Tricky finish in store for Dark Blues

DUNDEE fans will be feeling a bit of deja vu after being paired for the secondseason running with Ross County on the opening day of the Premiership season.

This time, though, the Staggies will be heading down the A9 rather than the Dee heading north.

A similar result, a 3-1 win, at Dens wouldn’t go amiss for the Dark Blues.

September and October both start off with trips to face the Old Firm while Celtic at home will be Dundee’s post-Christmas cracker.

December 30 sees a Tayside Derby at St Johnstone but it’s the end of the season that looks trickiest.

After last season’s all-too-close flirt with relegation, new boss Neil McCann has his sights set on getting his side into the top six in his debut season as a manager.

He has not outright stated that aim but, with the budget at his disposal compared with other clubs, it is where the club’s hierarchy want to be.

And doing so will be tough as they finish up the pre-split fixtures with a last five of Celtic away, St Johnstone at home, Aberdeen away, Hearts at Dens and then Rangers at Ibrox — possibly the top five.

The top three most probably choose themselves with Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen set to battle it out at the top.

Below that, however, things are up for grabs. So who is likely to be their main challengers this coming season?

Hearts

Normally the Jambos would be a stick on for the top four but their gamble on Dundonian Ian Cathro didn’t pay off last season as they dropped to a disappointing fifth.

That may well change this time around as he puts his stamp on the team but the pressure will be on Hearts if things don’t get off to a good start.

Hibs

Fancied by many to go straight into a top-half finish under Neil Lennon despite only being promoted last season.

Their budget and quality of player they are aiming for, though, means they’ll be in amongst it further up the table.