Aberdeen attacker Josh Magennis reckons squad strength in depth will ensure this season is not another false dawn for his club.
The Dons are second in the Scottish Premiership and have secured a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup, earning plaudits aplenty for their powerful displays under manager Derek McInnes.
A similarly impressive start to last season’s campaign prompted the club’s vice-chairman George Yule to suggest the Dons could challenge Celtic for the title.
Injury problems and a loss of form over the winter months meant Aberdeen slumped down the league table and missed out on a place in the top six for the third frustrating season in succession.
Magennis believes the squad is much better equipped for a sustained challenge this time around.
He said: “The big teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea have £50million players on the bench, but most teams in Scotland have their strong starting XI and after that the substitutes are from the reserves.
“If you look at our squad, we have vast experience on the sidelines. The likes of Barry Robson can’t even get in the starting line-up yet and there’s Gregg Wylde and then Scott Vernon, who are not in there.
“If we want to stay up there we need to be consistent and I think we’ve shown that this season.
“Last year we’d win a few then lose a few and there were a lot of draws. This time we go into every game thinking we are going to win. There have been a couple of blips – including Hearts away – but it’s been mostly consistent.
“Hopefully we can keep it going and show Celtic and Rangers are not the only big teams in Scotland. Aberdeen are making a comeback and are trying to cut the gap at the top of the league.”
The Northern Ireland international has been sidelined since last month after undergoing a knee operation but hopes to be fit in time to face Celtic at Parkhead on November 23. Magennis, who scored twice in a dramatic 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Hoops in March, added: “The knee feels great. I was back running on Monday and hopefully I will be back in full training next week.”
Magennis met pupils at Kintore Primary School yesterday to help promote the Dons Day Out initiative. The scheme, sponsored by CNR International, offers non-profit organisations, schools and youth groups the chance to enjoy a VIP match day experience at Pittodrie while raising funds which can be reinvested back in to their organisation.