Tote bag and derby win — how Pressley has defied Dundee expectations

Steven Pressley led his Dundee players down Tannadice Street with a tote bag over his shoulder and a grin, as his side beat Dundee United 2-0 in Saturday's Scottish Premiership derby.

Twelve months earlier Pressley had been attempting to placate disgruntled Dens Park fans after an arrival that sparked fury, a period that included a League Cup group exit following back-to-back defeats by lower-league sides and a five-match winless start to the Premiership. The fourth fixture of that winless run was a 2-0 home defeat to rivals Dundee United, a result that left Dundee second bottom and increased pressure on the 52-year-old head coach.

A year on, the same scoreline fell the other way and the away supporters left Tannadice buoyant with their team second from top. "I'm immensely proud of this group of players," Pressley told BBC Scotland. "Derby games are never won on tactical detail, they're won on spirit and determination and I think we had that in abundance."

Pressley said his side had not followed his plan but relied on character to deliver the victory. "We didn't carry out any part of [the game plan] to be honest," he told BBC Scotland. "But what was very apparent in our performance was the grit and determination that your supporters are generally so proud of."

The win continued an upturn that began at the close of last season, when Dundee survived after three victories in the final four league games, and extended a positive run to five wins from their past seven Premiership matches. "What's most pleasing is that the three league games have been incredibly difficult games," Pressley added. "But there's a spirit and togetherness about us just now that is serving us well."

Pressley's personal journey and recruitment approach have been central to the turnaround: once viewed as a joke figure by many, the former Carlisle boss combines an engaging manner that players respond to with coaching experience gained during four years at Brentford. His contacts south of the border have aided Dundee's loan activity, while Ryan Flynn told BBC Scotland that his former boss "is a master at instilling confidence in players and nurturing a positive environment for them to excel in."

Several recruits emblemise the squad's make-up: Drey Wright, who joined from St Johnstone, scored the derby opener; Alan Forrest was signed after being discarded by Hearts; Charlie Reilly and Joe Bevan were Albion Rovers players only a few years ago; and Owen Bevan, the centre-back and second goalscorer, had been on loan at Hibernian in 2024 but made no appearance and "was fantastic alongside Ryan Astley," according to the match report.

The victory leaves Dundee positioned second in the Premiership and, Pressley and the club say, determined to improve on last season's eighth-placed finish as they build on a run of positive results.