By ALAN HENDRY
Published: | Updated:
Tributes have poured in for Dundee hall of famer Giorgi Nemsadze following his death at the age of 54. Here we look back at the Georgian’s most memorable moments in Dark Blue.
The Juan-Two-Three Derby
Yes, Dundee’s 2000 derby demolition was best known for Juan Sara’s hat-trick. But look further and you will see Nemsdaze’s footprint all over the performance.
The Georgian tormented his Tangerine opponents that day, none more so than for Sara’s second goal. Dipping and swerving at the edge of the box, Nemsadze toyed with his markers before clipping in a perfect cross for Sara to nod home. Watch it here.
Cashing in his chips at Tannadice
An away Dundee derby win, with goals from World Cup legend Claudio Caniggia and the Georgian international captain sounds like the stuff of fantasy football – but that’s what Dark Blues fans witnessed at Tannadice on November 11, 2000.
Of Nemsadze’s 96 glorious appearances in Dundee colours, this was the unforgettable highlight.
With Dundee in the lead from Caniggia’s first-half goal, Nemsadze put the icing on the cake after the break with an iconic derby goal to kick off the new century. A ball down the channel from captain Barry Smith was diverted into Nemsadze’s path by Caniggia. The Georgian’s first touch took him into the box and in sight of United keeper Alan Combe.
A lob from 15 yards out probably wasn’t the easiest way to finish, but that is the picture the mercurial midfielder saw in his mind’s eye. Combe was left clutching thin air as the ball nestled in the net. Watch here
The setpiece masterclass at Firhill
Nemsadze’s stunning free-kick from 25 yards gave Dundee the lead in their Scottish Cup third-round tie at Firhill. The goal sparked Jim Duffy’s side’s run to the Scottish Cup final that season.
‘Giorgi is to our team what Barry Ferguson is to Rangers’, said Duffy.
The history-making Hampden hero
With 11 minutes to go and an appearance in the 2003 Scottish Cup final on the line, Dundee were struggling to find a way past a resolute Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
In their moment of need, Nemsadze sprinkled a bit of magic on the big occasion and secured Dundee their first appearance in Scottish football’s showpiece since 1964.
So often on the same wavelength as Nemsadze, Fabian Caballero rolled the ball towards the Georgian at the edge of the box. What Nemsadze’s shot lacked in power it made up for in precision, rolling into the corner of the net past the despairing dive of ICT goalkeeper Mark Brown. Watch it here
Mercurial midfielder Giorgi Nemsadze made 96 sparkling appearances for Dundee
Pulling the strings in Dundee’s Albanian adventure
Nemsadze was on hand to give Dundee a little continental assurance in their first European game in 29 years, against Vllaznia in northern Albania. Nemsadze pulled the strings in midfield and his shrewd through ball set up the opening goal for Steve Lovell. Nacho Novo would double Dundee’s advantage as they secured the first ever Scottish club victory on Albanian soil.
