Latest news with #ZiyadLarkeche
The Courier
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Courier
Ziyad Larkeche says 'merci' to Dundee fans in heartfelt farewell
Ziyad Larkeche has sent a 'merci' message to Dundee fans after returning to parent club QPR. The French defender made a real impact at Dens Park during his season-long loan. Speaking to Courier Sport he revealed an uncertain future at Loftus Road as the R's look for a new manager. One thing he is certain of in the future, however, is the affection he holds for the Dark Blues and the city of Dundee. He took to Instagram to say: 'Dear Dundee fans, starting a fresh chapter in a new country, I wasn't sure what to expect. But from the very first day, you welcomed me like one of your own. 'The club, the city, the fans and the boys in the dressing-room. Every part of this experience has been something I'll always carry with me. 'Arriving on loan, my goals were simple; to grow, give everything I had and to help the team. 'Looking back and reflecting, I believe I was able to achieve all of these targets with the help of everyone. 'Thank you for the support home and away, the belief, and for making this chapter one I'll never forget. 'Dundee will always have a place in my heart and I'll be supporting from afar as the club continue to rise. 'Merci Dundee! 'Ziyad Larkeche.'
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Shaughnessy a must keep' - your views on the players in limbo
We asked for your views on which players you would like to keep from Dundee's out-of-contract what some of you said:Gary: We've got to at least try to keep Josh Mulligan, Scott Tiffoney, Joe Shaughnessy and Antonio Portales, in his new midfield role. Also got to try for a permanent return for Ziyad Larkeche, he's been immense. If only we had somebody on the right! As for the manager? Why is Shaun Maloney even being mentioned? Surely the first phonecalls are to Stuart Kettlewell and Neil Lennon? Both have the necessary top-flight Shaughnessy is a must keep, a lot more stability at the back with him there, still not great but build around him and we'll be fine. Mohamed Sylla and Mulligan, I would also love to keep but I know in my head they will most likely depart, the rest I'm not fussed I'd be doing everything I could to get Mulligan and Sylla signed on new deals, however I reckon both will probably leave. I'd offer Shaughnessy a new deal as he offers valuable experience, however we can't afford to be as reliant on him next season defensively. I'd offer Portales and Tiffoney new deals, but wouldn't be too gutted if either of them leave. Scott Fraser and Charlie Reilly are both good players but far too injury prone, get We are yet to see the best of Reilly, there is an explosive player there waiting to be unleashed and Dundee need to take that gamble on him. Shaughnessy and Portales for me, also have to stay. They are our most trustworthy defenders at the I would offer them all new contracts but Fraser and Reilly, they still need to prove themselves. Can't imagine them all staying so we need a new manager in sooner than later so he can start planning for next Big Joe, Josh and Mo are a must to stay, especially Josh. He's the guy we need to build the team around. If the directors want to show ambition then they need to push the boat out with an offer to keep him at Dens for at least the next three years.
The Courier
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Departing Dundee stars urged to 'go out on a high' in final survival push as defender ruled out for season
Tony Docherty is urging his Dundee players to 'sprint across the finish line' in the final week of the Premiership season. The Dark Blues Premiership status is on the line as they head to Kilmarnock on Saturday before facing Ross County in midweek and then St Johnstone next Sunday. They are two points in front of County in the race to escape the relegation play-off spot. And manager Docherty wants to see a reaction from last week's defeat to Motherwell in these three remaining games. A reaction that would see Dundee safe but would also see a number of players finish their time at the club on a positive note. No fewer than 12 players are either out of contract at the end of next week or will see their loans end as they return to parent clubs. That isn't the only motivational factor at play in this massive week, though. 'Everybody's got their own individual motivation,' Docherty said. 'There's some players here that this could be their last three games for the club, so they want to go out on a real high. 'There's other players whose motivation is they're under contract. 'They want to make sure they are Premiership players next season. 'So there's that individual motivation. 'But the team motivation is about wanting to finish the season as strongly as possible. 'And that means we attack these three games and we try to make sure that we sprint across the finish line.' Dundee have no new injury worries for the weekend trip to Kilmarnock. Ziyad Larkeche returned to training on Thursday after missing the start of the week following the tackle last weekend that saw Motherwell's John Koutroumbis red carded. 'Seun Adewumi trained with the group this morning so I'm pleased with that,' Docherty said. 'The two injured players are Jordan McGhee and Ethan Ingram. 'We've got bad news about Ethan. A scan came back on his thigh and it looks like his season will be over. 'The scan came back and will be more than the eight days we have left so he's not available. 'Ziyad Larkeche missed the start of the week after the tackle on Saturday. His leg looked horrific, how he didn't break his leg I don't know. 'It was a horrific tackle. He took a stud full on the shin and there was really bad bruising but he trained on Thursday and will be available.' Another who is available is goalkeeper Trevor Carson. Though Docherty admits a decision will be made on the goalkeeping front ahead of the game. Carson's ongoing knee issue has meant he has missed matches on artificial surfaces in the past and could see Jon McCracken step in. 'Trevor has trained all week,' the Dundee boss added. 'Trevor's available for selection. So it's then the decision what we do at the weekend.' Meanwhile, on-loan defender Luke Graham has earned a call-up to the Scotland U/20 squad. Graham recently celebrated a Championship title win on loan at Falkirk but will now join up with the national squad for their trip to face Slovakia on May 23.
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Carnoustie High pupils forge French connection with Dee stars
Carnoustie High School has forged a French connection with a trio of Dundee FC's overseas stars. Dee fan favourites Mo Sylla, Ziyad Larkeche and Billy Koumetio visited the Angus secondary this week. The trio were invited there as part of a drive to highlight the importance of languages in a Developing the Young Workforce initiative. Teacher Katherine Irvine said the visit was inspired by a fantastic S2 project on French sportspeople, which featured midfielder Sylla. It was also connected to an S4 pupil's work placement with the media team at Dens Park. She said: 'The players, all originally from Paris, spent the afternoon engaging with our S2 pupils. 'The pupils had prepared questions to ask the players about their careers, diets, routines, upbringing, and to discuss the importance of learning a language. 'The pupils were a credit to CHS. They were engaged, focused and interested in hearing from the players. As Billy said: 'Learning languages is not just for travel, but for life – to be able to talk to other people and work as a team.' She added: 'The players were so amenable and gracious. The event was not only inspiring, but also a powerful reminder of the real-world value of learning languages. 'A huge thank you to Dundee FC, the players, and everyone involved in making this event such a success.' The project has already seen the school work with the University of St Andrews, and pupils are also set to meet Royal Navy linguists.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Larkeche made the most of injury spell
Dundee defender Ziyad Larkeche has told how he turned the "big shock" of his first injury setback into a "learning experience". The 22-year-old left-back, who is on loan from Queens Park Rangers, recently returned to action after three months out with a hamstring problem. He said: "When the doctor called me I didn't expect that because I had never had an injury, so it was a big shock at the beginning. "But after, you try to do the right things to be back as soon as possible – to improve your sleeping, your diet, all the small details like having the good people around you otherwise you are just wasting your time. "So even improving areas like tactically watching more football and stuff maybe you can't do when you are playing. Of course I don't want to be injured again, but I tried to use this time the best I can, so it was a learning experience for me but hopefully not many more." Larkeche made his comeback in the 6-0 thrashing by Hearts at the start of last month and the sides lock horns again on Friday night, this time at Tynecastle in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup. "I think in everyone's head it is more the focus of going to Hampden, but everyone has got ego and pride and wants to perform at their best on Friday night," added Larkeche. "I believe in every game you need to be solid because you get punished. It is a totally different context, totally different game, and there is a big opportunity to get to Hampden."
