The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Striker is raring to go after warm-up games
Wighton takes brutal tackles in his stride during last friendly fixture in a busy summer
It has been a short summer for Dundee striker Craig Wighton but he is still energised for the new season.
The Dark Blues’ campaign begins on Saturday when they play the first of their Betfred Cup group games against Stirling Albion at Forthbank.
Wighton and his teammates only just returned from Portugal a couple of days ago, having spent a week training and playing a couple of friendlies in the Algarve.
The last of those fixtures was a bruising encounter against SC Farense in Albufeira, which Dundee lost 3-2, and the striker was one of several players to receive some brutal challenges.
He took it in his stride, though, and put on a fine individual performance out on the left.
Reaching the last four of the Toulon tournament in France with the Scotland under-21s – they were beaten by England in the semi-final on June 6 and then lost the third-place play-off against Turkey two days later – seriously curtailed his summer break.
Nevertheless, Wighton insists he is refreshed and raring to go.
“I got 10 days away on holiday to Croatia with my girlfriend after I got back from Toulon,” he said.
“I was only back home for a couple of days and then I was back in for training. The gaffer did give me some extra time, which I was grateful for.
“It was a lot shorter break than most of the other lads but I feel fit and ready for the season starting.
“The position I am playing is one I have played for a wee while now.
“It is about making it my own and there is good competition at the club all over the pitch.
“If I do play I have to be contributing with assists and goals. I am confident that I can do that.”
As for the Battle of Albufeira against Farense on Tuesday night, Wighton claimed it might have actually helped the Dens men in the long run.
“It was certainly feisty at times,” he said.
“Tackles were flying in early on and that set the tone of the match. “It was a good test for us because we will come up against that this season. “There will be physical games and, as much as we want to be a footballing side, you also have to handle that side of the game.”