Tote bag slung over his shoulder and a broad smile on his face, Steven Pressley guided his players along Tannadice Street for Saturday’s much-anticipated Dundee derby. A year ago, the head coach was still working to gain the support of frustrated fans after his appointment triggered significant backlash.

Last season’s frustrations included an early exit from the League Cup following successive losses to lower-league teams and a shaky start to the Scottish Premiership, marked by five matches without a win. The low point of that streak was a 2-0 defeat at home to rivals Dundee United, which heightened tensions surrounding the 52-year-old coach.

In a remarkable turnaround, a year later, the same scoreline favored Pressley’s squad, showcasing his ability to exceed earlier expectations.

While Dundee sank to the bottom of the table after last year’s derby loss, this time, their supporters celebrated as the team occupied the second spot.

“I’m immensely proud of this group of players,” Pressley remarked to BBC Scotland. “Derby games are never won on tactical detail; they’re won on spirit and determination, which we had in abundance.”

Game Plan Irrelevant as Dundee Show Grit

Pressley, known for his calm demeanor and straightforward communication, praised the character of his players post-match, although he admitted they deviated from the game plan he had set.

“We didn’t carry out any part of [the game plan], to be honest,” he said. “But what shone through was the grit and determination that usually makes our supporters proud.”

Following last season’s surge, where Dundee managed survival with three wins in their last four matches, the team has now triumphed in five of their last seven Premiership fixtures.

Despite his team’s improving performance, Pressley remains cautious about expectations, although inside the club, the ambition to surpass last season’s eighth-place finish is palpable.

“What’s most pleasing is that the three league games have been incredibly challenging,” he noted. “However, there’s a strong spirit and sense of unity among us right now that is serving us well.”

The Pressley Redemption Arc

A year ago, many ridiculed Pressley, but his engaging personality has made him a favorite among players. His development as a coach has greatly benefited from four years at the successful Premier League club Brentford.

Pressley’s connections south of the border have enabled Dundee to excel in the loan market, while the squad mainly consists of players from the Scottish leagues. Midfielder Ryan Flynn, who previously worked with Pressley at Falkirk, praised his former coach for building players’ confidence and creating an encouraging environment.

Versatile player Drey Wright, who scored the opening goal in Saturday’s derby, has become a key part of the team since joining from St Johnstone. Alan Forrest, overlooked by Hearts, as well as forwards Charlie Reilly and Joe Bevan, formerly of Albion Rovers, have also made significant contributions.

Owen Bevan, who failed to make an impact while on loan at Hibernian, impressed with his performance as one of the central defenders in the derby win, demonstrating resilience alongside Ryan Astley.

“Sometimes winning away from home means being comfortable with the uncomfortable, and we managed that on several occasions,” Pressley explained. “It wasn’t tactical prowess that led us to victory today, but rather a collective resolve to win the derby, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Tote bag over the shoulder and grinning ear to ear, Steven Pressley led his players the short walk down Tannadice Street for Saturday’s Dundee derby.

Twelve months prior, the head coach was still trying to win over disgruntled fans of the Dens Park club after his arrival sparked fury among the support.

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Then followed a League Cup group exit after back-to-back defeats to lower-league opposition and a five-game winless start to the Scottish Premiership season.

The fourth fixture of that five-match run was a 2-0 home defeat to rivals Dundee United. Pressure was intensifying on the 52-year-old.

A year on, the same scoreline was in the favour of Pressley’s side as the former defender continues to the defy what was initially expected of him.

That derby loss last August left Dundee second bottom of the table. On Saturday, the away fans bounced out of Tannadice with their team second from top.

“I’m immensely proud of this group of players,” Pressley told BBC Scotland.

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“Derby games are never won on tactical detail, they’re won on spirit and determination and I think we had than in abundance.”

Game plan irrelevant as Dundee show grit

Always calm and straight-talking, Pressley hailed his players’ character post-match at Tannadice but said they did not actually do what he had asked of them.

“We didn’t carry out any part of [the game plan] to be honest,” he told BBC Scotland. “But what was very apparent in our performance was the grit and determination that your supporters are generally so proud of.”

Stretching back to the end of last term, when Dundee survived with three victories in the final four league games, Pressley’s side have now won five of their past seven Premiership matches.

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As ever, the head coach was measured about his side’s expectations following the win, but behind closed doors they will be determined to improve on last season’s eighth-placed finish.

“What’s most pleasing is that the three league games have been incredibly difficult games,” Pressley added. “But there’s a spirit and togetherness about us just now that is serving us well.”

The Pressley redemption arc

Viewed as a joke figure by many this time last year, former Carlisle boss Pressley’s endearing personality is a big reason why players seem to enjoy playing under him.

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But that should not detract from his on-field coaching, which has clearly developed during four years at thriving Premier League club Brentford.

Pressley’s south-of-the-border contacts have helped Dundee work magic in the loan market over the past year, but much of the team is made of odds and ends from Scottish football.

Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn, who worked with Pressley at Falkirk, told BBC Scotland that his former boss is a master at instilling confidence in players and nurturing a positive environment for them to excel in.

Versatile Drey Wright, scorer of the derby opener on Saturday, has become a valuable part part of the team since joining from St Johnstone.

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Alan Forrest has been picked up after being discarded by Hearts, while fellow forwards Charlie Reilly and Joe Bevan were Albion Rovers players only a few years ago.

Second goalscorer Owen Bevan was on loan at Hibernian in 2024 but failed to make an appearance. The centre-back was fantastic alongside Ryan Astley during periods of suffering in an impressive derby win.

“Sometimes winning away from home is being comfortable with the uncomfortable and we did that at times,” Pressley said.

“It was no tactical detail that won us the game today, it was a group of players that were determined not to lose that derby and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”