Dundee do 'dirty side well' in 'incredible team performance'

Dundee manager Steven Pressley hailed his team's togetherness after they continued their recent resurgence with a hard-fought derby win at Dundee United.

Ashley Hay scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time to make it three straight Scottish Premiership wins.

They were widely tipped to go down before the season began and a poor start to the campaign did little to allay those fears, but Pressley's side are now nine points ahead of Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot and 13 points above bottom side Livingston.

They did not have it all their own way at Tannadice, but kept a clean sheet thanks to some superb defending and several sharp saves from goalkeeper Jon McCracken.

"It was really difficult to pick out any individual in that performance," Pressley said.

"It was an incredible team performance, filled with unity, team spirit and real quality at times.

"We knew we would have to endure some difficult moments, we'd have to stand up to the game and do the dirty side well. They did that to exceptional standards."

Having beaten Falkirk 1-0 and Kilmarnock 2-1 at Dens since Christmas, Dundee went along the road to Tannadice full of confidence and were able to celebrate at full-time with a jubilant away end.

Dundee are now unbeaten on their past four visits to Tannadice and avenged their derby defeat at Dens earlier in the season.

"We knew coming into this game - we're on the back of two really important results - but we know the importance of this game," Pressley said.

"It was a pivotal game and I couldn't be prouder of the players."

Former United manager Ian McCall was at Tannadice as a pundit having also watched Dundee lose 1-0 at Motherwell on 20 December.

He was impressed by the improvement since that game and says the result was "thoroughly deserved".

"Dundee had no attacking intent at Motherwell," he said.

"It's only two or three weeks later, but they look full of confidence. The Dundee United back three didn't know how to handle Ashley Hay.

"Fair play to Steven Pressley. You can comment on his record, but you can never think he won't be up for a fight."

Before Dundee stunned Celtic in October, they struggled in the league, winning only one of their first eight matches.

Pressley admits he has been through tough moments during a testing campaign, but says his players have kept him going.

"They are an amazing group," he said. "It's been a difficult season and they have helped me get out of my bed at times.

"I love working with them - every day they want to be better and they are beginning to find their way. Hopefully this is the start of something good.

"I know there will be moments where you have setbacks, but as long as we stay strong, hopefully we can build something."