Dundee defender Jordan Marshall feels they proved a point to themselves and their fans with their derby draw.
The Dark Blues felt they deserved more than the 1-1 scoreline they left Tannadice with on Friday night.
James McPake’s players certainly asked more questions of Dundee United than they had done in the two previous meetings.
Marshall said: “The gaffer said that we had a point to prove, not just to the fans but to ourselves and the whole of the club.
“Basically, ahead of the game everybody wrote us off but I thought we were the better team.
“What it gives us is belief for the rest of the season.
“If we play like we did against United against other sides then we will beat everyone.”
Marshall was asked if he felt frustrated at only taking a point back to Dens.
He replied: “Yes, that was certainly the feeling at the end of the game because of how well we played in the second half.
“It was frustrating not to win, especially because we have lost the other two derbies of the season.
“I think, though, that if you look back at it, we should be positive.
“We can take consolation from how we performed on Friday night.
“It was definitely our best display out of the three derbies.
“We will be looking to kick on when we face Inverness at home next weekend.”
Marshall piled praise on young teammate Fin Robertson, who had a terrific match in the Dundee midfield after being left out of the previous couple of city clashes.
He said: “Fin is a good player and is also consistent.
“That is great for someone of his age because he is still only 17.
“He plays with so much maturity and I like playing next to him because he always gives me the ball or wants it off me.
“He is one to watch.
“I think he was disappointed not to play in the other two derbies.
“He actually said to me before the match it was his dream to play in this derby.
“To play like that with so much pressure on him was brilliant.
“This is his first full year of first-team football, which is crazy.
“When I was his age I don’t think I was anywhere near ready for the first team.
“He is unbelievable now and is only going to get better.”
Marshall then joked that he sometimes has to keep a lid on Robertson’s banter.
He added: “He is cheeky!
“Sometimes he likes to pipe up and I have to put him back into his place.”
As for Marshall, it is no coincidence that Dundee have won twice and drawn once since he returned to the side after a hamstring injury.
He said: “This is only my third game back after injury and we are undefeated during that time so that’s good.
“Hopefully, we will kick on and climb the league.
“We just have to try to win as many games as we can and see what happens.
“Obviously there is a big gap and if they crumble we will be there to put the pressure on.
“But I think it is quite a big gap so our aim has to be to finish as high up the league as we can.”
