Most competitive top flight kicks off

This time next week the ninth season of the Scottish Premiership will be kicking-off with the usual mixture of optimism, confidence and, in a number of cases, dread and apprehension felt by fans of the dozen clubs involved.

Such has been the upheaval in the domestic game in recent years, only four clubs – Celtic, Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Motherwell – have been ever-present in the top flight since it was revamped back in 2013.

They will have varying objectives for the campaign, with Celtic in particular in the spotlight after their dismal showing last time around and the embarrassing failed pursuit of Eddie Howe – which has left Ange Postecoglou immediately playing catch-up in terms of recruitment.

Celtic obviously have the money but getting the right men in might not be that easy.

Rangers romped to the title, finishing 25 points clear, and having so far kept their top stars in place and added some back-up, they will start the campaign as odds-on favourites.

Aberdeen will again be expected to finish third, a target they have missed out on for the past three years.

New Dons boss Stephen Glass will be expected to perform. He has been given backing, although the squad still looks a little light in a few positions, and has voiced his confidence in the players.

Aberdeen’s big problem had been lack of goals but the 5-1 win over Swedish outfit Hacken on Thursday certainly suggests that Glass has turned that around.

Hibernian pipped the Dons last time out and will have a similar look this season with only a couple of new faces being recruited thus far.

They will certainly be in the mix, but it looks like being the most competitive Premiership we have yet seen, given the addition of Hearts and Dundee.

Dundee United have a top-flight campaign under their belts and Livingston and St Johnstone will be keen to build on what they did in 2020-21.

Motherwell are clearly capable of competing, while St Mirren look to have had another decent summer.

That leaves Ross County, who under new boss Malky Mackay have seen a massive, and perhaps much-needed, overhaul.

Others still have plenty of business to do and with six weeks left of this transfer window we can expect to see a fair bit of activity.

Some managers will be fearing bids for their top performers.

St Johnstone’s Callum Davidson and Hibernian’s Jack Ross certainly fall into that category.

There have been some early signs as to what we might expect.

In the League Cup, Hearts and Dundee United have made strong starts and are through. Dundee also look certain to progress.

Aberdeen got off to a flyer with a sensational performance against Hacken, the biggest win of the night across the whole of the European competition.

After a nervy start, the Dons settled, played some thrilling, attacking football, created plenty chances and, most importantly, took them.

Scott Brown looked every inch an Aberdeen captain as he orchestrated things in the middle of the park and ahead of him there was a vibrancy and unpredictability about the Reds’ play.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas also caught the eye and it was great to see Christian Ramirez notch his first Dons goal, while Ryan Hedges and Lewis Ferguson hit the ground running.

If the Dons can keep this up this season, they will be a joy to watch.

Lewis Ferguson is congratulated after scoring his second goal against Hacken.