New Dundee signing Marcus Haber “warmed up” for his new start at Dens playing in the blistering heat of Morocco.
The big striker had been without a club since being released by Crewe at the end of last season, after scoring 18 times in his two-year spell there.
However, he recently played in two games for Canada and the 27-year-old insists that if he is called upon by boss Paul Hartley against Partick Thistle tonight, he will be ready and raring to go.
He said: “I am happy to be at the club and to have a fresh start up here.
“The morale is still high and there is a good group of lads. Everyone is focused on the same thing.
“There is not much in the league. One or two results and we will be right back in it.
“We have a chance to put the last few games behind us with two matches in quick succession.
“We firstly need to focus on winning at home in a very winnable match.
“I have been fit for a while. I was away with the national team and I have had a full week in training so if I’m called upon, I am ready for sure.
“We had games against Mauritania and Morocco, two friendlies.
“Against Morocco we were playing and training in 30 degree heat. So that was good for me to top up my fitness.
“Like any striker, you pride yourself on scoring goals.
“But I am just working hard in training and hopefully I can do a job for the team.
“In training I have seen the team has the quality to perform and get themselves well away from the bottom of the league.
“We just have to play to our potential. There is no reason to panic.”
Haber can also count St Johnstone as one of his former clubs and he admitted he is delighted to be back in Scotland.
He said: “The culture up here is great and the lads are all down to earth.
“Everyone works hard and I think it is an honest bunch of boys at Dundee.
“I am excited to be back. I am at a good club now with a manager who is well respected and everyone at Dundee has faith in.
“So I am happy to be here.”
