🔵
Predicted Finish: 1st

🤝 Transfers
For what feels like the first time under Steven Gerrard, Rangers have been fairly quiet in the transfer market so far. Nmadi Ofoborh has arrived after agreeing a pre-contract some time ago, with Fashion Sakala and John Lundstram the only two first-team players to arrive. Both are exciting deals, with Lundstram arriving from the Premier League and Sheffield United and Sakala fresh off scoring 16 times in the Belgian top flight for Oostende last season. Both will have ambitions of breaking into Gerrard’s first XI but they will have to be content to break their way into the Champions’ side over the course of the season. There have been no major departures at the time of the writing despite various rumours about the respective futures of the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Connor Goldson and Glen Kamara so it’s been a summer of continuity and subtle tweaks rather than mass overhaul at Ibrox like too many of the years gone by.

👉 Verdict
Rangers managed to juggle the Europa League and Premiership expertly last season (less so the domestic cups) but a potential spot in the Champions League proper would be a different test. They need to navigate the qualifiers first but there’s a good chance we’ll see Gerrard in the Champions League for the first time since his Liverpool days. I do favour them for the league title over their city rivals, as should they make the Champions League, then any potential hangovers from facing some of Europe’s best teams into the weekend’s league games should be balanced out by Celtic’s hectic summer as I expect Postecoglou to take his time to get his new look side up and running.

🍀
Predicted Finish: 2nd

🤝 Transfers
After one of the more protracted manager chases of the summer, Celtic eventually got Ange Postecoglou which has inevitably slowed down their much needed overhaul of the playing staff. Things are finally picking up on that front though and Celtic’s squad does look a lot healthier than it did a few weeks ago. Carl Starfelt, Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada have all come in and more are expected, and needed, but it’s the outgoings that could have the biggest impact. Kris Ajer and Scott Brown are gone which not only is a big talent gap to fill but a massive amount of leadership has been wiped out, and that’s before the potential exits of Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard. Edouard’s departure would be massive and with only one year left on his deal it is to be expected, if not now possibly in January.

👉 Verdict
It’s difficult to predict exactly how this Celtic team will even line-up come the close of the window with signings still expected and the obvious spectre of losing Edouard hovering over them, but the early signs have been good. They played with a real intensity in the 1-1 Champions League qualifier draw with FC Midtjylland, something that was never evident last season. Even if they land a new right-back and a couple of more options across the park, it’s a lot to ask to come in and instantly hit the ground running both as a new coach in Postecoglou’s case and a brand new side and captain, in Callum McGregor, and usurp a settled Rangers side that utterly dominated last campaign and hasn’t yet got any weaker.

🆎
Predicted Finish: 3rd

🤝 Transfers
Stephen Glass has been very busy in the window with the aim of stamping his authority on a side that had been going stale under Derek McInnes. The eye-catching signing is of course Scott Brown, with the former Celtic captain joining the likes of Declan Gallagher and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in adding a lot of experience to this Aberdeen side. Jack Gurr and new number nine Christian Ramirez have been brought over from MLS to what looks a well-balanced Dons side ready to have a go at the Europa Conference League as well as the Premiership. The signing I’m most intrigued by though is Teddy Jenks, with the Brighton loanee tipped for big things. The 19-year-old managed eight goals and two assists from 23 PL2 games last season. A midfield trio of Jenks, Brown and Lewis Ferguson certainly looks good on paper and bodes well for Glass and Aberdeen fans.

👉 Verdict
Last season frittered away from Aberdeen, with it ultimately costing McInnes his job before the appointment of Glass in March and hopes of a better season will be high after what looks a good summer for the Dons. The business has been impressive on paper and, importantly, done early, meaning the vast majority of this squad has had a pre-season together and a quick start to Glass’ first full season can be expected. There’s a very strong spine at Pittodrie now with Joe Lewis (should he rediscover his form of old), Gallagher, Andrew Considine, Brown, Ferguson and Ramirez, a man who has an admirable scoring record over in the States. Should he recreate his Minnesota scoring rate in Scotland there’s no reason why Aberdeen can’t improve on last season’s 4^th placed finish, and even make a mark in Europe and the cups, something that was sorely missing under McInnes’ reign in charge.

🥬
Predicted Finish: 4th

🤝 Transfers
So far, it’s been about holding on to key players more than the arrivals at Easter Road, though the signing of the much sought-after Jake Doyle-Hayes from under the noses of Dundee United is a good bit of business. The permanent signings of Jamie Murphy and Daniel Mackay add to a talented pool of wide men, even if Murphy didn’t quite look his best on loan last season due to an injury hit campaign. So far, though, it’s been in keeping Josh Doig, Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle that could prove their best business of the summer. Nisbet and Boyle both hit double figures for goals in the league last season so their departures would be keenly felt, while Doig was a revelation on the left-hand side of the defence for Jack Ross’ men.

👉 Verdict
It will be interesting to see if Hibs can hang on to their 3rd place that they secured in convincing fashion in what wasn’t a vintage Premiership season but the signs point towards a tougher league this time around (No Neil Lennon, a resurgent Aberdeen and, of course the return of Hearts). Three to four games against Hearts this season will almost certainly present a tougher task than either of the relegated sides did for Jack Ross’ men last campaign, Hibs took 18 points from 18 against Hamilton and Killie last season, that was 28% of their points tally last campaign. You can only beat what’s in front of you but Dundee and, particularly, Hearts in a feisty Edinburgh derby won’t likely be the same sort of cannon fodder as the two sides they’ve replaced this season. Another top four finish is likely but just as important to Ross’ fortunes at Easter Road will be how he navigates Europe and the cup competitions with a talented squad capable of beating anyone in the Premiership.

♥️
Predicted Finish: 5th

🤝 Transfers
The main aim of this window for Robbie Neilson and those behind the Tynecastle scenes was trimming a bloated squad and that’s certainly been achieved, with only one new face coming through the doors so far this summer despite numerous first-team exits. Steven Naismith has retired, and he did play a part in getting Hearts promoted but a lot of the excess fat has been trimmed elsewhere. Elliot Frear, Aidy White, Olly Lee, Christophe Berra and Craig Wighton won’t be missed on the park and the wages they will have freed up will be a nice bonus for Anne Budge, especially having only made Ross Stewart’s and Josh Ginnelly’s loans permanent, while brining in Alex Cochrane in on loan from Brighton.

👉 Verdict
In switching to a 3-4-3 for the final few games of last season, Hearts have looked very solid ever since, so much so they’ve not conceded a goal nine competitive games, with first-choice stopper Craig Cordon not conceding in 11 consecutive appearances. The return to fitness of John Souttar at centre-half does give them the freedom to switch to the three at the back and it does look as if it’s working. The form of the front three, Gary Mackay-Steven, Liam Boyce and Ginnelly, will be key this season. They shouldn’t concede too many and will expect a top six finish but if those three can form a good relationship then they could dominate the mini-league they’ll likely be competing in behind Celtic and Rangers and make their return to the Premiership a successful one.

🔵
Predicted Finish: 6th

🤝 Transfers
Scott Tanser, Guy Melamed and Craig Conway aren’t insignificant departures but if the cup double winners can limit their major outgoings to just that trio while adding one or two more names, as is expected, then Callum Davidson can look back on a window well done. The three centre-halves, Shaun Rooney and Ali McCann all look set to stay ahead of facing, almost certainly, Galatasaray in the Europa League Qualifying round, if not for another full season at McDiarmid. That’s no mean feet given some of the interested parties in the more influential names from a truly magnificent season in Perth last year.

👉 Verdict
Where do you go from a Scottish Cup, League Cup and top six finish? It’s the season of dreams for pretty much every fan in Scotland outwith the two big Glasgow sides. The good news is that they’ve managed to keep the nucleus of that historic side together so far and with a couple of touches here and there should be in similar shape to last season. I think they may find it tricky to kick on in the league, with Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts all looking in fine nick behind the Old Firm but another top six finish should be in their reach and not to be sniffed at after a season that’s unlikely to be topped by any side of a similar size to the Perth Saints in a long, long time.

🏁
Predicted Finish: 7th

🤝 Transfers
Jim Goodwin has worked hard to add experience to a side that last season were never in any serious danger of dropping out of the division, with far more focus being placed on an ultimately unsuccessful top six push. The likes of Curtis Main, Scott Tanser, Charles Dunne, Alan Power and Greg Kiltie will all be expected to hit the ground given their respective profiles, all while replacing the departed Jake Doyle-Hayes, Dylan Connolly and Ilkay Durmus. Doyle-Hayes is the big loss but they’ve so far managed to hold on to their top scorer from last season, Jamie McGrath, despite reported interest from Wigan and Aberdeen.

👉 Verdict
While it’s not the most exciting list of arrivals, nor is it the most devastating list of departures, the Paisley club have had a solid summer window, providing they can either hold on to McGrath or replace him well should he go. They do look well-placed to have another go at attempting to break into the top six again this season and with five sides competing in Europe over the opening few weeks of the campaign at the very least, there’s an opportunity for St. Mirren to get off to a quick start and potentially bag some points while the likes of Hibs and St. Johnstone are navigating Europe and Hearts are getting back up to speed with top flight football. They missed out on a top six finish last season on goal difference and I’m not sure they’ve added enough goals to immediately redress that issue, though getting the erratic Colin Quaner off the books probably isn’t a bad thing in that regard. I think they probably just don’t have enough to break into the top half but they do have an excellent manager and some interesting players so I wouldn’t be writing them off too soon.

🔸
Predicted Finish: 8th

🤝 Transfers
It has largely been quiet on this front at Tannadice, with new manager Tam Courts taking the spot of the far from popular Micky Mellon in the Tannadice dugout and not feeling the need for many changes thus far. Trevor Carson has been brought in as an impressive understudy to the in-demand Benji Siegrist between the sticks and Charlie Mulgrew has come in to add even more experience in the defence. It’s been more interesting on the contract front, with talented youngster Logan Chalmers signing a new deal and should he kick on this season he could be a difference maker for Courts. Lawrence Shankland and Siegrist, the two most prized Tannadice assets, are in the final year of their deals so it will be interesting, and potentially game changing, to see where they end up come the end of the window.

👉 Verdict
Again, similar to Celtic, the futures of their key players will be pivotal to the sort of season that can be expected for United. Shankland and Siegrist are their two most important players by a distance, even if Shankland had a so-so campaign last season, and should they depart before the 1st of September then it could be another tough season at Tannadice. Last season was ultimately without massive doubts over immediate relegation back to the Championship, but the football was a turgid watch and early signs in the League Cup haven’t given United fans much hope this season will be different despite picking four wins from four. Ultimately, I think they’ll have enough and it should be similar to last campaign, but the margins will be fine, probably too fine if they lose their two key men at either end of the park.

🦁
Predicted Finish: 9th

🤝 Transfers
It’s been a busy summer for David Martindale with a massive turnover at the Tony Macaroni, with some interesting names arriving and big names departing. Loan arrivals from Rangers, Norwich and Liverpool (Ben Williamson, Daniel Barden and Adam Lewis) offer Livi fans excitement and a bit of glamour, while the permanent signings of Bruce Anderson, Ayo Obileye and James Penrice are all gambles for a Premiership side. The loss of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Scott Robinson and Jon Guthrie is big and means the new signings will have to step up if they’re to repeat last season’s top six finish.

👉 Verdict
I’d be surprised if they did. I’ve got them finishing ninth, though I do believe there’s little between the four or five sides I’m predicting to finish at the bottom of the league. Goals could be an issue this season, with three of their five top scorers departed though it’s always been more about being a solid, hard to beat outfit since promotion to the top flight for Livi. They tailed off alarmingly last season, winning just once in their final 12 games, though a cup final loss and top six finish didn’t help, but if Martindale can’t arrest the slide then it might be a tricky campaign for the Lions. They should be resilient enough to avoid a proper scrap at the bottom of the table but there really isn’t too much between themselves and the likes of Dundee, Motherwell and Ross County heading into the new season.

🟠
Predicted Finish: 10th

🤝 Transfers
A lot of important figures under Stephen Robinson have left Fir Park this summer as new boss Graham Alexander continues to mould his squad in his own image. Gone are once key players Declan Gallagher, Charles Dunne, Trevor Carson, Allan Campbell, Chris Long, Liam Polworth and Devante Cole. Alexander would’ve liked to keep a few of those names but it’s telling that he’s shifted on some players that were a big part of the club before his arrival. That exodus of senior players has opened the door for some fresh faces and the key arrival so far has been the permanent signing of Liam Kelly from QPR. He’s a massively talented keeper and it’s a statement of intent that the Well have parted with cash to sign the former Rangers stopper. Joining Kelly are strikers Connor Shields and Kevin van Veen, who will have to try and make up for the 11 goals lost in Cole’s departure to Barnsley, the only Motherwell player to score more than five league goals last season.

👉 Verdict
The early season signs don’t look great for Motherwell and Alexander. Boos rung out at half-time in two of their League Cup games, against Queen of the South and Airdrie, with fans less than impressed by the ineffectual 4-3-3 favoured by Alexander thus far. Well fans will hope it’s just teething problems after a summer of change but the issues will need to be rectified fairly quickly. A task that’s not easily done without a natural goalscorer, something this Motherwell squad appears to be missing, though the same could be said for many of their potential bottom six rivals which will offer them hope.

🔵
Predicted Finish: 11th

🤝 Transfers
James McPake wasted little time in improving his side after getting Dundee promoted via the play-offs at the end of May and it does look a far stronger squad now than the one that got the Dee promoted. Cillian Sheridan will take the role of the released Osman Sow, back-up striker who will act as a target man, while Luke McCowan has been brought into to add some much needed width. Paul McMullan’s loan deal was made permanent as expected when he joined from neighbours Dundee United in January and if the inconsistent winger can make the step up from Championship to Premiership, he could be vital to his side’s survival chances.

👉 Verdict
There’s a good amount of quality in the Dundee squad now, particularly in the middle of the park where the experienced trio of Charlie Adam, Shaun Byrne and Paul McGowan complement talented youngsters Max Anderson and Fin Robertson well. I remain unconvinced by how McGowan and Adam will do this season, and they shouldn’t expect as comfortable a time of it compared to the last campaign. Adam won the Championship player of the year last season, but the 35-year-old battled with long covid and might struggle with the increased tempo in the Premiership. I don’t see a striker pool of Danny Mullen, Alex Jakubiak, Jason Cummings and Sheridan having enough goals in them to make it a stress-free season and should none of them find their shooting boots it could be a very long campaign at Dens.

🦌
Predicted Finish: 12th

🤝 Transfers
It’s been a quiet summer for County with the biggest change being in the dugout, with Malky Mackay replacing John Hughes after the Staggies narrowly avoided a bottom two finish in last season’s Premiership. We’ve only seen them play two competitive fixtures ahead of the new season, with Covid wreaking havoc on their League Cup campaign meaning we haven’t seen much of their limited transfer business in action. Ross Callachan represents an exciting arrival, with the midfielder hitting a career high nine league goals for relegated Hamilton last campaign, similar numbers would be very helpful for his new employers. Loan signings from Manchester City and Southampton, Alex Robertson and Jake Vokins respectively, offer promise though neither have much first-team experience. Mackay has trimmed his squad, shifting on a lot of the experienced players that didn’t perform last term, moving on the likes of Billy McKay, Iain Vigurs, Ross Draper, Michael Gardyne and Jason Naismith.

👉 Verdict
They’ve lost a lot of their old timers this summer and their squad doesn’t look brimming with depth meaning I have to agree with the bookies in making them favourites to go down. They were a bit lucky there were two dreadful sides in the Premiership last season in Killie and Hamilton and I’d be surprised if we see anyone as bad as those two this coming campaign, with the possible exception of County. Covid scuppering their first pre-season under Mackay won’t help their chances of beating the drop either and I feel we might see an end to County’s latest stint in the top flight come May. They’ll need one of their first-team strikers to really step up if they’re to have anything resembling a successful season, though Oli Shaw and Dominic Samuel have never been prolific and Jordan White has yet to truly convince in the Premiership, though he did aid Ross County’s successful relegation fight last season after arriving from Motherwell.