Dundee boss Paul Hartley has challenged his players to continue their fine away form when they face high-flying Inverness in the Highlands tomorrow.
The Dark Blues have won six matches on the road in the league this season compared to four at Dens.
And Hartley is now looking for another good away performance against John Hughes’ third-top Caley side with Dundee staying up north tonight to ensure the players are as well prepared as possible.
The manager said: “We have been steady on the road, with strong performances.
“We have been hard to beat at times and we will have to be that again on Saturday.
“We have to be solid, have a good shape about us, work hard and be disciplined.
“The focus and concentration have to be good.
“We will be going up on the Friday. For games against Ross County and Inverness, we like to do the overnight stay.
“It’s all about the right preparation for the players and no excuses.”
The two previous matches between Dundee and Inverness this season have been close affairs with the first in the Highlands ending in stalemate and the second at Dens being won by Caley thanks to a last-gasp goal and Hartley is expecting it to be tight again tomorrow.
He said: “They have been good games between us this season.
“The first one up there was pretty close, the second game here, we played well for 45 minutes and then they played well for the second 45 and we were hit with a sucker punch with the last kick of the ball.
“So I think when you go up to Inverness with the way John sets his team out, you are in for a tough game.
“They play good football. It is a total change from how they played before a year or 18 months ago.
“The style of football is good to watch and easy on the eye.”
Caley suffered a big blow when top striker Billy McKay left to join Wigan during the January transfer window.
The Northern Irishman netted 54 times in 121 games for Inverness but Hartley believes they have coped well with his loss.
He said: “McKay was a big player for them. Somebody who could get you 20-odd goals a season, year in, year out is difficult to replace.
“But they still have good players there. They are dangerous and have a system they play that works well.”
The Inverness game is the first stage of a hectic end to the regular season that Dundee hope will see them finish in the top six after the split.
However, Hartley acknowledged there is no margin for error if his side hope to realise that ambition.
He added: “Our form has been pretty good. I think it is two defeats in 11.
“So I have been pleased with the form since the start of the year.
“We are just taking it a game at a time to get as many points as possible.
“We know the next period of games is vital if we are to have a chance of getting into the top six there is no room for error.”
Gary Irvine, Gary Harkins and Luka Tankulic will miss the Inverness match through injury however Jim McAlister and Greg Stewart are both in the squad.