Dundee boss Barry Smith has declared his team ready to face the biggest challenge their division can place before them.
The second-placed Dark Blues will take the road north to Dingwall on Saturday to play league leaders Ross County.
It is a meeting of the two in-form teams in the First Division, with the Dens men on a run of six straight wins and County having gone unbeaten in the league since August 13.
The points advantage may still lie heavily in their opponents’ favour the Staggies are eight ahead with a game in hand but Dundee are doing more than enough to merit serious attention.
Smith has been keen to keep a lid on talk of a possible title but hopes they can keep their good form going against Derek Adams’ side.
”The run we are on is good but the challenge now is to continue it,” he said. ”What we can’t forget is that County are on a great run as well so it is going to be a game between two teams who are in good form.
”We are very upbeat, though, and winning games breeds confidence. I would say the lads are up for it. We had a slow start to the season but have picked up recently.
”This league is so tight that anyone who goes on a run can shoot up the table. There is plenty of football still to be played so there are a number of teams who will still think they can end up there.
”County will show us respect like they always do and we will be doing the same to them. It looks likely to be a very attractive game and hopefully we will be able to keep our run going.”
A key man for the Dens men on Saturday could be striker Jake Hyde, who scored in the win over Queen of the South at the weekend.
”Jake has been playing regularly and has been scoring, so you can see his confidence on the back of that,” added Smith. ”He has a knack of being in the right place or finding the best spaces for himself in and around the penalty box.
”His movement is really good he is scoring goals and I am really happy with his contribution.”
On loan-striker Calum Elliot will remain at Dens until the end of the month despite the confirmation that he will be leaving parent club Hearts. Elliot, who has played more than 120 games for the Jam Tarts, will cut his ties with Tynecastle on January 1.
He said: ”I have enjoyed my time at Hearts but I am very keen to have a fresh start now I’m getting back to full fitness. I am keen to regain my form and now I am back playing regularly I am sure I can succeed at a high level.
”I would like to thank everyone at the club who have looked after me and been good to me through my eight seasons.”
The 24-year-old, who suffered a serious knee injury last season, is set to follow goalkeeper Janos Balogh and Dale O’Hara out of the club.
A Hearts spokesman said: ”Calum has made a good contribution to the club and we wish him all the best in his future career.
”He is a very good player and will undoubtedly make a positive contribution to his new club and he goes with our best wishes.”