Beyond The Score

Scottish football returns tomorrow as Steven Naismith’s Hearts host Rangers at the early kick-off slot. Motherwell then start their campaign as they welcome Ross County to Fir Park. There are three fixtures on Sunday including the Dundee derby, St Mirren versus Hibernian and Celtic against Kilmarnock. To top it all off, Aberdeen start their campaign in Perth as they take on St Johnstone. Four of the six clashes will be televised.

Which fans will walk away from the opening round happy?

Hearts v Rangers

Hearts will return to group-stage football thanks to a third-place finish last season. Whether that is in the form of Europa League or Conference League football will be courtesy of a two-legged play-off tie.

The Jambos have made some astute signings over the Summer, dipping into the Scottish market with Yan Dhanda, Blair Spittal and James Penrice arriving from Ross County, Motherwell and Livingston. Alex Cochrane and Tonny Sibbick have exited with the former racking up a fee in the range of £1 million.

As for Rangers, they find themselves in a bit of a mess, truth be told. An underwhelming transfer window, a steel-shipment crisis that locks them out of Ibrox and Philippe Clement admitting there are fewer funds available than he was led to believe when he accepted the job. It’s all rather messy.

This will be a tightly fought battle to kick off the season, ultimately neither fanbase will walk away satisfied.

Hearts 1-1 Rangers

Motherwell v Ross County

Both teams find themselves in a similar predicament heading into the new campaign: they have lost their talismen. Simon Murray netted fourteen times last season, none of his teammates bettered five. For the steelmen, Thelonius Bair scored fifteen with Blair Spittal second on nine. It goes without saying someone else must step up to the plate.

Goals are hard to replace and for that reason, both teams will struggle this year.

However, we can appreciate that both bosses are genuinely talented coaches. Motherwell’s organisation last year was exceptional and caused the big two headaches. They beat Rangers at Ibrox and were much the better side in their one-nil loss earlier in the season. Plus, they picked up a point at Celtic Park and only lost twice at home due to injury-time winners. They can match anyone.

Ross County under Don Cowie also showed dramatic improvements, including a home victory over Rangers.

This will be an entertaining but goalless clash.

Motherwell 0-0 Ross County

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Dundee United v Dundee

Ah, how we have missed the Dundee derby. It returns to the top flight for the first time since the 2021/22 season. Thankfully, Sky has chosen to televise this clash, giving it the limelight it deserves.

Unlike the last clash discussed, both sides have prolific goal scorers in the shape of Louis Moult and Simon Murray.

Under Jim Goodwin, Dundee United have strengthened. The Irishman suffered a torrid time at Aberdeen but did a wonderful job previously at St Mirren. With the profile of the Tangerines, there is no reason why he can’t repeat the success he enjoyed with the Buddies. They have strengthened in the transfer window, bringing in foreign talent including North Macedonian pair Trapanovski and Bubunski.

Dundee were an entertaining side last season. The football was free-flowing with Luke Mccowan often at the forefront. Although the defensive issues were present as they threw away leads in quick succession (Hearts, Motherwell and Rangers) or conceded barrel loads (Celtic) all too often. One goal conceded quickly turned into two and three. On occasion, folded like a pack of cards.

The first Dundee derby will serve up a treat to the neutral.

Dundee United 3-3 Dundee

(Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

St Mirren v Hibernian

St Mirren come off a midweek high as they reached the next stage of the Conference League qualifiers, defeating Valur by four goals to one in the process. They welcome envious visitors, who after a lackluster campaign finished in the bottom half of the table. Hibernian will try to earn back the European spot this season.

The Hibernian defence has been a glaring weakness for several seasons. They may have combatted this in the transfer window with Marvin Ekpiteta and Warren O’Hara joining from Blackpool and MK Dons, although only time will tell.

ST Mirren are a well-gelled team high on confidence that can ride a couple of bumps and come out the other side. Hibs, on the other hand, are fragile. A comfortable game will round off a perfect week for the Buddies.

St Mirren 3-1 Hibernian

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Celtic v Kilmarnock

It’s flag day at the home of the champions as they welcome Derek McInnes’s Kilmarnock side, a team who managed to beat them twice last season.

Celtic excelled in pre-season, putting four past DC United, Man City and Chelsea to complete a clean sweep at the States.

The big news out of the Celtic camp is that Paulo Bernardo has signed a five-year deal for a fee of £3.5 million. It’s the first outfield signing off the window and the Parkhead faithful will hope the ball gets rolling with more incomings imminent.

Despite falling out of the Conference league qualifiers after losing 2-1 to Cercle Brugge over aggregate, Kilmarnock did Scottish football proud over the two legs with their competitive spirit.

On Sunday though, it’ll be a much tougher task. It’s a free hit for the visitors who will try to make it as uncomfortable an afternoon as possible for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Celtic 3-0 Kilmarnock

(Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

St Johnstone v Aberdeen

Finally, the Monday night clash. Due to the Premier League starting a week later, the SPFL steps in to save the day.

Craig Levein has made his intentions crystal clear as to the type of team he wants St Johnstone to be. Nothing highlights this more than the signing of Uche Ikpeazu, a striker he was so fond of during his Hearts tenure. The Saints will be an ugly team to watch, and aim to carry a threat at set-pieces.

They will struggle this season though as key players such as Chris Kane, Daniel Philips, Andy Considine, Dimitar Mitov and Ryan McGowan have all gone their separate ways.

Jimmy Thelin comes into the Aberdeen job with a good track record having only lost the Sweedish league on goal difference with Elfsborg last season.

The Dons have shown blistering form in pre-season winning all four games with a goal difference of fourteen. They will continue this form with a routine win.

St Johnstone 0-2 Aberdeen

(Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)

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