Well it’s here at last – the start of the season. I’ve been to that many games (Arbroath, East Fife, Alloa & Coventry) in the past week that it seems hard to believe that the season hasn’t actually started already!
As I write, Icelander Arnar Gunnlaugsson looks set to sign a two-year deal, completing Alex Smith’s hat trick of summer signings. But the question most fans are asking is whether any of these players will actually score any hat tricks?
Even a full blown overdose of my infamous optimism peels won’t see Kevin McGowne score a hat-trick, but he certainly likes to come up for corners and provide a bit of an aerial threat. Whether he turns out to be the “colossal” signing as one of my fellow Glasgow Arabs has already nicknamed him remains to be seen!
Alan Smart may provide some added goal threat up front, but this particular Arab is looking for Thommo to deliver this season what he has promised for many before – goals! Here’s the deal Thommo – you score 15-20 goals and I’ll get the Weegie Arabs to stop singing the Thommo song! (Well on the bus anyway.)
The Icelander is more of an unknown quantity – he sparkled against Alloa, but didn’t stand out as much on Saturday in England, but judging from Alex Smith’s comments I don’t think he’ll start that game anyway.
So what of the game against newly promoted Partick Thistle? A tough opener, particularly away from home, with the first division flag being unfurled and the likelihood of a big crowd urging the SPL newcomers to victory. Our fans are up for it however as the large turnout at Coventry displayed, and interest in bus travel from Dundee is approaching fever pitch so I’ve heard.
Nevertheless I’ll settle for a draw, and with no injury worries this is my prediction for the starting eleven:
Gallacher, McCunnie, Duff, McGowne, Lauchlan, Griffin, Easton, McIntyre, Miller, Thompson & Smart.