John Rankin, the Dundee United midfielder, yesterday hailed the present Scottish top-flight league as the best he can remember in his 11 years as a senior player.
United sit four points behind the surprise Premiership pacesetters Hamilton, who recently beat Celtic, and Rankin said: "This is what we have been crying out for for years - teams to have a go at the top and bottom of the league.
"There is a positive feeling about the game, but you also have to give credit to the national side for that. You see what Gordon Strachan has done for Scotland and now we are talking about maybe making it to a major finals.
"So there is a good feeling about the Scottish game just now - the national team is doing well and the league is competitive."
United were sitting at the top of the table until their 2-0 loss away to Kilmarnock a fortnight ago and Rankin knows that is further proof that no team can be written off this term.
Partick Thistle are next up for United this afternoon and Dens Park manager Jackie McNamara hopes the Dutch striker Mario Bilate can shake off a hamstring injury, but it's too early for on-loan Hull City full-back Conor Townsend to make his return following a foot injury.
"We'll have to make a decision on Mario and see if he's fit enough to be in the squad," said McNamara. "Conor is back with us again but it will be too soon for him because he's just started kicking the ball again.
"John Souttar came through his first 90 minutes and so did Mark Wilson so they are getting closer. I'm delighted they came through it and am looking forward to getting them back."
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