Most players approach pre-season training with a feeling of dread at the thought of the lung-bursting sessions that lie ahead – but at the start of this week, Josh Meekings wasn’t one of them.
As Dundee returned from their break, the big centre-half was actively looking forward to hitting the ground running after being unable to take part last summer because of a knee injury suffered when he was at Inverness.
The 25-year-old worked tirelessly in the gym to battle his way back to full fitness and made his debut for the Dark Blues when he was handed a start in the intimidating atmosphere of Celtic Park back in October, nearly a year since his last game for the Highland outfit.
The Englishman went on to make 23 appearances for Neil McCann’s side and was rewarded with a new two-year deal in March.
However, Meekings admitted that while delighted to be at Dens for the foreseeable future, he was not happy with some of his performances last season – something he hopes to put right in the forthcoming campaign with the help of a full pre-season under his belt.
The defender said: “I’ve had a very quiet summer because my missus is pregnant so I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere.
“It was nice though, it was good to be fit for once and be able to do a bit of work.
“Usually when you’re off you want to rest but given the amount of time I was out of the game, I wanted to do a bit and make sure I was ready for coming back.
“I did a bit of running, cycling and some swimming.
“The cycling was just in the gym. I don’t actually own a bike although it would have been nice to get out in the weather we’ve had this summer.
“It’s a strange feeling to be looking forward to pre-season, but that’s how I’ve felt.
“The manager here is good, we have a great spirit about the place and it’s good to be back in among the lads.
“I hope I will be a better player this year for having a pre-season behind me.
“I wasn’t pleased with my performances last year.
“I was happy to play the games I did but there were little mistakes and sloppiness in my game which I didn’t like.
“That’s what it’s like sometimes when you try to get your fitness back after a long time out.
“But you have your own standards and I wanted to be much better.
“This time round I think the benefit of having a pre-season in my legs will stand me in good stead – there will be no excuses.”
Meekings was one of several new faces as McCann oversaw a major transformation in the Dundee squad during what was his first full season in charge at Dens.
The player admitted that while he was fully comfortable with the way the manager wanted his new-look team to play, there are areas he is certain they will improve on now everyone is fully bedded in.
Meekings added: “Last season we gave away too many sloppy goals and it was frustrating.
“This year I think we will be a more settled team and hopefully we can iron out losing those silly goals.
“If we can do that and score a few more goals then we will go in the right direction.
“I think the overall play was good – the manager wants to play in a way I really believe in.
“John Hughes did the same at Inverness and that philosophy is a way I like to play.
“I really enjoy it. I like coming out from the back with the ball and having that freedom to go out and play.
“We haven’t set any targets yet this season, we’ve not spoken about it.
“People are still coming in so we haven’t had that chat but obviously in the back of your minds you have an idea of what you want to do.
“I don’t mind targets, I’m a target man. I like to have a goal and something to aim for.
“If you don’t get there then the onus is on you to improve the next season and try to reach it.
“There is no point sitting dwelling on last season, it was frustrating but we stayed in the league and we will go again this time round.
“Hopefully we can improve.”
