-awaited victory up at Pittodrie too. Future looks bright again.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Ethan Hamilton hopes Dundee's "massive" Scottish Premiership victory over Aberdeen can provide a platform for a positive end to the season.

The 27-year-old midfielder crashed in a fabulous late goal to secure a 3-2 success at victory, ending a run of five league games without a win.

The result moves the Dark Blues to within one point of Aberdeen in eighth place.

"It is a really important win," he told BBC Scotland.

"Hopefully it can be the catalyst for it (a winning run), we feel the way we have been playing has been growing week by week and definitely hope we can take the confidence from this and move on to the next game.

"We feel we are on the right track but in football you have to win and that is what we are desperate to do and the manager is always on to that, we are just really enjoying working for him and the information him and the staff give us is brilliant.

"We feel we are playing some decent football at times and it is a good step today to get falling on the right side of results.

"We will be back into training on Monday and review the game, as we always do, and really push on because we know we have got a lot of work ahead of us."