Paul Hartley knows fitness will be key to success

Paul Hartley expects Dundee to be the fittest team in the Premiership this season.

The Dark Blues boss has put his players through a gruelling pre-season programme in preparation for their top league bow next month.

A full week of triple sessions in the scorching heat of Budapest has already paid dividends with a shock 2-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City.

With even more hard work still to come, Hartley insists his players will be fitter still by the time their league campaign kicks off.

And he believes that by leaving their opponents trailing in their wake, they can take a huge leap towards establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the top league.

“We want to be the fittest team in the League,” he said. “That’s one of the key things for us this year, as well as having a spirit and a togetherness.

“If we achieve all three, we can go a long way. But lasting the full 90 minutes and having more left in the tank is vital. Fitness is massive in the Premiership. It’s the key thing for a footballer in this league.

“It’s what we base ourselves on first and foremost, and we want to be the fittest in the Premiership. Because of that, it has been the toughest pre-season I’ve ever overseen.

“At Alloa, we only got the players a couple of nights a week. At Dundee, we’re in every day.

“So it has been very tough for the guys, but they have never complained or moaned about it. They have just got on with it, and they are looking fit. But I still think there’s a lot more to come from them.”

Hartley’s side continue their preparations against Hearts on Tuesday before travelling to meet Sheffield United on Friday night.

And whilst the Dee gaffer is impressed by the application his players have shown so far, he insists there are places still up for grabs ahead of their Premiership debut.

“I’m pleased with the guys’ attitude so far,” he explained. “Everybody has had 90 minutes or thereabouts at this stage, but it’s about who makes the most of their game time.

“Who’s hungry to impress? Who’s going to grab their chance? That’s what I’m looking for.

“Nothing’s set in stone yet in terms of a starting line-up, so we’ll see how everybody continues to perform. Whoever does best will be in my thoughts.”

Also in Hartley’s thoughts are German trialists Luka Tankulic and Thomas Konrad, who both impressed in the friendly against Manchester City.

Negotiations are ongoing to bring the duo to Dens Park, but it is understood the Dark Blues face competition from clubs on the Continent for their signatures.