Dundee manager Gordon Chisholm believes he has a squad with the hunger to finally regain a place at Scottish football’s top table.
This will be Dundee’s sixth season outwith the SPL and Chisholm admits nothing less than winning promotion this term will be acceptable.
The Dens Park faithful had their hopes raised and then dashed last season when Jocky Scott, backed by benefactor Calum Melville’s chequebook, put together a group of players who were quickly installed as favourites to win the first division.
However, the promotion dream turned into a nightmare as Dundee were overhauled by Inverness Caley Thistle, after a poor run of results which culminated in a 3-0 loss at Airdrie, a defeat which ultimately cost Scott his job.
Chisholm took over the reins at Dens Park but he could not prevent Inverness from winning the title.
Now, having overseen a major clear-out of players in May, he believes he has rebuilt a squad capable of challenging for the championship.
Chisholm said,”We have had a few games and we have been building well. We have had a few trialists through the doors but now we are getting a settled squad.
“We are starting to work with the players we will have for the rest of the season.
“It is my squad now and that is what I was looking for.”Do things Chisholm’s wayHe added, “I am wanting the boys I have brought in, and the players here previously, to do things the way I like them to be done.
“I have worked with some of them before but we are all still just getting to know one another and I think they are coming along quite nicely.
“For instance, we have brought Gary Irvine in and he has won the first division with St Johnstone and wants to do so again.”
Chisholm said, “Overall, there is a hunger and desire to do well throughout the squad.
“There is no doubt promotion is the number one target this season.”
When asked who he considered were the major obstacles in the path of winning promotion, Chisholm said, “That is a hard one.
“You have Falkirk, Dunfermline, Ross County, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South…
“That’s five teams and there are also a couple of unknowns. For instance, you do not know how Morton will go under Allan Moore.
“So, I think it will be the same as last year it will be very hard to predict the results on a Saturday in the first division.”