Mark McGhee: Performance against Rangers gives Motherwell something to build on

The Steelmen lost 2-1 to Rangers last week when a stoppage-time strike by Kenny Miller kept the points in Govan.

However, McGhee insists the level of performance against the Light Blues gives him encouragement for the visit of the Dark Blues.

Read more: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell: Mark Warburton's side leave it late at Ibrox

"Not only did it not do us damage but in fact it has kicked us on again in terms of performance," said the Scotland assistant manager, who revealed midfielder Carl McHugh has been sent home until Saturday with delayed concussion and will have another scan as a precaution.

"I said it last week, that was the key to me having some sort of rationale as to why we can go and beat Dundee, we have to play well if not win the game.

"I went there with really good teams playing well and not won, it is a difficult place for any team to get anything.

"But you come away with a performance and that gives us something to build on and that's the way it has been this week.

"If we go out at that level of commitment then we have a chance of getting something against Dundee."

McGhee is impressed with the way Dundee have coped with the loss of Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart, who both moved to England.

McGhee said: "When you lose two players like that, I thought they were going to struggle but they haven't, they have held their own so credit to them.

"I saw them the other night and to say they were creative is probably an understatement.

"Their shape was difficult to nail. (The) movement and variety within their shape sometimes can be difficult to play against because players pop up in areas where you don't expect them to or where it is difficult to get to.

"On the other hand when we have the ball, with the freedom they are playing with, you can find gaps.

"It works both ways. They can give you problems but equally when we get the ball there can be possibilities for us."