Many of the media build up a Dundee versus St Johnstone game as the ‘Tayside Derby’.
Many if not all St Johnstone fans also call this as a ‘Derby’. Unfortunately for them, us Dundee fans just see this as another game against another team. I think a strong dislike that they have towards us stems from the 1961/62 season when we won the league on the last day of the season at their ground and in the process, relegated them.
You could liken them to someone who always tells their mates that your their cousin even though your not in anyway blood related but your parents know each another. This is what we have to put up with when the Saints come to town. An annoyance who think they are relevant to you in some way. You could say they are to us what Charlton Athletic are to Palace. Small.
That is a brief insight to the general feeling towards this fixture. I do enjoy it myself if I am to be honest as they always seem to up their game which can result in some exciting football. This was not to be the case on Saturday though.
The Dees and Saints both started the match well but Dundee just edging it. We had an early shout for a penalty turned down for a blatant push on Kane Hemmings but we would not have to wait long to see Dundee take the lead. A corner from Nicky Low (who was making his first team debut) was met by that man James McPake who netted by flicking the ball past the keeper. The Derby hero had struck again!
I missed the Hearts game the week before so this was the first time for me to hear our new song that gets played when we score. It is none other than The Dave Clark Five with Glad All Over!
Twenty minutes later we doubled our lead. Low capitalised on some slack play by St Johnstone, ran down the wing and then swung in an inch perfect cross for Kane Hemmings to head home the second goal. There seemed to be a sense of relief from the Dundee fans because unlike the last two matches, we were putting away our chances. Well, some of them anyway.
The second half would bring the same old story of letting teams back into the game. Firstly, St Johnstone had a goal chalked off after a foul on Nick Ross in the box just before they had the ball in the net but they would pull one back minutes later. A very impressing Michael O’Halloran for St Johnstone ran past three Dundee players before putting the ball across the goal for an easy tap in. This would ensure a very nervy last half hour of the match.
Only on Tuesday we were all singing ‘TWO NIL AND YOU ****** IT UP’ to our neighbours Dundee United after our 94th minute equaliser and now I was fearing we would be on the receiving end of the same cruel taunts. My fear increased when Ross twice passed up golden opportunities to put the game to bed but alas it was not meant to be for our annoying friends from Perth as the full time whistle went and all three points were staying at Dens.
This was our first home win of the season and a very important result as it stops the rut of losing games in the second half that has haunted us in the last two games. Fair enough, we might have let another team back in the game for the third match running but we also knuckled down, changed things around when needed and got the win in the end.
One thing I have failed to touch on is Scott Bain. If you watched the Dundee Derby on Tuesday you will have seen him pull off a world class save at the death before we scored. Well, he was at it again with another save when we had taken the lead. This guy will go far, you mark my words. He may be as far as fourth in line to be Scotland’s first choice but considering he was playing part time just two seasons ago, it is nothing short of remarkable. I would say he would be a terrific replacement for Julian Speroni when he finally hangs up his gloves but I would be lying if I said I would be happy to see him go even if it was for a big money move. It will undoubtedly happen if he keeps this type of form up.
This Saturday we visit Aberdeen who will no doubt be Celtic’s closest challengers this season. We have had plenty of great games against the Dons recently and I can see this one being another. Our team is starting to gel brilliantly and if we can get Kevin Thomson fit for this one along with Rory Loy I think we can manage at least a draw. For this game I predict a 2-2 draw.
That is it for another week about the going on at Dens Park. We seem to be doing all our business quietly off the field. Not that I will complain though, it is a very welcome change to what I used to see at Dundee and long may it continue.
MON THE DEE!
