Tayside and Central

Tony Docherty declared himself delighted with the Dundee squad he has built this summer – but hasn’t ruled out further signings before Friday night’s deadline.

"Between now and then, never say never, a few things might happen,” the Dens boss said.

“But if they weren't to happen and the squad was to be the way it is just now I would be really, really happy.

"I think we've built a good core, a good squad. We've got really talented young footballers and we've got a blend of experience to mix in with that."

Dundee's latest signing was Wales Under-21 midfielder Ryan Howley, who has joined on loan from Coventry for the rest of the season.

"Ryan was very much on our radar from day one," said Docherty.

"He had a lot of suitors but fortunately he looked at us as being a good option for him.

"He's a really talented, young hungry player. He's a really strong, physical player with great feet who we think will complement the players we've already got."

Image source, sns

Time is quickly running out, with the transfer window slamming shut on Friday at 23:30 BST.

Where does your team still need to strengthen?

Tell us your dream deadline day here.

Tony Docherty's Dundee got their first Premiership win last weekend as they dispatched Hearts 1-0.

Can the Dark Blues keep the momentum going when they travel to St Johnstone for a Tayside derby on Saturday?

Choose your Dundee XI here.

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

It may be early days in the season, but if you had said to Dundee they would be in sixth position in the Premiership after three games, they would certainly have taken it.

Tony Docherty’s side have adapted well to life back in the top division, just one defeat in their opening trio of fixtures bearing testament to that.

And Docherty will be hoping an impressive win over Hearts last time out can be a real launchpad.

Despite all that, no one at Dens Park will be getting carried away, in fact even at this early stage of the campaign their next game – away to St Johnstone - falls into the very important category.

Win that and the Dark Blues can be hugely optimistic about what the season could yield. But Scottish football has a habit of bringing you back down to earth with a bump and all associated with the club will be hoping that doesn’t happen in Perth.

It would be a huge tonic for them if they could go into the international break off the back of another positive result. Then they can take stock, gather their thoughts and go again.

Their first game after the hiatus is a trip to Parkhead but Dundee won’t be judged on the outcome of a fixture like that.

This weekend’s Tayside derby will provide a more accurate barometer of where Docherty's side are and what they can be looking to achieve over the coming months.

Image source, bbc

Daniel Smith, Up Wi' The Bonnets podcast, external

Can I tell you a secret? Not once did I feel that Dundee would walk away from Sunday’s game against Hearts with anything other than the full three points.

We may be the new boys in this league, but we have certainly held our own in the games we have played. I just couldn’t see past a Dark Blues victory against the Jam Tarts.

In fact, I was that confident of us sending the boys in maroon back down to Edinburgh that I was personally emailing John Nelms to see if we could get the funding for projecting a hologram of Albert Kidd - doing his celebration after his second iconic goal back in '86 – on to the Dens Park pitch at full-time. Alas, it fell on deaf ears.

Dundee were superb in their victory and the goal was worthy of winning any match. It was a beauty of a strike and seeing the arms of Zander Clark nearly popping out of their joints as he tried to claw the ball away made it that bit sweeter.

Dundee turned up for the full 90 minutes and showed the rest of the league that we can outplay and get victories over teams that challenge in Europe and fight for third spot.

Looking ahead, we tackle St Johnstone doon the road in Perth on Saturday.

A win was imperative going into this game, but it would be just our luck that they somehow not only secured a point at Parkhead at the weekend but also kept a clean sheet.

Nonetheless, it’s already a huge match as we look to hopefully create an early gap between ourselves and potential relegation rivals but on the other hand, it’s an opportunity to claim back-to-back wins and move further up the table.

Image source, Getty

Dundee have announced the signing of midfielder Ryan Howley on a season-long loan deal from Coventry City.

The 19-year-old has spent his entire career at the English Championship club, where he made his senior debut in August 2021.

The Wales Under-21 international, who is seeking "more consistent game time" during his loan, has gone on to make five appearances for Coventry.

"Ryan's one that's always been on the radar for us," manager Tony Docherty said.

"He's a talented young footballer with physicality. I think he will be a great addition. He's one that extremely excites me and one I’ve really been hoping to get in the door."

Midfielder Max Anderson has joined Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old has made one appearance for Tony Docherty's side this season - 45 minutes against Bonnyrigg Rose in the Viaplay League Cup group stage.

He made 15 appearances, scoring one goal in the second tier last season under Gary Bowyer.

Image source, SNS

Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland at Dens Park

"Scottish football, at times you just need to laugh at it."

Words uttered by match-winner Luke McCowan when asked about the confusion surrounding the Dundee line-up before kick-off against Hearts on Sunday.

McCowan was originally named in the starting line-up with Josh Mulligan on the bench. New team sheets were then released with the duo swapping positions but just before kick-off, McCowan was back in the team with Mulligan as a substitute.

However, the 25-year-old was always prepared for starting against the Jambos.

"I think I was in the team at all times, but listen, football is one of these funny games," he told BBC Scotland. "I thought I was in the team the whole time so I just prepared for the game.

"No matter who is playing everybody has to be ready so it was all good."

It was better than all good, and so was his goal. A screamer from distance that is already prompting 'goal of the season contender' claims.

"I got the ball in the middle of the park and seen Scott Tiffoney on one side and thought if I don’t pass it to him he would have killed me!" he added.

"I seen their keeper halfway off his line, so I thought I would go for it and it paid off. I think he made it look a bit better than it might have been but I will take it.

"Either three yards out or 30 yards out, I don’t care!"

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart believes that Dundee have enough quality to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership this season.

Tony Docherty's side beat Hearts 1-0 on Sunday to pick up their first league win of the season, and Stewart liked what he saw.

"I've seen Dundee a few times this season, and I've been impressed with them," Stewart said on Sportscene. "I think they've got enough about them to stay clear of trouble this season.

"Tony Docherty will have been keen to get that first victory, and he'll be pleased with their start to the season - four points from three games.

"It's an absolutely brilliant finish [from Luke McCowan to win it]."

Image source, SNS

Goalscorer Luke McCowan and defender Jordan McGhee have made Sportscene presenter, Jonathan Sutherland's team of the week for their performance's in Sunday's win over Hearts.

McCowan made 15 ventures into the Jambos final third, while McGhee won back possession nine times for Tony Docherty's side.

Image source, Opta