Steven Pressley has issued a rallying cry to his Dundee squad, urging them to silence the skeptics and secure their Scottish Premiership survival after being "written off" earlier in the campaign. With just four matches remaining, the Dark Blues sit nervously in ninth place—three points above Saturday's opponents St Mirren and five clear of Kilmarnock, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.

"This group of players have gone through a very difficult, challenging season," Pressley acknowledged. "We were written off before the start of the season. A lot of people gave us criticism early on, and rightly so, but it's been tough because we're a young group—that's the truth."

The Dundee boss highlighted his team's resilience amid a turbulent year, noting their ability to rise above setbacks. "This group has responded magnificently to adversity. They're enduring a lot this season, facing challenges they've never encountered in their careers, and taking on immense responsibility. But they've shown the right mentality and grit to get to this point, and I'm hopeful they can finish the job."

However, form has been a concern for the Dens Park outfit. Dundee head into Saturday's clash without a win in five league matches, having claimed victory in just two of their last 13 outings. On a brighter note, three of their remaining four fixtures will be played on home turf, offering a potential advantage in the battle for survival.

"I think it's fair to say we need to get back to winning ways," Pressley admitted. "The important thing is not to hide from these facts—we accept them. We understand the importance of this weekend's game and the determination needed to turn things around. But we also give St Mirren great respect. There are no guarantees we stay in the league—I'd never promise that—but there's a confidence that we can."

As the season reaches its climax, Pressley's message is clear: this young Dundee side has already defied expectations, and now they must prove their doubters wrong once more. With the pressure mounting, the Dark Blues will need every ounce of that grit and determination to secure their top-flight status.