Dundee

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee striker Joe Westley has hailed the "massive impact" of manager Steven Pressley after a bright start to the new season.

Pressley's surprise appointment last summer didn't go down well with a large proportion of the Dark Blues support and he came under serious criticism after failing to get out of the League Cup group stage.

But he has won the doubters over after guiding the club to an eighth place Premiership finish last term, and presiding over an impressive start to this campaign.

"He has a massive impact," Westley said of his boss.

"Last year when all the noise was going around us we didn't listen to it, we have always known what the manager brings and there has never been a doubt in any or our minds that we didn't want him here or anything like that.'

"We have always wanted to work for him 100% and we stuck together through some tough times last year but I think you can see every time we go out on the pitch we want to win, but we want to win for him as well because he is such a great manager and a great person as well.

"And he keeps the group so close, inspires us to go and play. He is just great to work for and we all love him and we just want to keep improving every week for him."

After opening their Premiership season with a narrow 1-0 defeat at champions Celtic, Dundee were commanding 2-0 home winners over Aberdeen last weekend.

Westley got the first goal against the Dons after a great assist from Joe Bevan who netted the second.

It appears the connection between the two players is one that has been years in the making.

"We played together at Burnley as well so I knew him quite well before he came here," the 21-year-old added.

"And throughout the age groups at Burnley we always had a little connection where I have always demanded chances off him.

"I have always said to him 'you need to cross me the ball' and I think you could see I knew when he cut in there that was the ball he was going to deliver. I think it is a connection we can keep building.'

"He has done brilliantly this season so far and hopefully he continues it."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Joe Bevan has had to bide his time at Dundee.

The 22-year-old winger arrived on a two-and-a-half year deal from Burnley in January – going on to make just the five top team appearances for the Dark Blues last season.

He has impressed this term though, starting all six of Dundee's competitive games, scoring three times and proving to be a real creative force.

The Scot has really stepped up after two last season's key men - Cameron Congreve and Tony Yogane - returned to their parent clubs. Yogane is now at Aberdeen and Congreve is at Belgian club Westerlo, after moves from Brentford and Swansea, respectively.

While there has been a lot of focus on youth development and what we are doing right or wrong in Scotland - Bevan's journey to the top should serve as a real source of encouragement to younger players across the country.

Just three years ago he was playing in the junior ranks at Camelon, before joining Albion Rovers.

He was then signed by Burnley - who eventually loaned him out to Carlisle United - before making the switch to Dundee for an undisclosed fee.

An unconventional journey to the top and proof that you can still carve out a successful football career even if you don't make it through what is regarded as the more tradition youth academy system.

It is also further proof of head coach Steven Pressley's excellent eye for a player.

Dundee will step up their hunt for another striker because Ashley Hay could be sidelined for up to six weeks and remain interested in Bromley defender Omar Sowumni after having a bid rejected. The Courier, external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has praised the time he has been given by the Dens Park hierarchy, admitting he "might have been out of a job by November" at another club.

Pressley was a surprise appointment last summer, a move which was met with bemusement by a large section of the Dark Blues support.

But after a difficult start to his time at Dens Park, he has gradually turned things around in terms of results and level of performance.

He said: "You are very reliant on recruitment as a head coach. Let's not be kidded, we are not magicians.

"You need the players, but also, for clubs like ourselves, we can't sign the complete player. We have to sign a player, on many occasions, with potential, which means time is needed.

"So certainly in our role, a role like myself, you do need the time or you will never get it right.

"One of the reasons I came to Dundee, because I wasn't actively seeking a head coach's job, was because of Gordon [Strachan, technical director] and because of John [Nelms, managing director].

"They spoke to me at length. I knew they would give me the opportunity and the time because, if truth be told, at another club I might have been out of a job by November. That is football, but I knew they would give me this opportunity.

"And in football you generally need time or you need a lot of money, and we have not got a lot of money, so you certainly need time."

After finishing a more than creditable eighth in the Premiership last season, Dundee have caught the eye already this term.

A narrow defeat at Celtic was followed by a hugely impressive 2-0 home win over Aberdeen, whom they travel to play in the League Cup on Saturday.

While Pressley looks to have won over the doubters, the 'flavour of the month' tag appears to be one that sits uneasily with him.

He said: "I am very realistic about football management and I am very realistic about the feeling around the manager. That can change within two or three performances.

"So I don't really get drawn into that. I think my relationship with the Dundee fans is very authentic, it is very real. I don't pretend that it is anything other than that.

"It is not like a relationship between myself and my kids, it is not that type. I think it is a relationship of respect and, of course, when results aren't good, I accept there will be criticism, and that is football.

"We have to live in that environment as a manager. So maybe flavour of the month this week, but maybe not next."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before their League Cup last-16 tie at Aberdeen.

Here are the key lines:

• After comfortably beating Aberdeen 2-0 in the Premiership at Dens Park last weekend, he is expecting a difficult challenge against a "wounded" Dons side.

• He believes Aberdeen are in transition but thinks Dundee will have to play better against them than they did at Dens Park to win. He also says he thinks a lot of the pressure lies with the Dons.

• Pressley says that while he "always has a fear about what is around the corner", it is important they enjoy the good times and the positive start to the campaign.

• Despite taking a degree of apprehension into the new campaign, he says that while he is "not one for getting excited", he has been "encouraged by what I have seen" so far this season.

• Twelve months ago a lot of Dundee fans were upset at his appointment. Asked about now being the flavour of the month, he said: "I think my relationship with the supporters is very authentic, very real... a relationship of respect."

• He also notes the feeling around a manager can change, jesting he is "maybe flavour of the month this week but maybe not next".

• Pressley says that for a manager to be successful you need time and has praised the Dundee hierarchy for giving him that, saying: "At another club I might have been out of a job by November."

• When asked about any more new signings, he said: "We are actively pursuing a centre-back - we probably need two in there," as well as a couple of attacking players.

• He confirmed they are running the rule over 19-year-old Bournemouth defender Matai Akinmboni, describing him as an "interesting" young player.

• Team news: Despite a knee injury not being as bad as first feared, Ashley Hay has been ruled out for six weeks, with the manager saying it leaves them with just two fit strikers.

Image source, SNS

Steven Pressley is the Scottish Premiership's man of the moment - but what is it like to play under him?

Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn, who worked with Pressley at Falkirk, says the 52-year-old is a master at instilling confidence in players and nurturing a positive environment for them to thrive in.

"Dundee as a football club looks so different, the positivity coming out of there, and without a doubt it's Pressley that should take all the credit," Flynn told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think he's so clever, the way he goes about it in the media. Even at the start of this season, it was all doom and gloom, but I know for a fact, working with him when he was at Falkirk, behind the scenes with those players, he will build so much confidence, especially the attacking ones.

"He just filled you with so much [confidence], no matter if you're going to make mistakes, you can play with free rein within his system.

"And you can see that the attacking players are thriving again."

Pressley's rebuilt side have begun the league season with a narrow defeat at Celtic and impressive win over Aberdeen, who they meet in the League Cup second round this weekend.

"I just think even when it comes to after the games, he's quick to praise the players, it's never about him," Flynn added.

"Although he's a larger-than-life character, he's quick to pass it on and give all the praise and accolades to the players.

"So he's so clever the way he goes about his business, and I know for a fact that squad and that group of players will be loving him."

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Sometimes you can watch a player for just five minutes before you know they have something special about them.

I felt that with Glen Kamara, Jack Hendry and Owen Beck – all of whom went on to prove themselves as top players for Dundee.

Joe Bevan is in my thoughts for joining that group.

It felt like everyone inside Dens Park was getting off their seat every time Bevan had the ball against Aberdeen, and that's a sight I've not seen in a very long time.

Saturday's victory was the Joe Bevan show and I'm already excited to tune in to future episodes.

The only drawback is that when one player shines that brightly, other impressive performances can fly under the radar. That shouldn't be the case here, because the most pleasing aspect of beating Aberdeen was arguably that it was Dundee's best all-round performance of Steven Pressley's reign so far.

I praised Dundee for looking sharp against Celtic and we've carried that into the next game.

We don't look like a team that has been freshly assembled, nor one playing its opening matches of the season. There is already a cohesion and understanding to the way we're playing that shouldn't necessarily be there this early and Pressley deserves a huge amount of credit for that.

Now comes a fascinating test.

Playing Aberdeen back-to-back means they'll be licking their lips at the prospect of getting revenge immediately. They did exactly that against Motherwell last season, so Dundee cannot afford to become complacent.

It might be the same opposition but it will be a completely different test up at Pittodrie.

The players are playing knockout football now, coupled with places in the Dundee derby up for grabs.

It's getting tasty.

Dundee have had a bid of around £100,000 for central defender Omar Sowunmi, 30, rejected by English League One newcomers Bromley. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Forward Ash Hay, 23, has swelling around his knee after picking up a knock in Dundee's weekend victory over Aberdeen. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Made eight saves as Hibs held on for another win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Kanayo Megwa - Hibernian

Played a big part in a strong, steady victorious showing at Ibrox.

Auston Trusty - Celtic

Superb block on the line as the American kept things tight at the back for Celtic.

Owen Bevan - Dundee

You don't have to be called Bevan to do well for Dundee, but it clearly helps. Strong showing at the back.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

More often than not makes an impact down the left for the Steelmen.

Joe Bevan - Dundee

Looked impressive at times against Celtic and took it to a new level against Aberdeen with a goal and assist.

Tom Renaud - Hearts

His laser-guided rocket reminded me of Ally McCoist at Euro '96. To be fair, Renaud's was even better.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Suddenly the main man for the Buddies. Loved his no-nonsense one-step penalty.

Josh McPake - Hearts

Scored a fine goal, linking up with Claudio Braga. Shining on the Tynecastle stage after his heroics for St Johnstone.

Kasper Hogh - Celtic

An ebullient, winning personality and the Celtic fans have a new hero after the £11m man netted a hat-rick and looked an all round class act.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Ran out of superlatives for his contribution last season, and was back to his best against Dundee United with a goal and two assists.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

What a difference a year can make, certainly in the case of Steven Pressley.

Wind back 12 months and he was a man very much up against it, having to win over a large proportion of the Dundee support who were, let's say, sceptical about his surprise appointment as head coach.

Fast forward to now - he has not only won them over, but he is very much the flavour of the month.

As last season went on, he assembled a side that got better and better, in terms of results and style of football on their way to an eighth place Premiership finish.

Going in to this season, the question the Dark Blues faithful were asking was – can he build on that this time round?

A pertinent question given that he has again had to rebuild a squad which has lost a number of really key players during the summer.

Whisper it, but the answer to that question looks like it could well be yes.

His team have hit the ground running in the Premiership – they were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Celtic in their opening game, and followed that up by blowing Aberdeen away with as comfortable a 2-0 win at Dens Park as you are likely to see.

In both games his team have received a plethora of plaudits for the way they have played. In fact in the encounter with the Dons they could easily have scored a barrel load of goals.

Despite having less possession than the visitors on Saturday, Dundee had double the amount of shots Aberdeen did (18 compared to nine) and more of those were on target - seven for Dundee, three for the Dons. Dundee also narrowly outperformed their expected goals (xG) of 1.8.

The victory also became the ninth Premiership game in a row that Dundee have won after leading at half-time.

Even Pressley himself said it was "probably the proudest I've been after any Dundee performance since coming to this club".

What strikes me, from watching his teams and speaking to the players, is that he has a group who have not only bought in to his football philosophy, but who would run through a brick wall for him. That has actually been clear from very early in his Dens Park tenure.

I said on multiple occasions last term that Dundee were the team I enjoyed going to watch more than any other – okay maybe Motherwell were the only exception to that. I found myself coming away having been thoroughly entertained whatever the result.

The brand of football is terrific – and more importantly it appears to now be a winning brand of football.

Dundee ended last season strongly, with victories in three of their last four Premiership matches. It is one win and a defeat so far in this campaign but if they keep performing the way they have been you do get a sense that it will be more of the former than the latter over the coming months.

You clearly notice a real feel-good factor about Dens Park these days and the positivity generated from what is being served up on the pitch is translating to the stands.

The Dundee fans have been through a lot over the last few decades so will rightly be riding this wave of optimism. Yes it is early days in the season, but the evidence would suggest it is a wave they could be riding for some time to come.

Having been "All Shook Up" when Pressley was appointed, it is now more a case of "If I Can Dream" for the Dark Blues faithful as they ponder how this campaign may play out.

Bournemouth centre-back Matai Akinmboni is training with Dundee with a view to a season-long loan deal. (Courier), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch all the highlights as Dundee beat Stephen Robinson's Aberdeen 2-0 at Dens Park in the Scottish Premiership. Available to UK users only.

Dundee fans, we asked for your view on your side's win over Aberdeen.

Here is a selection of what you said:

Albert: What another marvellous performance and a bit of history created today. Steven Pressley showing he can manage , wouldn't surprise me if the SFA are tracking his process for the national job.

Jay: Everyone put in a performance. A few players had their best game in Dark Blue shirt so let's keep it up. Points on the board plus a clean sheet. Could have been done and dusted by half time. Dons were poor.

Gary: A really pleasing team effort overall where the scoreline flattered Aberdeen.

Brilliant performances throughout the team, a willingness to cover for each other when out of position & decisive forward play that the Dons had no counter to. In truth they looked overawed & we were so far above them it was great to see!

Morgan: Pressley got us playing like prime Barcelona bring on anyone got love early season positivity

Kevin: In the 60+ years of following Dundee this was one of the most convincing displays i have seen in recent years credit to the manager and coaching staff.

Scott: Thats the best all round display I have seen from Dundee in a long time and we could easily have scored four or five. Another few signings still required to cover injuries but overall I am excited to see how the season pans out.

Boab: Agree with everything that Pressley had to say after the game, best I've seen my beloved team in many a year. Squad still lightweight but hopefully a few more signings and god only knows what can happen.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Having set such a high standard in the Premiership already this season, Dundee striker Joe Bevan has urged his team to "match it every week".

The Dark Blues sizzled as they delivered a masterful performance to dismantle Aberdeen 2-0 at Dens Park on Saturday.

Bevan netted the second in a game the Dark Blues could, and arguably should, have won by a whole lot more.

Last week, Steven Pressley's men earned plenty of plaudits for their display as they opened their league campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Celtic.

"Away at Celtic, we gained confidence from that, put in a really good performance and [the head coach] wanted us to back it up with the standard," Bevan said.

"As attackers we will probably get more plaudits, but I thought the defence was great as well, the midfield was great and gave us a platform to keep pushing, keep putting crosses in, keep having shots and ultimately get the two goals we needed to win."

As happened last season, plenty had written Dundee off without a ball being kicked due to a lack of incomings and plenty of outgoings.

"When you set the standard you have got to match it every week," Bevan continued.

"We have got lots of tough games coming up so we have just got to take it game by game, with the game at their place [Pittodrie] in the League Cup."

Bevan, 22, has netted three times already this season, having joined Dundee in January from Burnley.

Just three years ago though, he was still playing for Camelon Juniors before earning a move to Albion Rovers.

As well as scoring against Aberdeen, he also set up the opener for Joe Westley to score.

''I just take it game by game," he said. "I was disappointed with a couple of moments I had against Celtic so I wanted to make the most of them today.

"Obviously I set the tone with a good ball in for Joe Westley.

"I had a couple of shots in the first half I was disappointed with so I knew when the one in the second half came around I was hopeful I was going to take it."

Pressley was full of praise for Bevan, commenting: "We think he's a player with enormous potential.

"He's got English Premier League physicality around him.

"We just want him to keep believing in himself because we think he's an outstanding talent."

Dundee have injury worries over forwards Ash Hay and Joe Westley following Saturday's 2-0 win over Aberdeen. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

Joe Bevan inspired Dundee to their first Scottish Premiership win of the season as lacklustre Aberdeen were soundly beaten at Dens Park.

MATCH REPORT

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "The bottom line is I could run out of superlatives describing their performance.

"To a man, they were incredible and it's probably the proudest I've been after any Dundee performance since coming to this club.

"Really, really pleased. To ultimately get our first three points of the season early in the season's very important.

"We can't get too ahead of ourselves. It's two good performances. We're very early in the season. There'll be some difficult moments."

And, on assister and scorer Joe Bevan, Pressley commented: "We think he's a player with enormous potential. He's got English Premier League physicality around him.

"We just want him to keep believing in himself because we think he's an outstanding talent."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen pair Brad Lyons and Connor Ronan face fitness checks while Ante Palaversa, Mats Knoester, Kristers Tobers (both knee) and Kusini Yengi (thigh) are still out.

Dundee boss Steven Pressley is set to have an unchanged squad, with Imari Samuels and Callum Jones still out.