Dundee defender Kevin Holt has set the club the double goal of a top-six finish and a Scottish Cup semi-final as the new Premiership season gets under way.
The Dark Blues head north to Ross County today for the big kick-off and, while it may be too much to hope for a repeat of last year’s 4-0 opening-day romp at Kilmarnock, Holt is desperate to hit the ground running in the Highlands.
The left-back said: “We were disappointed not to get into the top six last season and we want to do better this time.
“When you get there then you can see where it takes you in the closing weeks of the season.
“We did OK in the Scottish Cup but when we played Rangers in the quarter-final we didn’t do ourselves justice at Ibrox.
“So we want to go one step further and get to the semis of the Scottish Cup as well as the top six.”
Holt is happy that the league campaign is now getting under way after weeks of Betfred Cup action that ended with the Dark Blues failing to get out of their group.
He said: “It has felt like a long pre-season with the Betfred Cup and we didn’t do ourselves justice in that.
“I liked the idea of what they were looking to do with that competition and maybe we need to get a bit more preparation in next year in terms of getting a few more games before it.
“Everyone was in the same boat, though, and we didn’t know how many games to get ready.
“Now it’s on to the league and Ross County are a stuffy team who finished in the top six last year.
“So we know it won’t be easy.
“They have a good balance between strong guys and good ball players.
“When you go up there you know you are in for a battle.”
The game is likely to come too early for Dundee’s new striker Faissal El Bakhtaoui, with a place on the bench perhaps the best he can hope for.
Holt has welcomed his new colleague to the club and hopes there is not too much pressure put on him following the departure of star scorer Kane Hemmings to Oxford United last week.
“I am not sure if he will be a direct replacement for Kane,” said Holt.
“Kane was brilliant for us and to lose him a couple of weeks before the season starts wasn’t great but it is good the manager has moved swiftly to get somebody else in.
“I think the fans need to be patient with him (El Bakhtaoui).
““It would be great to see him hit the ground running but if it does take time I am sure the fans will understand that because he is coming from a couple of leagues below and it is a new challenge for him.
“Everyone here will make him feel will welcome and as long as the fans encourage him I am sure he will do well.”
