BACK IN THE GAME

The long wait for the return of the SPFL Premiership is almost over and, as the excitement builds, we look at how each team is shaping up...

Aberdeen

Derek McInnes begins his eighth full season in charge at Pittodrie but will familiarity breed contempt with sections of the Aberdeen faithful?

It’s easy to take for granted the relative success the Dons boss has enjoyed and as the club emerges from lockdown, they will be grateful for his experience as he navigates choppy waters.

Winger Jonny Hayes arrives from Celtic while striker Sam Cosgrove’s, inset, future is a bit hazy with French side Guingamp having a bid rejected as English clubs keep tabs. Aberdeen have a 2019-20 Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to later this year. Prediction: 4th

Kilmarnock

Another campaign starts with a new manager for Killie.

Last season at this stage, the morale in the Rugby Park camp was at an ultimate low after being knocked out of the Europa League by Welsh minnows Connah’s Quay Nomads as Angelo Alessio’s tenure started in the worst possible fashion.

But Alex Dyer, inset, will be leading the charge this term – and after being No 2 to Steve Clarke and Alessio, he will fancy himself to make an impact as the main man.

Killie lost plenty of players during the summer, most notably Stephen O’Donnell – but Aaron McGowan, Zeno Rossi, Brandon Haunstrup, Mitch Pinnock and Danny Whitehall check in. Top six will be the aim but they are one of a number of clubs chasing that status. Prediction: 6th

Livingston

Livingston will kick-off a third straight season of Premiership football and it says a lot about them that they have never been overly troubled with relegation issues since their top-flight return.

Boss Gary Holt has done an outstanding job along with his players and it seems they thrive on the team spirit fostered and underdogs status.

Staying up must be the focus despite last term’s fifth-placed finish when you consider they will have one of the lowest budgets in the league.

Hanging on to striker Lyndon Dykes, inset, looks a tough ask. Keeper Robby McCrorie is back again on loan from Rangers.

Prediction: 8th Motherwell

Motherwell were the best of the rest last season as Stephen Robinson’s side earned a place in the Europa League qualifiers and third spot in the table.

The Steelmen have continued to build on the core group that have been retained from the successful campaign – with the notable addition of Fir Park graduate Jake Hastie on loan from Rangers.

Star man David Turnbull, inset, will feel like a new signing as he only played two games on his return from injury last season before lockdown – that is, if‘Well can fight off clubs chasing his signature.

Meanwhile, the Fir Park faithful will be expecting another top-half finish this time around. Prediction: 3rd

Celtic

Immortality awaits Neil Lennon, inset, and his Celtic players as they aim for 10-in-a-row.

Observers with memories of the 1997-98 season will recall the drama and tension each weekend produced as rivals Rangers made their own bid for greatness.

These are different times and a keen interest will be taken in how Celtic perform without a huge home crowd and their usual significant backing on the road.

A new goalkeeper is at the top of Lennon’s shopping list and while there have been departures, the squad is streetwise and dripping with winners’medals.

It’s going to take something special to stop them but will the pressure of the ultimate prize take its toll? Prediction: 1st

Rangers

That Rangers have improved under Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, inset, is not up for debate – but the honeymoon period is well and truly over.

The Ibrox club needs to add quality to the first XI rather than squad players. Despite the joint-best defensive record in the league last year, a familiar failure to find a way through limited but organised defences cost Rangers dear.

With Alfredo Morelos set for the exit door and Jermaine Defoe nearing 38, two new strikers are needed as a minimum. Much will depend on the talented trio of Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent and new signing Ianis Hagi if a 55th title is to arrive in Govan. Prediction: 2nd

Dundee Utd

A new era begins at Tannadice with Mickey Mellon appointed manager after Championship title-winning gaffer Robbie Neilson headed back to Hearts.

Mellon enjoyed plenty of success as boss down south, most notably with Tranmere Rovers, and has a huge amount of experience in the game.

Keeping United up should be considered the priority, despite the club’s lofty status in the game. After four seasons out of the top-flight, their presence at this level cannot be taken for granted.

All eyes will be on how well goal machine Lawrence Shankland, inset, handles life in the Premiership. This is his big chance to shine. Prediction: 7th

Ross County

Stuart Kettlewell finds himself flying solo as Ross County manager following Stevie Ferguson’s decision to take up a chief executive role at the club.

The pair had done a brilliant job together; firstly winning promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking and then keeping the Staggies in the top-flight.

However, closing the back door will be Kettlewell’s main aim – County conceded 60 league goals last season which was the most in the Premiership.

The experienced Carl Tremarco, inset, may help having joined from Highland rivals Inverness while midfielder Stephen Kelly arrives on loan from Rangers having earned rave reviews with Ayr last season. Prediction: 12th

Hamilton

So, they did it again.

Last season Hamilton Accies ensured Premiership survival in the curtailed campaign with an 11th-placed finish. Who would bet against them doing it again as they prepare for their seventh consecutive top-flight campaign?

It looks like another big ask for Brian Rice and his players after key figures like Alex Gogic, Mickel Miller and Aaron McGowan all left for pastures new this summer.

Loan goalkeeper Luke Southwood has also returned to parent club Reading.

Recruits Ross Callachan, inset, and Charlie Trafford bring top-flight experience to a youthful New Douglas Park team. Prediction: 10th

Hibernian

Jack Ross was a popular appointment last autumn after Hibs decided enough was enough and axed Paul Heckingbottom.

The club only missed out on a top-six finish by the points-pergame average method used to settle the season in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.

But that hasn’t stopped Ross splashing the cash with Dunfermline Athletic striker Kevin Nisbet a £250,000 buy.

Alex Gogic and Drey Wright look useful recruits from Hamilton and St Johnstone, respectively, while Hibs will be monitoring ex-loan star Greg Docherty’s, inset, progress at Rangers in case there is a chance to bring him back to Easter Road. Prediction: 5th

St Mirren

The Buddies have lofty ambitions for the season ahead.

Both chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick and manager Jim Goodwin, inset, have made no secret of the fact they are targeting a top-six spot.

To do so, they will need to both improve their meagre domestic goal tally – they managed just 24 last season, the lowest in the division – and maintain their impressive defensive efforts.

Recruitment has been strong at the back, with both ex-Motherwell defender Richard Tait and former St Johnstone stopper Joe Shaughnessy astute signings.

Ex-Rangers goalie Jak Alnwick has big gloves to fill after the Saints lost star man Vaclav Hladky, with Goodwin still needing reinforcements up front. Prediction: 11th

St Johnstone

Tommy Wright’s lockdown departure had certain quarters of the St Johnstone support hovering over the big red panic button.

Those quivering into blue-andwhite scarves voiced concerns about who would replace a man with legendary status in Perth.

But the appointment of former player and assistant boss Callum Davidson has brought a renewed sense of excitement ahead of the big kick-off.

He has moved quickly to welcome Millwall loan pair Isaac Olaofe and Danny McNamara, inset, to a young squad that was in very productive form before football’s shutdown in March.

Under the radar again? It would be no surprise. Prediction: 9th