Hartley taking the positives
Dundee manager Paul Hartley believes their impressive performance against Aberdeen should give them confidence going into the Scottish Premiership match with Kilmarnock at Dens Park.
The Dark Blues drew 3-3 with the league leaders at Pittodrie last weekend after being 3-1 up at one stage and looking all set for victory.
Now they are preparing to welcome Allan Johnston's Killie to Tayside with their manager sure their last performance can stand them in good stead for the visit of the Ayrshire club.
Hartley said: "There were a lot of positives to take from the Aberdeen match.
"Aberdeen are a very good side who are top of the table on merit.
"So I was pleased with the way we went there and caused them so many problems during the course of the match.
"Although we were disappointed being 3-1 up and letting them come back into it, I think we have a lot to be positive about.
"We have to take that into Kilmarnock which will be another tough game.
"We're looking forward to it and hopefully we can give another high level of performances to try and get the three points."
Dundee have come through a sticky patch recently when they went eight games without a win in the league before their 4-1 win over Motherwell saw them return to winning ways.
And Hartley wants to see them build on their last two displays which have brought them four points from six.
He said: "We have to build on things.
"The lads have been great all season and we always knew there would be the odd dip here and there.
"But we're new to this division and with so many changes we've been doing well.
"There are no easy games in this division and we'll be giving Kilmarnock our full respect.
"Our last home game against Motherwell was great for everyone concerned.
"It should give us confidence and we want to make this a hard place to come.
"The games are coming thick and fast and that's what you want as a player.
"We're a bit low on numbers through things such as injury but we'll just get on with it.
"Kilmarnock are never easy opponents but we'll concentrate on ourselves and look to get a positive result."
Dundee's Bulgarian defender Kostadin Gadzhalov is a doubt with a thigh injury and Paul McGinn is out due to his ongoing back problem but defender James McPake is set to come back from injury while Paul McGowan returns from suspension.
Meanwhile, Tope Obadeyi is looking to fire Kilmarnock into the top six as he prepares to return from injury on Wednesday evening.
The 25-year-old winger has netted five goals in 13 Scottish Premiership appearances and remains Kilmarnock's top goalscorer following five weeks out with a groin strain.
Obadeyi, who is in Allan Johnston's squad for the Dens Park clash said: "I know it's not a lot of goals to be top goalscorer but there are still 12 games to go before the split and a few games after that.
"Hopefully I can get a few more goals and be top goalscorer from out wide.
"My previous best was about three so I have beaten that already.
"The manager told me to get among the goals. He has played at a high level and he knows that goals can get you moves. Even if you are not playing too well, if you nick a goal people are always going to be watching you. I want to add goals to my game as well as assists.
"I got off to a good start to the season like the team but it's been a bit up and down recently with a couple of niggles here and there keeping me out of the team. Hopefully I can stay fit now and kick on for the second half of the season. The top six is a realistic aim."
Johnston is set to be without forward Lee Miller through injury so Obadeyi's return is a welcome boost.
The Killie boss said: "He's been a big player for us, not just his goals but his pace and his power. He's been a big loss so it will be good to get someone of his quality back.
"He's the top goalscorer and he has missed a large part of the season. It's important as a wide midfielder that you are not just creating, that you are scoring goals as well, and Tope has been giving us that."
Source: PA
