Goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw knows what it takes to win the Championship and he hopes he can repeat that feat with new-look Dundee United.
Laidlaw played 18 times for Hibs as they comfortably secured promotion in season 2016-17 and is now looking to do it again with United after joining from the Easter Road club on loan.
He has been one part of a mini invasion of Tannadice during the now closed transfer window.
Indeed, there will be the need for a meet and greet before the start of today’s home league clash with Morton.
Once the getting to know you process is over, though, Laidlaw is looking for the Tangerines to kick on for what remains of this campaign.
Robbie Neilson’s men will have to pick themselves up after the defeat at Ayr eight days ago and they now sit three points behind the Honest Men and six adrift of leaders Ross County.
Laidlaw (26) said: “When you win a league you will get horrible games that you have to overcome.
“That was the case at Ayr last week for United so we have to bounce back now and get three points this weekend.
“There is a long way to go in the league and everyone will drop points.
“However, we need to make sure we get the consistency you need in this division.
“I haven’t played for a while but I feel ready if the manager wants me to play against Morton.”
Laidlaw is still technically a Hibs player but it is clear that he wants to make his move to Tannadice a permanent one.
He said: “I thought it was a good opportunity to come here and jumped at the chance.
“I need to be playing and have to be thinking about what is going to happen next season.
“I wasn’t playing at Hibs and I have it in my head that my time there is over.
“I think that’s it done there.
“I had reached the stage there when two keepers were in front of me so I asked them if they would let me go.
“Hibs were great with me.
“They understood I needed to go out and play.
“I want to play games and see what happens for next season.
“I wouldn’t have been playing at Hibs so I would rather put myself in the market by coming here and playing.
“Obviously, I would like to do well enough at United for them to want to keep me, so we will see what happens over the next few months.”
United boss Neilson will have some serious thinking to do today when it comes to his team selection.
He has options all over the park following an extremely busy transfer window.
As well as Laidlaw, since the turn of the year Neilson has recruited Aidan Nesbitt, Cammy Smith, Morgaro Gomis, Ian Harkes, Charlie Seaman, Peter Pawlett, Mark Connolly, Calum Butcher, Mark Reynolds and Osman Sow.
That is, literally, a new team of January signings so the fans will be extremely interested to see how they shape up against the Greenock club.
Neilson said: “It has been a busy window but I am pleased with the quality of the squad as it stands.”
