Dundee host metropolis rivals Dundee United of their second derby conflict this season once they meet at Dens Park on Thursday – reside on Sky Sports activities.
Tony Docherty’s aspect completed 2024 on a excessive by ending their run of three consecutive Premiership losses with a 2-1 win at St Mirren.
Jim Goodwin’s males additionally loved an necessary victory as Kevin Holt scored within the 94th minute to beat Aberdeen 1-0 and transfer inside three factors of third place. That left United on 31 factors – the identical whole that they had once they have been relegated in 2023 – solely this time there’s half a season to go.
This would be the first time these golf equipment have met at Dens Park for nearly three years – with each enduring seasons in Scotland’s second tier; Dundee United simply final season and Dundee the yr prior.
Nonetheless, they did meet at Tannadice in August to play out a pulsating 2-2 draw. If the following instalment of this well-known rivalry serves up something near that, we’re in for fireworks to begin the New 12 months.
Docherty prepared for ‘electrical’ derby environment
Dundee boss Tony Docherty advised Sky Sports activities Information:
“It is a incredible fixture. It is good for town. I reside right here and I really feel the heartbeat of the place, everyone will get excited for the derby.
“The players are buzzing, particularly off the back of a really strong performance and result away to St Mirren.
“I like us being at house. In my time right here the gang have been incredible, and lot of our success has been primarily based on our house kind. The gang performs an enormous half in that.
“Any team that comes to Dens Park, I don’t want them to just play the team, I want them to play the people in the stands and I want us to make that atmosphere.
“It’s going to be electrical, completely electrical. As was the final one. It is obtained all the things, it is obtained the custom and historical past. Dundee United can be strolling up Tannadice Highway like we did final time.
“It’s a good occasion and I want it to be a good advert for Scottish football and for both clubs.”
Goodwin: Bragging rights are at stake
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin advised Sky Sports activities Information:
“It goes without saying, we’re all really excited and looking forward to the game.
“The primary recreation that we performed at Tannadice was a terrific spectacle with two superb groups going at it and a superb environment.
“We’re anticipating an analogous kind of recreation on Thursday. It means loads to each units of supporters and we’re delighted that we’re going into the sport in superb kind.
“We’re expecting a hostile atmosphere from the home support but we’re going to have a huge support of our there to get behind the team.
“The sport means a hell of loads to town. Bragging rights are at stake so fingers crossed we may give a great account of ourselves, and the supporters can have these bragging rights after the sport.”
Watch the Dundee derby reside on Sky Sports activities Soccer and Most important Occasion from 5.15pm on Thursday January 2, kick-off 5.30pm, after Rangers vs Celtic (kick-off 3pm).