Dundee

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We asked you to tell us who deserves to be Dundee's player of the year.

Here are some of your comments:

Kevin: Only one contender for me - it has to be Ethan Hamilton as he has been the rock on which we have progressed this season. But a special mention must go to our two wide men who have gave us the entertainment back (all they need is a greater level of consistency).

Jimmy: Luke Graham for POTY.

Mark: Has to be Luke Graham, with Cameron Congreve not far behind him along with Ethan Hamilton.

Ali: My Dundee star of the season is Jon McCracken. As goalkeeper he's in the microscope position and his progress has been immense. Much is said of our young centre-half, but Jon has to play top drawer every game and is often passed over for praise as his high standard is now expected and normal.

Chadianscot: Player of the year has to be Luke Graham. Solid at the the back and has come on leaps and bounds this year. Expect him to leave in the summer for a -seven-figure sum.

Rod: Hamilton has been a find so he would be my pick.

Roberto: Ryan Astley has played consistently well from day one.

Neal: Congreve, Ashley Hay and Tony Yogane up front have been instrumental in our upturn since the new year. However, it's got to be Ethan Hamilton pulling it all together in the middle of the park.

From calls for Steven Pressley be dismissed after a dismal Scottish League Cup campaign to a historic victory over Celtic, it's fair to say it's been an interesting season at Dens Park.

Despite an upturn in performances, Dundee still find themselves in relegation trouble at the bottom of the table heading into the final five games.

It's taken a fair bit of time to get things going, but have any players impressed this term?

We want to know who has been your Dundee player of the year? Tell us here.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

I have to admit to being surprised at Dundee going into the post-split fixtures embroiled in a battle to avoid finishing in the dreaded relegation play-off spot.

I say that because they are a team that have steadily grown and improved as the campaign has wore on, and one which I have found one of the most enjoyable to watch.

Their five-point advantage on Kilmarnock in 11th may appear like a reasonable cushion to have going in to the final five fixtures but with the bottom-six sides now all playing each other the reality is anything can happen.

For all I have been praising Dundee in recent times, the stark truth is they find themselves in their current predicament because their points return has not been good enough having won just two of their past 12 Premiership games.

Head coach Steven Pressley praised the "character", "personality" and "resilience" his side showed as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Killie last Saturday.

And those are traits they will undoubtedly need going into the bottom six run-in.

Pressley believes his side "probably need a couple of wins" to keep out of trouble. But given their recent run of results, that could be easier said than done.

In the 15 league games the Dark Blues have played against the other teams in the bottom half this season – Dundee United, Aberdeen, St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Livingston - Pressley's side have won five, drawn six and lost four.

That shows Dundee can take nothing for granted as the season draws to a close.

Dundee's Scott Wright admits he is still learning to trust his body again after his recovery from a serious knee injury received a massive boost. (The Courier), external

Read more: Tuesday's Scottish football gossip

Watch all four goals of Kilmarnock's draw against Dundee.

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Dundee twice came from behind to peg back Kilmarnock and a similarly resilient approach is sure to serve them well for their run-in, according to Steven Pressley.

The Dark Blues head coach has calculated that two victories will be more than sufficient.

Dundee are in ninth place on 33 points, five ahead of Kilmarnock, and tackle a city derby with United next.

Pressley said: "If you look at history of previous seasons, 38 points would be a realistic amount to keep you in the league. That might not be the case this time. But we are five points away from that so that indicates we probably need a couple of wins.

"I felt that was a good point from a game where we didn't perform to the levels I know we can. We showed another side to our game that really pleased me. We went behind to an early goal and then responded, then went behind to a second and responded again.

"I think to show that level of character and personality is important. That was a resilience – and there's no doubt, in the coming five games, there's going to be a lot of that needed."

We asked for your views on Dundee's 2-2 draw against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: If you get a stoppage time penalty and take the ball off the player who won the award of it, you've got to score. Had the game ended at 2-2 without the penalty it would've been a fair result and we'd be likely happy with a draw, but it feels like two points dropped. Aberdeen's result was the worst part, but at least we kept Killie and St Mirren at arms length. Still need those two wins though.

Jake: Absolutely ridiculous to take six minutes for VAR to not make a decision, then send the referee to the monitor, it was like they did not want to award or deny the penalty. VAR is ruining the game and for a player to stand seven to eight minutes to wait to take a penalty is unacceptable.

Brian: A very poor performance, a really important game and far too many players never turned up - except Drey Wright, he played really well. Need to get our act together with this two-week break.

Carl: A below-par performance with windy conditions not helping our team against a lively Killie. What did help was our players attitude and 'never-say-die' team spirit, as well as their fitness and we were so unlucky not to leave with three points. The least said about VAR, not only in this game but in many this season, the better.

Mark: Would have taken a point before the game but to be so close to three points at the end was heartbreaking. Don't get me started on VAR - bin it now.

Iain: What an opportunity thrown away! Almost guaranteed safety if we take that chance. Typical Dundee, making it very hard for themselves - I'm not confident about the remaining games, we seem to have got used to throwing away points.

Second-bottom Kilmarnock edged a point closer to St Mirren - and safety - in the Scottish Premiership, but only after surviving an agonising wait and a stoppage-time Dundee penalty award at Rugby Park.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley spoke to BBC Scotland after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock and commented on his side's late penalty miss, which was awarded following a lengthy VAR check for offside.

Jamie Brandon was penalised for a challenge on Scott Wright and Joe Westley's spot-kick was saved by Killie goalkeeper Kelle Roos.

"Obviously, it was a great opportunity to claim all three points but I think the situation of the wait for six minutes, seven minutes before the decision's made is simply not good enough and I don't blame the officials for that," said Pressley.

"The reality is that our technology in this country isn't up to speed and, as a result of that, you get difficult situations like we did at the end of the game.

"And, of course, then Joe Westley has to wait six, seven minutes prior to taking the penalty kick so it's far from ideal.

"Before the game, I spoke to the fourth official on this exact matter, that I didn't think that the technology for making offside decisions was fit for purpose in our country and I think that was evident today."

Asked how the situation could be improved, Pressley replied: "With better technology, it's as simple as that - investment in better technology."

On the game itself, Pressley said: "I didn't think we played particularly well. The conditions were difficult, we didn't play with the fluency. We went behind twice in the game and on both occasions, we responded terrifically well.

"We expect better in our performance. We didn't lose coming here in what was a very difficult game. For us to get a point is a good point.

"I give the players great credit, we kept persevering, we kept pushing and in the end we nearly won the game.

"The goal of this season is to survive. It's still in our own hands."

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Kilmarnock forward Marley Watkins will be assessed.

But Tyreece John-Jules, Djenairo Daniels and Matty Kennedy remain out.

Dundee are without suspended defender Ryan Astley, while winger Tony Yogane is doubtful with an Achilles strain and centre-half Clark Robertson remains out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley wants his players to make sure they don't have any "regrets" come the end of the season as they aim to secure their Scottish Premiership status.

Despite a number of strong performances over the last few months, his side remain precariously placed eighth in the table, just five points above Kilmarnock who occupy the dreaded relegation play-off place.

The Dark Blues have six games left to play, the first of those is away to Killie on Saturday. If they win, Dundee will be eight points clear of the play-off spot but if they lose they'll be just two in front of Neil McCann's side.

"It is a huge game I am not going to hide from that fact," Pressley said.

"It is a big pressure game but we have to deal with that.

"I have said to the players my message to them is a little bit like the game on Sunday [a 2-1 home defeat to Celtic], we are going to be aggressive, we are going to attack these games and we are going to be brave in these games.

"The one thing we don't want come the end of the season is any regrets and we have to put our heart and soul in to these games.'

"I have got great confidence in the players, but it will not be decided at the weekend, it is a really important game but we have got a number of games coming up, we have to ensure that come the end of the season we retain our league status.

"It is a really pressurised time of the season, I feel that because I have grown very attached to this group of players because they have been exceptional in the way they have gone about their business, and I am proud of their growth.

"But you don't get any points for that, and the most important thing is that we show that resilience, we show that mindset, that real attacking each game between now and the end of the season.

"I do believe if we can do that then we can retain our league status."

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• Kilmarnock's Scottish Premiership games this season have seen more goals than any other side's (98 - 35 for, 63 against). Killie last saw 100+ goals in their matches at the split after 33 games in the top-flight in 2005-06 (115 - 59 for, 56 against).

• Dundee have lost both of their last two league matches; only once this season have they endured a longer losing streak, losing four in a row from October to November.

• Kilmarnock have won four of their last five home league games (L1), including both of their last two without conceding. Killie last won and kept a clean sheet in three successive home league matches in January 2025.

• After their 2-1 win in December, Dundee could enjoy back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories over Kilmarnock for the first time since August 2015 (three in a row).

• Kilmarnock have avoided defeat in each of their last seven Scottish Premiership home games against Dundee (W3 D4) since a 0-1 reverse in May 2017.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Defender Brad Halliday says there is "real belief" that Dundee will start getting the wins their strong performances have merited between now and the end of the season.

The Dark Blues have been praised following a number of good showings in recent months.

Despite that, they have won just two of their last 10 league games and are five points above the Premiership's dreaded relegation play-off spot, currently occupied by Kilmarnock.

Steven Pressley's side are away to Killie on Saturday in their final pre-split fixture and know a defeat would narrow the gap between the sides to just two points.

"That is maybe where a little bit of frustration may lie, because I do believe we are playing good stuff and we are playing well, we are just not picking up the points," Halliday said.

"Albeit the last two games [narrow defeats to Hearts and Celtic] are against two teams at the top end of the league, so we can't be too disheartened with that.

"I believe we played really well in both games and probably deserved a point in both of them, but if we keep performing like that going forward hopefully it will put us in a good place come the end of the season.

"There is a real belief within the team, within the changing room, that we can get results.

"These [final six] games are against teams around us, so they are big games, but they are games we want to play in. We want to play where things are on the line.

"They are pressurised games and this is where we should stand up and really be enjoying it and hopefully win as many games as we can."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has praised "outstanding" Luke Graham for the way he has handled speculation over his future, insisting the player "has got better" amid the uncertainty.

The 22-year-old defender has been a standout for the Dark Blues this term, so it is unsurprising he has been linked with a move away from Dens Park.

Dundee rejected a bid from south of the border during the January transfer window, but that hasn't stopped links with possible summer moves to both Rangers and Celtic.

"I have a strong relationship with Luke and he is a player that is showing incredible personality for one so young," Pressley said.

"He has had to deal with this speculation now for a number of months and the argument hasn't been has it affected him - he has grown during this period, he has got better and better. His performance at the weekend was outstanding again.

"So it certainly doesn't seem to affect him, and at this moment in time whether his mind is on moving or not, it is certainly not showing in his commitment to this football club.

"But we know, we are a club that understands if players accelerate at the rate Luke Graham has, there will be interest in him and if the right bids come in then of course, like any club outwith maybe one or two in the world, we are a selling club.

"But the club turned down a substantial offer for Luke in January because he will not be sold unless the [buying] club reaches the correct valuation."

Dundee remain in talks with a number of players who are out of contract in the summer over new deals.

However, with the team just five points above the Premiership relegation play-off spot, Pressley admits the current lack of clarity over what league they will be playing in next season will be in the thoughts of some of those they want to keep.

He said: "There must be a degree of that with the players, certainly not with the club.

"We are in negotiations with the likes of Jon McCracken, Ryan Astley, Billy Koumetio, Charlie Reilly and we are pushing for all of these players to re-sign because I have gone on record so many times talking about the importance of stability and continuity.

"But equally although the club is in negotiations there is bound to be a degree of trepidation from them about re-signing if we are not in the Premiership so I am sure that is a factor but the club are really trying to tie these players up."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership trip to Kilmarnock.

Here are the main points:

• On the post-split fixtures, Pressley insists "I don't read too much into the fixtures", adding "a fixture is only a good fixture if you win it", but he is "pleased" three of Dundee's final five games are at home.

• With Dundee just five points above second-bottom Killie in the table, Pressley admits it is "a really important game", adding they are a "hugely improved side under Neil McCann".

• Pressley admits Dundee "really took some time to find our way in the season" but stresses "you have to give credit to other teams" who have also been picking up good results.

• The upturn in the teams around Dundee "makes it a really pressurised end to the season", but Pressley stresses "my message is clear, we have to do what we did against Celtic and really attack these final games. We want to be brave and bold in the way we play, we want to have no regrets come the end of the season".

• The Dundee boss stresses their fate "won't be decided this weekend" but insists they are really focused on maintaining their Premiership status for next season.

• He adds "you don't get any points for being proud of players" but believes if his side can "show resilience" and "attack each game before the end of the season" he feels they can retain their league status.

• Pressley reiterates that they are in contract talks with a number of key players but accepts "there is bound to be a degree of trepidation" about signing just now until there is clarity over what league they will be playing in next season.

• Defender Luke Graham has "got better and better" amid continued speculation over his future. "Whether his mind is on moving or not, it's certainly not shown in his commitment to this football club".

• Team news: Tony Yogane is a doubt with an Achilles issue.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

After their weekend defeat to Celtic, Dundee head coach Steven Pressley spoke of the "bravery" his side will need to keep showing during their final six league games, fixtures he admitted "are going to challenge us greatly".

The Dark Blues go into their last half-dozen matches precariously placed in eighth in the table - just two points above Aberdeen and St Mirren, and five above Kilmarnock, who are the current occupants of the dreaded relegation play-off place.

They go to Killie on Saturday in an encounter that could go a long way to securing their top-flight status should they win it, but will leave them very much in the mire should they lose.

How worried should the Dundee fans be, though? With just two wins from their last 10 league games, things may appear perilous, but that doesn't tell the whole story.

Pressley's side have had some really tough games in that sequence, tackling trips to Rangers, St Mirren, Falkirk, Aberdeen and Hearts, as well as home dates with Livingston, Hibernian, Motherwell, Dundee United and Celtic.

While they have won just two of those games, they have also only lost four and, barring the trip to Ibrox, those defeats have been by a single goal.

So while you can certainly make a case for it not all being doom and gloom, it is all about getting points on the board, and for all the praise they have rightly been getting for an eye-catching way of playing, Pressley knows there is still work to do.

If they keep playing the way they have been, then you get the feeling all will be well. That feeling would certainly be strengthened if they can muster a win at Killie this weekend.

Luke Graham is very keen on a move to Rangers, who are working to get ahead of their rivals in the race for the Dundee centre-half's signature, but competition remains fierce, with Celtic and English clubs also interested in the 22-year-old. (TeamTalk), external

Head coach Steven Pressley says Dundee will stick to their valuation of Luke Graham this summer, having already turned down big offers from Portsmouth for the 22-year-old centre-half in January. (The Courier), external

Dundee centre-half Luke Graham has a better chance of being a consistent starter for Rangers than he does with Celtic next season as both clubs eye a move for his services. (Football Insider), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Dundee's Drey Wright is sure his side will remain full of confidence for the relegation battle despite back-to-back defeats against two of the title challengers.

Steven Pressley's side came close to taking a point against defending champions Celtic on Sunday at Dens Park, until Kelechi Iheanacho made it 2-1 in the 82nd minute with a close-range finish.

Dundee had been on a five-match unbeaten run, winning twice, before a narrow 1-0 loss against Hearts in the previous game, and are still not out of danger at the foot of the table.

Defeat at Kilmarnock this weekend, before the split, would leave them just two points above the Ayrshire side in the play-off place, and they are currently just two points above both St Mirren and Aberdeen.

"Obviously now, one more massive game for us next week down at Kilmarnock and then we'll see what the fixtures come out the split," Wright said.

"I think for the last few months especially, we've gone on a good unbeaten run, beat some good teams and we've lost to Hearts and Celtic, which generally should be the case.

"Obviously, it's not what we want. It's not how we approach the game at all. I don't think we can get too disheartened by it.

"There's a lot of good things and we'll be taking that into next week and the split."

Since Wright spoke, Dundee discovered they will begin their post-split fixtures at rivals Dundee United, while they wrap up their campaign at home against Aberdeen.

"I'm fully confident in the group of players and the staff that we have enough over that stretch of fixtures," Wright added.

"It's not been easy. It's been a lot of hard work over the season to get to this point, where we are so comfortable.

"But I think why teams find it difficult playing against us, a lot of it is our out-of-possession work as well.

"Obviously, the two go hand in hand if you want to be winning games and picking up positive results, so we've just got to try and find that balance.

"There's a lot of positivity within ourselves that we're confident we can go and get results against teams around us."

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Another week passes with Dundee left reflecting on a performance that ultimately yielded nothing.

The main takeaway is simple: the defending for both goals simply wasn't good enough.

Dundee are worth their praise in playing bravely with a high line against a side like Celtic, but when they had their chances, it felt all too easy.

Billy Koumetio is expected to return to the starting XI following his injury, while Ryan Astley will miss the trip to Rugby Park through suspension.

Koumetio's return could prove crucial.

When he partnered Luke Graham earlier in the season, it marked our most stable defensive period.

At this stage of the campaign, clean sheets are invaluable.

With all remaining fixtures against bottom-six opposition, Dundee have already shown enough to suggest they are capable of finishing the season strongly.

The team just need to use the disappointments of the last few results as fuel to strive for wins going forward.

Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken is among the signing targets being assessed by Celtic, with the 25-year-old out of contract in the summer and available without a transfer fee. (Football Insider), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full

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Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Raphael Sallinger (Hibernian)

Almost seems to get in by default at the moment because of another weekend lacking any outstanding goalkeeping performances. A couple of saves and a clean sheets means the Austrian gets the gloves again.

RB: Dujon Sterling (Rangers)

A solid performer at Ibrox and nabbed a goal in the vital 4-2 win over Dundee United.

CB: Luke Graham (Dundee)

A colossus at the back for the Dark Blues all afternoon. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.

CB: Alex Gogic (St Mirren)

Seldom a weekend goes by when this team of the week favourite doesn't find his way into the starting XI. His brilliant headed goal against Aberdeen and a clean sheet earns him another call-up.

LB: Jordan Obita (Hibernian)

Set up the goal for Felix Passlack after Owen Elding's pass unlocked the Kilmarnock defence. An effective presence down the Hibs left.

CM: Felix Passlack (Hibernian)

Another big goal for the former Borussia Dortmund man. The German has a knack for arriving in the box at just the right time.

CM: Stevie May (Livingston)

Once upon a time had the flowing locks and the killer touch of a goal machine number nine in his glorious St Johnstone era. These days he has refashioned himself into one of Livingston's most versatile players.

Age and injuries take their toll on all players but his precision finish and general clever play were fundamental for Livingston in their draw with Hearts.

FW: Owen Elding (Hibernian)

What a prospect he looks for Hibs. The 20-year-old who arrived from Sligo Rovers opened the scoring after 13 seconds against Kilmarnock and his pass to unlock the Killie defence for the Passlack goal was a measured thing of beauty.

FW: Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

Powered in his headed goal and looked the part all afternoon against Livingston. Full of invention, poise and confidence. But, crucially, it's his killer instinct in the box that counts most.

With the national team struggling for goals, will he be Scotland's go-to man for the World Cup opener against Haiti?

FW: Claudio Braga (Hearts)

Player of the season? A joy to watch, every part of his game looks great right now. Never a doubt the goal would be scored when the chance came his way.

Could the partnership with Shankland be the key ingredient that gets the Hearts title tilt over the line? Earns extra points for me for his desire to stay on his feet in the box rather than look for a penalty.

FW: Calvin Miller (Falkirk)

A contender for the Scotland squad? The national team could do with a creative winger with pace and Calvin Miller has been providing that all season in the Premiership for Falkirk.

The stats add up as well, seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions.