Dundee boss Paul Hartley insists there will be no flagging from his players when the Championship banner is unfurled at Dens.
The newly-promoted Dark Blues will have last season’s league-winning heroics marked at a ceremony before the Premiership opener against Kilmarnock.
Such occasions are enjoyed by supporters and will no doubt help further boost the feelgood factor sweeping through the stands as Dundee open a new chapter in the top flight.
However, Hartley is confident his team won’t get too caught up in the occasion. Instead, he believes, they will only have their minds on trying to beat Killie once the whistle goes.
He said: “There’s been no mention of the flag from the players and we are just treating it as the first game of the season.
“It doesn’t bother me too much and I don’t think it affects the players either. I think it’s more for the supporters these sort of days.
“For the players it’s all about focusing on the game. It’s the first game of the season and a good chance for us to get off to a positive start.
“That’s how we’re treating it. The players have been in good form and have worked really hard over a period of six weeks.
“It actually feels as though the pre-season has dragged a little bit. Now we’re just really looking forward to the game, both myself and the players.
“They have been terrific and the spirit is great but this is the main stuff now. This is where it counts.”
Also, with players like Kevin Thomson, Paul McGowan and Gary Harkins in the side, it is not as if the Premiership newcomers don’t know what top-flight football is all about.
Hartley said: “I think we’ve got a little bit of know-how in the team. We’ve got some players who have played in the SPL before which will hopefully count.”
The Dundee gaffer admitted it hasn’t been easy to gauge just what kind of shape Killie will be in.
“It’s been quite difficult because I think they’ve only had a couple of games,” he added.
“I have had them watched via one of their most recent games on video, though, and they’ve got a couple of new additions.
“I think (former Hearts man) Jamie Hammil is suspended but they have brought in a couple of new faces. However, you can never tell how the opening game of the season is going to go.
“Lee Miller is there now and I played with him both at Hearts and for Scotland. I like Lee as a player. He’s a threat and is a good lad.
“It maybe didn’t work out for him at Dundee United but we won’t be focusing on one player. Josh Magennis is another player who is a handful. I know him from having played with him at Aberdeen as well.
“So their players will be well warned but our players have got to look after themselves.”
The hosts will be without Phil Roberts because of suspension, while Kevin McBride is struggling with a knock.
Fans should note that there are only a very limited number of tickets available for the South Enclosure so there will be no cash turnstile in that stand.
The Bobby Cox Stand is also all ticket while cash gates will be available in the Main and Bob Shankly Stands at £20 adults and £10 concessions.
l A match between a young Dundee side and Qatar’s national under-23 team at Tannadice on Wednesday night had to be abandoned at half-time.
The Qataris have been in Scotland for a summer training camp and also played against Dundee United’s under-20s on Sunday.
Dens boss Hartley confirmed he was not prepared to let his under-20 team take to the pitch for the second half because of the behaviour of the opposition.
“There were a few nasty challenges and the game was abandoned at half-time. It wasn’t by the referee,” said Hartley.
It’s understood that, as well as several incidents during the first half that caused major concern, trouble also flared at the break.
It was then it was decided that, having done the Qataris a favour by agreeing to the friendly, they should call a halt to proceedings before anyone was injured.