Dundee boss Paul Hartley delighted with players’ fitness

Dundee boss Paul Hartley has expressed his delight at his players’ fitness levels after they returned for the first session of pre-season training yesterday.

The Dark Blues squad, including new arrivals such as Kane Hemmings, Rory Loy and Daryll Meggatt, spent the morning undergoing physical tests.

The results certainly pleased the manager who described them, “as good as I have seen”.

Hartley said: “I am absolutely delighted with the players.

“They have come back in great nick. Testing was good this morning and everybody was right at it.

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“I am really pleased with everyone’s performance.

“In the past, the rest period used to be between eight and nine weeks but now it is just four.

“We tend to give them a programme two weeks before they come back which they all follow.

“It wasn’t easy for them this morning but their attitude, commitment and results were terrific.

“For the first day back, it was as good as I have seen.

“The players gelled together very quickly and I think that is important.

“However, the training camp next week (in Hungary) is where the real tough work will begin.”