Derek McInnes is relishing a tough opening start to the Scottish Premiership – but insists that's what it's all about.
Kilmarnock's first five games are against last season's top six sides, with the opening three against top four finishers.
The campaign kicks off at home to Dundee United on July 30 before a double-header with Rangers and Celtic.
They then face Ross County away which is followed by a clash against Motherwell at Rugby Park.
And boss McInnes laughed: "We will just get the easy ones out the way first!
"No, but we were obviously eagerly waiting for the fixtures to come out, we knew we'd be at home on the opening day having won the title.
"That's all part of it, you want to test yourself against the better teams, we feel as if we can make a good account of ourselves in the Premiership, we have to give ourselves every chance to be ready.
"We have five friendlies and four League Cup games ahead of the Dundee United game so it's not our primary focus, our main focus is getting the boys fit and used to each other again.
"We are still trying to improve the squad, we still have a lot of work to do.
"We are just happy to be back to be honest, when you do have that focus of the fixtures you can start to concentrate.
"It's still a long way off, we have a lot of work and preparation to do, everyone at the club is working extremely hard to make sure we are as ready as we can be."
McInnes admits the players getting an extended break to switch-off was important after a gruelling campaign in the Championship.
He told Sky Sports: "We had six weeks off, it has been a good break for the players.
"The whole club has been busy, as have I, but the players had a chance to switch-off and that's good.
"They all came back in great shape, everyone is ready to play their part in the new season.
"We would be top of the league if it was decided on effort, the players are 10/10 for that.
"There has been good focus from the players, I am delighted with the work they've put in so far."
Alan Power and Kerr McInroy have been added to the squad already, but McInnes admits he wants more players in through the door before the season kicks off.
He said: "I think we probably need some more Premiership experience in the door.
"But we are encouraged with what we have, there are good players with points to prove and a lot of hunger about them.
"As a newly promoted teams you can sometimes get that bounce, we have to make sure we go up and set about the Premiership, we are not just there to survive, so we have to recruit well.
"The intentions are not to be in a relegation fight, it's important that we remember how we finished last season with a huge crowd.
"We need to try and get these fans back in again, and winning games in the Premiership is part of that."
The former Aberdeen boss admits he had a quick look at when he's heading back to Pittodrie for the first time.
He said: "That game will hold a bit of significance for me personally, October 1 we head up there for the first time.
"It's obviously a club I am well associated with, I had a brilliant time there, I am privately and personally looking forward to that."
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