The Dundee players aren't happy that their bonus payments haven't been settled and the Dundee fans aren't happy with what they saw at McDiarmid Park on Saturday. In this week's Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson assess the implications of the two Dens Park news-lines. Also on the agenda - have Dundee United found the missing piece of the jigsaw, are St Johnstone about to put the foot down and what on earth is happening at East End Park?

Courier Talking Football: Dundee FC, Dundee United, St Johnstone and other east coast Scottish clubs

Dundee’s bonus battle, Dundee United’s cult hero in-waiting and Callum Davidson’s coaching masterclass

Tam Courts is putting a Dundee United team on the pitch that the fans are enjoying watching. And he's also showed the confidence to distance himself from the manager whose team he inherited at Tannadice. In this week's Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss the United boss's growing stature and the exciting team he and Tony Asghar have assembled. Also on the agenda are Dundee's continuing striker crisis and the opportunity that has presented itself against a new-look St Johnstone central defence this weekend.

Tam Courts distances himself from Micky Mellon era as Dundee United players buy into his vision - plus another ”Tayside derby”

This isn’t a normal episode of The Courier Talking Football. Football’s been away for so long, and getting fans back into the grounds for the derby last weekend felt like an important moment to celebrate. We wanted to capture the magic of getting football back, and so we clipped a mic to a fan as he headed into the ground for this most special of city club clashes. He happens to be a United fan, and we all now know what the result was by the time the final whistle blew – but this little quarter-hour experiment is not about United, or Dundee for that matter. It’s about all of us as football fans, and about what the game means to us, to our families, our friends and to our city. Put on some headphones. Have a listen. Share with your pals. Let us know what you think. Normal service will be resumed shortly. ? And our huge thanks to Phil, Luke and Michael for letting us share such a special day with them.

The fans are back – an audio experiment

Can Dundee’s team of maverick attacking talents get a rare Tannadice victory? Is James McPake winning the pre-match mind games? And will Tam Courts try to take the emotion out of the occasion and turn it into a tactical battle that suits his strengths? All these Dundee city derby issues and more are on the agenda in this week’s podcast with Jim Spence, Alan Temple, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson. We also delve into the calamitous start to the season for Dunfermline and whether Peter Grant should already have been sacked. And are St Johnstone getting Aberdeen at the right time?

The Dundee derby and Peter Grant’s Dunfermline D-Day

In Leigh Griffiths, James McPake made a signing for Dundee that has raised expectations. In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss the extra pressure recruiting the division’s most talented goal scorer puts on his manager and the importance of beating bottom side, Livingston. The games before the Dundee derby for the Dark Blues and United are on the agenda, as is the price of a ticket next weekend. Also, can St Johnstone banish the deadline day depression and is Peter Grant already doomed at Dunfermline?

Griffiths & Niskanen excite in Dundee/Saints in a post-McCann world/Peter Grant under pressure

St Johnstone fans woke up with a footballing hangover they've not been used to for a long time. Ali McCann and Jason Kerr have been sold and many supporters reacted furiously to the combined transfer fee. In this week's Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson assess whether any damage beyond the inevitable on-pitch loss has been done. Also on the agenda is Dundee's recruitment of one of their favourite sons, Leigh Griffiths and Dundee United's refresh.

Transfer Special: Saints fan fury, Griff‘s Dee return, United emerge stronger

Gordon Strachan is now in the unique position of having jobs with two different Premiership clubs - Dundee and Celtic. In this week's Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss whether this is a conflict of interest. Also on the agenda is Lawrence Shankland's departure and the possibility of Dundee United improving without him, St Johnstone's clash with Galatasaray and the weekend Premier Sports Cup last-16 ties.

Strachan to Celtic, Shankland to Beerschot and Saints v Galatasaray

In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson reflect on a memorable Istanbul occasion for St Johnstone, Tam Courts’ first league match in charge of Dundee United, and ask do Dundee have a perfect opportunity to beat Celtic? For 20% off the beautiful book ‘Arabs Away’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARABS20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Fantasy land for St Johnstone and febrile times for Dundee United

Can St Johnstone succeed in Europe and get back to Hampden? How high should Dundee set their sights? Do Dundee United need to sell before they can buy? For 20% off the beautiful book ‘Arabs Away’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARABS20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions.

The big kick-off: St Johnstone, Dundee United and Dundee 2021/22 predictions

Dundee United have reshaped their backroom team as part of the Tam Courts era, St Johnstone fans deserve to see Galatasaray in Perth and it’s exciting times for Dunfermline. For 20% off the beautiful book ‘Arabs Away’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARABS20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions.

Tam Courts has his own team around him so won’t have excuses or regrets

On this week's Courier Talking Football, Sean Hamilton, Jim Spence and Alan Temple talk Tam Courts giving United's top kids a chance in the Premier Sports Cup, Paul McMullan's motivation to prove himself a Premiership player for Dundee, St Johnstone's hopes of keeping their cup double-winning stars together and Dunfermline's Championship title ambitions. For 20% off the beautiful book ‘Arabs Away’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code ARABS20 at checkout. Offer ends 8 August 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Dundee United's commitment to youth is no mere lip service, plus Dundee, St Johnstone and Dunfermline latest

The flip side of St Johnstone’s double success is becoming apparent now that a number of their Hampden heroes are in demand from clubs in England. Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson assess who are the likely leavers and what the implications will be next season. Also up for debate in this week's Talking Football podcast is Dundee United pulling out of the race to sign Jake Doyle-Hayes. For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Dundee United stand strong over Doyle-Hayes - and St Johnstone must do same as stars collect suitors

The European Championships are over for Scotland but the post-mortem for Steve Clarke and his players has just begun. In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence gives his rating for the national coach at Euro 2020 – and it’s a fail. Also, with Benjamin Siegrist potentially heading for the Dundee United exit for less than £500,000, what fee could the Tangerines demand for Lawrence Shankland - and is anybody likely to come in for him? For 15% off the beautiful book ‘We Had A Dream: Scotland Internationals in the Black & White Era’, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code DREAM15 at checkout. Offer ends 11 July 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

It's a 4/10 for Steve Clarke at Euro 2020 - and is a Lawrence Shankland Dundee United stay getting likelier?

Pre-tournament optimism has evaporated and Scotland now face a daunting trip to Wembley to keep their Euro 2020 last-16 hopes alive. In the latest Courier Talking Football podcast Jim Spence, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton assess the chances of an upset in London. Also on the agenda is Tam Courts' first signing as Dundee United boss, Charlie Mulgrew, and the Premiership fixture list. Fathers’ Day campaign  For 15% off our beautiful football and rugby nostalgia titles, perfect for the sport-loving dad or grandad in your life on Father’s Day, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code GIFT15 at checkout. Eligible titles are: Celtic in the Black and White Era, Dark Blue Blood, Jim McLean: Dundee United Legend, Lifted Over The Turnstiles, Rangers in the Black and White Era, Team Game, The Red Army and We Had A Dream. Offer ends 16 June 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

England v Scotland could get ugly and Charlie Mulgrew is a great first summer signing for Dundee United

Dundee United's new management team is in place. In this week's Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss the risks and rewards of appointing Tam Courts to the role of head coach, new contracts for James McPake and Dave Mackay at Dundee and St Johnstone star Jason Kerr's recognition by everybody except the Scotland manager. For 15% off our beautiful football and rugby nostalgia titles, perfect for the sport-loving dad or grandad in your life on Father’s Day, go to https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/ and use the code GIFT15 at checkout. Eligible titles are: Celtic in the Black and White Era, Dark Blue Blood, Jim McLean: Dundee United Legend, Lifted Over The Turnstiles, Rangers in the Black and White Era, Team Game, The Red Army and We Had A Dream. Offer ends 16 June 2021; see https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions. 

Courts in the court of Dundee United fan opinion - plus Dundee and St Johnstone latest

The Courier's football podcast, with a special focus on the Dundee clubs and St Johnstone

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Courier Talking Football: Dundee FC, Dundee United, St Johns...

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