In the absence of old arch-rivals Rangers, complacency could be Celtic's biggest danger, writes EWAN MURRAY
CELTIC
Last season: 1st
Prediction: 1st
Complacency represents the biggest danger to Neil Lennon on the domestic front, and even that wouldn’t be enough to alter the destination of the SPL trophy. Rangers’ absence means nobody is even bothering to put up a genuine case for alternative champions to Celtic, who will be in gentle pursuit of a second title in succession. Lennon is still seeking added quality in central defence and a powerful centre-forward. Yet Celtic remain vastly superior to the remainder of the division. Of more interest will be whether or not progress can be made to the Champions League group phase.
MOTHERWELL
Last season: 3rd
Prediction: 5th
After a 2-0 win for Panathinaikos at Fir Park in the Champions League qualifying stage, it looks like Motherwell’s sojourn into Europe will be short-lived. Stuart McCall hasn’t been able to make any great additions to his squad and Steve Jennings’s departure is a blow. McCall has a thin squad and he may discover that living up to last season’s success proves difficult.
DUNDEE UNITED
Last season: 4th
Prediction: 2nd
Peter Houston has done a good job keeping United competitive in the top half of the SPL after the manager succeeded Craig Levein. United have suffered from players departing on free transfers this summer – the influential Dusan Pernis and Scott Robertson amongst them – but retain the scoring threat of Johnny Russell. Michael Gardyne and Mark Millar are smart recruits for Houston, leaving United as a decent value bet to prove best of the rest.
HEARTS
Last season: 5th
Prediction: 3rd.
A famous Scottish Cup victory over Hibernian masked Hearts’ inauspicious league form last season; fifth place under Portuguese manager Paulo Sérgio wasn’t really good enough. Sérgio has departed, along with the scoring threat of Rudi Skacel and Craig Beattie. Midfielder Ian Black has joined Rangers. Hearts retain a core of strong, senior players and some fine youngsters. Scoring goals could yet be a problem but they retain enough quality to do well.
ST JOHNSTONE
Last season: 6th
Prediction: 4th
Steve Lomas has a tough task living up to the success of Derek McInnes in Perth but the Northern Irishman has made a decent start. Lomas has brought in players such as Gregory Tade, Nigel Hasselbaink, Gary Miller and Tam Scobbie over the close season. Securing Chris Millar on a new contract was also a boost. The exit of Jody Morris and Francisco Sandaza may leave a void. Yet Saints have enough collective ability to remain in the top half.
KILMARNOCK
Last season: 7th
Prediction: 7th
Manager Kenny Shiels has a small squad and a lack of attacking options. The departure of his son, Dean, from the side which defeated Celtic in last season’s League Cup final will be felt. Still, Kilmarnock have decent youngsters who can step forward, Matthew Kennedy and Rory McKenzie amongst them, while Rory Boulding arrives from Livingston. Cammy Bell remains one of the finest goalkeepers in the SPL and Paul Heffernan, when fit, will claim a reasonable goal tally.
ST MIRREN
Last season: 8th
Prediction: 9th
St Mirrens season dwindled away tamely after a bright opening last season. Sam Parkin will offer a powerful option in Danny Lennon’s forward line, Paul McGowan has been courted by English clubs and the ex-Rangers youngster Grant Adam is expected to offer a challenge to Craig Samson in goal. Another year in the lower end of the table looks likely.
ABERDEEN
Last season: 9th
Prediction: 6th
Arguably, Aberdeen have made the smartest summer transfer moves by signing Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn. When not injured, Hayes excelled at Inverness while McGinn has an obvious point to prove after failing to prosper at Celtic. Of equal value to the manager, Craig Brown, will be keeping Russell Anderson fit. This season could well be Brown’s last one at the club and a top six place would be a fitting way to sign off.
INVERNESS CT
Last season: 10th
Prediction: 12th
Manager Terry Butcher has opted to sign players from such teams as Newport County, Macclesfield and Gillingham, thereby completely avoiding the Scottish market. Such a policy carries clear dangers, given the importance of knowing the league you are competing in.
HIBERNIAN
Last season: 11th
Prediction: 8th
The bitter memory of the Scottish Cup final mauling by Hearts will linger with the Hibs support for some time. Irish boss Pat Fenlon has at least made transfer moves aimed at pulling Hibs away from any relegation battle. Hibs can avoid the struggles of last season but their forwards must make up for Garry O’Connor’s departure – he scored 16 times last season.
ROSS COUNTY
Last season: 1st in First Division; Prediction: 10th
The Dingwall side will toast a maiden campaign in Scotland’s top flight just 18 years after turning out in the Highland League. County cantered to the Division One title last term. In Colin McMenamin, they have a striker capable of scoring goals in the top flight and the depth of Derek Adams’s united squad is also noticeable. County look good enough to be safe.
DUNDEE
Last season: 2nd in First Division; Prediction: 11th
Until chronically late in the day, the Dens Park club didn’t even know which division they would be competing in this season. Dundee finished 24 points adrift of Ross County in Division One and still need fresh blood but have enough streetwise players to survive in the top flight. The return of a big Dundee support will be a big help.
