Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes wins will be harder to come by for everyone in the Ladbrokes Premiership this season, including Celtic and Rangers.
And McInnes is determined to make sure Aberdeen are there or thereabouts if a competitive title race emerges.
But the Dons boss stressed it was too early to read anything into the opening six matches after Celtic’s worst start to a league season for 20 years.
A 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock on Sunday left Celtic on 10 points – meaning they have dropped as many points already as they did in Brendan Rodgers’ entire first season in charge.
Aberdeen sit seventh but only two points off second with Hearts remaining five points clear despite being held by Livingston on Saturday.
McInnes, whose side beat Motherwell on Saturday, said: “Other than Hearts, which is an unusual start for them and a great start for them, it is very congested there.
“But it’s too early to tell, too early to make any sort of assumptions about who is going to be where.
“I think what you are seeing is teams are stronger right across the board. You can even say from Livingston as a newly-promoted team have set about their task well.
“There are a lot of good managers operating in the league and a lot of good players. So I think wins will be harder to come by for everybody, and that would probably include the Old Firm.
“The Old Firm are clear favourites to win the title anyway, I would imagine, because of what they are allowed to spend.
“But it shows what can be done and we just want to make sure we are as competitive as we have always been.
“And if it is going to be tighter and it is a lesser points tally maybe that wins the league then hopefully we can be amongst it. But I do need to stress it’s too early to be making any sort of assumptions about who’s going to do what.”
Aberdeen turn their attention to the Betfred Cup on Tuesday when they face Hibernian in an Easter Road quarter-final.
The Dons suffered a 3-0 defeat to Motherwell at the same stage last year and an identical loss in the last four of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
And McInnes is eager to put things right in the knockout competitions.
McInnes said: “Last season – although we reached another semi-final – was the first year in a long time we felt really disappointed with our efforts in the cup, and it’s important we take the opportunity that’s there in front of us.
“We feel we can keep getting these improved performances from individuals and hopefully when the final comes round we are taking part in that. There is nothing worse than watching two other teams in the final when you’re watching from the side.
“It’s important you see the bigger picture when you go into these games and realise it’s an opportunity for us to make our mark on the club’s history by winning a trophy. That’s always the way we view it and we do feel we are one of the teams that can go all the way.”
