It seems like just yesterday that James Vincent was slotting home the winning goal to win the 2014/15 Scottish Cup final for Caley Thistle, however, tomorrow we start all over again as the 2015/16 Premiership season kicks off.
A number of teams have made big changes to their squads over the summer, not least the Caley Jags who have lost key three men from the team that started the final at Hampden, up the road, in Dingwall, Ross County boss Jim McIntyre has added a staggering 13 new players to his squad.
So what should we expect this weekend? Here’s a look at Saturday and Sunday’s fixtures:
Saturday
- Celtic v Ross County (12.45pm)
- Hamilton v Partick Thistle (3pm)
- Inverness Caley Thistle v Motherwell (3pm)
- Kilmarnock v Dundee (3pm)
Sunday
- Hearts v St Johnstone (12.30pm)
- Dundee Utd v Aberdeen (3.30pm)
Celtic v Ross County
With three Champions League qualifying matches already under their belt it is difficult to know what to expect from Celtic. While Ronny Deila’s squad will definitely be up to match speed, the Celtic boss will undoubtedly have at least one eye on the second leg of their qualifier against Qarabag, to be played on Wednesday.
In European matches Deila has persevered with Nadir Ciftci in the lone striker role, however, with the Turk suspended for Saturday’s lunchtime kick off, Leigh Griffiths will replace him and will be looking to prove he should be given the nod to start for the Hoops in the second leg against Qarabag.
While it may be tricky to know what to expect from tomorrow’s hosts, it is near impossible to know what the visitors will offer. County have made 13 new signings over the summer – Michael Gardyne and Jackson Irvine have penned permanent deals after impressing on loan last season and they have been joined by 11 new faces.
Recent seasons have seen the Staggies take a number of gambles in the transfer market with a host of players coming from overseas and struggling to adjust to the Scottish game and life in the Highlands. However this summer has seen a clear shift in the club’s signing philosophy.
Rather than hoping for the best, with signings from the continent, Jim McIntyre has signed players who know the British game well – Chris Robertson, Andrew Davies and Stewart Murdoch have all proven themselves down south, while Brian Graham, Ian McShane and Richard Foster come equipped with plenty of experience of the Scottish game. In goals, the Staggies also look strong with Scott Fox and Stoke loanee Dan Bachmann competing for the number one jersey.
Celtic should win the league, Ross County should enjoy a far more successful season than last year but tomorrow’s match is likely to come down to the attitude of the Celtic squad and whether or not the newly formed Staggies squad have been able to gel.
Score prediction: Celtic 2-2 Ross County
Inverness Caley Thistle v Motherwell
This time last season nobody could have predicted what would happen over the next 10 months for these two teams.
John Hughes ‘failed’ to add to his Caley Thistle squad, leading some fans to questions if Inverness would be able to compete for a top six finish, while some doubters even tipped the Caley Jags for relegation. Inverness of course went on to enjoy the club’s most successful season, finishing third in the league and winning the Scottish Cup.
The challenge this season of course will be trying to match that success. Losing key players Graeme Shinnie, Marley Watkins and, to a lesser extent, Nick Ross and Eddie Ofere, will make that all but impossible but John Hughes will be hoping his new signings, Nat Wedderburn, Jordan Roberts, Dani Lopez, Owain Fon Williams and Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo can go some way top make up for those losses.
Motherwell fortunes also turned last season but while supporters in the Highland capital celebrating the change, those in Lanarkshire were left rather disappointed.
Last season saw the Steelmen part ways with manager Stuart McCall and dramatically drop from the previous season’s second place finish to a disappointing relegation dogfight which saw them only beat the drop courtesy of a play-off victory over Rangers.
Ian Baraclough has overseen a summer clearout this summer with 17 players leaving Fir Park and six new boys arriving, while Louis Laing has penned a permanent deal and, most importantly of all, the club convinced Scott McDonald to sign a new deal.
Motherwell will hope, and expect, to have a more fruitful campaign this time out but they face a tough opening game and Caley Thistle boss John Hughes will be confident of picking up where his team left off last season.
If Roberts, Lopez and Mbuyi fill the rather sizeable attacking gap left by Watkins and Ofere, the Caley Jags should have enough to see off the Motherwell challenge. However, filling that gap is going to be easier said than done.
Score prediction: Caley Thistle 2-1 Motherwell
Dundee United v Aberdeen
Just like last season the Dons kick off their Premiership campaign against Dundee United. This time last year the Arabs left Pittodrie with a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Ryan Dow, Gary Mackay-Steven and Chris Erskine.
That didn’t stop Derek McInnes’ men from enjoying a fine season, launching a title challenge and eventually finishing the season as league runners up, however the Dons will be hoping to get off to a better start this time round and, following five Europa League qualifying matches, the Pittodrie men are certainly up to speed and ready for the league campaign.
This summer McInnes has added quality rather than quantity – with Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie and Ross County captain Paul Quinn joining the club as well as Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward signing up on loan. During the European games, Shinnie in particular has shown his undisputed quality both in midfield and defence, helping the Dons look a stronger unit as a result.
Former Dundee United man David Goodwillie has also impressed in the Europa qualifiers, grabbing his chance with both hands and doing all he can to keep last season’s top scorer, Adam Rooney, out of the team.
This summer United have lost goalkeeper Radoslaw Ciernziak, defender Jaroslaw Fojut and striker Nadir Ciftci – losing this trio on top of wingers Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong who both joined Celtic in January has resulted in fans and pundits alike predicting a rather challenging season for Jackie McNamara and his men.
United will need January signings Robbie Muirhead and Simon Murray to step up to the plate, while McNamara will also be looking for summer additions Mark Durnan, Coll Donaldson, Justin Johnson and Darko Bodul to hit the ground running.
Despite United’s home advantage, Aberdeen, with a month of competitive action already in the bag, should be too strong.
Score prediction: Dundee United 0-2 Aberdeen