“Once we get that out the way, it’s about looking forward to the football which is what we do best.

“We just want the game to come around now. We’ve had a good few weeks of preparation in terms of training, fitness and tactical work so we are at the point now where we want the games to start now.

“The closer you get to the new season there’s that excitement and anticipation of what it will bring.

'The majority of us have been together for 12 months now and the manager has challenged us to try and get our starting point similar to where we left off last year.'

“The challenge for us as a group of players is to try and get better, so it’s an exciting time for the team.”

As captain, McGregor carries extra responsibility compared to his teammates as the leader of the group.

When the transfer window is open, his role extends as he is tasked with welcoming new recruits and helping them settle into the club and their new environment.

Four players have arrived as new faces to the club this summer, and the captain has been impressed with how they’ve developed in the group.

He added: “The new boys have been great and have come in and settled in well. They are adding to the core of good professionals and people we already have, so having as many of them as possible gives you a good chance to be successful.

“The training has been very good and competitive, even in the pre-season games, there’s been an edge to the games as well which can be unusual.

'We’ve played at a good tempo and hopefully the way we train every day is preparing us for the games, and we want to attack Sunday and put in a big performance and start the season off in a good light.'

“We understand everyone starts on zero points and if you want to win the league then you have to be consistent in how you perform and train every day.

“That’s no different for us and when we get the opportunity in the games then we have to show that and try and get results on a game-by-game basis.”

Callum McGregor: The challenge for this group is to be even better than last season