St Johnstone have never made a major impact in European football, although they qualified for Europe six times between 2014 and 2021, more than either Dundee club managed in the 21st century.

By far the most famous meeting between the Terrors and the Saints was the 2014 Scottish Cup Final at Celtic Park, won 2–0 by St Johnstone to secure the first major trophy in their long history.

[11] In 1991, the clubs met in the semi-final stage of the same tournament, Dundee United winning that match at East End Park[12][13][14] to set up a final against Motherwell which they lost 4–3 after extra time.

[12] Prior to that, Dundee's greatest triumph – winning the 1961–62 Scottish Division One, the only league title in their history – also involved heartbreak for St Johnstone, as the Dark Blues, needing only a draw to secure the championship, won 3–0 at Muirton Park on the final day, a result which saw the home club relegated on goal average.

[18][19] Saints gained a small form of revenge many years later, with both teams in the second tier, when they won 1–0 at Dens Park to all but confirm their return to the top flight by winning the 2008–09 Scottish First Division[18][20] (it was not mathematically certain at that point, although they eventually held a 10-point margin by the season's end).

The Tangerines' good fortune at Dens Park ran out in May 2016, however, as Dundee won the city derby 2–1 to confirm United's descent to the second tier.