Tony Docherty say Dundee’s mentality is a “real strength” as he urged his side to thrive at “intimidating” Tynecastle on Saturday.
Dundee are up to fifth in the table after just one defeat in the past five games, while Neil Critchley’s Hearts languish bottom.
“It is important, the real challenge to players was to get themselves winning games to get themselves in that top six,” said manager Docherty.
“And I feel they’re a strong, strong squad together. There’s a good mentality. Watch the way they celebrate goals, it’s everybody together.
“So I can feel a real kind of strength within the squad and a real resolve and a real willingness, that that mentality will take us forward, and they’ve got themselves in a good position now.”
When the sides met at Dens Park in August, Dundee won 3-1, but Docherty insists new boss Critchley has improved Hearts despite their continued struggles.
“Neil’s been in now for 10 games and you can see from watching the recent matches he’s putting his stamp, and he’s formulating the gameplan, the system that he wants to play,” he added.
“But very much, it’s about my full focus being on our team. We’re in a good place at the moment in terms of the form guide. We’re sitting, over the last six games, third, behind Celtic and Rangers.
“Hearts have got a lot of really good players. It’s a kind of an intimidating stadium, but I think it can be a really good stadium to play in as the away team.”