And he wants his men to use that campaign to show their finishing in the top half of the SPL this time was no flash in the pan.

He is convinced they will, and wants the players to prove him right.

“I keep talking about how good we are going to be, but we have to show it. On the final whistle, we were a wee bit disappointed because we dropped to fifth, but finishing in the top six and reaching a cup final means we’ve had a great season,” he said.

“In all honesty, with the performances we’ve put in over the season, we should have had more points. Since the split, we’ve had some really good games, but not got the points we might have.

“I see that as encouraging, because we have a young team and, if they keep playing well, as they learn the wins will come.

“That’s what the players have to be aiming for and, if they keep working hard, they can become known as a top-six team. It’s great we’ve done that this year, but I want it to be happening every season.”

The late finish to the season has delayed some of the work on his squad Craig would have liked to have completed by now, and the next few days will see him sit down with the likes of Mark Kerr and Mark de Vries to discuss their futures.

While Kerr has been tipped to move down south, there is still some hope of persuading him to sign a new deal, though the loss of a precious league place has not made that task any easier.

De Vries was fixed up on a short-term contract at the start of the year and, with the big Dutchman, it is a matter of deciding whether he has done enough to be offered longer terms.

“I’ll be speaking to them both soon. Mark Kerr is one of our biggest earners and, at the start of the season, I did have it in my mind he would be moving on when his contract was up,” said the manager.

“He has been playing so well, though, that I’d definitely like to keep him and now it’s a matter of seeing what we can put together.

“Dropping from fourth to fifth could be an issue, because it has given me a bit less money to play with and that could be crucial.”

There will also be new faces brought in for next term and, already, agreement has been reached with a couple of players, though it could be a week or two before they are unveiled.

That Dundee’s Scott Robertson will be one of them seems certain, but Craig was remaining cagey.

“I have got two fixed up and there are numerous other things I am working on, so I will be looking for developments. I am determined to get a few players in and keep building.”

On the injury front, broken foot victim Craig Conway should be back for pre-season and, although Jon Daly will have surgery next week to tidy up the ankle he damaged way back in November, he will also be back in a matter of weeks.