When was the last time you heard Dundee’s name being mentioned during discussions about relegation from the Scottish Premiership?
St Mirren and Ross County? For sure.
Partick Thistle? Seven points more than the bottom two is nothing at this stage of the season, so they’re in the mix.
Even Mr Motherwell himself, Tam Cowan, spoke of his fears at the weekend that this could be the season his team has to concern itself with the foot of the table rather than the top.
But Dundee? I’ve yet to hear or read that the Dark Blues are even candidates for the drop.
That it should be the case that the security of a Premiership fresher is being regarded as virtually a given is the best compliment you can give this Dundee team.
Paul Hartley said he isn’t surprised that what is effectively a new side has gelled so quickly. But I am.
Not because I didn’t think that they would thrive in the top flight. Because I didn’t think they would thrive so quickly, with so many summer signings.
We’re forever told about how integrating new players into a team takes months just listen to Louis van Gaal. And most of the people who tell us this don’t have to bring together as many as Hartley has had to.
There were eight close-season captures in the Dundee starting XI at McDiarmid Park, and they all look at one with each other and the style of play that’s required of them.
Hartley will be getting a call from the managers’ union. He’s making this squad transformation lark look far too straightforward.