The 18-year-old’s nose now sports a small scar and a bump after he broke it against Gretna last month, but he accepts these are the kind of knocks you have to take in the country’s tightest league.

And he feels last week’s narrow win over Airdrie has proved Dundee can come through battles with the victories needed to force a way into the promotion race.

“My nose is fine now, and it wasn’t displaced so I didn’t need an operation or anything like that. It was sore at the time, but it’s what I’ve come to expect from this division, because there are a lot of hard games,” he said.

“I think we can handle that. People know we can play good football, but fans have had doubts all the way through last season and this season about us grinding out results. However, we showed against Airdrie we can do it.”

Another fighting performance could be required to take the points tomorrow, against a side who Dundee have not even managed a goal against in five previous league meetings.

And McDonald has warned the team from the Highlands are more than just fighters.

“Ross County are not a bad football side. They can be physical, but they also get the ball down and pass it and, when we were up there earlier this season, they did play well.

“We’ve struggled against them. We’ve lost up there and drawn here, and we need to put that right, because we need to be winning consistently.”

On a personal as well as team level, McDonald also wants to add greater consistency to his game.

His form since breaking into the side as a 16-year-old just over a year ago may have attracted regular visits and bids from Celtic, Everton and a string of other big clubs, but he believes there is room for improvement.

“I know myself that it has not been the best — I want to get a run going and be as good as I was last season.

“I know I’m still a young boy and there will be dips, but I’ve got a bit of experience now and I think I can be doing more.”

Meanwhile, as they look to keep among the leading pack, Dens boss Alex Rae is urging his men to show the battling qualities that saw them beat Airdrie last week, but also to be more ruthless in front of goal.

“I thought we played half-decent last week and we created a few chances,” said Alex.

“Bryan Deasley had a good chance early on, Derek Lyle missed one right on half-time and Robert Campbell hit the bar late on, and if these had gone in, it would have put a completely different slant on the game.

“But, when it’s only 1-0, anything can happen.”

The Dark Blues gaffer is also keen to see his men rectify their 1-0 defeat against the Highlanders in October.

“We didn’t play particularly well that day and, in the end, I think it was a fair result. But our form at home hasn’t been too bad and it’s vital we pick up three points tomorrow.”

The manager has options available with midfielder Ross Harris and on-loan striker Brian McGinty recovering from injuries. Andy McLaren misses out as he is suspended.

Meanwhile, Dens chief executive Dave MacKinnon, an advocate for the introduction of SPL2, has warned that Division One clubs face the prospect of having to go part-time unless there is an increase in revenue over the next few years.

He said, “I think every club in the First Division is under pressure and it would be difficult for us to continue for three or four years at a full-time level.

“Hopefully, on the horizon there is an SPL2, because that will certainly bring in additional money to clubs like ourselves — the ones who are in the middle ground, don’t want to go part-time and aspire to be in the Premierleague.”