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Having missed out on matchday one, we kick-off our Premier Sports Cup campaign on Tuesday evening against The Spartans hopeful of getting off to a flying start.

It will be the first ever meeting of the sides as SPFL clubs, the only previous encounters coming in 2018 in the pyramid playoff semi-final when we went through 5-2 on aggregate after a 4-0 first leg win.

Spartans opened up in Group E at the weekend with a 3-0 home defeat against Dunfermline Athletic.

Paul Hartley says he is eager to get the season up and running after what has been a satisfying build-up:

“It’s been good! There have been a lot of sessions, plenty game time, and I’m really pleased with how the boys have come back, they were in good nick.

“There have been some good performances in the pre-season matches, I’ve played a lot of the youngsters also, and made a few signings, so delighted with how it’s gone so far. We’ve been consistent with the set-up we’ve played, and the important thing is we’ve come through unscathed with no injuries.”

One of those who has been involved is experienced midfielder Blair Yule, fit again after another frustrating spell on the sidelines last time out:

“I’ve really enjoyed the pre-season. The manager spoke to me and said he was going to give me limited minutes to try to help build me up; I’m feeling good. You do have to be patient, you get a bit excited that first game back, but I’ve learned that and we’re managing the situation right now as I get back up to speed.”

Now one of the older players at the club, Blair, who is celebrating his testimonial year, says he is excited by how things are shaping up, and the likely make-up of this season’s squad:

“It’s going to be a much younger group this time round, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen so far. They’re full of energy, full of enthusiasm, and long may that continue. There’ll be a different edge to games this year, being able to go after teams; I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.

“Hopefully it will all click early on, and with a lot of the guys being full-time now, that should certainly help. It feels like a much different dressing room to how it has been over the past couple of years, I can sense a good bond with the younger guys, and it’s up to us older ones to create the morale and keep that there when things are good or bad.”

With the manager making it clear he expects four or five more new faces to come in, Blair says that will add even more freshness and quality to the group:

“We’ve done well so far in the pre-season games, but it will be great to see the squad strengthened even more, and I’m as excited as ever at this stage, especially feeling the way I am right now with the injuries hopefully behind me.”

The midfielder hopes to get off to a positive start against The Spartans, but says it is too early to look too far into the future quite yet:

“We’ve played the Highland League teams, which was good test, and we’ve got the fitness out of that. Now we go into the league cup games, and that will give us a better idea of where we’re at.

“There’s been a big turnaround in the league this year, some strong teams coming up and down, so it will be as tough as ever, but we’ll certainly be aiming for the playoffs.”

Join us at Balmoral Stadium to welcome in the new campaign by securing your tickets at this LINK

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