Dundee

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Striker Bobby Wales says Dundee manager Steven Pressley has given him "belief" after moving to Dens Park on a season-long loan from Swansea City.

The 21-year-old arrives after fellow forward and Dundee captain Simon Murray, 34, was ruled out for an extended period with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Scotland Under-21 cap Wales started his career at Kilmarnock, had a productive loan spell at Alloa Athletic and then joined Swansea last summer.

He has made only five substitute appearances for the Welsh club, scoring once, and also struggled for game time on loan at Huddersfield in the second half of last season.

All in all, Wales has scored 21 goals in 84 senior appearances.

"I'm familiar with my surroundings and the league," Wales told club media. "I'm just really happy to be playing football again.

"I want to try and score as many goals as I can. I don't think I've had a chat with a manager that has given me this much belief before."

Wales could make his debut in Saturday's Scottish Premiership trip to face city rivals Dundee United.

"You couldn't ask for a better game to start with and go and make a statement," he added. "As a team I believe we can do well."

Pressley is "very excited" to be working with Wales.

"He's a young player with high potential and already a proven track record within the Scottish Premiership," said the manager.

"It's our job to make him a better player and we think he's got big potential and a high ceiling."

• After their 3-0 victory in April, Dundee United could win successive Scottish Premiership games against rivals Dundee for the first time since January 2015.

• Dundee have won two of their past three top-flight visits to Tannadice (L1), as many as their previous 20 beforehand (W2 D11 L7).

• United are winless in six Premiership games (D3 L3), the longest ongoing run of any side currently in the competition.

• Since the start of May, only Celtic have more top-flight points (18) and wins (6) than Dundee (12 points, 4 wins).

• Across the opening two matches of this season's Premiership, Dundee have completed the fewest passes (493) and have the lowest passing accuracy (70.8%). Despite this, only three sides have recorded more shots than their 29.

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Dundee striker Simon Murray will be out for "a significant period of time" with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the club have confirmed.

Murray, 34, left the field on a stretcher after suffering the injury during the 3-0 League Cup defeat at Aberdeen last weekend.

He collapsed to the turf clutching his left knee in pain after landing awkwardly near the penalty area in the first half.

"Everyone at the club wishes Simon all the best with his recovery. We're right behind you, skipper," Dundee said.

With Murray now out long term following the second ACL injury of his career, and Ashley Hay also sidelined, Dundee are poised to add to their striker options by signing Swansea City's Bobby Wales on loan.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Prior to last weekend's League Cup defeat in Aberdeen, Steven Pressley highlighted his desire to add a couple of defenders and attacking players to his Dundee squad.

The need for the latter has intensified after frontman Simon Murray picked up a nasty looking knee injury during their Pittodrie loss.

He joins Ashley Hay on the sidelines, leaving Pressley desperately short of striking options.

In fact the threadbare nature of the Dark Blues squad was emphasised by a look at their bench in the Granite City, which included an 18-year-old and three 17-year-olds.

This isn't just down to injuries, but also the fact a number of key players departed at the end of last term.

It is far all doom and gloom at Dens Park though. Despite the loss to Aberdeen, Dundee have made an encouraging start to the season.

But whether that continues could be determined by the business they do between now and the transfer deadline in a few weeks' time.

Pressley is well aware of that. He has proved adept at pulling rabbits out of the hat - and it looks like he will have to do so again.

Dundee are closing in on a loan deal for Swansea City striker Bobby Wales, but Motherwell, Reading, Cambridge and Stevenage are also in for the 21-year-old former Kilmarnock player. (Daily Record, external)

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Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Traditionally, form goes out of the window in the Dundee derby.

With both teams suffering heavy defeats last weekend, it only adds fuel to the fire for both sets of players to bounce back on the biggest stage.

Derby fever is cooking - you're either a bag of nerves or dead excited, and I tend to find myself in the latter.

While results have been hot and cold against Premiership opposition in these early days of the season, there is something consistent in Dundee's performances: good habits.

In victory and defeat, the industrious pairing of Ethan Hamilton and Ryan Finnigan has been formidable. Their understanding of each other already looks locked in and it gives Dundee a platform to build from in the middle of the park.

On a more clinical day at the office, I'd be writing about a cup victory at Pittodrie. While the all-important goal was lacking, for 45 minutes at least we saw a disciplined, energetic Dundee side capable of creating chances.

With a little polishing, we could go to Tannadice firing on all cylinders based on the individual performances seen so far.

However, the way we shape up may have to alter drastically and that could put a spanner in the works.

Having played with two forwards in every game, the challenge for Steven Pressley is figuring out how Dundee can operate at their best with just one available - unless a new striker is signed before Saturday.

It's the worst kind of headache a head coach could have. With a fully-fit squad, Dundee arguably have the best depth of strikers we've had in years. But with Simon Murray injured, Joe Westley is now the only recognised option.

Everyone will be wishing Murray a speedy recovery after what looked a horrible injury. If there is anyone you'd back to make a comeback from such a setback, it's him.

Murray and fellow injured forward Ash Hay have both had their moments in the derby. Now Westley has the chance to write his own chapter in the fixture's history.

Manners maketh man, but derbies maketh heroes.

We asked for your views after Dundee were eliminated from the Scottish League Cup by Aberdeen on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Danny: It's ridiculous that five weeks into the season we only have two recognised strikers and two centre-backs. Well, that has now backfired on us and puts our decent start to the season in jeopardy. Time for action in the transfer market.

Gary: The manager showed last season he had the eye for a player, and while this time it looks like we're more settled, we're sadly lacking depth and this week has brought that crashing around us. If ever we needed to find quality to bring in, it is now.

Brian: What a difference a week makes. From a totally fantastic display last week, to an absolutely abysmal second half this week.

Mark: Could have been ahead at half-time, but we were never at the races second half. Onwards to next week but threadbare up front after Simon Murray's injury so need new faces in ASAP.

Gary: Game changed when Murray went off and we didn't have the player to react to it. A bad day that also shows our lack of depth. We need bodies in more than ever, so I hope the work's been done to get them in.

Dundee are "very upset" after losing captain Simon Murray to a potentially-serious knee injury, says head coach Steven Pressley. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish football gossip

Captain Kevin Nisbet and debutant Mitchy Ntelo booked Aberdeen's place in the League Cup quarter-finals and exacted revenge on top-flight rivals Dundee for league defeat last weekend.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

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Dundee captain Simon Murray left the field on a stretcher after picking up a knee injury in their 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat by Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Murray, 34, clutched his left knee in pain after landing awkwardly near the penalty area in the first half, with the score 0-0.

Finlay Robertson replaced Murray in the 32nd minute and Dundee lost three goals after the break.

Manager Steven Pressley told BBC Scotland post-match: "It's a little bit upsetting for us all.

"He's such a great boy. He's our captain of course. He's more than that. He's such a great person, such a good football player. Today's a real set-back for him.

"We've still obviously to assess him fully. When it settles down, he'll receive a scan. Our hope is that he's going to be OK. It was just the reaction after it from him was a real concern, he looked in real discomfort.

"Our thoughts are very much with him tonight."

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Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "I'm disappointed with the final outcome. The first half was a very evenly contested first half. We had three big chances within that. Coming here and creating that many good opportunities in the first half was a pleasing factor.

"At times, we caused our own problems. We had an 18-minute period at the beginning of the second half where we just lost our way. Aberdeen got in front and scored quick-fire goals.

"We kept going. In the end, Aberdeen deserved to win."

On Simon Murray's first-half injury, Pressley said: "It's a little bit upsetting for us all. He's such a great boy. He's our captain of course. He's more than that. He's such a great person, such a good football player. Today's a real set-back for him.

"We've still obviously to assess him fully. When it settles down, he'll receive a scan. Our hope is that he's going to be OK. It was just the reaction after it from him was a real concern, he looked in real discomfort.

"Our thoughts are very much with him tonight."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee striker Joe Westley has hailed the "massive impact" of manager Steven Pressley after a bright start to the new season.

Pressley's surprise appointment last summer didn't go down well with a large proportion of the Dark Blues support and he came under serious criticism after failing to get out of the League Cup group stage.

But he has won the doubters over after guiding the club to an eighth place Premiership finish last term, and presiding over an impressive start to this campaign.

"He has a massive impact," Westley said of his boss.

"Last year when all the noise was going around us we didn't listen to it, we have always known what the manager brings and there has never been a doubt in any or our minds that we didn't want him here or anything like that.'

"We have always wanted to work for him 100% and we stuck together through some tough times last year but I think you can see every time we go out on the pitch we want to win, but we want to win for him as well because he is such a great manager and a great person as well.

"And he keeps the group so close, inspires us to go and play. He is just great to work for and we all love him and we just want to keep improving every week for him."

After opening their Premiership season with a narrow 1-0 defeat at champions Celtic, Dundee were commanding 2-0 home winners over Aberdeen last weekend.

Westley got the first goal against the Dons after a great assist from Joe Bevan who netted the second.

It appears the connection between the two players is one that has been years in the making.

"We played together at Burnley as well so I knew him quite well before he came here," the 21-year-old added.

"And throughout the age groups at Burnley we always had a little connection where I have always demanded chances off him.

"I have always said to him 'you need to cross me the ball' and I think you could see I knew when he cut in there that was the ball he was going to deliver. I think it is a connection we can keep building.'

"He has done brilliantly this season so far and hopefully he continues it."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Joe Bevan has had to bide his time at Dundee.

The 22-year-old winger arrived on a two-and-a-half year deal from Burnley in January – going on to make just the five top team appearances for the Dark Blues last season.

He has impressed this term though, starting all six of Dundee's competitive games, scoring three times and proving to be a real creative force.

The Scot has really stepped up after two last season's key men - Cameron Congreve and Tony Yogane - returned to their parent clubs. Yogane is now at Aberdeen and Congreve is at Belgian club Westerlo, after moves from Brentford and Swansea, respectively.

While there has been a lot of focus on youth development and what we are doing right or wrong in Scotland - Bevan's journey to the top should serve as a real source of encouragement to younger players across the country.

Just three years ago he was playing in the junior ranks at Camelon, before joining Albion Rovers.

He was then signed by Burnley - who eventually loaned him out to Carlisle United - before making the switch to Dundee for an undisclosed fee.

An unconventional journey to the top and proof that you can still carve out a successful football career even if you don't make it through what is regarded as the more tradition youth academy system.

It is also further proof of head coach Steven Pressley's excellent eye for a player.

Dundee will step up their hunt for another striker because Ashley Hay could be sidelined for up to six weeks and remain interested in Bromley defender Omar Sowumni after having a bid rejected. The Courier, external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has praised the time he has been given by the Dens Park hierarchy, admitting he "might have been out of a job by November" at another club.

Pressley was a surprise appointment last summer, a move which was met with bemusement by a large section of the Dark Blues support.

But after a difficult start to his time at Dens Park, he has gradually turned things around in terms of results and level of performance.

He said: "You are very reliant on recruitment as a head coach. Let's not be kidded, we are not magicians.

"You need the players, but also, for clubs like ourselves, we can't sign the complete player. We have to sign a player, on many occasions, with potential, which means time is needed.

"So certainly in our role, a role like myself, you do need the time or you will never get it right.

"One of the reasons I came to Dundee, because I wasn't actively seeking a head coach's job, was because of Gordon [Strachan, technical director] and because of John [Nelms, managing director].

"They spoke to me at length. I knew they would give me the opportunity and the time because, if truth be told, at another club I might have been out of a job by November. That is football, but I knew they would give me this opportunity.

"And in football you generally need time or you need a lot of money, and we have not got a lot of money, so you certainly need time."

After finishing a more than creditable eighth in the Premiership last season, Dundee have caught the eye already this term.

A narrow defeat at Celtic was followed by a hugely impressive 2-0 home win over Aberdeen, whom they travel to play in the League Cup on Saturday.

While Pressley looks to have won over the doubters, the 'flavour of the month' tag appears to be one that sits uneasily with him.

He said: "I am very realistic about football management and I am very realistic about the feeling around the manager. That can change within two or three performances.

"So I don't really get drawn into that. I think my relationship with the Dundee fans is very authentic, it is very real. I don't pretend that it is anything other than that.

"It is not like a relationship between myself and my kids, it is not that type. I think it is a relationship of respect and, of course, when results aren't good, I accept there will be criticism, and that is football.

"We have to live in that environment as a manager. So maybe flavour of the month this week, but maybe not next."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media before their League Cup last-16 tie at Aberdeen.

Here are the key lines:

• After comfortably beating Aberdeen 2-0 in the Premiership at Dens Park last weekend, he is expecting a difficult challenge against a "wounded" Dons side.

• He believes Aberdeen are in transition but thinks Dundee will have to play better against them than they did at Dens Park to win. He also says he thinks a lot of the pressure lies with the Dons.

• Pressley says that while he "always has a fear about what is around the corner", it is important they enjoy the good times and the positive start to the campaign.

• Despite taking a degree of apprehension into the new campaign, he says that while he is "not one for getting excited", he has been "encouraged by what I have seen" so far this season.

• Twelve months ago a lot of Dundee fans were upset at his appointment. Asked about now being the flavour of the month, he said: "I think my relationship with the supporters is very authentic, very real... a relationship of respect."

• He also notes the feeling around a manager can change, jesting he is "maybe flavour of the month this week but maybe not next".

• Pressley says that for a manager to be successful you need time and has praised the Dundee hierarchy for giving him that, saying: "At another club I might have been out of a job by November."

• When asked about any more new signings, he said: "We are actively pursuing a centre-back - we probably need two in there," as well as a couple of attacking players.

• He confirmed they are running the rule over 19-year-old Bournemouth defender Matai Akinmboni, describing him as an "interesting" young player.

• Team news: Despite a knee injury not being as bad as first feared, Ashley Hay has been ruled out for six weeks, with the manager saying it leaves them with just two fit strikers.

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Steven Pressley is the Scottish Premiership's man of the moment - but what is it like to play under him?

Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn, who worked with Pressley at Falkirk, says the 52-year-old is a master at instilling confidence in players and nurturing a positive environment for them to thrive in.

"Dundee as a football club looks so different, the positivity coming out of there, and without a doubt it's Pressley that should take all the credit," Flynn told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think he's so clever, the way he goes about it in the media. Even at the start of this season, it was all doom and gloom, but I know for a fact, working with him when he was at Falkirk, behind the scenes with those players, he will build so much confidence, especially the attacking ones.

"He just filled you with so much [confidence], no matter if you're going to make mistakes, you can play with free rein within his system.

"And you can see that the attacking players are thriving again."

Pressley's rebuilt side have begun the league season with a narrow defeat at Celtic and impressive win over Aberdeen, who they meet in the League Cup second round this weekend.

"I just think even when it comes to after the games, he's quick to praise the players, it's never about him," Flynn added.

"Although he's a larger-than-life character, he's quick to pass it on and give all the praise and accolades to the players.

"So he's so clever the way he goes about his business, and I know for a fact that squad and that group of players will be loving him."

Ethan Hampton
Fan writer

Sometimes you can watch a player for just five minutes before you know they have something special about them.

I felt that with Glen Kamara, Jack Hendry and Owen Beck – all of whom went on to prove themselves as top players for Dundee.

Joe Bevan is in my thoughts for joining that group.

It felt like everyone inside Dens Park was getting off their seat every time Bevan had the ball against Aberdeen, and that's a sight I've not seen in a very long time.

Saturday's victory was the Joe Bevan show and I'm already excited to tune in to future episodes.

The only drawback is that when one player shines that brightly, other impressive performances can fly under the radar. That shouldn't be the case here, because the most pleasing aspect of beating Aberdeen was arguably that it was Dundee's best all-round performance of Steven Pressley's reign so far.

I praised Dundee for looking sharp against Celtic and we've carried that into the next game.

We don't look like a team that has been freshly assembled, nor one playing its opening matches of the season. There is already a cohesion and understanding to the way we're playing that shouldn't necessarily be there this early and Pressley deserves a huge amount of credit for that.

Now comes a fascinating test.

Playing Aberdeen back-to-back means they'll be licking their lips at the prospect of getting revenge immediately. They did exactly that against Motherwell last season, so Dundee cannot afford to become complacent.

It might be the same opposition but it will be a completely different test up at Pittodrie.

The players are playing knockout football now, coupled with places in the Dundee derby up for grabs.

It's getting tasty.

Dundee have had a bid of around £100,000 for central defender Omar Sowunmi, 30, rejected by English League One newcomers Bromley. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Forward Ash Hay, 23, has swelling around his knee after picking up a knock in Dundee's weekend victory over Aberdeen. (Courier - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Made eight saves as Hibs held on for another win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Kanayo Megwa - Hibernian

Played a big part in a strong, steady victorious showing at Ibrox.

Auston Trusty - Celtic

Superb block on the line as the American kept things tight at the back for Celtic.

Owen Bevan - Dundee

You don't have to be called Bevan to do well for Dundee, but it clearly helps. Strong showing at the back.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

More often than not makes an impact down the left for the Steelmen.

Joe Bevan - Dundee

Looked impressive at times against Celtic and took it to a new level against Aberdeen with a goal and assist.

Tom Renaud - Hearts

His laser-guided rocket reminded me of Ally McCoist at Euro '96. To be fair, Renaud's was even better.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Suddenly the main man for the Buddies. Loved his no-nonsense one-step penalty.

Josh McPake - Hearts

Scored a fine goal, linking up with Claudio Braga. Shining on the Tynecastle stage after his heroics for St Johnstone.

Kasper Hogh - Celtic

An ebullient, winning personality and the Celtic fans have a new hero after the £11m man netted a hat-rick and looked an all round class act.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Ran out of superlatives for his contribution last season, and was back to his best against Dundee United with a goal and two assists.