Dundee United defender Paul Dixon knows through personal experience that you can take a successful step up to the SPL.
That is why, when the premier league campaign gets under way this afternoon, he won’t be underestimating a St Mirren side that will contain a host of signings from the lower leagues.
Dixon made the short journey to Tannadice from first division neighbours Dundee, while Buddies boss Danny Lennon has gone back to his old club Cowdenbeath to land Darren McGregor, Peter Bradley, Paul McQuade and Gareth Wardlaw, with Craig Samson switching from Ayr United and Marc McAusland from Queen of the South.
As well as himself, Dixon can look to United team-mates Scott Robertson, Morgaro Gomis, Danny Swanson and Craig Conway for evidence that talent can be found down the divisions.
So there is no way he will see today’s opponents as a soft touch.
“It is going to be a tough one against a much-changed team with a new manager, but we are fully focused on the game and hopefully we can get three points,” said the left-back.
“They may have a lot of new faces but we are 100% committed and will treat them like any other SPL team with respect.
“When I came to United it was from the first division and I noticed a big difference between that and the SPL.
“So I have first-hand experience of making the switch. You do adapt, though, and myself, Danny, Scott, Craig and Morgaro are all proof that you can come up the leagues and do well for your new team.
“We all know what it is like to step up.”
Dixon agreed with United manager Peter Houston’s prediction, expressed earlier this week in his season preview, that the Tangerines will be there to be shot at because of last season’s achievements.
“With us being Scottish Cup holders and the third-best team last season, people are going to see us as a scalp and raise their game against us,” said Dixon.
“We have to do what we did last season and we can’t afford to be complacent.”
These are exciting times for United, with Thursday’s home leg of their Europa League play-off round tie against AEK Athens looming large.
Dixon is determined that United go into that one with a victory behind them.Confidence boost”It would be great to get a win ahead of the AEK game and really boost our confidence,” he said.
“It would be nice for the fans, too, so we are looking forward to making a really encouraging start to the season.”
St Mirren defender David van Zanten, meanwhile, insists all of Lennon’s new signings have integrated fully into the Buddies’ squad.
Lennon made van Zanten his first signing after taking over from Gus MacPherson at the end of last season and has subsequently brought in another nine players.
The 28-year-old returns to Paisley for a second time, having previously spent five years with the club before joining Hibernian in 2008.
He had a short spell at Hamilton last season but the Irishman insists he has fitted straight back in the fold, along with all the other new boys.
“We went away to Ireland for four nights and were in each other’s company non-stop, so everyone got to know each other and bonded,” he said.
“It is different in January if you are changing a team because it’s more difficult to get to know each other.
“But we have done it in pre-season and it brings a freshness to the squad.”
Van Zanten is looking to bring his experience to bear on the Paisley club.
“The last two years have been difficult for me but I have learned a lot from it, so hopefully I will bring a lot of experience to the team,” he went on.
“My aim is to play every week. Every year apart from last season I have managed more than 30 games a season.
“That is my target again this year, to play as many games as I can and do well for the team.”
United’s Danny Swanson is suspended but would have missed out anyway through injury and is already a doubt for the AEK clash.
Other than that, United have no fresh problems so that means David Goodwillie and Scott Robertson will be fit, while striker Francisco Sandaza has recovered from a hamstring injury and could get a place on the bench.
The home side hope to have Craig Dargo fit as the striker battles a minor strain.
Michael Higdon is suspended and David Barron will miss out with knee ligament damage.