Dundee v Dundee United: Tony Docherty and Jim Goodwin eye Scottish Premiership derby at Dens Park | Football news
Dundee host city rivals Dundee United in their second derby of the season when they meet at Dens Park on Thursday – live on Sky Sports.
Tony Docherty’s side ended 2024 on a high by ending a run of three successive Premiership defeats with a 2-1 win at St Mirren.
Jim Goodwin’s side also enjoyed an important win as Kevin Holt scored in the 94th minute for Aberdeen’s 1:0 win and move within three points of third place. That leaves United on 31 points – the same point total they had when they were relegated in 2023 – only this time there is half a season left.
This will be the first time these clubs have met at Dens Park in nearly three years – with both having lengthy seasons in the Scottish second division; Dundee United just last season and Dundee the year before.
However, they met at Tannadice in August and played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. If the next installment of this famous rivalry serves anything close to that, we’re in for some fireworks to kick off the New Year.
Docherty ready for the ‘electric’ atmosphere of the derby
Dundee safe Tony Docherty told Sky Sports News:
“Fantastic game. Brilliant for the city. I live here and feel the pulse of the place, everyone is excited about the derby.
“The players are delighted, especially after a really good game and result away at St Mirren.
“I love being at home. In my time here the crowd has been fantastic and a lot of our success is based on our home form. The crowd plays a huge part in that.
“Any team that comes to Dens Park, I don’t want only the team to play, I want people to play in the stands and I want us to create that atmosphere.
“It will be electric, absolutely electric. Just like last time. It has everything, it has tradition and history. Dundee United will walk down Tannadice Road like last time.
“This is a good opportunity and I want it to be a good advertisement for Scottish football and for both clubs.”
Goodwin: It’s about bragging rights
Dundee United safe Jim Goodwin told Sky Sports News:
“It goes without saying, we are all very excited and looking forward to the game.
“The first game we played at Tannadice was a great spectacle with two very good teams and a brilliant atmosphere.
“We expect a similar game on Thursday. It means a lot to both groups of fans and we are glad to go into the game in very good shape.
“We expect a hostile atmosphere from the home support, but we will have a huge amount of our support to stand behind the team.
“The game means a hell of a lot to the city. Bragging rights are at stake, so we can give a good account of ourselves and the fans can have those bragging rights after the game.”
Watch the Dundee derby live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event from 5.15pm on Thursday 2 January, kick-off 5.30pm, following Rangers v Celtic (kick-off 3pm).
