Steven Pressley did not make a terrific first impression as Dundee manager. "If you look through a certain lens and you're looking for a manager with a history of winning titles, I'm not your man," he told the media at his unveiling in June last year. This was the unwavering honesty Pressley has brought to the job, but back then, it was not particularly well received in the ruthless world of Scottish football.
The former Scotland defender was many punters' favourite to be the season's first managerial sacking. His team were criticised after a rocky start. His interviews were pilloried.
Even his choice of matchday attire was widely lampooned. Sixteen months on, nobody is laughing anymore. 'Big Elvis' has Dundee soaring high in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership after the first round of fixtures, just three points behind Hearts, the darlings of last season. And Hearts, remember, needed goals in the 84th and 96th minutes to down Pressley's men at Tynecastle last month.
And can Dundee maintain their momentum? Dundee have made Dens Park a fortress this season. Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw.
Motherwell, Aberdeen and - in a madcap final 10 minutes on Wednesday - Kilmarnock have all been dispatched on league business. Only Hibernian have taken three points from Dundee's back yard. That's not to say Pressley's troops have toiled on their travels.
They were impressive at Celtic Park in a 1-0 defeat on the opening day and claimed the city spoils with a 2-0 triumph down the road at Tannadice. Underpinning this has been tactical flexibility and a workmanlike industry in the image of their studious figurehead. The players have clarity in their roles and are asked to run their legs off.
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