Tony Docherty feels Dundee are gaining momentum as they fight for top-six spot

Tony Docherty believes Dundee are picking up the pace as the season turns towards the home straight.

The Taysiders’ 2-0 home win victory over Ross County at the weekend made it back-to-back wins in the cinch Premiership for the second time this season.

With eight league fixtures remaining before the split, Dundee are in sixth place, five points ahead of Hibernian whom they play at Easter Road on Saturday.

Boss Docherty said: “It is all about getting that consistent level of performance which I have had from the squad.

“I said that if we do that, we will pick up points and that will reflect in our league position.

“I think you are beginning to see that now. We are gaining a wee bit of momentum.

“The squad is getting really strong, I am getting everybody back.

“Antonio Portales is back, Ricki Lamie is back, Michael Mellon is back, Curtis Main is getting up to speed.

“So just at the right time of the season I am beginning to get the squad really strong.

“Back-to-back wins gets you a bit of momentum, gets the confidence and feel-good factor in the squad.

“At this stage it is really important to build up as much momentum as you can.

“It is one game at a time, a cliche. We have a difficult opponent on Saturday but hopefully if we can execute our game plan with the right personnel we can come away some points.”

Docherty confirmed that defender Lee Ashcroft has signed for Raith Rovers on loan for the rest of the season.

He said: “Lee Ashcroft had a few suitors and he is another player that, with the injured players coming back, I couldn’t guarantee him game time.

“He was wanting guaranteed football and he has chosen to go on loan to Raith Rovers to do that. He is a fantastic professional, I love working with him.

“He has only gone on loan but he wants to finish the season at Raith and we wish him all the best.”