The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Who’ s in and who’ s going out?
Majority of Dee players in last six months of contract, and not all will stay
It’s that stage of the football calendar again – time to look at who is out of contract next summer. Players can begin to speak to other clubs in the final six months of their current deals, and that time is coming soon for players in Scotland.
As for Dundee, the vast majority of their current squad are in the final season of their existing deals.
Which of the following out-of-contract Dundee stars do you think is likely to stick around?
ADAM LEGZDINS
Thirty-five-year-old goalkeeper Legzdins has been an influential figure around the dressing-room at Dens Park since his arrival in November 2020.
After a long wait to establish himself as No 1, he played a big role in the club’s promotion in 202021. Injuries, though, have disrupted his time at the club and he’s only played four times under manager Gary Bowyer.
Appearances: 51 IAN LAWLOR
Former Man City youth keeper Lawlor has largely been a back-up since signing last July. He has, though, started the last four matches in which Dundee have remained unbeaten.
Appearances: 14
HARRY SHARP
Academy graduate Sharp came to the fore with some impressive performances in the Premiership last season, stepping in when Legzdins was injured and Lawlor fell ill.
And he started this season as the club’s No 1 until he dropped out of the side in September.
Bowyer confirmed this week the club are in talks with Aberdonian Sharp to extend his deal beyond the summer.
Appearances: 20 CAMMY KERR
Cammy “One Of Our Own” Kerr is in his testimonial season at the sprightly age of 27.
And he’s been in fine form this campaign, too, at both right-back and leftback. Defensively dependable, Kerr has added goals to his game this season. His tally of four already is his best-ever season total.
Appearances: 243 Goals: 8
JORDAN MARSHALL
Since signing from Queen of the South in 2019, Marshall has been undisputed first-choice at left-back for Dundee.
A real attacking outlet on the left flank, the Geordie’s storming runs up the left flank have been a regular sight at Dens Park.
His form in the Championship drew interest from top-flight Hibs before he signed a contract extension last January. That deal comes to an end this summer.
Appearances: 107 Goals: 2
RYAN SWEENEY
Club captain Sweeney won both the Player’s Player and Fan’s Player of the Year awards last season in the top-flight.
After a slow start to life in dark blue, the Republic of Ireland U21 international became a real favourite at Dens Park in what was a dismal season overall for the club.
This campaign has been up and down but the big defender has looked more like his old self of late.
Appearances: 56 Goals: 5
JORDAN MCGHEE
A man for any position, Mcghee has popped up at centre-back, right-back, left-back, wing-back, defensive midfield and attacking midfield.
There aren’t many positions on the pitch the ever-willing Mcghee hasn’t played yet. The 26-year-old has been a real asset to the Dark Blues in almost threeand-a-half years at the club.
Appearances: 108 Goals: 8
LEE ASHCROFT
Dominating centre-back Ashcroft played a huge part in Dundee’s promotion season in 2021.
Like Sweeney, he picked up a double Player of the Year award at the end of that campaign – and scored the goal that ultimately saw the Dark Blues promoted.
Last season was cut short by a nasty hamstring injury but Ashcroft is a regular once more this term.
Appearances: 71 Goals: 10
SAM FISHER
Youngster Sam Fisher has spent this season on loan at Dunfermline but impressed in early season games. Dens boss Bowyer spoke highly of the 21-yearold before he joined the Pars, saying the move was the “next stage in his development”.
Appearances: 6 PAUL MCGOWAN
This season saw Gowser break the 300-appearance mark for Dundee as he moved into his ninth season at the club.
Signed from St Mirren back in 2014, Mcgowan has played under six managers at Dens Park. Appearances this season have been limited and he’s currently out of action with a knee injury.
Will he still be around for season No 10?
Appearances: 302 Goals: 21
NIALL MCGINN
The most likely of all the squad to move on by next season is former Aberdeen and Celtic man Mcginn.
After a bright start to the campaign, the experienced Mcginn has been completely frozen out of the first-team picture.
It appears there is no way back for the Northern Ireland international under Gary Bowyer.
Appearances: 26 Goals: 4
JOSH MULLIGAN
A real star of the future, midfielder Mulligan has shown big potential in his
short time at the club. The 20-year-old only made his first-team league bow in January.
However, in that short time the academy graduate has impressed enough to break his way into the Scotland U/21 set-up.
And Bowyer confirmed today the club are in talks to extend his current deal.
Appearances: 37 Goals: 5
LUKE MCCOWAN
Tricky attacker Mccowan proved a valuable asset in the first half of last season.
His debut campaign at Premiership level, the former Ayr United man scored some key goals in his first six months at the club. With three goals this term, the 24-year-old has provided a goal threat from wide areas.
Appearances: 52 Goals: 8
PAUL MCMULLAN
An important part of Dundee’s promotion last time round, Mcmullan again is proving invaluable in this Championship campaign.
He’s no stranger to a precontract deal either – Mcmullan signed for Dundee from Dundee United as his contract at Tannadice ran down.
Since then he’s provided a real pacy threat and plenty of assists as the chief creative force in the Dark Blues squad.
Appearances: 85 Goals: 5
FIN ROBERTSON
Another academy graduate, Robertson has barely been seen this season. After emerging as a talented 16-year-old, Robertson is now 20 and has only started five Dundee matches since the beginning of 2020. One of those has come this term against Stranraer in six appearances under Bowyer.
Appearances: 42
MAX ANDERSON
Another player Bowyer confirmed talks have begun with, Anderson has established himself as a regular first-team player in the past two years.
This season has proved a little tougher to nail down a starting spot but a recent display at Partick Thistle showed his talent but a head injury stopped his momentum last time out.
Only 21, Anderson is closing in on a century of appearances for Dundee.
Appearances: 81 Goals: 7
LYALL CAMERON
Diminutive winger Cameron has made a name for himself this season with his confident play and knack of picking up goals.
He has netted five times in 17 appearances this season and talks have begun over a new deal for the 20-year-old.
Appearances: 21 Goals: 5
CILLIAN SHERIDAN
Hugely experienced striker Sheridan has had a real struggle with injuries in his time at Dens Park.
A ruptured Achilles tendon kept him out for 11 months before returning earlier this season. Has been used as a bit-part player since returning to fitness.
Appearances: 17 Goals: 1
DERICK OSEI
Dundee’s latest signing arrived on a short-term deal to the end of the season. The former France U19 international has already grabbed the headlines with a late equaliser at Queen’s Park.
Appearances: 5 Goals: 1 ALEX JAKUBIAK
Former Watford man Jakubiak has had nothing but bad luck with injuries in his time at Dundee.
At the start of this season it looked like he might have put that behind him as he led the club’s scoring charts after four goals in four games. But injury struck once more and he has struggled to force his way into the team since.
Appearances: 23 Goals: 5
WHO IS CONTRACTED BEYOND 2023?
There are only three players at Dundee who are currently contracted beyond the end of this season. They are Shaun Byrne (2024), Tyler French (2024) and Zak Rudden (2025).