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Steven Pressley lands Dundee manager job as Hearts hero seals sensational Scottish football return

Steven Pressley lands Dundee manager job as Hearts hero seals sensational Scottish football return

Daily Record5 days ago

The Dee have a new man in the dugout after sacking Tony Docherty last month
Dundee have announced Steven Pressley as their new manager following the former Scotland international's quickfire exit from Premier League side Brentford.
The Dens Park side have been on the lookout for a new boss after opting to sack Tony Docherty just days after the end of the Premiership season.

The ex Aberdeen number two had led Dee to a top-six finish in the 2023/24 season but a more challenging campaign last year saw the Tayside club slip to 10th place, only avoiding the relegation play-off zone on the final day of the season.

Dundee chairman Tony Keyes and managing director John Nelms then took the decision to relieve Docherty and backroom team members Stuart Taylor, Alan Combe and Graeme Henderson of their duties, promising that the search for his replacement would begin immediately.
And less than two weeks on from Docherty's dismissal, they now have their man.
Pressley. 51, makes his return to management after six years away from the dugout.
The ex Hearts captain and Celtic midfielder last managed Carlisle in 2019 and two years later joined Brentford as their Head of Individual Development.
But the Scot has now left left his role to return to the sidelines in the Premiership, where he previously had a brief spell as Hearts caretaker boss and a season in charge of Falkirk where he was unable to prevent the Bairns from going down in 2010.
Pressley has accumulated plenty of experience down south with the likes of Fleetwood, Coventry and Carlisle, as well as a brief stint with Cyrpiot top tier side Pafos.

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I had to console Cieran Slicker after Scotland debut – I know he has the character to bounce back from Iceland nightmare
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Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LENNON MILLER put aside his pride at making his Scotland debut to console Cieran Slicker after his Hampden nightmare. Motherwell teenager Miller was thrown on in the 68th minute of Friday night's dismal 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland. 2 Lennon Miller was handed his Scotland bow against Iceland Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Cieran Slicker had a debut to forget a Hampden Credit: PA It marked another milestone in a career as he won his first Scotland cap at 18 after making his Well first-team debut at 16. The midfielder, who is expected to make a big-money move this summer, did well despite the grim scoreline. But for sub keeper Slicker, it was the most traumatic match of his career as the debutant was atrocious at all three goals. Miller, though, has no doubt about his strength of character to respond if he's called on to face Liechtenstein tomorrow. 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Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1 Max Johnston - Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn't make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6 John Souttar - Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston's wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5 Grant Hanley - Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker's poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4 Kieran Tierney - 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson's runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5 Andy Robertson - Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland's defence out of this rot. 5 John McGinn - Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5 Billy Gilmour - Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5 Lewis Ferguson - Didn't know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5 Scott McTominay - Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5 George Hirst - Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he's got some promise. 6 Subs: Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) - Debut didn't go to plan, that's for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2 Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) - First cap. 3 Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) - Shored it up a bit late on. 3 Che Adams (Hirst 67) - No chances. 3 Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) - Replaced Johnston. 2 Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) - On for McTominay. 2 'He's not gone out there and chucked three goals in. It's just mistakes. 'These things happen. It just gets noticed more as a goalie. 'I've had loads of those experiences myself, but as a midfielder you get away with it because it's not as obvious. 'But Cieran will be fine. He will bounce back.' Miller had his family, including former Scotland striker dad Lee, at Hampden to see him take the field against Iceland. Now Scotland's Young Player of the Year is desperate for a second cap against Liechtenstein and the opportunity to further highlight his potential. Miller has played 76 games for Motherwell since a 2022 debut as a sub in a League Cup tie against Inverness Caley Thistle. He has a year left on his Well contract but is expected to move on for a bargain £4million fee, with clubs across Britain and Europe trailing him. Miller said: 'It's obviously a very proud moment, not just for me but my family as well. They were in the stand. Lennon Miller is now too good for Rangers & Celtic and will move to bigger club says Kris Boyd 'It's never nice to make your debut in those circumstances, you want to be winning the game. 'We know we weren't good enough. But, personally, it's a proud moment. 'My game is about trying to get on the ball. No matter what the score is, no matter what the occasion is, I want to get on the ball and show what I can do. 'I had a few nice touches but also a few while trying to get used to the level that got cut out. 'You want to get your first cap, then you want to get a second as quickly as you can. That'll be the plan, to maybe get a start. 'The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell is why I'm here. 'You want to play no matter when you get called up. 'Last time was about trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. Thankfully, I did that.' Miller, with the Steelmen since he was seven and a star for Scotland Under-16s at 14, added: 'This is probably right up with the best things you can achieve as a player, representing your country at the highest level. 'I've done that now. Hopefully there's a few more.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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