Dundee

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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.

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• 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.

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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."

Ethan Hamilton's stunning late strike gave Dundee a first Scottish Premiership win at Pittodrie since 2004 after a thrilling and bizarre game against 10-man Aberdeen.

Have your say.

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "We didn't start the game particularly well. There was a bit of a feeling we could come and play our football and that would be enough to get us a result.

"After the opening 15 minutes of the game it was very evident it wouldn't be enough. I said to the group during a stoppage we needed to win more duels and be aggressive against the ball.

"We managed to get to grips, and then of course the penalty and sending off was a pivotal point in the game. We take advanatge for the second goal but never quite managed to kill them off.

"When they have players like Nisbet then there's always a risk of them finding the equaliser.

"But I have to say this about the group. We didn't start well, got a set back and we showed terrific personality and character. And then after going 2-1 up and with them down to 10 men we had another hammer blow and responded brilliantly again.

"So although it wasn't our best performance, it was a winning one."

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley says there is "a real belief" within his squad that good performances will deliver wins once again.

Despite a number of impressive showings, his ninth-placed side travel to Aberdeen this weekend, looking to end a sequence of five league games without a victory.

So does Pressley have any concerns that the confidence in the group could take a hit if that run continues?

He told BBC Scotland: "You obviously hope not, I am a guy that is very strategic and driven by process so I believe if you keep doing the right things eventually you will get the rewards.'

"We had a really good discussion this week, and there is a real belief in the way we are going about things, I am always very transparent with the group, I want feedback from the group, how they feel, they are the ones that play the game, so there is a confidence about what we are doing.'

"And there is belief that if we keep doing those things we will eventually get the outcomes that we want but we are also aware this weekend that it is a really tough game."

Dundee know a victory would move them to within one point of Aberdeen in the table.

But to say they don't have history on their side is an understatement, given it is 22 years since they last won at Pittodrie.

"The last time Dundee won up there, I was still playing," added Pressley. "But I have presented the players with these types of stats all season and they seem to embrace them and want to make them change.

"There is a little bit of a gap between us and those above us and that could widen significantly if we weren't to take anything at Pittodrie so we want to keep certain teams around us and we will also want to also be targeting on certain teams above us so it gives us a great opportunity."

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Dundee have no fears about losing defender Billy Koumetio in the summer despite the currently injured 23-year-old's contract expiring at the end of this season as they hold the option of extending his current contract by one year. (The Courier), external

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Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie will complete his suspension. Emmanuel Gyamfi is pushing for a recall, while Stuart Armstrong (calf), Mats Knoester (concussion), Kristers Tobers (knee) and Nick Suman (ankle) remain out.

Brad Halliday is expected to join a Dundee absentee list which includes Billy Koumetio (knee), Clark Robertson (thigh), Joe Westley (ankle) and Ashley Hay (broken toe).

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Dundee defender Luke Graham admits it's nice to be praised for his performances this season, but won't let the attention change his focus.

The young centre-back has been a stand-out for Dundee, has been linked with bigger clubs and tipped for the top by manager Steven Pressley.

He says he's enjoying regular top flight football and is just concentrating on helping his side to as high a finishg as possible.

"It's obviously good to get recognised for having good performances and stuff like that, but I don't let it get to my head at all," Graham said. "I'm just focusing on finishing the season here and finishing as high up the table as possible.

"I'm loving it. I just want to play games, really, and thankfully the manager's given me the chance to do that.

"I'm loving working with him and obviously playing a few games is a bit of a bonus as well."

After spending time on loan in each of the lower divisions in the SPFL in recent seasons, he's now a Premiership regular and has been talked about as a potential full Scotland international.

"I've not really thought about that too much," he said. "It would obviously be amazing if it did come around, but I've not really set my sights on it yet.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm still Scotland Under-21, so that's all good.

"I would love to play for Scotland on the full team eventually, but I'm just focusing on playing my football here and then see what comes in the future."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley says wants to avoid another "transitional" summer in terms of player turnover but admits it's very difficult to plan ahead when their Premiership safety is not guaranteed.

The Dark Blues, who are currently ninth in the Scottish Premiership, have a number of players whose contracts or loan deals are up at the end of this campaign and Pressley is hoping to avoid a repeat of the sizeable squad overhaul he faced following his appointment last summer.

"We are trying to future plan," Pressley told BBC Scotland.

"The club have reached out to several players around new contracts because stability and continuity are really important.

"We know we are still going to have to bring in personnel in the summer but we don't want a transitional summer like we have just experienced.

"But we are not safe yet in the league so it is very difficult, at times, for clubs like ourselves to really plan ahead.

"We want to change that but at the same time we are conscious of that situation so we are trying as hard as we can to bring stability and continuity but at the same time we have to secure our future."

Defender Billy Koumetio's deal is up in the summer but he seems set to stick around at Dens Park with the club keen to exercise a year-long option on his deal.

"That is certainly the case and yes of course we would love to take that option up," Pressley added.

"Billy has been a really important player for us this year, he had a spell of games where his performances were at a really high level and we think there is a very interesting player there that, with games and with development, can play at a very high level."

"That is exciting and also it is pleasing that we do have that clause within his contract and it gives us additional stability in that position."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to BBC Scotland as his side prepare for Saturday's trip to Aberdeen.

Here are the main points:

• On the fact their good performances haven't been reflected in their recent results, Pressley stresses "we had a really good discussion this week, and there is a real belief in the way we are going about things."

• He adds that if they keep doing what they are doing "we will eventually get the outcomes that we want".

• Despite giving up a two goal lead in their draw to bottom club Livingston last time out, Pressley notes the game represented "our highest number of last third entries, our most crosses that we have put in against any team this season" and that they had 70% possession.

• A win at Pittodrie would move the ninth place Dark Blues to within one point of Aberdeen and Pressley says that is "a big incentive" adding "we want to keep certain teams around us and we will also want to be targeting certain teams above us".

• On Dundee's poor record at Pittodrie, Pressley notes "the last time Dundee won up there, I was still playing" adding "I have presented the players with these types of stats all season and they seem to embrace them and want to make them change so let's hope we can do that."

• He describes the 4-0 loss in the Granite City in October as being "one of the hardest afternoons of my tenure here so far" but insists their much improved display in their December defeat to Aberdeen at Dens Park was "one of the performances that I thought started moving us in the right direction."

• With a number of players contracts and loans expiring in the summer he says "the club have reached out to several players around new contracts because stability and continuity are really important."

• The boss makes clear he doesn't "want a transitional summer like we have just experienced" but knows "we are also in a situation where we are not safe yet in the league so it is very difficult at times for clubs like ourselves to really plan ahead."

• Pressley confirms there is the option of a further year on Billy Koumetio's contract saying "we would love to take that option up".

• Team news: They have doubts over Brad Halliday and Scott Wright for the trip north.

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• Since the start of last season, Aberdeen have won all five of their league meetings with Dundee, their most victories against any opponent in this time.

• Dundee are winless in their last 17 league visits to Aberdeen (D5 L12) since a 2-1 victory in May 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• Aberdeen have lost six of their last seven league games - all without scoring - while the exception was a 6-2 win over Livingston in January. Indeed, since the first game of this period (30 Dec v Hibernian), no side has fewer points than the Dons in the Scottish Premiership (three, level with Livingston), while only Dundee (five) have scored fewer goals than them (six).

• Dundee have failed to score in each of their last three away league games, last going four without a goal on the road in the top-flight in December 2004.

• While Aberdeen have used more different players in the Scottish Premiership this season than any side (36), Dundee have used the fewest (26). Despite this, Dundee have had more different goal scorers in the competition this term (12) than the Dons (11).

Dundee have received positive news on Brad Halliday's injury but Scott Wright is a doubt to face former club Aberdeen on Saturday. (Courier - subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip