Top flight prospects

ST JOHNSTONE: The early exit from the Europa League was a huge disappointment but this squad is experienced enough to get over that. In fact, it already has.

It’s also experienced enough to make sure they are nowhere near the relegation battle – which always has to be the first priority despite year after year to top six finishes.

Don’t be lulled into thinking experience means soon to be over the hill, though. The squad isn’t as old as some lazily suggest.

And don’t think that, despite the fact he inexplicably keeps getting ignored for jobs down south, manager Tommy Wright’s motivation will be dwindling. He and his players will want to keep proving the doubters wrong.

Stefan Scougall is the latest signing with something to prove after a mixed experience at his previous club and he should be a Premiership hit. And this could be the year for at least one academy product to establish himself in the first team.

They say never go back, but Michael O’Halloran should prove that theory wrong. He’s a class act and Rangers failing to get the best out him doesn’t change that. With O’Halloran in full flow, Saints will hope to finish higher than at least one of the Edinburgh clubs. Key man: Michael O’Halloran. Target: Top six. Prediction: Fifth

DUNDEE: There is a mood of quiet optimism emanating from the Dundee camp at the moment.

The Dark Blues may have lost Sunday’s Betfred Cup tie to neighbours United on penalties but there is undoubted excitement at the revamped squad manager Neil McCann has built this summer.

Four of his eight new recruits started the cup tie – Glen Kamara, Sofien Moussa, Scott Allan and Roarie Deacon.

The latter was the pick of the bunch against United with Tam Scobbie probably still waking up in a cold sweat at the thought of defending against the winger when the sides meet again next week.

Kamara looks every inch a classy product of the Arsenal youth academy, while McCann believes there is more to come from Moussa once he is fully fit and Allan’s quality has never been in doubt.

The manager – who thought long and hard about giving up his seat in the Sky TV studio before taking the Dundee job on a permanent basis – is fiercely competitive and his enthusiasm also seems to have rubbed off on players already at Dens.

However, after the dangerous brush with relegation last season, the Dark Blues faithful will be hoping that all the early-season optimism is translated into tangible rewards in terms of victories especially at Dens. Key man: Scott Allan. Target: Top six. Prediction: Seventh.