Ross Docherty is challenging his team-mates to rediscover their "winning mentality" as Dundee United eye a Premier Sports Cup semi-final place.

United's eight-game unbeaten run ended on Sunday with defeat to Rangers, and captain Docherty wants the side to "right the wrongs" in Friday night's quarter-final against Motherwell.

The midfielder, who played his part in last season's Championship-winning side, though he was hampered by injury, came off the bench in the first half against Rangers.

He believes Jim Goodwin's side have "a huge chance" to make the semis, which would constitute an "amazing start to the season".

"It's a huge game and a huge chance to get to a semi-final, which would be amazing," the 31-year-old said.

"If we can get to the semi it would be an amazing start to the season, even with that Rangers defeat.

"We want to try and put the wrongs right, to try and improve and try to get through. We will look back on the game. We won't say well done we almost got a result. It's not like that. We need to be better in the final third.

"Overall, the start we have made, you have to be proud."

United have seamlessly returned to the Scottish Premiership and sit fourth, just two points behind Rangers after the weekend's defeat, while only Celtic and Aberdeen have a better defensive record.

Docherty said the club built "a winning mentality" in their hard-fought title win last season.

"We knew it was win or bust to get this club back up," he added.

"We handled that pressure quite well despite some slight glitches. Ultimately, we got to where we wanted to be. You can see the winning mentality there."