Dundee looking forward to festive challenge after win over Inverness

Dundee manager Paul Hartley believes his side have given themselves a solid platform for the hectic festive period which lies ahead of them in the Premiership.

Published 27th Nov 2016

Dundee manager Paul Hartley believes his side have given themselves a solid platform for the hectic festive period which lies ahead of them in the Premiership.

Hartley's side beat Inverness 2-1 on Saturday courtesy of goals in either half from Craig Wighton and Kostadin Gadzhalov to move from bottom spot to seventh place in the table.

It has been a turbulent season so far for the Dark Blues but Hartley hopes their latest hard-fought victory can set them up for the challenge which lies ahead with no fewer than six leagues fixtures next month.

Hartley said: “It's a good win - no doubt about it.

“There are a lot of games coming up in December. There are never any easy games in this league but the boys are all looking forward to them.

“We'll be looking to take as many points as we can so we'll see how it goes.

“This was an important win as it gets us off the foot of the table.

“Inverness are a good, strong side so we knew it would be difficult.

“But the boys are feeling good about themselves and hopefully we can kick on.”

Meanwhile, Inverness manager Richie Foran was refusing to get too downbeat about their Dens Park setback and is sure his side will lift themselves for next weekend's trip to St Johnstone.

Carl Tremarco headed in a late consolation for Inverness who had Lewis Horner sent off deep into injury time for a last-man foul on Wighton.

Foran said: “It's just one of those things.

“It could easily have gone the other way and we could have gone up the road with all three points.

“We'll lift ourselves for the next game because I told the lads I was happy with their display in an attacking sense.

“We've got a great atmosphere in the dressing room and togetherness.

“We just need to tighten up at the back and make sure we stop giving away soft goals.

“That's what I'm not happy about and the boys know that themselves.”