Dundee: Guide to 2015-16 season

A profile of Dundee as part of a comprehensive guide to the 12 top-flight teams ahead of the 2015-16 Scottish Premiership season.

It was a season of satisfaction for Dundee on their return to the top-flight after a one-year absence with a top-six finish in the league secured and a first victory over city rivals Dundee United for a decade.

Knocking Aberdeen out of the Scottish Cup was a significant coup while the scoring form of strikers Greg Stewart and David Clarkson was also an encouragement for the Dark Blues.

But Paul Hartley's men ended up with fewer points than Hamilton and Partick Thistle, who finished in the bottom six, after losing six of their final seven Premiership games.

Their Dens Park form, nevertheless, left plenty to be desired with just five wins all season but, with a host of fresh faces arriving over the summer, they will be hoping to make more of an impact this time around.

LADBROKES SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP TEAMS FOR THIS SEASON:

Aberdeen

Celtic

DUNDEE

Dundee United

Hamilton Academical

Heart of Midlothian

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Kilmarnock

Motherwell

Partick Thistle

Ross County

St Johnstone

DUNDEE

Steadying the ship: The former Celtic midfielder, who turned down the chance to manage Cardiff last season, joined Dundee in February 2014 (Picture from Sky Sports)

Manager: Paul Hartley Assistant Manager: Gerry McKabe Captain: Kevin Thomson (Midfielder) Chairman: Tim Keyes Star Player: Paul McGowan (Midfielder) 2014-15 player of the season: Greg Stewart (Striker)

Instant hit: The 25-year-old, who signed from Cowdenbeath last summer, was named in the PFA Scotland team of the year (Picture from Sky Sports)

Stadium: Dens Park Capacity: 11,500 2014-15 Average Attendance: 6,966 This is the 7th largest stadium currently in the Scottish Premiership

Last season's league finish: 6th (Won 11, Drawn 12, Lost 15 - 45 points) Last season's goals for/against: 46/57

Discipline record in league (2014-15): 79 yellow cards, 3 red cards Last season's disciplinarian (2014-15): Greg Stewart (8 yellows, 1 red)

Close proximity: Dundee will make the shortest trip (30 yards) in British football to Tannadice in their third league fixture (Picture from BT Sport)

First three fixtures (2015-16): Saturday 1 August v Kilmarnock (A), Saturday 8 August v Hearts (H), Tuesday 11 August v Dundee United (A)

Other key fixtures (2015-16): 19 September v Celtic (A), 31 October v Inverness CT (A), 28 November v St Johnstone (A), 26 December v Ross County (A), 30 December v Celtic (H), 2 January v Dundee Utd (H), 13 February v St Johnstone (H), 2 March v Celtic (A), 19 March v Dundee Utd (A), 9 April v Hamilton (A).

Facing the champions: Dundee take on Celtic at Parkhead on matchday eight of the new season as Paul Hartley faces his former club (Picture from Sky Sports)

Live TV games (confirmed): 11 August v Dundee United (A) 7:45pm, Sky Sports 3

Biggest league win of last season: 10 January 2015 - 4-1 win v Motherwell (H) Biggest league defeat of last season: 1 May 2015 - 5-0 defeat v Celtic (A)

Best moment (2014-15): Eight-game unbeaten league run at start of 2015 which secured sixth place Worst moment (2014-15): Six defeats in seven games at end of season & 6-2 derby defeat at Tannadice

Hit for six: Dundee conceded six goals against their fierce rivals for the first time on New Year's Day at Tannadice (Picture from BT Sport)

Top league goalscorer (2014-15): Greg Stewart - 13 goals Top overall goalscorer (2014-15): Greg Stewart - 15 goals

Most league assists (2014-15): Greg Stewart - 8 assists Most league appearances last season: Jim McAlister (34 starts, 3 sub apps)

Best signing (summer 2015): Nick Ross (free transfer from Inverness CT) Key player for 2015-16: Scott Bain Record signing: Fabian Caballero (£600,000 buy from Club Sol de America in July 2000)

Home of the Dark Blues: Dundee beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup fourth round at Dens Park (above) before losing to Celtic at the same venue (Picture from BT Sport)

Last season's Scottish Communities League Cup finish: Third round (lost 1-0 to Dundee United) Last season's William Hill Scottish Cup finish: Fifth round (lost 2-0 to Celtic at Dens Park)

Squad list: 1 Scott Bain (GK), 2 Gary Irvine (RB), 3 Kevin Holt (LB), 4 Thomas Konrad (CB), 5 James McPake (CB), 6 Daryll Meggatt, 7 Greg Stewart (ST), 8 Nicky Low (CM), 9 Rory Loy (ST), 10 Kevin Thomson (CM), 11 Simon Ferry (CM/LM), 12 David Mitchell (GK), 14 Philip Roberts (CF), 15 Kane Hemmings (ST), 16 Julen Etxabeguren (CB), 17 Nick Ross (CAM), 18 Paul McGowan (CM), 19 Paul McGinn (LB), 21 Luka Tankulic (ST), 26 Kostadin Gadzhalov (CB), 28 Dylan Carreiro (CAM), 29 Gary Harkins (CM), 30 Cammy Kerr (RB).

Possible line-up:

Players out:

Kevin McBride (to Airdrieonians, free transfer) Paul Heffernan (released) Iain Davidson (released) Jim McAlister (released) Calum Brodie (to Arbroath, free transfer) Jamie Reid (to Arbroath, free transfer) Kyle Benedictus (to Raith Rovers, free transfer) Kyle Letheren (to Blackpool, free transfer) Martin Boyle (to Hibernian, free transfer) Craig Wighton (to Raith Rovers, season-long loan) David Clarkson (to Motherwell, free transfer)

David departed: The 29-year-old striker scored eight goals in his first eight games for Dundee but only once more before leaving at the end of last season (Picture from BBC Scotland)

Transfers in:

David Mitchell (from Stranraer, free transfer) Julen Etxabeguren (from East Fife, free transfer) Rory Loy (from Falkirk, free transfer) Daryl Meggatt (from Alloa Athletic, free transfer) Nicky Low (from Aberdeen, free transfer) Kane Hemmings (from Barnsley, free transfer) Nick Ross (from Inverness CT, free transfer) Kevin Holt (from Queen of the South, compensation fee)

Pre-season results:

15 July 2015 Friendly Raith Rovers 1-2 Dundee Stark's Park (Kirkcaldy) Hemmings 22 Etxabeguren 47

18 July 2015 Friendly Brechin City 1-0 Dundee Glebe Park (Brechin)

21 July 2015 Friendly Dundee 0-1 Everton Dens Park (Dundee)

24 July 2015 Friendly Dundee 1-0 Wigan Athletic Dens Park (Dundee) Loy 70

28 July 2015 Friendly Dundee 0-2 Everton Dens Park (Dundee)

Prediction:

Home: Dens Park witnessed 52 league goals last season (Picture from BBC Sport)

Dundee boss Paul Hartley boldly stated this time last summer that his side could compete for a top-six finish upon their return to the top-flight and, despite some inconsistent periods and poor home form throughout the campaign, they achieved what they set out to do. Now they will be looking to avoid the so-called 'second season syndrome' fate and establish themselves in the middle of the table without being embroiled in relegation trouble. After strengthening in certain areas to compensate for some departures, the Dark Blues are well placed to build on last season's efforts while supporters will hope they can improve their record against close neighbours Dundee United after ending a decade-long wait for a victory over them at Dens Park in April. A decent cup run would be greatly welcomed too.

Verdict: 6th (Top-six finish)

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