Dundee manager Paul Hartley hopes to achieve the same level of squad stability as Inverness Caley Thistle.
While last summer the Dark Blues had a substantial turnaround of staff and some pre-contract deals are already signed and sealed this time around, Hartley’s long-term goal is to add just a few first-team ready signings each close season.
That has been the path to success in the Premiership for teams like ICT, who visit Dens Park tomorrow, and St Johnstone, both of whom have modest budgets.
Consistency of selection in key areas like defence has helped Saints and Inverness punch above their weight.
Hartley thinks it is too early to expect Dundee to be enjoying the kind of season that Caley are having with their third-place in the league and Scottish Cup final appearance.
However, he feels it could become a reality if they keep the group together.
“We are just establishing ourselves, whereas Inverness have been in the league a little while now,” said Hartley, who travelled north to watch ICT beat Dundee United 2-1 on Tuesday to put themselves on the brink of securing third spot.
“They have a good squad there and haven’t changed an awful lot.
“Yeah, that’s where we want to get to but I think this season was always going to be on a learning curve for us.
“A lot of people had us down to be at the bottom end of the table but we have shown that we are a decent outfit.
“We are really pleased that we are in the top six.
“This season has been hard but I think next time it’s going to be doubly difficult.
“This was always going to be a test because of all the new signings last summer but we have been getting guys on two- and three-year contracts.
“So that means over the next couple of years it could be two or three new players maximum as we try to keep the squad together and build from there.
“You look at others like Inverness and St Johnstone and see that they don’t change too much.
“They probably carry about 20 players in their squads and have them tied up on deals.
“We will be looking to do that and build a good group in order to be competitive in the league.”
The forward planning has already begun and Kevin McBride was released by the club earlier this week.
More departures will follow but Hartley doesn’t want it to get in the way of what happens on the park.
“We will sit down in the next week to 10 days and sort it all out and that’s fine because we still have some important games to play,” he said.
“Kevin McBride has not been involved in the team for the majority of the season so we just felt it was probably best that we go our separate ways.
“We thank him for his efforts but it is the right time.
“We need everybody else just now because we have these big games still left in the season.
“The lads are under contract until June so we are within our rights to speak to them when we think it’s best.
“We have brought lads in already on pre-contact deals – Nicky Low, Daryll Meggatt and Rory Loy – and we will be looking to bring in a few more to try to improve the squad.
“We know where we need to strengthen.”
Young Calvin Colquhoun will be involved again against Inverness after making his debut from the bench in Dundee’s 5-0 drubbing from Celtic last Friday night.
Hartley said: “We will see if he can handle the pressure of playing in the first team.”
Gary Harkins returns from injury, Greg Stewart is free to play after suspension, while Paul McGowan is also available.
Goalkeeper Scott Bain has picked up a knee knock and will be given to the last minute to prove his fitness.