Ivano Bonetti and Dundee 00s heroes return to Dens as treasured boss delivers lofty claim about current team

Beloved Ivano Bonetti believes Tony Docherty is shaping Dundee into a major force in the Scottish Premiership once more.

The Italian thinks there are similarities between his famous Dark Blues team of the early 2000s and the current crop of players. Dundee’s weekend thumping of St Mirren saw them move into fifth and just two points off the third-placed Buddies. Bonetti brought a heady mix of exciting football and sartorial elegance during two colourful years in the City of Discovery.

He said: “I still keep in touch with what Dundee are doing and I look out for their results. It is good to see them back in the Premiership and doing well. The manager, Tony Docherty, is doing a good job and I don’t expect them to have any problems in the Premiership. They have taken the step up and I don’t think there will be any issues in Dundee maintaining their Premiership status. If they can continue the way they are then top six and Europe could be a possibility. I will certainly be keeping my fingers crossed.”

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The former Dundee boss and his brother, Dario, will be returning to Dens Park on Thursday to take part in Cammy Kerr’s testimonial match against Celtic B at Dens Park. He will be joined by some of his own legendary team with players like Julian Speroni, Fabian Caballero and Juan Sara who are all returning to be part of Kerr’s big night.

Bonetti admitted: “I was back in Dundee a couple of years ago. It is always great to go back because I had a great time at the club in the city. I still have a few friends there and it will be good to catch-up with them. It will also be great to see Caballero, Sara and Speroni