Dundee need to maintain their derby “drive and energy” for the rest of the season, according to captain Josh Meekings.
The Dark Blues are preparing to face Meekings’ old club Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the weekend.
It’s a repeat of the fixture that followed the previous clash with Dundee United.
This time, though, the Dens Park men are feeling a lot better about themselves thanks to their draw at Tannadice.
Meekings said: “Last Friday was a bit more positive compared to the two previous derbies.
“I think we learned from those games.
“As a group we are learning together and getting better together. That is starting to show on the pitch.
“We had so many bodies coming in during the summer. It was a massive turnover and that always takes a little while.
“The manager has changed things – formations and tactics. And I do feel we are starting to click a bit better.
“It’s only positive for us right now and we need to keep our heads down. We can only do our own job and not bother about other teams in the league.
“Saturday will be another tough one against Inverness. We know what they are like. They had been on a little run until Saturday.”
Reflecting on United’s opening goal in the derby, when Nicky Clark found space in front of him to finish at the near post, Meekings said: “When you are a centre-half and an early goal goes in against you, you think: ‘We’ve got it all to do now’.
“The boys all dug deep and there was a bit said at half-time between the players. We needed that.
“Moving forward, we have to have that drive and energy because it is a long season with plenty still to play for.”
