This is the time when people get asked for their predictions for the season ahead.
Well, my first one is that Arbroath will not just be there to make up the numbers in the Championship.
The feelgood factor is still alive and well at Gayfield following our League One title win.
I was privileged to be a part of that as goalkeeping coach and we are all looking forward to Saturday’s visit of Queen of the South, when the flag will be unfurled.
We are, however, under no illusions that the Championship will be a different animal.
Every week there will be a hard game facing us but there is a determination among the management and players that we can make it difficult for our opponents.
Our task is to make teams look at an upcoming match against Arbroath and feel that it will be a challenge for them. No one should be thinking that three points are guaranteed.
Alloa have managed to do that and, with respect, we look to them as a fellow part-time team and say that if they can do it then we can too.
We are under no illusions that we will be underdogs for nearly every match we play in the division but that won’t bother us.
Indeed, it will only make us more determined to upset the odds.
To achieve what we want to achieve in the weeks and months ahead, we know that every player in our team will need to perform to a high level.
We won’t be a group of individuals but will play as a unit.
It promises to be a special season for the club, especially as we will be getting visits from Dundee and Dundee United.
It will be a wee day out for the fans of both of those teams but we might not be making the welcome too warm on the park when the whistle blows!
~ I note that United have been installed as the bookies’ favourites to get promoted but I would say it’s 50-50 between them and Dundee to be champions.
Both clubs are still looking to add to their squads, even as the league campaign prepares to start, so we will have a better idea after a few weeks.
There have been sticky performances from both clubs in the Betfred Cup – United’s loss to East Fife springs to mind, while I watched Dundee against Peterhead.
Nevertheless, they are the two big guns in the Championship and I expect them to be fighting it out for the title.
Up in the Premiership, I just can’t see past Celtic for yet another league win.
I know some people are predicting that Rangers will be up there pushing them but I just think Neil Lennon has had a good summer and everyone at Celtic Park seems relaxed and confident.
