The 10th season of the SPFL kicks-off on Saturday and, apart from the certainty either Celtic or Rangers will win the Premiership, it promises to be as unpredictable as ever across all four divisions.
The two Glasgow giants have both made big changes; how the new faces settle in will have a big bearing on which of them sets the pace.
That will be the case for all the top-flight sides after what has been the busiest summer transfer window I can remember. Most of the starting line-ups this weekend will be unrecognisable from those that finished off the last campaign.
Top-four a closed shop – Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen – with only order up for grabs
Hearts were third best by a distance in 2021/22. Lawrence Shankland has been their marquee signing, and he should score plenty goals, but I will be interested to see how Alan Forrest copes with the step-up from Livingston.
The Dons will be gunning for the Tynecastle side, and the early signs have been encouraging, but the real test begins on Sunday afternoon at Celtic Park.
A positive approach, and a positive result will set Aberdeen up very nicely; a heavy defeat – which is always possible against Ange Postecoglou’s team – could have a damaging impact on Jim Goodwin’s new-look side.
It will be fascinating to see how that one pans out.
I cannot see any of the other sides making it into the top four.
United look good, Lee Johnson must tread carefully at Hibs, and St Johnstone will also compete for top-six with Livi and County
Dundee United have made a good move in recruiting Jack Ross, and they appear to have strengthened well. Getting Dylan Levitt on board permanently was a huge plus, and he should be a major player for them.
Hibernian had a shambles of a League Cup campaign, and new boss Lee Johnson is going to have to have a strong start given how ruthless owner Ron Gordon was last season.
A number of their signings are unknown quantities; they too will need to quickly prove their worth, although David Marshall will be a stabilising figure in goal.
St Johnstone should be better this time round, but exiting the Premier Sports Cup was a warning flag.
I would, however, expect them to be competing for a top six finish alongside Livingston and a much-changed Ross County.
Malky MacKay has been extremely busy this summer, and given his ability to spot a player, the Dingwall side might again be a challenger for one of the Europa Conference League spots.
Killie will be fine – but Motherwell and St Mirren look to be in peril
Derek McInnes will relish his return to the Premiership and, having streamlined his Kilmarnock squad and signed some quality, I would not expect them to have any relegation concerns.
That leaves Motherwell and St Mirren, and I fear for both.
Graham Alexander had made fewer additions than any of his rivals before Well were unceremoniously dumped out of Europe, and with Alexander having now been sacked by the Fir Park club, the pressure is on the Steelmen before the Premiership kicks-off.
"We have to be honest with ourselves. We weren’t good enough tonight." pic.twitter.com/2OJUgC2Ams
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) July 28, 2022
Stephen Robinson never really seemed to get going after the move to Paisley, but they finished last season pretty well, with four straight clean sheets.
Trevor Carson looks a decent replacement for Jak Alnwick, but, having also failed to emerge from their League Cup group, they are another side in need of a positive start.
The head-to-head between the two on Sunday will be an early indication of what lies ahead for both.
Caley Thistle favourites, while Cove can consolidate in Championship
Dundee and Caley Thistle will go in as favourites to lift the Championship, but Arbroath cannot be discounted – given last season and how they’ve started this one – while Partick Thistle have recruited well.
Queen’s Park have also been busy, and they can be expected to put in a challenge.
It has been a trying summer at Cove, with Jim McIntyre settling into the job and having a frustrating time in the transfer market, but he still has good quality at Balmoral Stadium and, at the very least, a season of consolidation looks eminently achievable.
League One looks ridiculously tough!
Airdrieonians and Montrose will be looking to go one better after play-off disappointment, but Dunfermline and Queen of the South will be desperate to bounce straight back up, and Falkirk cannot afford another season at that level.
Thrown in Kelty Hearts, Alloa Athletic, and the rebranded FC Edinburgh, and it will be an almighty scrap for the promotion spots.
Bonnyrigg Rose will hope to make an instant impact in League Two, but Stenhousemuir might be the team to beat, with Annan Athletic again strong challengers.
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