This weekend the Scottish Premiership will get back up and running as Rangers head to Tynecastle for the opening fixture. The question is: how will each team fair in this new campaign?
Last season was as entertaining as ever, even if lacking in quality from time to time. With Celtic lifting a third title in a row, Hearts securing group stage football and an excellent season for Kilmarnock and ST Mirren, who will be the over-achievers and disappointments this time around?
12. St Johnstone
Key Player: Graham Kerry
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee/Loan |
| Uche Ikpeazu | Port Vale | 29 | ST | Free |
| Josh Rae | Airdrie | 23 | GK | Free |
| Jack Sanders | Kilmarnock | 25 | CB | Free |
| Josh McPake | Stirling Albion | 22 | Rm | Free |
| Andre Raymond | Vilar Perdizes | 23 | LB | Free |
| Arran Cocks | Brooke House FA | 18 | LW | Free |
| Aarons Essel | Bechem United | 18 | CDM | Free |
| Lewis Neilson | Hearts | 21 | Cb | Loan |
| Player Leaving | Club | Position | Age | Fee/Loan |
| Liam Gordon | Motherwell | CB | 28 | Free |
| Chris Kane | Dunfermline | ST | 29 | Free |
| Callum Booth | Spartans | LB | 33 | Free |
| Daniel Philips | Stevenage | CDM | 23 | Free |
| Ryan McGowan | Livingston | CB | 34 | Free |
| Cammy Ballantyne | Linfield | CAM | 24 | Free |
| Dimitiar Mitov | Aberdeen | GK | 27 | Free |
| Andy Considine | N/A | CB | 37 | Retire |
Last campaign the Saints struggled throughout. A torrid start to the Premier Sports Cup paired with a winless start in the league meant that Steven MacLean was given the exit door. His replacement was Craig Levein, a man who has been around the block in Scottish Football. They had a slight new manager bounce but the honeymoon period died quickly.
There is a serious lack of goals in this side. Last season’s top-scorer Nicky Clark managed to net just seven times.
Moreover, they seem to have weakened in this window. Important faces such as Mitov, McGoan, Philips, Kane and Gordon have all gone their separate ways. Only time will show if they have been adequately replaced.
I fear for Levein’s side.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
11. Ross County
Key Player: Teddy Jenks
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Rickie Lamie | Motherwell | CB | 31 | Free |
| Charlie Telfer | Airdrie | CB | 28 | Free |
| Ronan Hale | Cliftonville | ST | 25 | Free |
| Akil Wright | Stockport | ST | 28 | Free |
| Jack Hamilton | Livingston | GK | 30 | Free |
| Aidan Denholm | Hearts | CM | 20 | Loan |
| Will Nightingale | AFC Wimbledon | CB | 28 | Loan |
| Jack Grieves | Watford | ST | 19 | Loan |
| Player Leaving | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Yan Dhanda | Hearts | CM | 25 | Free |
| Kyle Turner | Partick Thistle | CM | 26 | Free |
| Ross Callachan | Motherwell | CM | 30 | Free |
| Jordan Tillson | Bath City | CDM | 31 | Free |
| Matthew Wright | Nairn County | ST | 21 | Free |
| Jack Baldwin | Northampton | CB | 31 | Free |
| Simon Murray | Dundee | ST | 32 | Free |
Since Derek Adams was replaced by Don Cowie, Ross County turned a corner. The young manager deserves some credit. He has tried to play an entertaining brand of football and has the results to show for it.
The 3-1 win against Rangers was a perfect example. Even at 2-1 up, the Staggies continued to attack and put Clement’s side under pressure. Plus, they utterly demolished Raith Rovers in the playoff to secure their place in the top tier.
However, similar to St Johnstone, top players have exited. Simon Murray and Yan Dhanda pulled the strings in attack, scoring or assisting in twenty-seven of the thirty-two league goals scored. That’s an eye-watering 84%. Losing that quality could be a catastrophe. Should they survive, it will be courtesy of another playoff.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
10. Dundee
Key Player: Luke McCowan
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Clark Robertson | FC Ashdod | CB | 30 | Free |
| Ethan Ingram | West Brom | RB | 21 | Free |
| Jon McCracken | Norwich | GK | 24 | Free |
| Simon Murray | Ross County | ST | 32 | Free |
| Ziyad Larkeche | QPR | LB | 21 | Loan |
| Seb Palmer-Houlden | Bristol City | ST | 20 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Zak Rudden | Queens Park | ST | 24 | Free |
| Deigo Pineda | Venados | ST | 29 | Free |
| Shaun Byrne | Raith Rovers | CDM | 31 | Free |
| Lee Ashcroft | Partick Thistle | CB | 20 | Free |
| Tyler French | Sutton UTD | CB | 25 | Free |
| Jack Wilkie | Arbroath | RB | 21 | Free |
| Cammy Kerry | Queens Park | CAM | 28 | Free |
| Max Anderson | Crawley Town | CM | 23 | Free |
Last season Dundee showed no struggles adapting to the demands of top-flight football as they marginally lost out on the top-half finish. Tony Docherty did an excellent job and was unlucky to lose out on the manager of the year award.
The football was entertaining to watch throughout with the standout man being Luke McCowan. The Scotsman scored ten and assisted five and was speculated with a possible move to Celtic.
However, while the attacking side was pleasing, the defending at times was deplorable. Barrelloads of goals would fly into their net in quick succession. Whether it was home to Motherwell, Hearts or a trip to Ibrox they threw away far too many points from winning positions.
They simply must tighten up at the back.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
9. Motherwell
Key Player : Mika Biereth
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Apostolos Stamatelopoulos | Newcastle (Aussie) | ST | 25 | £257k |
| Liam Gordon | St Johnstone | CB | 28 | Free |
| Ross Callachan | Ross County | CM | 30 | Free |
| John Koutroumbis | Perth Glory | RB | 26 | Free |
| Filip Stuparevic | NK Domzale | ST | 23 | Free |
| Zach Robinson | AFC Wimbledon | ST | 22 | Free |
| Andy Haliday | Hearts | CM | 32 | Free |
| Kofi Balmer | Crystal Palace | CB | 23 | Free |
| Tom Sparrow | Stoke | CM | 21 | Loan |
| Krosztian Hegyi | West Ham | GK | 21 | Loan |
| Marvin Kaleta | Wolves | RB | 19 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Theo Bair | AJ Auxerre | ST | 24 | £1.6 million |
| Blair Spitall | Hearts | CM | 28 | Free |
| Liam Kelly | Rangers | GK | 28 | Free |
| Barry Maguire | Hamilton | CDM | 26 | Free |
| Bevis Mugabi | Anorthosis | CB | 29 | Free |
| Ricki Lamie | Ross County | CB | 31 | Free |
| Callan Elliot | Auckland FC | RB | 24 | Free |
| Ross Tierney | Bohemians | CM | 23 | Free |
They have certainly been one of the busier sides in the transfer window.
Truthfully, Motherwell are quite a strange side. For a mid-table team, their performance trends are so extreme. At the back end of 2022/23 creeping into last season they went on an unbeaten league run of fourteen games. They then followed that up by a winless run of fifteen games. It’s either euphoria or crisis. There is rarely any middle ground.
Regardless, from a tactical point of view, Stuart Kettlewell is an underrated manager. We saw this against Celtic and Rangers. In both performances at Ibrox, they were outstanding, even if they only managed one victory. Likewise, they drew with Celtic at Parkhead and only lost both times at home due to injury-time strikes.
Selling Theo Bair for £1.6 million was an excellent piece of business, however, from a footballing point of view, will be harmful. Expect a mid-table season with typical fluctuations.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
8. Hibs
Key Player: Martin Boyle
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Marvin Ekpiteta | Blackpool | CB | 28 | Free |
| Warren O’Hara | MK Dons | CB | 25 | Free |
| Jordan Smith | Stockport | GK | 29 | Free |
| Josef Bursik | Club Brugge | GK | 23 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Ewan Henderson | Berreschot VA | CM | 24 | £151k |
| Dan Mackay | Partick Thistle | LW | 23 | Free |
| Paul Hanlon | Raith Rovers | CB | 34 | Free |
| Lewis Stevenson | Raith Rovers | LB | 35 | Free |
| Joe Wollacot | Crawley Town | GK | 27 | Free |
| Murray Johnson | Airdrie | GK | 19 | Free |
| Adam Le Fondre | Free Agent | ST | 37 | Free |
| David Marshall | Retired | GK | 39 | Free |
Hibs failure to strengthen their defence has been to their downfall. Their transfer strategy has been lopsided with dozens of attackers coming and going but the backline being left to rot.
In fairness, this Summer there has been change with Ekpiteta and O’Hara bought from Blackpool and MK Dons. On the outgoing front, Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson have joined the nearby Raith Rovers.
Tactically they must improve. Although they can outplay most Scottish teams with their A-game, they struggle to win ugly. When Hibernian don’t reach their top level, they are rarely victorious. Even the top teams only reach their peak level around 50% of the time, so a lack of steel isn’t sustainable.
David Gray may be sacked, although you hope the former Hibee captain doesn’t fall victim to a managerial merry-go-round in the Scottish capital. Stability is needed at a club trying to rediscover itself.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
7.Kilmarnock
Key Player: Daniel Armstrong
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Bruce Anderson | Livingston | ST | 25 | Free |
| Robby McCrorie | Rangers | GK | 26 | Free |
| Corrie Nbada | Ipswich | LB | 24 | Free |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Greg Stewart | Mohun Bagan SC | ST | 34 | Free |
| Jack Sander | St Johnstone | CB | 25 | Free |
| Kerry Mcinroy | Free Agent | CDM | 23 | Free |
| Steview Warnock | Free Agent | RW | 31 | Free |
Derek McInnes’s men made Scottish football proud with their competitive fight against Cercle Brugge, in the end, only one goal could split the two sides. Although that’ll be the last they see of European football for a good while.
Last season’s success was built off incredible home form. They lost just four out of nineteen, to put it into perspective only Celtic and Rangers managed less (one and three). This was partly due to physicality, but also a lack of fear in approach. They backed themselves regardless of the eleven men who stood in their way and lost to Celtic in just two out of their five meetings.
History tells us though that seasons like this rarely repeat. Steve Clark’s top-three Kilmarnock side finished tenth the following season, meanwhile Callum Davidson’s St Johnstone just a season after securing a domestic double came eleventh.
Killie won’t find life quite as though, relegation won’t be a threat.
Photo by KURT DESPLENTER/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
6.Dundee United
Key Player: Louis Moult
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Ryan Strain | St Mirren | RB | 27 | Free |
| Kristkian Trapanovski | FC Shkpui | LW | 24 | Free |
| David Babunski | Mezokovesd | CM | 30 | Free |
| Will Ferry | Cheltenham | LW | 23 | Free |
| Vicko Sevejl | NK Radomjlie | CB | 23 | Free |
| Dave Richards | Crewe Alexandra | GK | 30 | Free |
| Jort van der Sande | ADP Den Haag | ST | 28 | Free |
| Richard Odada | Philadelphia | CM | 23 | Free |
| Jack Walton | Luton | GK | 26 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Scott McMann | Ayr | LB | 27 | Free |
| Logan Chalmers | Partick Thistle | LW | 24 | Free |
| Declan Glass | Cove Rangers | CAM | 24 | Free |
| Archie Meekison | Bohemians | CAM | 22 | Free |
| Chris Mochrie | Airdirie | CAM | 21 | Free |
| Jack Newman | Inverness | GK | 22 | Loan |
| Ruairidh Adams | Kelty Hearts | GK | 20 | Loan |
It’s their first year back in the top flight, but Dundee United have the tools to excel. Their first season after promotion in 2020/21 saw them finish fourth, a similar season may be in the waiting.
Their transfer activity has impressed. Freeing off deadweight and replacing it with foreign talent, their squad genuinely looks top-half quality.
Jim Goodwin suffered a terrible spell at Aberdeen, but his tenure at St Mirren was very impressive as the Buddies played an easy-on-the-eye build-up game. Their victory against Celtic in March 2020 was the best performance the Paisley side have produced since promotion in 2018/19.
Louis Moult will be crucial. If the Englishman stays fit, the tangerines will have a season to remember.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
5.St Mirren
Key Player: Mark O’Hara
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| James Scott | Exeter | ST | 23 | Free |
| Dennis Adeniran | Petah Tikva | CM | 25 | Free |
| Alex Lacovitti | Port Vale | CB | 26 | Free |
| Jaden Brown | Lincoln City | LB | 25 | Free |
| Osin Smyth | Oxford | CAM | 24 | Free |
| Ellery Balcombe | Brentford | GK | 24 | Loan |
| Roland Idowu | Shrewsbury | CM | 22 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Keane Baccus | Mansfield | CDM | 26 | Free |
| Ryan Strain | Dundee UTD | RB | 27 | Free |
| Alex Greive | Bohemians | ST | 25 | Free |
| James Bolton | Fleetwodd | RB | 29 | Free |
| Kieran Offord | Crusaders | ST | 20 | Loan |
| Charles Dunne | Free AGent | CB | 31 | Free |
It’s now two seasons on the bounce that the buddies have secured top-half finishes. After Thursday night’s exploits, they may even reach Conference League group-stage football. Either way, Stephen Robinson deserves great credit. He has replicated the winning formula shown at Motherwell that gained two cup finals and a top-half finish in the 2017/18 season.
They are a tough team to beat, who play to their strengths.nlike Kilmarnock though, they can play the ball along the ground as well. They are adaptable, pragmatic and possess genuine quality.
Similar to Dundee United, they have added real depth to their squad which will help them compete in all three competitions this season.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
4.Hearts
Key Player: Lawerence Shankland
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Yan Dhanda | Ross County | CAM | 25 | Free |
| Blair Spittal | Motherwell | CM | 28 | Free |
| James Penrice | Livingston | LB | 25 | Free |
| Daniel Oyegoke | Brentford | RB | 21 | Free |
| Musa Drammeh | Sevilla Atleitco | ST | 22 | Free |
| Ryan Fulton | Hamilton | GK | 28 | Free |
| Gerald Taylor | Saprissa | RB | 23 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Alex Cochrane | Birmingham | LB | 24 | £1 million |
| Tony Sibbick | Wigan | CB | 25 | Free |
| Lewis Neilson | St Johnstone | CB | 21 | Free |
| Aidan Denholm | Ross County | CM | 21 | Loan |
| Harry Stone | Ayr | GK | 22 | Loan |
The Jambos showed great consistency last season and were comfortably the best of the rest.
They have taken advantage of the Scottish market with Dhanda, Spittal and Penrice all astute signings. Alex Cochrane and Tony Sibbick will be big defensive misses though having exited for a combined fee of £1 million. Particularly Cochrane, who provided not only defensive solidity but support on the overlap.
There are two main reasons why they will drop to fourth.
Firstly, Lawerence Shankland is reportedly set to move to Rangers before the end of the window. The Scottish international is irreplaceable. Secondly, European football will put a real strain on their squad, which they struggled with in 2022/23.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
3. Aberdeen
Key Player: Bojan Miovski
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Sivert Helne Nilsen | Brann | CDM | 32 | £300k |
| Peter Ambrose | Upjest FC | ST | 22 | £253k |
| Gavin Molloy | Shelbourne | CB | 22 | £60k |
| Dimitar Mitov | St Johnstone | GK | 27 | Free |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Connor Barron | Rangers | CM | 21 | Free |
| Kelle Roos | Triestina | GK | 32 | Free |
| Kieran Ngwenya | Dunfermline | LB | 21 | Free |
| Aaron Ried | Airdrie | ST | 20 | Loan |
| Tom Ritchie | Bonyrigg | GK | 21 | Free |
| Anthony Stewart | Free Agent | CB | 31 | Free |
| Johnny Hayes | Retire | LW | 26 | Free |
A new boss at the helm breathes the start of a new era at Pittodrie.
After a car crash season that saw three different gaffers in the dugout, Jimmy Thelin takes charge fresh from his tenure at Elfsborg, where he agonizingly lost the league title on goal difference. He inherits an underperforming squad that needs a real sense of tactical direction.
He brings just that with his possession-based style. In the early stages of the Premier Sports Cup, it’s been working a treat. Captain Gramme Shinnie looks like a man with a new lease of life and the Dons have won all four of their clashes with a goal difference of fourteen.
Similar to Hearts, they must hold onto their sought-after striker. Should Miovski stay (which looks likely) they can take advantage of a kinder fixture load and re-stake their claim as best of the rest.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
2. Rangers
Key Player: James Tavernier
| Player Signing | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Hamza Igamanae | FAR Rabat | ST | 21 | £2 million |
| jefte | Fluminese | LB | 20 | £675k |
| Connor Barron | Aberdeen | CM | 21 | Free |
| Liam Kelly | Motherwell | GK | 28 | Free |
| Clinton Nsiala | AC Milan | RW | 20 | Free |
| Vaclav Cerny | Wolfsburg | CB | 26 | Loan |
| Player Departure | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Sam Lammers | Twente FC | CAM | 27 | £1.7 million |
| Connor Goldson | Aris Limassol | CB | 31 | £1.5 million |
| John Lundstram | Trabzonspor | CM | 30 | Free |
| Borna Barasic | Trabzonspor | LB | 31 | Free |
| Robby McCrorie | Kilmarnock | GK | 26 | Free |
| Kieran Wright | Airdrie | GK | 25 | loan |
| Ryan Jack | Free Agent | CDM | 32 | Free |
| Kemar Roofe | Free Agent | ST | 31 | Free |
| John McLaughlin | Free Agent | GK | 36 | Free |
Just about everything that possibly could go wrong in the lead-up to this season has for Rangers. Whether it’s a steel-shipping shortage that shuts off Ibrox for the foreseeable future, or Philippe Clement admitting the funds are lower than he was promised last October, it’s toxic.
Results on the pitch will silence those structural disasters, fans turn a blind eye when they leave satisfied with three points every weekend.
However, pre-season has hardly inspired any optimism as the Gers finished winless in four.
Should they prevent Celtic from lifting a fourth title in a row, their head-to-head clash record must improve. Having won just one game in ninety minutes in the last fifteen ties – in an already decided title – it’s difficult to have any level of confidence .
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
1. Celtic
Key Player: Matt O’Riley
| Player Signings | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Vijlami Sinaslo | Aston Villa | GK | 22 | £1 million |
| Kasper Schmeichel | Anderlecht | GK | 37 | Free |
| Paulo Bernardo | Benfica | CM | 22 | £3.5 million |
| Player Departures | Club | Position | Age | Fee |
| Hyeon-gyu Oh | Genk | Striker | 23 | £2.5 million |
| Sead Haksabanovic | Malmo | LW | 25 | £1.75 million |
| Seigrist | Rapid Bucharest | GK | 32 | Undisclosed |
| Joe Hart | N/A | GK | 37 | Retired |
Celtic will head into this season as overwhelming favourites.
It’s risky to look too much into pre-season but 4-3 and 4-1 wins over Man City and Chelsea are nothing to be scoffed at.
There is still work to do in the transfer window with just one outfield player signing to date, who was already at the club last season. In a literal sense, Brendan Rodgers’ men have stood still, although you’d expect more incomings soon.
Either way, this is a team with their rival’s number, barring a catastrophe it’ll be another title coming home to the East End of Glasgow.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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