Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara has revealed the club’s goal for the new Premiership season – a top-six finish.
The Dark Blues failed to reach those heights last term, finishing just two points ahead of the play-off spot in 10th place.
Now, though, as they prepare to open the 2017-18 campaign at home to Ross County this afternoon, new boy Kamara is confident they can fulfil their ambition by the time next May comes around.
“It’s like a new beginning for a new team and everyone is really buying into what the manager is all about and what he wants to achieve with this group.
“I think we’ve been doing all right in pre-season and the cup so far, considering all the changes.
“Our aim is to finish as high as possible in the league – it’s as simple as that.
“We are definitely going to be aiming for a top-six finish.
“The manager has mentioned it a few times about how difficult it was last season so nobody wants to be in that position again.
“We are trying to put that behind us.
“It’s all about pushing forward and seeing how far we can go.
“We hope last season was just a one-off and I’m sure it will prove to be.”
Kamara (21), who joined from Arsenal, is a candidate for signing of the summer at Dens and was a worthy winner of the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award – awarded to the best home player – in last Sunday’s derby against Dundee United, which was drawn 1-1 before the Tangerines won the penalty shootout.
The Finnish under-21 international said: “Personally, I am feeling good and so are the rest of the team going into the new season.
“I was pleased with my overall performance in the derby and the fact I got man-of-the-match was a nice touch.
“It is a team effort at the end of the day but it’s always good to get recognised for what you do as well.
“To be honest, I have settled in really well.
“Obviously, I just arrived in the summer and it’s been a bit different to what I’m used to but I have taken to it well.
“It’s just a bit different style of football here and I have played maybe more in a passing team before.
“We would build up more from the back and it didn’t always have to be going forward as much.
“I think it’s maybe just a bit different but I like it and I relish the change.
“I’m learning all the time and getting used to new surroundings and a new style of football.
“I can adapt to situations so that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Being a new kid in town, Kamara doesn’t know too much about today’s opponents but he thinks the Dark Blues are well prepared and ready for the challenges that lie ahead, starting this afternoon and then going on to next Wednesday when they tackle United again in the Betfred Cup rerun.
“I feel we are just beginning to peak at the right time, with the new league season about to get under way,” said Kamara.
“We are still gelling – new manager and new faces – but we are gradually coming together.
“I have never been to a club before where there have been so many summer signings but it is exciting.
“From a personal point of view, I’ve had great backing from the fans too and everyone at the club has made me feel really welcome.
“So you take that all in.
“What it does is encourage you as a person to do your best.
“I don’t really know anything about Ross County, though.
“We’ll do our pre-match stuff as normal to see what every team is like beforehand.
“So I’m going to learn a lot but it won’t be until we actually play against them that I will really find out what they are like.
“We will pay them every respect but hope to give them a hard 90 minutes.”
