Dundee United new boy Chris Erskine believes he can mix it in the top flight and now all he has to do is prove it.
Erskine joined his Tannadice teammates for pre-season training on Monday and at the end of this week will start a fortnight-long European trip that includes games in Germany against FC Union of Berlin and Energie Cottbus, as well as one in Spain versus CF Cordoba.
If anybody does need convinced that Erskine can make the step-up to the new Premiership, having spent last season with Partick Thistle in the First Division, that can only happen when the serious stuff gets under way next month.
When the time comes, though, he insists he will be ready.
Erskine said: “United are a massive club and an established one in Scotland so it was always going to be a step-up coming here.
“I need to take it as it comes and just try to do my best. Obviously, I want to make an impression in my first season here so there is a wee bit of a point to prove coming from a lower league.
“Everyone looks at you and wonders if you are going to be good enough. It’s just something that you have to take on the chin but I have belief in myself that I can do it.
“It was great to meet the lads on Monday as it felt as though I had been off for ages. We finished before the rest of the boys last season because we were in the First Division so I have been counting down the days to get back.
“It will be really hard work over the next few weeks but it will be enjoyable as well and worth it. Now I’m just looking forward to getting things going.
“Because I had signed a pre-contract, it was always in the back of your mind that we were coming here, but I was obviously still giving my best for Partick. But I’m delighted to be here.”
Erskine is not the only one of the new faces looking to show they are worthy of promotion from the First Division, with fellow former Jag Paul Paton and ex-Raith man Brian Graham in the same boat.
Erskine said: “It’s nice to have Paul and Brian here. I have known Brian since I was really young and I spent four years playing alongside Paul at Thistle.
“I played with Brian when we were about under-13s at Clyde. It was just for a season and then we both kind of moved on.
“Then the next time I saw him he was playing for Morton and doing well for them so I think Brian is a real handful. He’s a big lad, with a great touch and an eye for goal.
“When we played against Raith last season, you could see that. I’m sure he’ll be a great asset to United.”