Who were the greatest players to star for Dundee?
The club won the Scottish Cup in 1910 and the League Cup in 1951 and 1952.
Bob Shankly took over at Dens in 1959 and what happened next was by far the pinnacle of their achievements when they won the league in 1962.
Dundee reached the semi-final of the European Cup the following year.
New names were added to Dens folklore in 1973.
Dundee won the League Cup against Jock Stein’s star-studded Celtic.
The 1980s was a barren spell for Dundee, although many players achieved cult hero status including Albert Kidd, Jim Duffy, Tommy Coyne and Keith Wright.
Dariusz Adamczuk, Morten Wieghorst, Gavin Rae, Georgi Nemsadze, Claudio Caniggia and Fabian Caballero would rank among the latter-day heroes.
How many others have you forgotten?
We asked Daniel Smith from the Dee Archive to pick his all-time Dundee XI.
He picked a 4-4-2 formation along with five substitutes and a manager.
Goalkeeper – Robert Douglas
Daniel described Douglas as a “huge imposing figure” in the Dundee goal during two spells at Dens Park from 1997-2000 and 2008-2013.
“He never took too kindly to pitch invaders,” said Daniel.
“Douglas was working as a bricklayer while part-time with Livingston before he signed for us and continued to build walls in the home goal.”
Right-back – Alex Hamilton
Hamilton was part of the side that won the 1962 League Championship and made 359 competitive appearances for Dundee and won 24 Scotland caps.
“He was described as one of the best full-backs of his generation,” said Daniel.
“I doubt you will find a player that comes close to Hamilton for this position.”
Left-back – Bobby Cox
Daniel described Cox as a “one-man team” and “Mr Dundee“.
He said: “Bobby Cox was our league-winning captain.
“No greatest-ever list for Dundee would be complete without this legend.”
Centre-back – Jim Duffy
Duffy signed from Morton in 1985.
His Dundee career was cut short by a knee injury at Ibrox in 1987.
He made a playing comeback with the Dark Blues in 1990.
Daniel said: “He was absolutely solid and this was after his horrendous injury.
“This highlights just how good he was in this position.”
Centre-back – Doug Cowie
Cowie was a classy performer with silk and steel in his armoury.
“The only Dundee player to play in two World Cups, he was capped 20 times, won two League Cups, and was runner up in the league and Scottish Cup,” said Daniel.
“Cowie holds the records of our longest-ever serving player – from 1945 to 1961 – and also most appearances with 445 to his name.”
Midfield – Georgi Nemsadze
Daniel said: “Easily the best midfielder I’ve ever witnessed in a Dundee shirt.
“Injuries hampered him at Dens but he was unbeatable on his day.
“I’ll always be thankful for his goal at Hampden to send us to the Scottish Cup final.”
Midfield – Morten Wieghorst
Daniel said the Danish international “had it all” during his 1992-1995 spell.
“He was an intimidating figure in the middle of the park,” said Daniel.
“A delight to watch on the Dens Park turf and his performance against Hearts in the League Cup in 1995 still brings shivers to my spine.”
Midfield – Javier Artero
Artero joined Dundee in 1999 from San Lorenzo and was a cult figure.
“Seeing Artero making runs and skinning the opposition was a common sight when he was on the pitch,” said Daniel.
“Cruelly, multiple sclerosis would cut short his career but when Javier had the ball at his feet, you just knew things were about to happen.
“He single-handedly ripped United apart in the last derby of the 98-99 season.”
Midfield – Andy Penman
Penman was a Dundee great known as The Penalty King.
“He scored 24 from the spot,” said Daniel.
“Again, yet another player that played for Scotland while at Dens Park as well as winning the league and taking Europe by storm in 1962 and 1963.”
Striker – Billy Steel
Billy Steel joined the Dark Blues for a then-British transfer record fee of £23,500 from English club Derby County in 1950.
“Steel was already a superstar when he signed for Dundee,” said Daniel.
“If you know anyone who witnessed him play, they would all tell you the same thing – he was the best player to ever play for Dundee.”
Striker – Alan Gilzean
Gilzean netted a Dens Park club record of 169 goals in 190 appearances.
“No strike-force would ever be complete without Alan Gilzean,” said Daniel.
“He was a league winner for Dundee who also proved himself on the European stage and for Scotland before going on to further success with Tottenham.”
Substitutes – Julian Speroni
Speroni played for Dundee from 2001 to 2004.
Daniel said: “A firm fan favourite even now, Julian produced one of the best saves I’ve ever seen against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup as we reached the final.”
Barry Smith
“The definition of a true loyal servant,” said Daniel.
“Ask this man to play anywhere on the pitch and he would without a moan.
“Even during the Bonetti era, he remained captain and never looked out of place.”
Gary Harkins
“Harkins will forever be one of my favourite players,” said Daniel.
“Some of his goals for us were magical.
“The way he would shimmy past players was something we came to expect from the man who was nicknamed Glorious by the Dark Blues faithful.”
Jocky Scott
Scott was the man with the most famous moustache in Scottish football.
“He scored 154 goals in 433 appearances,” said Daniel.
“Jocky Scott joined Dundee as a 16-year-old and had two spells for the club along with three separate managerial stints.
“A man with Dundee at heart, and Dundee have him in theirs.”
Claudio Caniggia
Argentine World Cup superstar – and Diego Maradona’s best mate – Claudio Caniggia made worldwide headlines when he arrived in October 2000.
“His stay was short but it was sweet,” said Daniel.
“You could only imagine what else he could have achieved if he stayed longer.
“God Bless Claudio.”
Manager – George Anderson
Bob Shankly was manager when Dundee won the league in 1962.
“He would be most people’s choice but it’s George Anderson for me,” said Daniel.
“He took over the club post-war.
“Anderson won back-to-back Division B titles but was cruelly denied Dundee’s first league title after a last-day defeat away to Falkirk in 1948.
“He then took Dundee to three back-to-back-to-back finals and won two League Cups in a row but unfortunately suffered a Scottish Cup defeat in between.”
How difficult was it to pick a team from 131 years of history?
“I’ve tried to mix players who played for us during our golden generation but also players who I’ve grown up with,” said Daniel.
“It won’t please everyone but this, for me, is the best Dundee XI.”
Is this Dundee’s greatest team?
Let us know.
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