Favourites tag means nothing - Dee defender

DUNDEE are the bookies favourites to win the Championship this season under new boss Gary Bowyer.

Coming down from the Premiership this summer puts a target on the backs of the Dark Blues.

Central defender Ryan Sweeney is well aware of the difficulties they will face this coming campaign.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21s international made a big impact at Dundee last term, despite the disappointment of relegation.

Last season’s Player of the Year, though, hasn’t experienced the Scottish Championship before.

However, he is under no illusions how tough it will be in the second tier, despite the Dark Blues’ favourites tag.

“That doesn’t give us any divine right to turn up and win games,” Sweeney said.

“You could see that last season in the cup matches when we played at Dumbarton. These games are all difficult.

“You flip it when we are playing teams like Rangers and Celtic where we are trying to stodge the game up – that will be the game plan.

“You give that extra 10 or 15% because you have to against these sorts of teams because of the calibre of the player they have.

“Promotion is obviously what we want to achieve, that’s no secret.

“It will be difficult as well, though. There will be bumps in the road, there will be disappointing times.

“That happens every season. “But this summer, with the manager coming in, we will give ourselves the best possible chance of returning to the top flight straight away.”

Gary Bowyer has been putting his new side through their paces this week as pre-season began at Gardyne Campus.

Returning to training with the team was key central defender Lee Ashcroft.

Dees will be hoping to see the club’s last two winners of the Player of the Year trophy team up in the centre of Bowyer’s defence in the second tier.

And, as much as Sweeney is ready for a change in mindset with