While it is still early days, Paton senses a determination within Alex Rae’s squad to stay at the top — and feels the spirit in the camp grew from that stay in Malta last month.

“It was very hot, so we had to train at 8 am and 6 pm to get out of the heat,” he said.

“That made it tough, but we were together for a long time, eating and working. It was good for bonding, you’ve seen that in the spirit shown.”

The doubters will point out that, so far, Dundee have only beaten one side who were in the Second Division last term and another that was close to dropping down there.

As a veteran of this league, Paton talks with authority when he says there are no easy victories.

“This is my seventh season in the First Division and it’s a league where everyone is capable of beating everyone else. Every win is hard-earned, so you can take confidence from winning your first two games.”

Another testing 90 minutes is expected, but this is a game Paton has set his sights on winning.

“We won’t hide what our aim is for the season, it is to win this league and, without any disrespect to them, this in the kind of game we have to be looking to take the points from.”

Alex Rae and assistant Davie Farrell were at New Broomfield last night when a near waterlogged surface threatened to see the QOS- FC Nordsjaelland UEFA Cup tie called off.

While tomorrow’s game against the usual tenants is not in any big doubt, Alex has concerns over conditions.

“The pitch didn’t cut up, but there was a lot of surface water and it’s going to be very heavy,” he said.

“Whatever the conditions, we know it won’t be an easy game. I’ve seen them and they give all they’ve got.”