Jim McAlister has said the Dundee players are determined to set an early high benchmark when they play their first competitive fixture of the season at Alloa.
Manager John Brown has intimated that he could give some of his younger players a chance in the Ramsdens Cup tie at Recreation Park.
Midfielder McAlister insists that, no matter who is selected for the Dark Blues, they will be striving to ensure they do not get stung by Paul Hartley’s Wasps.
The 27-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with Dundee last month, has more reason than most to want to go all the way and win the trophy.
He said: “If you start the season winning the first game, then you can begin to build a bit of momentum from there.
“We would love to get off to a flyer as we don’t play next week because we have a bye in the League Cup.
“This is our first competitive game and it is vitally important that we get off to a winning start, especially to lay down a benchmark against a team that is in our league as well. We can get the psychological edge over them.
“They will be looking at it the same way. They have maybe been reading the papers and seeing that Dundee might rest some of their players and think it is a big chance to take our scalp.
“I think it is a good cup to win. I have been beaten four times in the semis with Morton and lost in the final once two seasons ago with Hamilton when Falkirk beat us 1-0.
“So I wouldn’t mind having the opportunity to win it again.”
McAlister admitted he has been really impressed by the contribution so far of some of the younger lads at Dens such as the promising Craig Wighton, Cammy Kerr and Thomas Carberry.
Their fearless attitude means they are already catching manager John Brown’s eye.
McAlister said: “Every one of the young guys who has trained with us this summer has done really well.
“They have more than held their own and they shouldn’t feel out of place if they are selected at Alloa. It is a fantastic opportunity for them.
“They have done really well in some of the pre-season games and I don’t think they should have anything to fear if they are called upon on Saturday as there will be a good mix of older heads around them to talk them through the game.”
McAlister believes the Dark Blues are ready to race out of the traps after a hard but enjoyable pre-season under boss Brown.
The former Hamilton and Morton player revealed the squad have been put through their paces on artificial surfaces to give them a taste of what awaits them this afternoon at Alloa and at other venues in the Championship this season.
He said: “Pre-season has been brilliant with the footballs out from day one. We had a good couple of weeks’ work and then we were into the games.
“The manager also had us playing on Astroturf, which is good as well as it gave us a chance to get used to it. I think three teams in the league this season play on it.”