A strong work ethic was central to all the good things that happened to Dundee United last season, and manager Peter Houston has called on his players to knuckle down again.
The Tangerines report back to work this weekend and Houston has marked the return of his team by calling on them to maintain the level of effort that helped them lift the Scottish Cup and finish third in the SPL.
“We have a big season ahead of us and, if anything, it is going to be more difficult than last year,” he said.
“In the past, teams who have finished in third place one year have struggled to sustain it the next so that is the challenge for us.
“I will be telling the players that the only way they will do it is if they show the same attitude and application as they did last season.
“That is what got United to the position we reached in the league and enabled us to win the cup.
“Hard work underpinned everything we did and I want to see exactly the same approach this season.”
Despite speculation linking several of his players with moves, the only notable absentees should be goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, who is being given a holiday after World Cup duty with Slovakia, and the injured Mihael Kovacevic.Success”I always thought that if we kept all our players and, although it is still early days, I will be delighted to see everyone back we would have a good chance of being a success again in the new season,” added Houston.
“The hard work starts again on Friday, and the players know what to expect pre-season won’t be any different to years gone by.
“We will work them as hard as we can to get that base fitness into them and then take it from there.”
The third-place finish secured Europa League football for United, with the draw for their final qualifying round phase taking place on August 6.
However, this will not affect Houston’s preparations, which include a trip to Austria and Germany, a jaunt to Belfast to play Glentoran then two games one away, one home against Hull City and Wigan Athletic.
“Being in Europe doesn’t change anything because we don’t go into the hat until August,” said Houston.Fortunate”Motherwell and Hibs go in a bit earlier and that will affect their summer work, but we have been fortunate in that respect.
“We are able to build towards the first league game of the season on August 14 like we always do, and then look at Europe after that.
“We have had a good break over the summer we celebrated winning the cup, but that has gone now and it is time to get going again.”
One thing Houston is keen to see in the months ahead is the emergence of young talent.
He said, “I have high hopes for several of the young boys we have had in and around the squad.
“This season I would like to think Dale Hilson, Ross Smith, Ryan Dow and Craig Hill will progress.
“They have all had a wee sniff of the first team and I hope that has whetted their appetite for it.
“I have always made it clear to them that if they are doing well enough then I will give them a chance,” he added.