SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP / 2023-24

Jul 20, 2023 20 minutes

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Over the past nine months, it’s been a case of ‘out with the old, in with the older’, after Glasgow’s big two turned to what they knew best to lead them to glory.

Celtic fans were understandably dismayed by the loss of the universally popular Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham, the Aussie leaving on the back of winning a domestic treble. Replacing him seemed an unenviable task and a host of left-field names were linked, only for club chiefs to quickly secure the return of another man who knows his way around a treble – Brendan Rodgers.

The Ulsterman has some work to do to win over some of the dedicated diehards who never forgave his in-season departure to Leicester in 2019, but he’s a known quantity with a proven track record of success in Scotland. He’s spoken of his desire to take Celtic to the next level when it comes to European football, but they may face a stiffer test than they’ve been used to of late, closer to home.

Michael Beale hasn’t wasted any time making his own mark on the Rangers squad he inherited from Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Light Blues have a lot of ground to make up, but Beale at least knows what it takes to seize bragging rights in Glasgow, following a previous spell as Steven Gerrard’s assistant when they last lifted the Premiership title. Celtic are clear favourites, but there have been signs since his November return that Beale can at least prove a thorn in the Hoops’ side, assuming he can add some shrewd summer signings.

Aberdeen and Hearts kept faith in their respective interim bosses – Barry Robson and Steven Naismith – and will fancy their chances for ‘best of the rest’, with Hibernian nipping at their heels if they can improve recruitment under new sporting director Brian McDermott. Livingston, Motherwell and St Mirren will all feel they can push for the remaining top-six spot although, inevitably, they’ve all had to cope with the loss of key players.

Kilmarnock and Ross County should improve. Killie flirted with the drop, while County came from three goals down in the final 20 minutes in the play-offs against Partick Thistle to salvage their top-flight status.

There’s intrigue around St Johnstone as interested parties look to buy the club, while promoted Dundee need to quickly assemble a squad capable of competing at this level. Both may find themselves dragged into a relegation dogfight but, equally, very little separates a clutch of teams who’ll ensure another competitive campaign.

AT THE LOWER LEVELS…

Jim Goodwin has some rebuilding job on his hands at Dundee United, after a 2022-23 that lurched between disasters and ended in top-flight relegation. They won’t have it all their own way – Ayr, Dunfermline, Partick, Queen’s Park and Raith Rovers are all likely to have a big say in a dog-eatdog league. In League One, Falkirk need this to be the year they return to Scottish football’s second tier, though Marvin Bartley’s Queen of the South are worth keeping an eye on. Clyde need to bounce back quickly in League Two but Dumbarton will hope to make amends for last term’s play-off woes.