MOTHERWELL midfield general Keith Lasley admits Well's opening SPL fixture against Irn-Bru First Division champions Ross County will represent a voyage into the unknown.
The Fir Park side will already have played the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier between July 31 – August 1 by the time they meet Derek Adams' men on Saturday, August 4.
The Steelmen will face either Dynamo Kiev, FC Copenhagen, Fernabahce, or Panathanaikos in their first forray into Europe's elite competition.
While the second leg of the qualifier will fall on either August 7-8 with the SPL visit of St Johnstone coming on Saturday, August 11.
Las, who is almost certain to be named as captain for the new campaign after Stephen Craigan's retiral, said: "I think going to County on the opening day of the season was going to be a tough one for any side.
"They have a group of players who are used to winning and they will be unfurling the First Division flag at their stadium which will be a proud day for everyone associated with Ross County.
"On top of that we may have had an away qualifier in the Champions League on the Wednesday night so there could be a lot of travelling involved for us.
"But that is what we put all the hard yards in for last season. So we will be relishing it."
Turning his attention to the pivotal festive card, Lasley admits with back-to-back home games against Aberdeen on Boxing Day and Kilmarnock on December 29 before a January 2 trip to champions Celtic, his side have been fortunate in how the Christmas card has fallen.
He said: "Geographically we couldn't have asked for better at a time when no-one wants to be travelling far from home. The festive card is important and with the back-to-back home games in the middle of it we have a good chance to put some points on the board."