Celtic 0, Dundee 1, Dens Park, Cammy Kerr Testimonial, 16th November 2023

 It was a great to attend Cammy Kerr''s Testimonial game last Thurday night at Dens Park. It was great to see so many players from the past , and also Manager's as well.

Celtic sent up a strong young side and they gave a mixed Dundee a decent game,. The first 70 minutes was mainly end to end with currant players buyt the last 20 minutes were time for the older players to grace Dens Park again. 

It was great to see and all of them well given a great welcome with their usual songs from the Dundee fans. The game ended when Dundee got a penalty. Cammy Kerr kept his nerve to send Rab Douglas the wrong way for the winning game.

This a Testimonial which Cammy totally deserves for his commitment to Dundee and his sheer love for the club Cammy supports. 

Dundee FC (up to 70 minutes) 3-5-2. Adam Legzdins, Cammy Kerr (c), Joe Shaughnessy (Ricki Lamie 30), Lee Ashcroft, Jordan McGhee (Ewan Murray 30), Ryan Howley (Luke McCowan 56), Mo Sylla (Callum Lamb 56), Marcel Lewis, Charlie Reilly, Zach Robinson, Diego Pineda

Dundee FC (from 70 minutes) 3-5-2, Julian Speroni, Barry Smith (Darren O’Dea 84), James McPake, Cammy Kerr (Tommy Young 90+1), Jim McAlister, Paul McGowan, Callum Lamb (Craig Robertson 74), Ivano Bonetti, Gary Harkins, Fabian Caballero, Juan Sara (Craig Wighton 88). Unused substitutes: Welsh (gk), Dario Bonetti.

Att: 3,363.

Dundee 4, St Mirren 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 11th November 2023

Dundee made only one change when Malachi Boateng replaced Mo Sylla, who was on the bench. Rest of the subs were the same as last week. 

High flying St Mirren would be a test for the dark blues but they started brightly and Zak Rudden hit the post from eight yards after St Mirren made a mistake. 

But on the next attack Dundee scored when a Owen Beck put in a corner and everyone missed the ball. but Amadou Bakayoko scored with a slow shot from 10 yards out. 

St Mirren showed why they have done well this season but they failed to put better balls into the box, Trevor Carson took all the high balls with ease. 

The second goal arrived in first half stoppage time. Owen Beck’s corner was headed on by Antonio Portales and Marcus Fraser handled. Referee Matthew McDermid had no doubts and pointed to the spot. Zak Rudden smashed the penalty home to put the fans in a great mood at half time.

Second half and St Mirren made four changes to their team, three of them were attacking players, it made little difference with their attacking play and they never trouble Trevor Carson. 

Dundee looked more dangerous on the break and it payed off on 57minutes, Dundee ripped Saints open with a lightning break that brought the third goal. Bakayoko showed strength and skill to get past Gogic on the half way line. He sent Rudden racing into the penalty area. Keeper Zach Hemming saved his fierce low drive, but was helpless when Amadou Bakayko followed up to shoot into the empty net.

The third goal killed the game for the Saints and Dundee looked to add more to theit 3 nil lead. Only chance for St Mirren is when they hit the bar. 

Dundee sent on Zach Robinson on to replace Zak Rudden who had a good game when his hard work and running. 

It payed off  4 minutes later when Bakayoko lost his marker with a quick turn on the half way line and sent Luke McCowan running through the middle. Instead of shooting the midfielder switched the ball into the path of the better placed Zach Robinson who dinked a delightful finish over the diving keeper to make it 4-0.

It sealed a great win for Dundee and it was good to see the players playing well and also goals for the strikers which we have needed. 

It  also wipes out the goal difference and puts Dundee into the top six, also another clean sheet. It sent the Dundee fans home in a happy mood and our first win over St Mirren at Dens in a while.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie, McGhee (Kerr 89), Cameron (Howley 89), Boateng, McCowan, Beck, Bakayoko (Pineda 90+2), Rudden (Robinson 81). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Reilly, Robertson, Donnelly, Sylla.

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

Att: 5,496

Dundee 1, Livingston 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 5th November 2023

Dundee made three changes to their team. Jordan McGhee, Lyall Cameron and Zak Rudden started in the places of Aaron Donnelly, Malachi Boateng, who were on the bench, and the injured Scott Tiffoney.

In a pretty poor half Dundee struggled to create chances on goal, too many errors and slack passes did not help. Lamie was unlucky with a header which just went wide. Livingston looked more likely to score and maybe should have scored once. 

Second half and Malachi Boateng was sent on. He took the place of Mo Sylla, who was hardly one of the most wasteful culprits.

But it seemed to work as Dundee looked more dangerous on the attack. They had a couple of headers which went wide. But soon after Dundee attacked again and Zak Rudden was taken out with a tackle which resulted with Livingston going down to 10 men. 

But the Referee was called to view Var and he changed his mind and it was just a yellow card for Sean Kelly. Four minutes later it was a free kick 30 yards from goal. 

It was well worth the wait as Luke McCowan took the free kick and put the ball over the wall and into the top corner to score a wonderful goal. 

After 70 minutes Dundee sent on Zach Robinson and Ryan Howley for Amadou Bakayoko and Lyall Cameron.

Dundee had a few more headers which just went wide, Livingston had the ball for spells but the Dundee defence done well and theu had to at times. 

Zach Robinson was unlucky with a effort as we moved into the final minuts, Dundee scambled the ball away as injury time was ticking away. Then Trevor Carson made a great save from a deflected shot which he got a hand on the ball. It looked like it was going in.

Finally the final whistle blew and it was three more vital points for Dundee, and another clean sheet.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie, McGhee, Cameron (Howley 70), Sylla (Boateng at half time), McCowan, Beck (Donnelly 90), Bakayoko (Robinson 70), Rudden. Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Kerr, Pineda, Reilly, Robertson.

Referee: Alan Muir

Att: 4,769

Dundee 0, Rangers 5, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 01-November-23

Dundee made three changes to the Dee’s starting eleven. Ricki Lamie, Scott Tiffoney and Amadou Bakayoko came in for Jordan McGhee, Lyall Cameron and Zak Rudden, who were all on the bench.

The game finally kicked of at 20:45 due to Rangers team bus arriving late at Dens Park, and then the smoke from the away end caused the game to stop again. The players left the pitch, before returning to restart the game.

It a poor start for Dundee when Rangers scored after three minutes, they had a few chances in the next 20 minutes, but Dundee stopped them scoring. Dundee did have a few chances but nothing much to trouble the Rangers keeper. 

As half-time came l had to make the hard decision to head home and miss the second, public transport is not great after 22:30. The game would go on until at 22:40 likely and i would miss the last 15 minutes anyway. Also my son Andrew was at the game and he had to get home as he is still 11 and has school.

Dundee make two changes when Cammy Kerr came on for Rickie Lamie, with Antonio Portales moving to central defence, and Zak Rudden replaced Scott Tiffoney.

Rangers scored again early and with 20 minutes to go it was 3-0. Dundee had a chance at 2-0 but the Rangers keeper saved twice from McCowan and Bakayoko.

Dundee kept working hard but never got back into the game, Rangers added two more goals the 4th one came after a break when the Referee got in the way to stop McCowan getting the ball. Then in injury time they got a penalty when Var ruled a foul in the box.

Dundee will play Livingston on Sunday where l will see the 90 minutes.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie (Kerr at half time), Donnelly. Tiffoney (Rudden at half time), Sylla, Boateng (Howley 71), McCowan (Cameron 85), Beck, Bakayoko (Pineda 78). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), McGhee, Reilly, Robertson.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Att: 8,970

Livingston 0, Dundee 2, Tony Macaroni Areana, cinch Premiership, 28th October 2023

Dundee made three changes with Lyall Cameron returned from injury, Mo Sylla was given his first start and Aaron Donnelly made his debut. Ricki Lamie, Fin Robertson and Amadou Bakayoko moved to the bench. 

In a slow first half both teams failed to hit the target with neither keeper making vital saves. Dundee's best was a Rudden shot and McCowan put one over the bar after a good run. Livingston themselves had a few shots but they were wide of the goal. 

Into the second half and Dundee made one chamge when Amadou Bakayoko came on for Lyall Cameron.

It paid off straight away when Dundee looked to have more options upfront, Livi hit on the break and they hit the side netting. Then McCowan had a chip shot saved by the keeper.

Then Rudden was unlucky a great ball from Donnely and Zak beat the keeper but his shot went wide of the far post. 

After 57 minutes it seemed that Dundee had broken through. Rudden picked up a loose ball and sent McCowan into the penalty area. Instead of shooting he laid the back for Bakayoko to net with a controlled, low shot from 20 yards.

There was no offside flag but after a lengthy VAR review the goal was disallowed. Bakayoko’s shot flew through a crowd of players. Boateng, who was well onside tried and failed to get a touch. McGhee was a couple of feet offside but left the ball. Referee Willie Collum looked at the VAR screen and decide that McGhee was interfering with play.

Livingston went down to ten men when Montana recieved a yellow card, but ater a Var call the Referee changed it to a straight red card. 

After this Scott Tiffoney came on for Jordan McGhee and  Dundee were going for the win, they had a few  chances before taking the lead on 82 minutes.

Donnelly’s long throw to the near post. Portales nodded down and Joe Shaughnessy hooked the ball home from close range.

Three minutes later the Dee captain delighted the travelling support with an encore. Owen Beck swept in a corner. Again Portales provided the assist, sending a glancing header at the neat post down into the danger area and  Joe Shaughnessy volleyed neatly home.

Dundee kept at it and Zak Rudden hit the post and Luke McCowan had a good effort well saved. 

A great second half performance and they well worth the three points. Next up is Rangers at home on Wednesday. 

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Donnelly, McGhee (Tiffoney 74), Sylla, Boateng, Cameron (Bakayoko at half time), Beck, Rudden, McCowan. Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Kerr, Pineda, Lamie, Ashcroft, Robertson, Howley.

Referee: Willie Collum

Att: 4,210

Dundee 0, Ross County 0, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 24th October 2023

Dundee's first game for three long weeks, after the Aberdeen game was cancelled due to the weather. They made two changes when Jordan McGhee came in for Cammy Kerr, who was on the bench, and Fin Robertson replaced the injured Lyall Cameron.

Dundee started well but failed to test the Ross County keeper for most of the first half they had plenty of efforts but nothing came to fruit.

Ross County on the other hand made Trevor Carson work a few bit harder and he had to made two good saves one which was a great reflex one. 

The best moment in the first half came following a corner that was cleared as far as Malachi Boateng. The midfielder hit a fine crossfield pass, giving Fin Robertson space to send in a cross that ricocheted through the goalmouth without anyone getting a decisive touch.

Second half was not much better again Dundee had efforts on goal but they lacked power to trouble Ross Laidlow in the County goal.

Dundee got a break when County scored from a cross which Carson fumbled, allowing  Brown to bundle the ball over the line. The assistant referee’s flag was up and we all had to wait while the VAR team reviewed the decision. 

The goal was ruled out for offside, a correct decision but it was close. Soon after Dundee were unlucky when Laidlaw turned Amadou Bakayoko’s shot into the side netting.

Diego Pineda replaced Zak Rudden and gave a very lively contribution. He made some good runs which invited passes from midfield. Twice he took passes from Boateng and forced saves from Laidlaw. He also dragged a shot across goal from a tight angle. 

Charlie Reilly came off the bench towards the end of normal time and in the last added minute his low shot was saved by Laidlaw with the rebound evading Pineda.

So a draw seemed fair at the end of the game which l missed due to work. I was off on the Saturday it was cancelled but could not get a holiday to go tonight.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie, McGhee (Howley 77), Robertson (Reilly 88), Boateng, McCowan, Beck, Rudden (Pineda 77), Bakayoko. Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Kerr, Ashcroft, Donnelly, Sylla, Lewis.

Referee: Colin Steven

Att: 4,887

Stirling Albion 2, Dundee 2, Ross McGeachie Testimonial Match, Forthbank Stadium, 10th October 2023

Dundee put out a mixed team of first team and fringe players for this Testimonial game for Ross McGeachie. Dundee started brightly and nearly scored in the first two minutes with Rudden going close. 

Dundee’s early pressure paid off when  Luke McCowan opened the scoring. A well worked move started with Pineda who drove forward, Rudden then picked up the ball and played it wide to Robertson who delivered a low cross into the box which was met by McCowan who slotted the ball into the net.

Stirling Albion levelled the game a few minutes later when Josh Cooper scored when he never gave up on a long ball and he managed to squeeze the ball home.

Pineda then had two chances in quick succession firstly heading over from a cross from McCowan and then was just unable to get a clean shot on goal after a cross from Rudden.

Stirling took the lead after Dundee failed to clear a free kick and Ross  McGeachie scored with a low shot into the net. Soon after Rudden hit the post with a header from a McCowan cross.

Dundee made five changes for the second half with Portales, Lochhead, Wilkie, Allan, and Mohammed all coming on, replacing Kerr, Lamie, McCowan, Boateng and Rudden.

They started well and levelled the game when Lewis drove forward and played in and Jack Wilkie who side-footed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

A lot of good football was played by both teams, but they failed to score any of the chances which got to the final stage. 

Dundee made more changes when Mo Sylla and Diego Pineda were replaced by Luke Graham and Euan Mutale. 

Sebastian Lochhead came off in the 70th minute due to injury and was replaced by Marley Sweenie-Rowe. Just after this substitute Stirling nearly went in front again when Keiran Moore had a shot outside of the box but it went just over the bar.

That's how the game ended and well done to Ross McGeachie service to his club Stirling Albion over the years.

Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr(Portales-45mins), Ashcroft, Lamie (Lochhead 45 mins – Sweenie-Rowe 70 mins), Roberson, Sylla (Graham 60 mins), Lewis, McCowan (Wilkie 45 mins), Pineda (Mutale), Rudden (Mohammed)

Footnote: Ross McGeachie's dad George McGeachie played for Dundee and he earned a Testimonial game v Liverpool at Dens in 1987.

Fife Dark Blues at Easter Road

 

I missed the game due to work At least I'm off for the next visit to Easter Road......

Hibernian 0, Dundee 0, Easter Road, cinch Premiership, 30th September 2023

Dundee made several changes to their team with Jordan McGhee and Scott Tiffoney were injured, Josh Mulligan was suspended, and Zach Robinson was on the bench. Antonio Portales, Cammy Kerr, Lyall Cameron and Zak Rudden came into the starting eleven.

Dundee started well and played some neat one touch football and Zak Rudden had a good header saved by Marshall. Hibs finally came into the game and Trevor Carson had to be quick to make several saves/ 

Dundee were quick on the break with great runs from Owen Beck the main threat to the Hibernian defence with Dundee had a few efforts on goal before half time.

Second half and it looked like Hibs stepped up a gear but again Trevor Carson saved well and the defence all stuck to their tasks and defended well/ 

Dundee still hit on the break and were unlucky a few times when the ball would not fall. Hibs really went the winner in the last tens minutes but missed a few headers which they put over the bar. Then in a great brakaway Luke McCowan out paced Boyle and once clear he passed inside to substitute Ryan Howley who teed up Beck to hit a ferocious shot from 12 yards that was superbly saved by David Marshall.

A great chance gone but so  unlucky Dundee saw out the last three minutes of injury time to gain a vital point on the road.

Dundee: Carson, Portales, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie, Kerr, Cameron (Howley 87), Boateng, McCowan, Beck, Rudden (Robertson 82), Bakayoko. Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Pineda, Ashcroft, Robinson, Donnelly, Sylla, Lewis.

Referee: John Beaton

Att: 16,793

Dundee 2, Kilmarnock 2, Dens Park, cinch Premiership, 23rd September 2023

Dundee made three changes to the team with Jordan McGhee, Josh Mulligan and Scott Tiffoney came in for Cammy Kerr, Fin Robertson and Ryan Howley.

Kilmarnock started the better but Dundee looked quick on the break and began to come into the game after the first tenminutes.

On their second corner on 16 minutes they took the lead Owen Beck sent over a cross to the near post. Joe Shaughnessy headed on leaving Amadou Bakayoko with a simple close range finish at the far post.

Dundee looked much better and the second goal looked more likely with Beck twice unlucky with great play and efforts on goal. 

It was a good game with both sides having good efforts on goal. Then Kilmarnock levelled the game after Var got involved with a penalty award after the ball hit Bakayoko on the arm. Armstrong scored from the spot.

More chances came for both sides as the game went end to end. The Dark Blues responded well but the match turned dramatically on a controversial refereeing decision after 34 minutes. Josh Mulligan attacked down the left but lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area. No foul was given and Mulligan stopped Killie breaking by bringing Armstrong down on the touchline. Mr Munro surprised almost every in the stadium by pulling out his red card. The message obviously came through from VAR central that he should review the decision. The referee took a good look and stood by the red card.

Robbie Deas got away with a two footed tackle studs first with just a yellow when it could have been a red if Josh's tackle was deemed to be one.

Second half and Fin Robertson came on for Scott Tiffoney at half time. That was harsh on Tiffoney who had a fine game until the red card disrupted the Dee. The change gave the Dark Blues a better balance and offered the defence more protection. 

Killie were much on top with Dundee having to defend well and they still had a go when they could. Bakayoko had a good header saved but was ruled offside.

Killie had a good 10 minute spell and the got their second goal when Armstrong scored at the back post. It looked like the winning goal. But Dundee kept at it and Zak Rudeen turned well but not enough contact to trouble the keeper. 

In injury time Trevor carson came up for a corner it did the trick when the ball was headed back into the goalmouth by Ricki lamie and Zak Rudden smashed the ball home to send Dens wild with delight.

It was a well deserved draw for Dundee who had fought well and came back from the the two var decisions went against us

Dundee: Carson, McGhee (Kerr 76), Shaughnessy (c), Lamie, Beck, Mulligan, Boateng, McCowan (Cameron 85), Robinson (Rudden 63), Bakayoko, Tiffoney (Robertson at half time). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Pineda, Ashcroft, Sylla, Lewis.

Referee: David Munro

Att: 6,101