Expectations from outside McDiarmid Park for St Johnstone over their next five fixtures will be pretty low.
But Perth boss Tommy Wright is ready for the challenge of a daunting early autumn.
Aberdeen, Celtic (twice), Rangers and Hearts will all be faced over the next few weeks and Wright has insisted Saints will meet the country’s big-hitters in league and cup “head on”.
“We have made a reasonably good start,” said the Northern Irishman.
“The Killie game was the disappointment because we didn’t turn up for the second half.
“But we have bounced back really well since then and the players deserve a lot of credit.
“We have a tough run coming up but it’s one I’m looking forward to.
“In the next month we play all the top teams and I’d imagine most people will give us zero points and out of the cup.
“So, let’s bring it on and see what happens.”
Wright added: “You want to play against the best teams, we have had spells in the past where we have done well against the better teams and we have had spells in the past where it hasn’t been so good.
“I always believe we can win every game we play, that won’t change.
“It’s a tough run, that’s for sure, but it’s one we’re ready to meet head on.”
Saints currently ahead of Saturday’s opponents in the Premiership table but Wright believes the Dons’ start has to be put in context.
“Aberdeen have lost key players from last season and have been hampered by a lot of injuries too,” he noted.
“They have been the second best team in the country for a while now so the expectation is there and people see them as a scalp.
“Derek has had a really bad injury list but he’s still got a strong squad and they will be one of the teams right up there come the end of the season.”
