Tony Docherty points Aberdeen to ominous Dundee record after flying Jimmy Thelin start

The Dark Blues have their own impressive record to defend

Tony Docherty is looking to extend Dundee’s own hot home form and bring an end to Jimmy Thelin’s winning run at Aberdeen in the process.

The Dark Blues are unbeaten at Dens Park and will be looking to defend that record when the 100% Dons come calling on Saturday. Dundee had also started the season positively but are now looking to get back to winning ways, after away defeats to Ross County in the league and Rangers in the cup. Docherty said: “They’ve had a really good start. They’ve carried on the momentum from the League Cup into the league.

“I know what it’s like up there, the supporters crave success and they are getting that at the moment. Saturday will be a brilliant atmosphere because I know what the Aberdeen fans are like. They’ll come down in their droves. But they are coming to us at home and our fans have been brilliant. With their support we are unbeaten at home.

“The fans are pivotal to that. They’ve played a massive part in the good results we’ve had. I think it will serve up a cracker, a really good game.

“The atmosphere will be there and it’s two really good teams. Aberdeen have gained that momentum and it’s up to us to stop it.”

Aberdeen have won all their opening 11 games in the cup and Premiership. They currently sit top of the Premiership with five wins. Docherty was no. 2 to Derek McInnes at Aberdeen when they won their first eight league games. He knows how important it was for momentum and back in 2015-16 they finished second and pushed Ronny Delia’s Celtic all the way.

Docherty acknowledged: “I understand what it’s like up there, I’ve experienced it up there but it’s my job now as Dundee manager to stop that momentum. It’s important to get off to a good start and we have been the same, though we’ve had a wee stutter, but we’ve still only lost one game in five [in the Premiership].

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“We’re looking to start a new unbeaten run. We are unbeaten at home and we are proud of that so we want to maintain that.”

New signing Scott Fraser will be in the squad this weekend but Jordan McGhee will be out until after next month’s international break. It is a blow to the Dark Blues. Docherty confirmed: “We got the result back for Jordan after the scan and he’s got a calf injury that will keep him out for a few weeks.

“We certainly won’t see him this side of the international break. It’s a blow because Jordan is such an important player to the squad.

“He’s such a good pro and has such a strong mentality that he plays through everything. He’s carrying injuries all the time but he’s one player when he goes down, you know he’s injured.

“It’s unfortunate we’ll be without Jordan but straight away after the phone call he’s saying ‘gaffer, I’ll not be out long, don’t worry about me’. That’s why he’s such a dream to work with.”

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