Dundee

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Dundee boss Steven Pressley is happy to be patient and find the "right" players for his side than desperately rush through transfers.

Pressley is looking for "ideally another four" more players to join the Dens Park club before the end of the summer transfer window.

Dundee have already added six players to their ranks this summer but have seen 11 players leave as well as six more who returned to their parent clubs following the expiration of their loan deals.

"We're always working hard on players," Pressley said as his side prepare to host Aberdeen on Sunday.

"We're trying to get the players that we really want to bring in. We've been quite selective around that. Sometimes you need to be patient.

"Ethan Hamilton was, in many people's eyes, our player of the year last season and he didn't come in until 26 August.

"Cam Congreve, who was an outstanding performer for us, came in on 22 August. Yan Dhanda was late, so was Joe Wesley, a lot of our key players came in late.

"It's not what we want, but it's the market we're in and people just need to understand that.

"There's no doubt we could bring a player in today but if he's not the right player for Dundee, then it's not the right signing.

"We're trying desperately to bring in what we think can improve the group but we have to be understanding of where we are in the food chain. For many players and many clubs, we're not the number one spot.

"But I think with a lot of perseverance and patience, we can certainly find the right players.

"I would rather be patient in the initial part and have the right players for the whole season than go out and sign very early and then you're left with the wrong players for the whole season, so that's always the balancing act."

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• Aberdeen's Kevin Nisbet scored and assisted in their 2-1 comeback win over Hearts on matchday one. Away from home, Nisbet's past three league goals have all been scored at Dens Park against Dundee: one each in September 2024, February 2025 and December 2025.

• Dundee have won their past two league meetings with Aberdeen, as many as their previous 33 beforehand (W2 D8 L23).

• Aberdeen have scored at least twice in seven consecutive league games against Dundee, their joint-longest run against any opponent in the 21st century, also scoring 2+ seven times in a row versus Kilmarnock from April 2015 to February 2017.

• Dundee have won their last three home games in the Scottish Premiership, their joint-longest home winning run in the 21st century.

• Aberdeen have won four of their past seven Premiership matches (D1 L2), more than they managed in their previous 19 games (W3 D4 L12). Since the start of this run on 11 April, only Celtic (21) have won more points than Aberdeen (13).

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Over the summer Dundee lost the core to the team, with our centre-half pairing and star wingers all moving on to pastures new.

Those are big shoes to fill and the prospect of heading to Parkhead was daunting with a light squad and just two fit natural centre-backs. Yet we did everything we set out to do performance wise.

We were brave on the ball, defensively compact, and it was a nice end-to-end game to watch. The feeling right now is that with a little bit more quality through the door we have the means to get results in these games.

If you can go toe to toe with Celtic on their own turf then you're a match for anyone in this division.

We have big games on the horizon in these early days and I've seen enough to feel really encouraged about how we're shaping up.

We're on the right path recruitment wise, the hits have outweighed the misses significantly over the last year, and our Premiership debutants on Monday night all impressed under the lights.

There's a lot of football to be played but we've maybe unearthed some gems.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Celtic certainly knew they had been in a game on Monday night as they opened their Premiership title defence with a 1-0 home win over Dundee.

A pretty good showing by the visitors, who are in a "real transitional moment", according to head coach Steven Pressley.

Once again the Dark Blues are in the middle of a major squad rebuild and are searching for replacements for a number of key players who have departed.

What we learned at Parkhead is Pressley already has a squad at his disposal that looks more than capable of delivering another solid campaign.

But it does beg the question, if he gets his recruitment right between now and the end of the transfer window, what will they be capable of achieving?

Arguably the most important business they will do this summer was Pressley signing a new deal. He has really bought in to the project at Dens Park.

While the continued high turnover of players is far from ideal, he relishes the challenge of trying to put together another squad capable of bloodying the noses of the other 11 top-flight sides.

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Is Dundee boss Steven Pressley lacking ambition?

Former Dundee striker Rory Loy wants to hear more positivity from the Dens Park boss.

This season marks Dundee's fourth top-flight campaign in a row and after another summer of squad upheaval Pressley is targeting survival.

Despite a tricky start to last season, Dundee ended the campaign eighth, having finished 10th and sixth in the previous two campaigns.

Before Monday night's 1-0 defeat to Celtic in their Scottish Premiership opener, Pressley admitted Dundee "understand where we are in the food chain" and admitted post-match he has to be realistic about the club's ambitions.

"There is a lot to like in terms of what Dundee have managed to do," Loy told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I know it's not in his nature, but I would like to hear Steven Presley being a little bit more optimistic about what the goals and aims are.

"I know most managers at Dundee, St Mirren, Kilmarnock, will talk about staying in the league. It's a fourth consecutive season in the league [for Dundee] now.

"You say it's being realistic, it's not being down the dumps, but is it realistic that St Mirren finished in the top six three seasons in a row? Is it realistic that St Johnstone went on a wee run of finishing in the top six?

"I know the league has a different landscape to it now, but at what point after four seasons in a league do you turn round and go 'Let's aim for sixth'?. If you finish seventh or eighth, that's not necessarily a bad season. It might still be a good season.

"I just would like to hear him be a little bit more ambitious about what he's looking to achieve this season."

Dundee fans, we asked for your views after Monday night's 1-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead in the Premiership season opener.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: It's clear we still need bodies in forward areas (and defensive options) but it seems like the core of a decent, hardworking, and somewhat talented side are in there. They'll work hard for each other and you can see the covering when it's needed so I wouldn't say we were far away. Obviously disappointed but there's still room for pragmatic positivity.

Brian: We did look suspect at times in defence, however midfield looked good and forward line not bad. Unlucky to not get a point.

Mark: Excellent performance, looked solid at the back besides the goal. But hopefully promising signs for the season ahead.

Jay: Lads put in a shift and seemed to be less prone to silly mistakes at the back. Not one player on the park stood out but our centre-backs did well apart from the goal. Full points against Aberdeen on Saturday would be great.

Boab: I'll take a 1-0 loss at Celtic.

Celtic began their Scottish Premiership title defence with a narrow home victory as Benjamin Nygren's header downed Dundee.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Dundee boss Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "I'm exceptionally proud of the group. We're in a real transitional moment.

"We were incredibly brave with the ball and without the ball. Also, I couldn't be prouder of how hard they worked tonight.

"It was an exceptional performance and one we can certainly build on. I was really pleased. I was truly proud of the players' performance.

"Our two centre-backs were outstanding tonight, but we do need depth in that area."

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Celtic are without the suspended Liam Scales as well as long-term absentee Jota (knee).

Dundee allowed Aaron Donnelly to join Dunfermline on loan last week, leaving them with only Ryan Astley and Owen Bevan in central defence.

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• Martin O'Neill has won four of his five league openers as Celtic manager, with the only exception a 0-0 draw with Dunfermline in 2003-04.

• This is just the second time in Celtic's history they have opened a league campaign on a Monday. The previous instance was in 1921-22, beating Raith Rovers 4-0.

• Reigning Scottish champions have won on matchday one in the past 14 seasons by an aggregate score of 43-7 since Rangers drew 1-1 with Hearts in 2011-12. Celtic have won their opener in the past 14 occasions they have started a season as champoins since a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock in 2007-08.

• Dundee haven't won their opening match in any of their past six Scottish Premiership campaigns (D3 L3) since a 3-1 victory over Ross County in 2016-17.

• Celtic have won 23 of the past 24 occasions they have played at home on matchday one of a league season, drawing the other 0-0 with Kilmarnock in 2007-08.

• Dundee have lost 23 of their past 25 away games at Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 win in May 2001 under Ivano Bonetti.

• Celtic have never lost in seven previous instances of facing Dundee on the opening day of a league season (W4 D3), winning their past three in a row, most recently in 1986-87 (1-0).

We asked for your views on head coach Steven Pressley signing a new deal with Dundee.

Here is a selection of your replies:

Richie: Delighted to see him sign another contract. Would have liked more commitment from club and Steven with longer deal, but it clearly suits both parties. I like what I see with Pressley, Dundee need guys like him.

Craig: I like him. He's progressing the club and has an eye for a player. Look at how much Luke Graham improved over last season. Many young players improving under his guidance too. I hope we bring in a few and we can look forward to a couple of decent seasons with Mr Pressley at the helm.

Jim: The fans have warmed to Steven after a job well done in the end last season. Don't think the feeling is mutual though and feel like Pressley still holds a grudge for the murmurs of discontent at the beginning of last season. Let's home he can get over it and we all improve as one this season.

Roberto: Deserved it. And if he can get eighth again then they should up it further.

Martin: It makes sense the manager has a new contract, he is good for the club. It makes absolutely no sense that we find ourselves woefully short in central defence. Yes, Luke Graham had to go, but there was no need to sell Billy Koumetio and now Aaron Donnelly has been shipped out. Our owners have a lot to answer for but, as usual, they are mute.

Carl: Congrats Mr Pressley on your signing a new contract. After joining amid a lot of noise from some impatient, frustrated supporters, which you handled in dignified fashion, and rebuilding the team and backroom staff while implementing your style and formation of play which suited our players, we finished last season in a secure position. The more patient supporters know none of this could have been easy for you, and we all trust and hope that you successfully continue to improve our team in the top league.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee midfielder Drey Wright says it's "brilliant news" that head coach Steven Pressley has agreed a new contract.

Pressley replaced Tony Docherty in June 2025 and guided Dundee to an eighth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership last season.

"That continuity will only be beneficial for the club," Wright said of Pressley's new deal.

"I said a number of times last year how much I enjoyed working under him and the messages coming across from other players was very similar. So I think it's only a good thing for the club, for him, for us as players.

"He's always been really honest with us, and with you guys, and from early on he made it quite simple. It was going to be a lot of hard work, it was going to take time, so if you take that at face value then it was proved right.

"But we were all obviously reaping the benefits of that, but towards the back end of the season, that progress that we went through as a team was really evident.

"In terms of football side of things, he's just calm. He's very calm, gets his point across when he needs to. That calmness gives everyone the platform to just relax and go about their business and get on with your job at the end of the day.

"And then, away from the pitch, he treats you like a human being rather than just a player that plays for him. I've had a few instances where I've needed to go and speak to him about certain things and he's always been absolutely fine with it."

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley says it would have been wrong to hold Aaron Donnelly back from his move to Dunfermline Athletic despite admitting it leaves him short in defence against Celtic on Monday as he had told the 23-year-old defender he was not in his plans. (The Courier, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Steven Pressley has signed a new contract as Dundee head coach, with managing director John Nelms expressing his delight that the former Scotland defender "will be staying at the club".

Was there any doubt that he would, with or without a new deal? He remains on a 12-month rolling contract.

A pleased Pressley himself believes it is the "right decision" and revealed it was "something that had been discussed for a while".

However, he warned that "there will be "pain ahead" as he continues to rebuild his squad for the season ahead.

Give us your thoughts on Pressley's new deal and their prospects for the new season.

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New Stoke City defender Luke Graham says his move to the club is a definite step up and the "perfect place" to make him a better player.

The 22-year-old arrived at the Potters at the start of the month from Scottish Premiership side Dundee, where he came through the youth set-up.

Graham won both the players' player and young player of the year awards at Dens Park last season in a breakthrough campaign that featured 41 appearances in all competitions.

"This feels like the next logical step," Graham told BBC Radio Stoke, having had time to settle in during pre-season.

"Working with the coaching staff on the pitch every day, it's only going to make me a better player."

Despite finishing an ultimately disappointing 17th last season, Stoke had one of the best defences in the second tier - conceding just 56 goals - with only the top four teams letting in fewer.

And Graham said that shows he is in the right place to improve.

"Coaching aside, the players you've got in the defensive areas are top, top players and you know there's real good competition at the back to try to get in the team every week," the Scot added.

"I think that's what edges you to give that extra 10% in training, because of that competition. It's no surprise why that defence did so well last season.

"I've played in every division in Scotland so that next step was coming here and playing in the Championship and trying to take my game to the next level.

"I think this is a perfect place to do that."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been talking to the media before his side's opening Scottish Premiership match of the season away to champions Celtic on Monday.

Here are the key points:

• Pressley feels he is about four players short of a "complete squad". He would like to add two defenders with more experience - and also two more attack-minded players. The club are working hard on bringing players in.

• Having lost some key players this summer, including Luke Graham and goalkeeper Jon McCracken, Pressley admits replacing them will be "really, really hard".

• Facing Celtic on Monday in the season opener is an "enormous" challenge, with Pressley stressing the Glasgow side "haven't lost an opening-day fixture at home for nearly 76 years" before adding "but I also like those challenges".

• He says Martin O'Neill is "without doubt the right choice" to be managing Celtic and is not surprised at the veteran's permanent appointment.

• Pressley welcomes the new rule that allows 15-year-olds to play in the Premiership, saying "anything that enhances the development of our young players is a positive move".

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Dunfermline Athletic have signed Dundee centre-half Aaron Donnelly on a season-long loan.

The 23-year-old, who has one cap for Northern Ireland, started two of the Dens Park side's Premier Sports Cup group games and came off the bench in another.

But now he will look to help Neil Lennon's side repeat his feat with Dundee in 2023-24, when he helped the Dark Blues win promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

Donnelly turned professional with Nottingham Forest in 2019 and made his only senior appearance three years later.

However, he found regular first-team football on loan to Port Vale, Dundee and Colchester United before he returned to Dens Park permanently in January 2025.

However, he made only three appearances last season and has made just 20 appearances for Dundee overall since his return.

Dunfermline point out that, although rimarily a left-sided centre-back, he can also ply left-back and right-back.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

To say last season was a rollercoaster for Dundee is an understatement. The number of ups and downs would put fairground rides to shame.

However, it was ultimately a relatively successful campaign as Steven Pressley's rebuilt squad finished a creditable eighth, delivering a good brand of football along the way.

The challenge this time round is to build on, and better, what they achieved last term.

Once again he is having to preside over a significant squad turnaround with a host of key players, like Luke Graham, Tony Yogane, Cameron Congreve and Jon McCracken having departed.

But having proved he has an eye for a player over the past 12 months, the Dark Blues faithful will be hoping Pressley can show that quality again by assembling a group capable of challenging for a top-six place.

One thing that is very different for the head coach this time round is he has the fans on his side, something that wasn't the case following his surprise appointment last summer.

Whether that continues will of course be determined by results. Dundee certainly appear to have discovered their scoring touch early on having rattled in 14 goals in their four League Cup group games - more than any other team.

And they will be hoping that is a sign of things to come. They will need to be clinical in front of goal, and tight at the back, when they open their league campaign with the toughest of tests - away to champions Celtic on Monday night.