Doon Derby milestone shines stark light on Dundee decline as Rangers return to Dens for perhaps last-ever time amid 'unprecedented' anger

In a rare communiqué from the club, Dundee fans were issued with a reminder last week that today’s rematch with Rangers is ‘bring a friend’ day for season ticket holders.

As one fan quipped online, who needs enemies if that’s how you treat a pal. With the club still seemingly intent on a move elsewhere, the old ground has been getting the football its neglect over recent years has deserved.

It didn’t have to be this way. It certainly wasn’t the expectation on a memorable night six years ago when Dundee United were relegated at Dens Park following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of their rivals.

For Dundee fans of a certain age, that is as good as it has been. That night was meant to signify a pushing of the reset button. It was identified as a longed-for opportunity to reclaim some of the ground lost over the decades when a new order was established in the city. The balance of power appeared to be in the process of shifting again.

Fast forward six years and the Dark Blues, a club seemingly addicted to dysfunction, are the ones in turmoil. Exactly 100 league games have now been played at Dens Park since the so-called Doon Derby.

A dive into those results gives the Dundee faithful little cause for optimism ahead of this afternoon’s visit from champions Rangers, a repeat of the fixture that last week drew close to a record home low crowd to a stadium where so much uncertainty currently exists.

Of that century of home league fixtures, Dundee have won just thirty – under a third. This includes a season when Dundee finished second in the Championship behind Hearts and were promoted via the play-offs.

Nearly half - 47- of the games have been lost. Multi-goal defeats to Aberdeen (0-7), Ross County (0-5) and, most recently, Livingston