Dundee’s Paul McGinn admits he is playing with more freedom this season as he feels he has more than proved he is not out of place in the Premiership.
The 24-year-old full-back joined the Dark Blues last summer from part-time Championship outfit Dumbarton.
McGinn went on to make 39 appearances for Paul Hartley’s side last season and has started this campaign in a rich vein of form.
That is in part because he believes he has firmly established himself in the top tier and he is now just looking to push on again, including today at Aberdeen.
McGinn said: “I have been pleased with my form.
“We play with a really narrow midfield so there is an onus on the full-backs to get forward.
“But we are keeping the ball a lot better than last year.
“I feel I have started this season well though and long may it continue.
“I don’t have to prove myself any more. People know I can play at this level now.
“When you first come in, even the best players would tell you that you have that in the back of your mind.
“You need to produce to show you can do it at this level.
“I am more relaxed now. Even just small things like going away again in the summer to Budapest, I wasn’t one of the new guys.
“So you are more comfortable in your surroundings which definitely helps.
“Now I just want to kick on again and make myself one of the better players in the league.”
Dundee had a good record against the Dons last season, winning one and drawing three of their five games against the side who finished the season in second place in the Premiership behind champions Celtic.
However, McGinn admits the Dark Blues could take a leaf out of Aberdeen’s book when it comes to closing games out.
He said: “Aberdeen are a winning machine. They have just carried on from last season.
“Even when they are not playing well, they seem to grind out wins which is something we should maybe aspire to.
“Particularly against Hearts, we played really well and probably deserved more than what we got but if you don’t grind it out and see the game through, you will get punished and that’s what happened.
“Aberdeen know when to shut up shop and their clean sheet record was brilliant last season.
“But across the midfield and up front they also have a goal threat. Even Shay Logan and Graeme Shinnie can chip in with goals.
“I know I will be busy defending but I will try to get forward as usual.
“They have good attacking options.
“Adam Rooney who scored a load of goals last year hasn’t been getting a regular game which shows the strength in depth they have.
“Our games against them last season were great for the fans with goals galore.
“We seemed to cause them problems even up there which is a tough place to go so hopefully we continue that.”
The Dark Blues will be without the injured Rory Loy and Nicky Low while James McPake and skipper Kevin Thomson will be given late fitness tests.
Meanwhile, Dundee full-back Cammy Kerr has gone out on loan to League One side Peterhead until January.