New boy Stewart Murdoch reckons Dundee United, or Hibs, will be shooting themselves in the foot if they believe suggestions the Championship is going to be a two-horse race next season.
Since he signed up at Tannadice just under a fortnight ago, the 26-year-old has had to field a chunk of questions about the likely rivalry between the second tier’s big two.
But he expects the fight for promotion to involve a string of clubs.
And he uses the example of former employers Falkirk, where his career kicked off, as an example of why that’ll be the case.
“You just need to look at last season. Falkirk were not expected to be up there but they put together something as a group of players that was special.
“In the end, they finished second and were just one game short of reaching the Premiership. If it had been a one-off final instead of over two legs they might have gone up. I think they maybe just ran out of steam in the end,” said the former Ross County man.
As well as identifying the Bairns as potential challengers again, he also knows others could emerge from what, he believes, is a strong Championship.
“It is a league where us and Hibs are going to be considered the top two going into the season but there will be plenty other teams who are capable of mounting a challenge.
“You see it in leagues all over the world. It’s never a foregone conclusion the favourites will be up there at the end.
“Look at teams like Dunfermline, Queen of the South and others. There will be plenty of places that will be really hard to go to and teams who can do well.”
Murdoch is well aware their position as one of the two top teams in the league comes with extra baggage for the Tangerines. It’s a load he’s sure his new employers can carry.
“You also have to remember there will be an onus on Dundee United.
“People will be looking at us going places and expecting us to win — and that brings its own pressure. We have to be ready for that.
“It’s a different pressure when you go in as favourites. We think we can handle it but it’s going to be a hard season.”
Murdoch was one of Ray McKinnon’s key targets for this summer. The manager believes he can anchor his midfield and have a big influence.
On top of that, the fact he comes with a winning mentality was a big factor in the hard work that went in to bringing him in from the Staggies.
Without blowing his own trumpet, Murdoch recognises that logic.
“You want people who have had success and been used to winning things when you are building a squad.
“I’m lucky enough to have won the League Cup with Ross County at Hampden last season and been promoted down south with Fleetwood at Wembley, so I’ve had a taste of that.
“It’s important for the manager to get that mentality across early in pre-season and, hopefully, myself and a few others can help with that.
“From training on a Monday through to a Saturday it’s important we have the right mentality and approach.
“If standards are not right, we have to be at each other straight away to make sure they are.”
McKinnon has tipped Murdoch to be an unsung hero who does the hard graft for the team. That’s certainly fine by Murdoch.
“He wants me in front of the back four, helping them, breaking things up and keeping things simple.
“It’s a role that suits me and I feel I am good at getting about and at people.
“If I do that, I can get the ball to the flair players and they can go and get the goals to win us games.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.