The big guns of Scottish football all have a spring in their step as we approach the start of the SPFL season.
Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen have all successfully negotiated a couple of rounds of European qualifying and given the sport a shot in the arm that was desperately needed after Kilmarnock’s disastrous defeat to Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Whether Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have it in them to stop Celtic’s bid for nine-in-a-row remains to be seen, but should Aberdeen be in the conversation as well after a strong summer of recruitment from Derek McInnes and a promising start in the Europa League?
It’s anyone’s guess who will be celebrating come the end of May in all four tiers of the SPFL, but our sports team have had a go at predicting just that.
But who out of sports editor Danny Law, sports reporters Dave Edwards, Jamie Durent, Andy Skinner – last season’s reigning prediction champion, and reporters Stuart Findlay and Chris MacLennan has called the most correctly?
We will return in May to find out.
The predictions
Danny Law
Premiership
1 Celtic 2 Rangers 3 Aberdeen 4 Hibernian 5 Hearts 6 Motherwell 7 Ross County 8 St Johnstone 9 Kilmarnock 10 Hamilton 11 Livingston 12 St Mirren
“This season’s title race could be the closest for a few years but Celtic should have enough to make it nine in a row against an improving Rangers under Steven Gerrard.
“I don’t think there will be a huge amount to choose between Aberdeen, Hibernian and Hearts this season but I expect the Dons to pip the Edinburgh sides for third spot.
“Motherwell have impressed in pre-season and made some strong additions and can make a push for the top six but Kilmarnock could be in for a tricky season as they adjust to life after Steve Clarke.
“Ross County should have too much strength in depth to get embroiled in a relegation dogfight in their first season back in the top flight and I think they could edge St Johnstone to finish best of the rest.
“I have been impressed with the impact Brian Rice has made at Hamilton and they should have enough to survive for another year in the Scottish Premiership with Livingston and St Mirren finishing in the bottom two.”
Championship
Champions: Dundee United
Play-offs: Caley Thistle, Dundee, Partick Thistle.
Relegated: Alloa
League One
Champions: Falkirk
Play-offs: Raith Rovers, Airdrie, Forfar.
Relegated: Stranraer
League Two
Champions: Cove Rangers
Play-offs: Edinburgh City, Annan, Stenhousemuir
Bottom: Cowdenbeath
Highland League
Champions: Brora Rangers
2nd and 3rd: Formartine United, Fraserburgh
Dave Edwards
Premiership
1 Celtic 2 Rangers 3 Aberdeen 4 Hibs 5 Hearts 6 Kilmarnock 7 Motherwell 8 Ross County 9 St Johnstone 10 St Mirren 11 Hamilton Accies 12 Livingston
“I really can’t see past Celtic making it nine-in-a-row although I do expect their friends across the city to push them most of the way, the Old Firm derbies could again prove crucial.
“I’m also taking Aberdeen to get into Europe once again by virtue of a third-placed finish with both Hibs and Hearts biting at their heels.
“I am predicting an eighth place finish for recently promoted Ross County, although with a far wind in their sails I hope they finish higher up the table.
“Finally, I expect the relegation dog-fight to be between Hamilton Academical and Livingston with the latter marginally favourite for the drop.”
Championship
Champions: Dundee
Play-offs: Dundee United, Caley Thistle, Dunfermline Athletic
Relegated: Alloa
League One
Champions: Falkirk
Play-offs: Raith Rovers, Peterhead, Forfar
Relegated: Dumbarton
League Two
Champions: Cove Rangers
Play-offs: Edinburgh City, Annan, Elgin
Bottom: Albion Rovers
Highland League
Champions: Brora Rangers
2nd and 3rd: Formartine United, Fraserburgh
Jamie Durent
Premiership
1 Celtic 2 Rangers 3 Aberdeen 4 Hibernian 5 Motherwell 6 Hearts 7 Kilmarnock 8 Ross County 9 Hamilton Accies 10 St Johnstone 11 Livingston 12 St Mirren
“Aberdeen’s prompt recruitment drive gives hope that Derek McInnes can have a settled squad on the pitch early and build momentum.
“Last year’s rocky start had them playing catch-up and while injury woes didn’t help, inconsistency against some of the league’s lower sides held them back. Having greater strength in depth earlier this time round should help significantly.
“Ross County should enjoy a relatively stress-free return to the top flight. Stability has been key over the summer and with the odd quality addition like Simon Power and Lee Erwin, they should be able to steer well clear of any danger.
“A big season lies in store for Caley Thistle. It is their third season in the Championship and their first without a Premiership parachute payment.
“The loss of Joe Chalmers and in particular Liam Polworth will be felt – the question of how much depends on the performances of David Carson and James Keatings.
“Mitchell Curry gives them a potential wildcard to throw into a tried-and-trusted attacking formula of Tom Walsh, Aaron Doran and Jordan White.
“I’m punting on that familiarity and further development of some of their younger players being enough to get them over the line.
“Peterhead have shown in the Betfred Cup they are more than good enough to mix it with full-time teams, so a League 1 play-off berth is not out of the question.
“Elgin City recruiting Shane Sutherland gives them a huge boost while Russell Dingwall, released from Ross County, may well prove to be a steal.
“Many bookmakers have Cove Rangers as the favourites for the League 2 title already but I feel a play-off spot is more realistic.
“The squad is already packed with SPFL-quality players and the loan signings of Declan Glass and Chris Antoniazzi look very astute.
“Brora Rangers may very well be the next Highland cab off the rank in joining the SPFL – the strike quartet of Scott Davidson, Jordan MacRae, Paul Brindle and Greg Morrison is youthful and easily among the best in the division.”
Championship
Champions: Caley Thistle
Play-offs: Dundee United, Dundee, Partick Thistle
Relegated: Arbroath
League One
Champions: Falkirk
Relegated: Stranraer
League Two
Champions: Edinburgh City
Bottom: Queen’s Park
Highland League
Champions: Brora Rangers
2nd and 3rd: Formartine United, Fraserburgh
Andy Skinner
Premiership
1 Celtic 2 Rangers 3 Aberdeen 4 Hibernian 5 Hearts 6 Motherwell 7 Kilmarnock 8 Ross County 9 St Johnstone 10 Hamilton Accies 11 St Mirren 12 Livingston
“The closest title race in many years was predicted last season, however Celtic triumphed by a nine-point margin for the second successive season.
“Rangers’ improvement under Steven Gerrard has sparked the debate over whether they can overhaul the Hoops, but despite more strong recruitment at Ibrox I’m still to be convinced they will have enough.
“Even though Celtic lost manager Brendan Rodgers midway through last season, they are still accustomed to winning silverware under Neil Lennon and I back them to make it nine in a row.
“Dropping to fourth place was a major disappointment for Aberdeen last season, but despite the loss of influential skipper Graeme Shinnie, a well-balanced side looks to have been quickly assembled by Derek McInnes and I think they will comfortably finish third, with progress in Europe and pursuit of a trophy continuing to be high on the agenda.
“While the Scottish Cup has eluded them since 1990, I have a sneaky feeling the Dons will replicate their League Cup success of 2014.
“Ross County make a quick return to the Premiership, which history shows in itself is no mean feat. Although the top-flight has largely become stronger than the one they spent six years in prior to their relegation 12 months ago, I think County’s upward momentum will be a key factor compared to other teams, such as Livingston and St Mirren who I can see struggling.
“Crucially, they have a settled side which has plenty top-flight experience and I think they will have little problem rediscovering their place in the Premiership under co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson, who will relish their first full season among Scotland’s elite.
“That Dundee United are approaching a fourth season in the second-tier is kudos to the job Kettlewell and Ferguson did at Dingwall last season. I back them to end their long wait this time though, with Lawrence Shankland a key addition to a side that has already improved under Robbie Neilson.
“The rekindling of the Dundee derby will make for an intriguing league, but Inverness have a tendency to improve as the season progresses. Should John Robertson’s men get off to a strong start I fancy them to push United all the way, but ultimately I think the Tannadice outfit will have too much for the rest of the Championship.”
Championship
Champions: Dundee United
Play-offs: Caley Thistle, Dundee, Partick Thistle
Relegated: Alloa
League One
Champions: Falkirk
Relegated: Stranraer, East Fife
League Two
Champions: Cove Rangers
Bottom: Albion Rovers
Highland League
Champions: Brora Rangers
2nd and 3rd:
Stuart Findlay
“I have a sneaky feeling that this will be the season where Celtic’s relentless stranglehold on Scottish football will be broken.
“Winning three consecutive trebles is a feat that will likely never be repeated again but despite getting his team over the line in the league and winning the Scottish Cup, there were some signs that Neil Lennon’s Celtic were not as sparkling as they had been in previous seasons.
“Couple that with some impressive signings for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers and I can see them lasting the distance and giving us our first genuine Scottish Premiership title race in years.
“Derek McInnes has recruited well for Aberdeen and I think they should manage third-place.
“Getting off to a fast start would go a long way to getting fans believing that the Dons could at last be the club to end 34 seasons of Old Firm league domination. I doubt it will happen this year but McInnes’s team look closer to doing that now than they did 12 months ago.
1 Rangers 2 Celtic 3 Aberdeen 4 Hibs 5 Motherwell 6 Hearts 7 Ross County 8 Kilmarnock 9 St Johnstone 10 Hamilton 11 Livingston 12 St Mirren
Championship
Champions: Dundee United
Play-offs: Dundee, Partick Thistle, Caley Thistle
Relegated: Arbroath, Alloa
League One
Champions: Raith Rovers
Play-offs: Falkirk, Clyde, Airdrie
Relegated: Stranraer, Montrose
League Two
Champions: Cove Rangers
Play-offs: Edinburgh City, Stenhousemuir, Annan
Bottom: Albion Rovers
Highland League
Champions: Brora Rangers
2nd and 3rd: Fraserburgh, Formartine United
Chris MacLennan
“I assume I will be considered the rogue predictor of the bunch with this one but I am backing Rangers to thwart Celtic’s bid to secure a ninth title in a row, halting their progress to what their fans consider to be the pinnacle achievement of 10 in a row.
“Rangers come into this season on the back of what could be considered a successful 12-month spell under Steven Gerrard, however, if the Ibrox side are to put their woes of a nine year wait for a major domestic title, the time has to be now – and that is exactly what they will do in my opinion.
“A summer of strong recruitment has prepared the Light Blues in the best possible manner, providing the strength in depth they lacked to mount a serious title challenge amid their European adventure last season. New arrivals in the form of Joe Aribo from Charlton and Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo already look the real deal and will be key players in the success of the Ibrox side.
“The Hoops will push the Ibrox side the full distance, but Neil Lennon carries the weight of expectation of the Celtic support for the coming season and I feel this will prove to be too much for the Celtic legend.
“The loss of Kieran Tierney could prove to be incredible should a deal be forced through before the close of the English transfer window.
“Aberdeen will push on this season and really provide some additional pressure to the Old Firm duo, but consistency must be key for The Dons to ensure they are there or thereabouts come crunch time.
“Ross County have hit the ground flying in the Betfred Cup and will use that form to catapult themselves away from the inevitable dog fight for survival. Good recruitment from the County co-managers has resulted in a stronger talent base in Dingwall and I feel they will just be too much for their relegation feared rivals.
“Livingston, despite being the surprise package of the early parts of last season, will be unable to replicate that form. The loss of key players such as Liam Kelly and Craig Halkett will have a detrimental effect on the Almondvale side, who for me will fail to beat the drop.”
1 Rangers 2 Celtic 3 Aberdeen 4 Hibernian 5 Hearts 6 Kilmarnock 7 Motherwell 8 St Johnstone 9 Ross County 10 St Mirren 11 Hamilton 12 Livingston
Championship
Champions: Dundee United
Play-offs: Caley Thistle, Dundee, Partick Thistle
Relegated: Alloa
League One
Champions: Falkirk
Play-offs: Dumbarton, Raith and Clyde
Relegated: East Fife
League Two
Champions: Cove Rangers
Play-offs: Edinburgh City, Annan, Elgin
Bottom: Albion Rovers
Highland League
Champions: Brora Rangers
2nd and 3rd: Formartine United, Buckie Thistle