Marcus Haber left St Johnstone as the most successful period in the Perth club’s history was starting to build momentum.
And, after watching his old side establish themselves as one of the top teams in the Premiership and win a Scottish Cup, the Canadian can envisage Dundee following their example.
Haber, who has made an encouraging start to his Dark Blues’ career, said: “There’s no reason why Dundee can’t do what they’ve done and establish ourselves in the top six for the long-term.
“This is a big club so if we could emulate the same consistency then we’d be able to do the same things.
“There’s no reason why we can’t do that.”
Haber believes that he has improved as a player in the years since he left McDiarmid Park.
“I was young and quite raw when I moved to St Johnstone,” he recalled. “I was learning about the game.
“I think I’m a better player now. I’m more experienced.
“I have learned how to use the attributes I have better, things like how to use my body and picking up the traits of the game.
“I think I’m more effective now and use my strengths better.
“Unfortunately I did my cruciate when I was at St Johnstone, which was tough because that kept me out for seven months.
“But thankfully I was able to recover there and win another contract, so I have good memories from my time there.”
Haber added: “Steve Lomas was the manager when I left but Tommy Wright was the assistant so I know him well.
“You always knew he’d be a manager himself one day because all the lads respected him.
“A lot of the lads are still there from when I played there – Liam Craig, Murray Davidson, Steven Anderson and Chris Millar.
“I spoke to a few of them when we played there before I signed and have spoken to a couple of them since I’ve been back.
“I’m not surprised they have done well because they always had a very strong mentality there.
“It’s a good club with a positive atmosphere so that’s a big help to them.”
Haber is optimistic about Dundee’s chances in this afternoon’s local derby.
“Although they have done really well in the last few years we have been going OK at home so we’re confident ahead of this one,” he said.
“Our home record recently has been good. We have 10 points from the last twelve.
“The performance against Hearts wasn’t what we were looking for but the result was the right one and if you can grind out wins like that you’ll do well.
“At the moment I’m not focusing on the table, I take things week to week and look at the task in hand.
“You get ahead of yourself if you start looking too far into the future and that’s not good in this league because it’s so tight.”