SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

This season: Antonio Conte’s assistant, a US takeover in Edinburgh and a genuine title race

Will Steve Clarke’s Kilmarnock exit bring us back to the usual top three? Probably!

The titanic tussle at the top between Celtic and Rangers will dominate column inches in Scotland. However, with the arrival of Antonio Conte’s right-hand man at Kilmarnock and an American millionaire at Hibernian, the 2019-20 Premiership promises to be a compelling spectacle well beyond the city limits of Glasgow.

Celtic are so close to legendary status that they can almost taste it. They’re aiming for a ninth successive title on their quest for the iconic 10-in-a-row.

That’s the task for Neil Lennon, given the job permanently while he was still in the Hampden showers following their Scottish Cup final win over Hearts. That sent some fans into a lather – but Lenny is a proven winner at Parkhead.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard knows time is running out to stop the mother of all parties across the city. He has retooled over the summer, because although the Gers’ runners-up finish last term was their highest in the top flight in seven years, Gerrard is in no mood to settle for second-best again.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen are itching to add some silverware to their cabinet. In the league, finishing as ‘best of the rest’ in 3rd is their minimum expectation.

A new era has begun at Hibs, with Ron Gordon purchasing the club from Sir Tom Farmer. Debt-free and ambitious, the Hibees want European qualification – and to outperform Hearts again.

Killie’s appointment of Angelo Alessio is a leap into the unknown, and it will be fascinating to see how the ex-chelsea and Juventus coach copes in Scotland.

Motherwell and St Johnstone nurse aspirations of belying their budgets to break into the top six, while mere survival would constitute success for Livingston, St Mirren, Hamilton and Ross County in the battle at the bottom.

AT THE LOWER LEVELS…

Just 200 yards separate Dundee and Dundee United, and their fight for second-tier promotion could be just as close. Partick Thistle, Inverness and Dunfermline will also hope to be in the shake-up for the play-offs.

In League One, Falkirk aim to bounce back from their shock relegation – but Raith Rovers will mount a title charge.

Edinburgh City’s recruitment down in League Two stands out a mile. They should be gunning for top spot, ahead of Stenhousemuir, twice-relegated Brechin and ambitious Cove Rangers.