'Galvanised Dundee will shock more teams'
Rangers will not be the last team to drop points at Dens Park amid a "fantastic" season for Dundee, says Sportscene pundit Richard Foster.
The former Premiership defender says Steven Pressley's side are "galvanised" as they sit fourth in the table after an impressive start to the campaign.
Watch Sportscene highlights of the weekend's top-flight action
Boss Steven Pressley is excited about Alfie Harrison after the former Manchester City youth player made his professional debut in Dundee's draw against Rangers. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
Watch all the highlights as Dundee came from behind to hold Rangers to a 2-2 draw at Dens Park in the Scottish Premiership and prevent Derek McInnes' side from moving top of the table. Available to UK users only.
Dundee fans, we asked for your views after Saturday night's 2-2 draw against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Martin: Our defence, in particular the goalkeeper and two centre halves, are as good as I can remember us having and I've been going since the 70s. Our goal difference is testament to that. There's more than that though, the whole team have a gritty resolve, something we haven't had for many years. It's enjoyable going to see my team, there's a feel good factor about the place. Brilliant manager along with his staff.
Bob: This squad, and I mean the whole squad, just keeps on defying the odds. The popular pundit message was an away victory but the Dee showed what they have in each third of the team tonight. Solid defending, sound aggressive midfield and two forwards with pace and ability. Being a Dee fan at present is a complete joy.
Gary: Dundee had control of the first half and didn't let Rangers dominate, until the second half when their pressure told. It's taken two cracking goals during an intense period to get Rangers that draw, but Dundee's pressure after conceding the second led to the mistake and the equaliser so it was well deserved, an excellent game. Dundee aren't afraid of anyone, they fight so hard for each other and it shows.
Albert: Dundee played beautiful football in the first half. It's no shock to see Steven Pressley's men are sitting near the top of the league. Happy with my manager, proving doubters wrong again.
Jimmy: Unlucky not to get the three points but the team played well especially in the first half. Onwards to the next game.
Jamie: Over the 90 minutes we more than matched Rangers and the Pressley masterclass continues. Another very strong team performance and one to be proud of. We are continuing to go from strength to strength.
Image source, SNSDundee manager Steven Pressley tells BBC Scotland: "When we put things into perspective we are the first team in eight games to take a point off Rangers so that says a lot about the group.
"It was certainly a game of two halves. In the first half we were outstanding in our performance, we talked a lot about the importance of duels, second balls and basics and as a result of that we managed to get control of possession for long periods.
"The aspect we're disappointed in is that we went in tied at half-time and didn't capitalise on the big moments. Rangers came back out strong and put us under enormous pressure, but typical of the group we react, and react in a positive and forceful way. It epitomises the team at this moment in time, they are an amazing group that thrive in diversity.
"The word I used prior to the game was bravery and we showed that in possession. There are really pleasing aspects, but I wanted a win tonight. People will say it's a terrific point and it is, but that bit in me, just after the first half, thought that we could get all three points.
"Ethan [Hamilton] is an amazing character, I love him to bits, his consistency is amazing. Sometimes when we talk about the basics of the game, it's seen as a dirty word, but he does them so well. He wins duels, second balls, he is so effective on those things and as a result he gets us playing. He showed amazing composure and strength tonight. There are so many words I can use to describe him, he's been an amazing signing and he typifies what we want here.
"Of course not taking anything away from Rangers, they have some dangerous players, although I desperately wanted the win, the point is a really good point and it doesn't stop our momentum. The players can be really proud of themselves."
Rangers missed the chance to return to the Scottish Premiership summit as they played out a captivating draw at Dundee.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSSteven Pressley and Derek McInnes know each other well as players and managers
Steven Pressley has been impressed with the way Derek McInnes has turned around Rangers' fortunes following a difficult start to the campaign.
The Dundee head coach is hoping to end the Ibrox club's good run when they visit on Saturday but said: "One of the great strengths of Derek's teams is that they have great variation in the way that they play.
"So it's actually difficult to stop them. You can't just set out and say, 'Okay, these are the specific patterns and movements', because they're highly adaptable.
"They'll build, they'll play forward, they'll cross, they'll ask questions of you.
"The things that I've spoken about this week with the group, have been the basics. If you don't do the basics against Rangers and Derek's Rangers, they'll run all over the top of you."
The central defensive partnership of Ryan Astley and Owen Bevan has been a cornerstone of Dundee's performances this season and will no doubt come under pressure on Saturday.
Pressley, who was a centre-back himself, has been encouraged by the understanding developing between the pair and the trust they have built within his team.
"Ryan Astley has been with me now for 14 or 15 months," he said. "We've grown a great bond between us and we trust each other.
"And, of course, Owen Bevan has come in and been amazing. It takes longer to build that, but I trust the two of them."
Alfie Harrison was shocked to be released by Newcastle United in June without a first-team appearance and the 20-year-old midfielder is determined to win a contract extension after his short-term deal with Dundee ends in January. (The Courier, external)
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, The Courier
Image source, SNSDundee will give fitness tests on Drey Wright (knee), Ryan Finningan (ankle) and Charlie Reilly (broken toe) while Zan Besir returns from suspension.
Joe Westley (ankle) is out for four weeks and Bobby Wales (ankle) has returned to parent club Swansea to see a specialist next week. Simon Murray, Finlay Robertson and Jack Moorhouse (all ACL) are out long term.
For Rangers, Ross McCrorie has picked up a little hamstring issue and will be out for the next three weeks.
Cammy Devlin remains out with a hamstring injury picked up before the international break.
Dujon Sterling has trained after shrugging off a bout of illness and a hamstring issue.
Lawrence Shankland (hamstring), Youssef Chermiti (knee) and Daisuke Yokota (groin) are still out.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee head coach Stephen Pressley says "bravery and basics" have been the focus of his preparations for Rangers' visit on Saturday.
Pressley's side sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership and victory over Derek McInnes' team would take them level on points with third-placed Hearts.
The Dundee boss believes the trust and belief he has in his players have been central to their success this season, insisting they will approach the challenge without fear of their opponents.
"I think one of the things about when you play the big teams is that they prey on that vulnerability," Pressley said. "You have a fear in your performance, you don't pass the ball or control the ball in the manner that you want to.
"So the two words I've spoken consistently about with the group this week have been bravery and the basics.
"If we give those two in our performance, plus a bit of luck, then of course we can get a result. But, even with all that, there's no guarantee.
"But I think if we show the bravery and we do the basics then as a manager I'll be very satisfied.
"Because I've said this time and time again, sometimes when Dundee play Celtic or Dundee play Rangers, winning for us isn't always on the scoreboard.
"Sometimes winning for us is just that, to a man, we feel we've brought the best of ourselves today. And the best of us might not be enough. But if we feel that after the game then we'll be happy."
Dundee have several key players sidelined with long-term injuries, but Pressley has been impressed by the resilience and professionalism within his squad.
Image source, SNSRangers' Djeidi Gassama has won more fouls (24) and had more touches in the opposing box (56) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season, also completing a joint-high 15 dribbles.
Rangers have won each of their last six league games and could win more in a row for the first time since February 2024 under Philippe Clement (9).
Dundee have won both of their last two league matches, last winning three in a row in December 2025/January 2026.
Rangers have won six of their last eight away games against Dundee in all competitions (D2), keeping five clean sheets in this period.
Dundee are winless in 20 meetings with Rangers in all competitions (D4 L16) since a 2-1 league victory in November 2017.
Image source, Getty ImagesStriker Bobby Wales has returned to Swansea City from his loan spell at Dundee after suffering an ankle injury.
Wales has made five appearances for Dundee since joining the Scottish Premiership club on loan for the season in August.
But the 21-year-old is back in Wales being assessed by Swansea's medical staff after getting injured while playing for Scotland Under-21s.
"He's down at Swansea, but they want him to see a certain specialist, and that should take place next Wednesday," said Dundee boss Steven Pressley.
Image source, SNSDundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership match at home to Rangers (20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines:
Pressley believes "bravery" and "basics" will be key to securing another positive result. The ex-Rangers defender also spoke about the need to overcome his former side's "physicality" and "winning mentality".
"You have to be brave in the way that you play," he says. "But they'll ask questions of you, and you've got to do the basics to a really top-level, world-class standard to get a result."
Pressley praised his depleted team's ability to do "the basics exceptionally well" in their late victory at Falkirk last time out. He says this is also one of the "great strengths" of Derek McInnes' Rangers team.
"As a result of that, they ask the opposition to do those things," Pressley says of the Ibrox side. "And if we don't do them, then Rangers will win the game."
Pressley revealed that on-loan striker Bobby Wales, who recently injured his ankle while on Scotland Under-21 duty, has returned to his parent club Swansea to see a specialist.
"Bobby will not hear [the extent of his injury] until next Wednesday," he adds. "He's down at Swansea, but they want him to see a certain specialist, and that should take place next Wednesday."
Dundee will monitor Drey Wright (knee), Ryan Finnigan (ankle) and Charlie Reilly (broken toe), while Zan Besir returns from suspension.
Ethan Hampton
Fan writer
Another week, another Dundee victory, and the Dark Blues remain in fourth place. I could get used to this!
The win adds another milestone to Steven Pressley's growing list of achievements at the club. It was Dundee's first-ever league victory at the Falkirk Stadium and our first top-flight win away to Falkirk since 1987.
It was also the first time in 21 years that Dundee had won a Premiership match without making a single substitution, all while coping with a squad missing up to eight players through injury.
There is plenty to dissect from the match, but perhaps the best news of the week came alongside it, with the club announcing Ash Hay's contract extension.
We've had our fair share of talented and hard-working players over the years, but there is something particularly refreshing about Hay.
In modern football, it can be difficult to find players who seem genuinely invested in their legacy at a club.
With Hay, the fans see someone who gives everything for the badge and has a genuine affection for the club and its supporters. He's the kind of player you'd want to replicate across an entire starting eleven every week.
Regardless of contract lengths, we've not seen much longevity from strikers at Dens Park in a very long time.
It would be fantastic to see Hay break that cycle and continue scoring goals in Dark Blue for many years to come.
Image source, SNSAshley Hay has extended his contract with Dundee, where the striker says he has "never had love like this from a club before".
On his return from injury, the 23-year-old scored a stoppage-time winner for Steven Pressley's side at Falkirk on Saturday, adding to the eight goals he has scored since joining from Brentford in July 2025.
After signing his contract extension, which runs until 2028 with a club option to extend further, the forward said: "The fans have been very good with me since I came here, very supportive.
"I've never had love like this from a club before. I'm really enjoying my time here and I'm looking forward to progressing."
Head coach Steven Pressley added: "Ash has progressed really well since coming in, and he has scored some pivotal goals for us.
"He has developed a strong bond with the supporters as a result of his commitment and work rate. But we also think there's a lot more still to come from him, and as a result, we're really excited about the future."
Watch the Sportscene panel analyse Dundee's impressive start to the season despite injuries to key players. Available to UK users only
Highlights: Falkirk 1-2 Dundee
Injury-hit Dundee snatch a late victory at Falkirk as Ashley Hay marks his comeback with the winner. (Available to UK users only)
Dundee fans, we asked for your opinions on the late 2-1 win over Falkirk.
Here's a taste of what you had to say...
Gary: Brilliant win at a well-publicised difficult venue. Our bench is weak but the team on the park are so resilient and just don't give up. Great to see!
Jamie: Another masterclass from Steven Pressley who has established a team that never gives up. To come from 1-0 down against a well-organised team like Falkirk on an astroturf pitch is an important victory.
Calum: If we had held on against St Johnstone and Hearts, we'd be one point off the top of the league. What a time to be alive!
Albert: Another historic victory for Pressley. Fantastic performance, so refreshing to see my club back high up the table.
Mark: Hats off to John Nelms, Gordon Strachan and the rest of the board. We were embarrassed by the appointment. Now we are eating our words. What a club, what a team.
Rod: We were quite a bit better than Falkirk. More shots, more shots on target, more corners, more saves from their keeper and we were away from home. Ethan Hamilton for Scotland, who need an enforcer in midfield and plaudits to Pressley! Next Scotland manager maybe?
Stuart: Despite missing several starters through injury, this performance and result demonstrates how deeply and embedded the methodology runs through this squad. Credit to Elvis and his coaching staff!
Boab: Absolutely superb effort by the 11 players, they were totally knackered but kept going and deserved to win the game. At the final whistle, half the team collapsed as they were so tired, but I couldn't be more prouder to be a Dee than yesterday.
Bob: This was a good result and credit to the players and coaches. Solid at the back and constantly playing forward creating opportunities. We need to switch on with contracts of players and our manager or we're going to lose them. They are beginning to get noticed.
Image source, SNS"It was a really competitive game, and I felt over the course of the ninety minutes that we probably just edged it. John [McGlynn] has done a terrific job with this Falkirk side, they're a very well organised side and especially at home.
"I spoke to the players prior to the game as we've been working on certain things over the last three weeks, but it wasn't that I focused on. I said you won't get any result against this Falkirk team without doing the basics of the game and I thought we were very good at that. The duels, second balls and aggression, so I couldn't be prouder of the group.
"We go in a goal down at half-time, again after a very good first half. I spoke to them again about grit and we had Joe Bevan struggling with a rib injury and he persisted and seen the second half through for the team.
"Really really proud of the group, they are an amazing group and they keep defying the odds."
