Aberdeen are outmatched financially but manager Derek McInnes insists his side can compete with Celtic and Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
Dons supporters have watched as Celtic have invested millions in their squad this summer, while Rangers have also made major investment in the playing staff at Ibrox.
Aberdeen’s recruitment has been equally busy but far more modest but that will not stop supporters expecting their side to challenge for the championship.
McInnes said: “Rangers and Celtic with the resources they have will always start as firm favourites but we want to be as competitive we can for as long as we can and I believe we can be competitive.
“We’ve given a good account of ourselves in the last two seasons and our title challenge was authentic and real last season. We maintained the challenge that bit longer than the previous season and I’m looking for us to improve this season.
“From the outset Rangers and Celtic are huge favourites due to what they can spend and we’ve seen that recently. Rangers budget in the Championship was three times’ mine and it has increased again.
“The expectations on those clubs to win a league is far more than it is at mine but it doesn’t mean we can’t get in amongst it and fight alongside them and the last two seasons have shown we are capable.
“I face the same expectations every week at my club as the supporters expect a challenge and I think we should expect to be in a position to challenge too.”
The Dons’ title credentials will be put to the test by Partick Thistle at Pittodrie today as McInnes’ side go in search of their first win of the league campaign.
After two goalless draws it is imperative Aberdeen get up and running and McInnes hopes today can be the day a first win is secured but he knows it will not be easy against the Jags.
He said: “Alan Archibald has got a good defensive structure, which restricts the opposition and they had a good result against Inverness in the league.
“The cup-tie loss at Dundee United was very unlike them but they are normally a tough team to break down although we have to be mindful of the attacking threat of Lawless, Erskine, Amoo and Doolan.
“My job is to get the balance right between attacking and defending and hopefully we can do that against Partick.”