Andrew Considine hopes Aberdeen get their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign up and running properly against leaders Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.
The Jambos are two points clear of Edinburgh rivals Hibernian at the top of the table after eight games with the Pittodrie men seven points behind in seventh place.
The Dons beat St Mirren 4-1 just before the international break and defender Considine wants them to now push on although he knows that will not be easy in Gorgie.
He told RedTV: "It is huge, absolutely huge.
"I feel that we are still waiting to get going in the league and Hearts have had a flying start obviously apart from their last game (lost to Rangers).
"But going down to Tynecastle has always proved to be a really tough game but we have got a few players back from injury which is great, and we have had a solid week's training so I am looking forward to it.
"We know it is going to be a tough task.
"There were signs of getting into that rhythm and you want to just get keep going but it (international break) probably did come at the wrong time.
"But as I say, we have had a good week's training, the boys have been sharp and hopefully we can take that into the weekend."
Boss Derek McInnes is glad to welcome a clutch of players back from injury for the trip to Gorgie.
He said: "Thankfully it is clearing up. I feel that every time I say that we have issues again but thankfully back on the training pitch in the last week or so has been James Wilson, Stevie May, Niall McGinn and Scott Wright. Young Connor McLennan came off with a shoulder issue against St Mirren but thankfully he is okay.
"So there's five that we weren't sure about.
"Young Frank Ross is still struggling with his back and Scott McKenna is suspended.
"We have Greg Tansey back on the training ground thankfully so all of a sudden the squad just seemed to have swelled and looks strong.
"There is a bit more familiarity on the training ground.
"This season has been the most challenging from that point of view. We have been very unlucky but hopefully that's the worst of it over for the season and we can push on."
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