Former Dundee, Celtic, Forfar Athletic and Scotland keeper Rab Douglas has joined The Courier Sport team as a new columnist.
Before his column begins in next Thursday’s paper, one of the most popular players to play for the Dens Park club looks back on one of the most fondly-remembered success stories, as well as the challenges that face the current Dundee side.
He didn’t get a medal for it, but Rab Douglas has no hesitation in describing Dundee’s ‘Dee-fiant’ season as one of his career highs.
After the club went into administration for the second time, they were hit with a 25-point penalty, leaving them on minus 11 points in the old First Division, 20 points behind the second bottom side.
The 23-match unbeaten run that followed led to a miraculous escape from relegation, and the 2010/11 team going into Dens Park folklore.
“The connection I still have with Dundee through my playing days, my in-laws and the Dee-fiant season is a great thing,” Douglas, who played over 300 times for the club in two spells, said.
“If you strip everything down, that season has to be one of my best achievements.
“The league tried to tie Dundee’s hands in so many ways but it turned into a magical season.
“If we had gone down it would have been expected but the boys stuck together and stayed up.”
The one-off match in Dundee’s recent history that rivals the 2010/11 escape is the dramatic Dens Park derby that confirmed Dundee United’s relegation from the Premiership last season. It was a game Douglas couldn’t miss.
“I was at the relegation derby,” he said.
“Over the years I’ve had my fair share of banter, especially as I’ve lived in the area, so I quietly enjoyed it.
“Dundee fans have taken stick, whether that’s been over administration or being down in the lower leagues.
“The pendulum has swung in their favour now. They have to try and build on that.”
Douglas, who has made this part of the country his home, added: “I enjoy living here and getting the banter with Dundee and United fans.
“You’ll always get a conversation with someone about football. It doesn’t have the edge of Glasgow or Edinburgh. You see the fans in the pubs together before a game and after it.
“Obviously Dundee have the bragging rights just now.
“Dundee are the bigger club at the moment and now they need to establish themselves.
“They have to build roots.
“They need to put a marker down in trying to get the best kids in the area coming to Dens.
“I can’t really comment on what they do coaching-wise at the moment but they need to try and take over from United and the success they’ve had in bringing players in.
“And bringing the fans in as well.”
