Dundee have won four matches in a row for the second time this season.
Admittedly this one took extra-time but it’s a victory nonetheless.
And the 6-2 scoreline is the biggest win for the Dark Blues since Greg Stewart’s final game for the club in July 2016 ended in a 7-0 thrashing of Forfar.
But the final score certainly does not tell the tale of the Scottish Cup third-round tie against League One Airdrieonians.
This was anything but a classic Dundee performance. But they got the job done in the end.
So what can we take out of Saturday’s cup tie?
90 minutes
The first 90 minutes wasn’t great from Dundee. But they still should have won it in that time.
Just like in their last five matches, the Dark Blues started sluggishly and Calum Gallagher’s opening goal was not a surprise with the Diamonds threatening beforehand.
But their second goal was, punishing Dundee for not making the most of chances after going 2-1 up.
That was after goalie Dean Lyness had, frankly, gifted the hosts the lead.
Another referee may have whistled for a foul to disallow the first as the keeper collided with Zak Rudden in going for the ball, allowing Paul McMullan to knock into the net.
The second was just a goalkeeping nightmare as he fluffed a clearance outside his area, giving the ball to Rudden to make it 2-1 with a fine finish.
Airdrie’s second equaliser halted the Dundee momentum and the League One side could have nicked the win before Cammy Ballantyne saw red in stoppage time.
Red card
The big moment of the contest came in the 95th minute.
And Airdrieonians can feel hard done by as already-booked Ballantyne collided with Alex Jakubiak with little chance to get out of the way.
However, as soon as that happened, the League One side were up against it.
It was a case of trying to hold out for a penalty shootout but once they went behind the legs grew heavier and heavier and the heads went down.
Subbies
This game could well be a first for Dundee – a competitive game where they made seven, yes seven, substitutions.
The modern five subs plus one concussion replacement after Ian Lawlor collided with a post and then the extra one for extra-time.
📽️ @DundeeFC v @AirdrieoniansFC
Dundee Scored four goals after being taken to extra time by Airdrieonians to progress to the next round of the Scottish Cup. #ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/3EI8uuo4OY
— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) November 27, 2022
And the strength of the squad showed against lower-league opposition with four goals coming from substitutes. That’s with four first-team players absent (five if you include Niall McGinn).
Derick Osei lead the charge with the two goals that took the game away from Airdrie, following up Jakubiak’s strike to make it 3-2 and then rolling in a deflected effort for 4-2.
That’s his third goal in just six games for Dundee while Luke McCowan showed his ability in front of goal with the final one, his fourth of the season.
The fifth, though, was a major moment for a player Dees are so keen to see find his way again.
Fin Robertson
This was Robertson’s 44th appearance for his boyhood club, 21 of them as a substitute.
Good morning 🙌 🙌 🙌 #thedee pic.twitter.com/k90q76waw0
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) November 27, 2022
Goals aren’t necessarily his game but the confidence that finish could bring the 20-year-old is the major hope.
Since emerging so impressively as a 16-year-old, Robertson has lost his way in recent seasons.
But manager Gary Bowyer had words of encouragement for the young midfielder, who hasn’t even made the bench at times this term.
And work on the training pitch has benefitted Robertson in his most recent performances.
Dream come true 💙 https://t.co/znFgF8fxUh
— Finlay Robertson (@Finlayroberts0n) November 26, 2022
Last week against Hamilton and then this 25 minutes showed a player pushing to get back in the team.
And demonstrating pieces of play he hasn’t done in the past, going past opponents and driving from the centre of the park.
He has to prove to his manager there are more levels to come, however.
This has to be his launchpad if Robertson is to stick around at Dens Park.
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