DUNDEE manager Paul Hartley last night insisted his hopefuls are ready to deal with increased expectations as they set their sights on lifting some silverware.

The Dens Park side are gearing up for Saturday's Scottish Premiership opener away to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in their quest to eclipse last season's top-six finish.

Hartley's men impressed by more than holding their own on their top-flight return so have given their fans plenty optimism for the new campaign which lies ahead.

Hartley believes they can cope with the extra demands coming from their supporters in their bid to enjoy a memorable season.

He said: "I think the expectation of the club now is a little bit higher because of the way we finished last season. But I think that's good. It's better being like that. But obviously that comes with pressure.

"We have to be ready for that that pressure which comes along with that. We've got a good group who want to do well and we will put pressure on ourselves every week. We want to do well in every competition we enter.

"I think from talking to people they feel the club is going to do well this season. The cup is really important for us this season. We want to have a good cup run. I think the fans deserve it and we'll be putting our strongest team out in every competition we enter.

"We finished in the top-six last season and this season we want to finish higher. So we have to try and improve on what we did, not just in the league but in the cup as well. That's our aim, to improve on everything we did last year."

Hartley has brought in eight new players over the summer to further strengthen their efforts and hope they can get off to a flier against Gary Locke's men in Ayrshire because he's sure the top-flight is going to be a much tougher proposition this time round.

He added: "I think it will be a tougher league this year. Everyone has added to their squads. I think Hearts will be strong. They'll be a good addition to the league.

"Aberdeen, Dundee United and St Johnstone have all added too and so have Motherwell and Ross County. So hopefully we can start the season strongly and do well over the next 10-and-half months."

"We want to be at the right end of the table. We don't want to be near the bottom fighting for you life. We saw Motherwell last season in the play-offs and we don't want to be in that situation.

"I would expect our players to hit the ground running in all honesty. I think the players have been with us since the start of pre-season.

"That has definitely helped us. Nobody else has been brought in since then. Since day one, the group have been with us. They've all been there and they know what's required. Now it's up to them to go and perform."

Meanwhile, Dundee are set to be without injured duo Nicky Low and Kosta Gadzhalov for the trip to Killie.