Dundee United new boy Nadir Ciftci is hoping to celebrate his new deal by catching the eye against FA Cup holders Wigan.
The Tangerines are at the DW Stadium to face the Latics just a couple of weeks before former Tannadice favourite Owen Coyle takes his team to Wembley to face Premiership winners Manchester United in the Community Shield.
So while Wigan dropped out of the English top flight in heartbreaking style, they still pose a massive challenge for Ciftci and his colleagues.
However, with great things expected of the Dutch-born Turkish frontman in the Scottish Premiership when the competitive stuff starts at Firhill next Friday, he is keen to mark the signing of his contract with another fine display against Wigan.
“I hope I will bring a lot to the team,” said Ciftci. I will do my best for Dundee United each time I play.
“I felt at home from the first day I arrived at the club. There are obviously a lot of new faces here as well and I actually played against Kudus Oyenuga when he was at Tottenham and I was at Portsmouth.
“But they have all looked after me really well and I want to repay them by playing well and scoring goals, including the match against Wigan.
“I just hope I can do well. I already know a bit about Scottish Football.”
“I’ve watched it on television in the past when Celtic have been playing and when Dundee United were high up the table,” said Ciftci.
“I’m looking forward to this Wigan game and it should be a good one to play in. It’s all about fitness in pre-season and getting ready for the real stuff but our motivation is there to do well this weekend.
“We want to test ourselves against good level of opposition like Wigan, who not too long ago lifted the FA Cup.”
Ciftci’s two-year contract was finalised on Thursday night and was the reward for showing up well during the summer training trip to Germany and Spain.
He said: “It took a little while but the important thing is that everything is done now.
“I’m just delighted to be here. I had a great two weeks over in Germany and Spain. I was made to feel part of things by the gaffer and all the lads and I got a great opportunity to show what I can do.
“I just did my best and in the end it was enough to get a deal.”
Tannadice boss Jackie McNamara believes Ciftci can stand out even against a team that has a sizeable quota of internationals including Scotland pair James McArthur and Shaun Maloney.
He said: “He is one who will excite the fans. They got a wee glimpse of him against Dunfermline and he has plenty in his locker.
“He will be relishing facing Wigan but we all are, to be honest. They are about to play the Charity Shield game against Man United soon so they should have a strong side out.
“We have been looking a bit better in terms of performance and we got stronger as the Dunfermline game went on. We are on schedule I would say. We still have a few decisions to take personnel-wise but we are getting there.
“I know what team I will be playing against Partick and I could change one or two things against Wigan.”
No news has been good news for United as far as Paul Paton is concerned. The former Thistle man was sent off in controversial circumstances in the friendly against San Roque and could have faced a ban carrying into the league campaign.
But the Tangerines have heard nothing to say they can’t play Paton next week and hope it stays that way.
“I would be very surprised if anything happened because the game was really just a training match,” added McNamara.