It was interesting to hear Inverness Caley Thistle manager John Hughes dismiss talk of a title challenge by claiming their goal for the season has been to avoid relegation.
With the Highlanders flying high in third spot and just four points behind leaders Celtic the revelation that beating the drop has been their priority may surprise some people.
However, it is entirely sensible that a club of ICT’s modest size and budget should think that way initially, at least until the wins start coming along.
So it is also correct for Dundee to firstly look to consolidate in the Premiership after just gaining promotion last summer.
However, just like Caley Thistle, they can surely start looking up the way as the season reaches the end of January.
They are, after all, just a point behind sixth-placed St Johnstone, while Hamilton Accies may be seven better off than them but they are having a serious form dip and visit Dens on Saturday.
Dundee manager Paul Hartley was right to say his players weren’t at their best on Saturday despite beating St Mirren 2-1.
However, they were still better than the Buddies over the whole match and deserved to win the game.
And it is results like this one that should give the supporters, who gave the players terrific backing in Paisley, genuine hope that their team can sneak into the top six.