Dundee manager Paul Hartley is confident his players can cope with the great expectations placed upon them for the new season.
Last time around, the Dark Blues surprised more than a few people by coming up from the Championship and not just surviving comfortably but actually finsihing in sixth spot.
That was a fine achievement for a newly-promoted team, one which had been totally overhauled by Hartley’s recruitment policy.
Fresh faces have come in again this summer but arguably the most significant new thing at Dens is the high level of expectation.
There is a feelgood factor among the Dundee supporters, who believe the foundation laid in 2014-15 can be built upon in the campaign that will kick off tomorrow down at Kilmarnock.
Hartley is well aware that is the case but he is backing his players to deal with it.
He said: “We want to improve upon everything we did last year – that is our aim.
“It was a learning curve for everybody and that goes for myself and the players.
“Now I think the expectation level at the club is a little bit higher than before because of where we finished last season.
“We have to improve, not just upon what we did in the league but also how we did in the cups.
“You hear the talk and people feel the club is going to do well this season.
“I think it is good that the fans are upbeat because it is better being like that than not.
“Obviously, that comes with pressure but we have to be ready for that pressure.
“We have a good group and we want to do well. That means we will put pressure on ourselves every week.
“It is up to us as a group to try and perform well in very competition we enter.
“Our aim is to be closer to all the teams that finished above us in the table last season.
“We want to be at the right end of the league. We don’t want to be in a position where we are near the bottom fighting for our lives.
“You saw with Motherwell what could happen as regards the play-offs and you don’t want to be there.
“We know it will be difficult but I think we have improved all over.
“The players have been there from day one of pre-season and they know what’s required of them.”
Asked if it will be a tougher top-flight this year than last, Hartley replied: “Yes, definitely.
“I think everybody has added to their squads.
“Hearts are strong and will be a great addition to the league, while Aberdeen, Dundee United, Motherwell, Ross County etc have all added to their squads.”
The Dens men will be without Nicky Low for the trip to Rugby Park.
Hartley confirmed: “Nicky took a knock against Raith Rovers so the game will come a week too soon for him, although he should be fine for next week.”