Dunfermline winger Joe Cardle can”t wait for the league opener against Falkirk and firmly believes the west Fife club can regain their place in the Premier League come next May.
The 23-year-old former Airdrie United player has been receiving plaudits for his recent good form but knows that starting a new campaign against the Bairns is as tough as they come.
“It’s a great game to start with and I’m hoping I get picked to play,” he told Courier Sport.
“We’ve been preparing this week for the Falkirk game and can’t wait for it to come.
“I started in the friendly against Hearts and the Co-operative Cup game against Arbroath, and it’s just good to get a game.
“I got a couple of goals and a few assists so I’m feeling good at the moment.”
Cardle feels the Pars long line of friendlies will stand them in good stead for the coming campaign.
“The last two pre-seasons have been brilliant, especially this one with the games we have played against the SPL teams and Manchester United.
“It’s been a great start to the season and it’s looking good so far.”
Dunfermline have been strongly tipped as one of the promotion favourites from the first division but Cardle knows they will have to show more consistency if they mean to top the league. “We’re up there with the favourites and that’s due to the players we have in the team,” he added.
“But we’re not looking at that. We’re just working hard in training and looking at ourselves. “The games will come thick and fast but we have to look to get three points.Work hard”We’re not going to be flying all season we’re going to get hard games, so we have to dig in and work hard for each other.
“Last season we won big games but let ourselves down against the smaller clubs,” he added.
“If we can be a bit more consistent I think we have a big chance this season.”
Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre also feels the Pars should be in the promotion mix.
“Obviously the first league game of the season you want to get off to a good start,” he said.
“The Falkirk game is a great one to start with a derby, and one we’re all looking forward to.
“All the first division games are difficult that’s the kind of league it is but I think this match is great for an opener.
“The team that gets relegated are always made favourites by the bookies, and rightly so.
“But we can’t worry about that we have to go there and get the right result.
“There will be a full house and a great atmosphere and it is one the players are all looking forward to.
“We’re confident that if we keep all our players fit that we can challenge this season.
“The SPL is where we want to be so we expect to be challenging.”
The Falkirk game will come too soon for Alex Burke and Steven Bell, who will miss out through injury.