Scottish Premiership report card: How does your membership charge with Celtic away from Rangers and several other battling at backside?

The Scottish Premiership heads into the Christmas interval on the again of a outstanding first half of the season – however who impressed essentially the most and what sides must replicate on poor outcomes forward of the remainder of the marketing campaign?

Aberdeen: 7.5/10

Few would have predicted how rapid Jimmy Thelin’s affect at Pittodrie would show to be in his first season in Scotland. His Aberdeen facet have been unbeaten within the league till November 23 and, at one level, had stormed 9 factors away from Rangers in third place.

A 2-2 draw at Parkhead and 2-1 win at dwelling to Rangers in October had some Dons followers even dreaming of a title cost however issues have slowed down since. A 6-0 League Cup semi-final loss to Celtic was a well-recognized dose of actuality amid their 11-match unbeaten begin to the league marketing campaign.

That kicked off a run of only one win in seven matches, with irritating attracts at St Johnstone and Hibernian derailing their explosive begin going into the festive interval as a rejuvenated Rangers have moved into second spot.

New Yr’s Decision?

Thelin must arrest his facet’s dip in type which has seen them go with out a win in seven after their terrific begin. Aberdeen are lacking the early objectives scored by Pape Gueye however it will likely be attention-grabbing to see if the Swede decides to dip into the switch market to attempt to regain a few of that early season momentum.

Trying even additional forward, the likes of Jamie McGrath and Jack MacKenzie are out of contract in the summertime, with the previous particularly having been important to Thelin’s attacking choices.

Aberdeen have powerful away journeys to Kilmarnock and Dundee United to deal with within the short-term to attempt to get again to successful methods earlier than a vital go to to Glasgow to face Rangers, reside on Sky Sports activities, in the course of January. These video games seem must-win if they’re to remain within the race for second however Thelin is a long-term challenge at Aberdeen. The early indicators have been spectacular.

Star man: Jamie McGrath

Celtic: 9.5/10

Celtic stumbled in elements final season after the departure of Ange Postecoglou and the return of Brendan Rodgers, with the Parkhead facet in considerably of a transitional section as their previous boss reacquainted himself within the east finish of Glasgow.

There was a sense final time period that there have been gaps to sneak by way of or vulnerabilities to take advantage of. This season Celtic have barely put a foot flawed. Aberdeen threatened to put down a title problem with a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park in October however, in reality, the sport might have been over at half-time with Celtic two objectives to the great. Rodgers’ facet have been excellent since that draw, and have conceded simply 4 league objectives all season.

They’ve been ruthless domestically and progressed in Europe, with much-improved performances on the continent, whereas additionally they bagged the primary trophy on provide this season after a considerably controversial win over Rangers within the League Cup closing earlier this month.

Rangers have seemingly weathered an early season storm in a transitional marketing campaign however a go to to Ibrox on January 2, reside on Sky Sports activities, is one other alternative for Rodgers to probably flex his muscle tissue within the Previous Agency fixture after an exhilarating cup closing final time round.

New Yr’s Decision?

Extra of the identical, actually. Rodgers could dip into the switch market as he appears to proceed Celtic’s European development however, at dwelling, captain Callum McGregor has led from the entrance as soon as once more, chipping in with some excellent objectives this season.

The likes of Nicolas Kuhn have been mightily spectacular at dwelling and in Europe after a considerably slower begin to his Celtic profession. Rodgers can be eager to assist Arne Engels rediscover his early season type with the £11m man stuttering of late. However Kuhn’s rejuvenation has proven that Rodgers is ready to be affected person to get one of the best out of his gamers.

Star man: Callum McGregor

Dundee: 5.5/10

Tony Docherty continues to do a fantastic job at Dens Park, with Dundee firmly within the hunt for one more top-six end.

Shedding Luke McCowan late on in the summertime window to Celtic wouldn’t have come as an excessive amount of of a shock to many given his performances however Dundee have managed with out him a bit higher than many might need anticipated.

A lot of that’s all the way down to the spectacular type of his former midfield associate Lyall Cameron. The younger Scotsman has seven objectives in all competitions this season and has weighed in with 4 assists within the league as effectively, making him indispensable for Docherty.

The supervisor did need to information his facet by way of some early season struggles with Dundee successful simply two of their opening 10 video games. However Cameron – and objectives from Simon Murray – have helped to regular the ship as they proceed to hover round midtable.

New Yr’s Decision?

One way or the other maintain maintain of Cameron. That can be simpler stated than carried out with the 22-year-old heading into the ultimate six months of his deal. The midfielder has progressed year-on-year after serving to Dundee climb again into the highest tier in 2023 and it might be that the membership determine to money in now in the event that they obtain any appropriate gives.

If they’ll hold on to Cameron for the remainder of the season at the least, then it ought to assist with consistency. Dundee have did not win back-to-back league fixtures this season – that’s one thing Docherty will look to treatment over the following 5 months as he’ll simply have one eye on the chasing pack within the decrease half of the desk.

Star man: Lyall Cameron

Dundee United 7/10

It has been a fantastic return to the top-flight for Jim Goodwin and Dundee United, along with his facet remaining unbeaten in November to cement their grip on a prime six place heading into the festive interval.

The type of Sam Dalby, on mortgage from Wrexham, has been key, with the Englishman’s eight objectives – together with one in a draw at Ibrox – serving to to make him the league’s prime scorer whereas firing United up the desk.

In addition to a good return in entrance of the opposition objective, United have been comparatively stingy on the different finish, with one of the best defensive document within the league outdoors of the Previous Agency and goalkeeper Jack Walton maintaining six clear sheets.

Their draw at dwelling to the champions Celtic was one other signal that Goodwin’s facet are again the place they belong and can now goal a top-half end.

New Yr’s Decision?

Goodwin recruited effectively in the summertime with loanees Luca Stephenson and Emmanuel Adegboyega contributing alongside the likes of Will Ferry. The supervisor could determine to return into the market in January in a bid to safe a top-six end which might signify a stable return to the Premiership.

To try this Goodwin might want to attempt to flip some attracts into wins – conceding late equalisers in opposition to the likes of Dundee, Ross County and, extra not too long ago, Kilmarnock throughout the season can have annoyed the supervisor.

Star man: Sam Dalby

Coronary heart of Midlothian 2/10

Following a powerful season final yr, Hearts have been essentially the most disappointing performers this time round. An eight-game winless run within the league at the beginning of the marketing campaign price Steven Naismith his job they usually stay battling on the flawed finish of the desk.

New boss Neil Critchley has picked up 4 wins in 10 league video games since taking cost however Hearts have work to do if they’re to salvage their league marketing campaign and keep away from battling it out on the flawed finish of the desk because the season goes on.

A seemingly first rate begin to December, with a degree in opposition to Aberdeen and win over Dundee, appeared like a base to construct on however their 1-0 defeat to a Kilmarnock facet which performed practically the complete sport with 10 males was an actual setback.

Their Convention League exit final week confirmed the breadth of anger among the many assist and though they responded with a win over St Johnstone, heading into the festive interval, Hearts are in hassle and want to start out placing factors on the board rapidly to maneuver additional away from the underside.

New Yr’s Decision?

Lawrence Shankland’s future remains to be up within the air because the membership captain heads into the ultimate six months of his deal, however extra urgent for Critchley was his lack of objectives after a plentiful season final yr. He banished his 12-game goalless streak with a double in opposition to Dundee at the beginning of the month however Hearts badly want him to construct on that.

He has solely scored three objectives this season however it’s telling that Shankland remains to be the membership’s joint prime scorer – he was the driving power behind his facet’s marketing campaign final time period. Critchley wants these round Shankland to assist the Scotland worldwide who appears destined to go away Tynecastle this summer season.

Star man: James Penrice

Hibernian 3/10

One other season and one other Hibernian rollercoaster – however not many would have predicted them battling it out with their Edinburgh rivals on the flawed finish of the desk heading into December.

Membership legend David Grey was given the everlasting supervisor’s job after steadying the ship on the finish of final season and was backed over the summer season with signings together with Kieron Bowie, who arrived from Fulham for a sizeable outlay. It appeared to sum up Hibs’ season, nevertheless, that he was dominated out for 4 months with a hamstring harm in September.

The reality is that Hibs suffered earlier this season as a result of video games the place they misplaced by the odd objective, conceded late on – they have been 2-1 up going into the 93rd minute of their 3-2 defeat to Dundee United in October – or failed to complete clear minimize possibilities at Parkhead and Ibrox which might have modified the whole complexion of their marketing campaign.

A lot-needed and consecutive wins over fellow strugglers Ross County and high-flying Aberdeen lifted Hibs up the desk and issues, at the least for now, look a bit rosier. Now it’s about placing extra wins collectively persistently to make a run for the highest six as they attempt to break free from that pack of golf equipment within the backside half who simply can not seem to get going.

New Yr’s Decision?

It appears like Grey has been on the brink a few instances this season however he has at all times scraped by way of. A 96th minute equaliser in opposition to Aberdeen earlier than a snug win over Motherwell helped to stabilise issues however they’re nonetheless slowed down within the backside six.

The supervisor can be determined to get Bowie again, whereas he’ll search for extra from Dwight Gayle – who has managed simply two league objectives since his arrival, and appears set to retire this summer season. If Grey is to carry on to his job then Hibs want to chop out the late dramas and convert their possibilities – outdoors of the Previous Agency no crew has taken extra pictures on objective with 242 however they’ve simply 24 objectives to indicate for it.

Star man: Nicky Cadden

Kilmarnock 4/10

Repeating the feats of final season was at all times going to be a tough ask for Derek McInnes and Kilmarnock. Maybe there was at all times going to be a comedown of types after a fourth positioned end led to European fixtures at the beginning of this season however there may be the sensation that Killie have not fairly bought going once more this time round.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of in shedding out on Convention League group-stage soccer to Copenhagen however the Rugby Park membership’s European travails gave the impression to be to the detriment of a good home begin.

They did not win till October 5, once they beat Dundee 3-2, and adopted that up with a 1-0 victory over Rangers earlier than a defeat to Ross County adopted. It’s an instance of Kilmarnock struggling for consistency all through the marketing campaign to this point.

Leaking objectives has additionally been an issue, with Kilmarnock at present boasting the joint worst defensive stats within the league with 35 conceded – not one thing you’ll anticipate from a McInnes crew. They appeared extra like themselves in final week’s gutsy 1-0 win over Hearts, regardless of having Robbie Deas despatched over after simply six minutes.

New Yr’s Decision?

A 6-0 defeat to Rangers earlier this month was met with dismay by McInnes who will see the busy Christmas interval as a possibility to place some factors on the board and drag themselves up the desk. With simply six factors separating them in ninth from St Mirren in sixth, a few constructive outcomes might change the complexion of their season going into the New Yr. It’s a congested backside six.

A few gamers together with David Watson and Danny Armstrong maybe have not fairly hit the heights of final season, which is probably to be anticipated after such a profitable marketing campaign final time period and disrupted pre-season as a result of European motion. McInnes will not have a lot time to work with the squad with no winter break this time period but when he can get these names firing once more then you definitely’d fancy Killie to be snug in Could.

Star man: Matty Kennedy

Motherwell 6/10

It has been a blended bag for Motherwell to this point this season however supervisor Stuart Kettlewell in the end has trigger to be glad with the place his facet discover themselves going into Christmas.

Inconsistency has damage his facet in some respects, with the supervisor saying there was “anger, real anger in the level of performance” following a 3-0 dwelling defeat to Hibernian final month, however but his crew discover themselves in fourth spot.

Kettlewell can be delighted with the progress of 18-year-old Lennon Miller, nevertheless. The teenager was made Motherwell captain earlier this season and has risen to the problem, contributing 5 assists and a few objectives to assist his facet.

New Yr’s Decision?

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Tawanda Maswanhise have chipped in with some vital, match-winning objectives and Kettlewell can be eager to make sure this continues to keep away from an overreliance on Miller.

There’s an excessive amount of noise across the younger midfielder, and understandably so. The Previous Agency and golf equipment within the Premier League have been linked with strikes for him however Kettlewell can be hoping he can maintain on to his skipper for the remainder of the season, at the least, earlier than sanctioning a giant cash transfer that can in the end profit the membership within the long-term.

If Kettlewell can get a few of these extra skilled gamers across the membership’s gem firing much more persistently then Miller might probably transfer on in the summertime having helped Motherwell safe a top-six end, or higher.

Star man: Lennon Miller

Rangers 3/10

One other disrupted pre-season marketing campaign with protracted participant gross sales, quickly enjoying at Hampden and harm issues set the tone for the beginning of Rangers’ marketing campaign. A depressing exit to Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League qualifiers did little to raise spirits and an early resounding loss to Celtic in September led many to imagine that Rangers’ involvement within the title race was over earlier than it actually started.

Certainly, there have been fears Rangers would do effectively to safe second spot given Aberdeen’s explosive league begin, with Clement coming in for criticism after defeats to the Dons, Kilmarnock and dropped factors at dwelling to Dundee United within the area of a month derailed their league season.

There have been requires the Belgian to go however these voices have quietened in current weeks with an enormous enchancment in Rangers’ outcomes and type, with a wonderful efficiency in opposition to Tottenham at Ibrox within the Europa League whetting the urge for food for a assist base which had turn into disillusioned with Clement and fixed off-field points.

The League Cup closing defeat on penalties to Celtic will sting for some time, with Clement once more calling out officers after VAR did not intervene when his facet ought to have been awarded a penalty in extra-time. Worryingly for him and Rangers followers, nevertheless, the Belgian has now did not beat Celtic in seven makes an attempt however Rangers have taken benefit of Aberdeen’s current slips to maneuver into second with a vital Previous Agency developing at Ibrox on January 2 earlier than the go to of Jimmy Thelin’s facet to Govan a fortnight later.

New Yr’s Decision?

Clement instructed the media that supporters would see a greater model of his facet in October or November as soon as new recruits settled and accidents eased. He was a month or so off along with his prediction however the fact is Rangers look a completely completely different prospect with Danilo and Hamza Igamane changing the much-maligned Cyriel Dessers up entrance and it might be that the ahead’s future is up for dialogue in January.

Rangers stay in a transitional section and the membership want so as to add one other defender in January as a result of accidents. Nevertheless, harm issues or not, Clement has to beat Celtic this season. It’s unthinkable for him and the supporters that Rodgers’ dominance within the Previous Agency fixture is allowed to go on unchecked for for much longer, even when particular person outcomes could have little affect on the result of this league title.

Star man: Vaclav Cerny

Ross County 4.5/10

After securing their Premiership standing by way of the play-offs for the second yr operating, Ross County boss Don Cowie might be forgiven for feeling typically glad along with his facet’s first half of the season.

Previous to defeat in opposition to St Mirren – their dwelling type had been first rate, shedding solely to Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers in Dingwall. Nevertheless, that loss to the Buddies has seen them drop again into the play-off spot heading into Christmas.

Regardless of that, Cowie’s facet do stay simply 4 factors behind seventh and a few good outcomes over the festive interval can change the image in a short time.

New Yr’s Decision?

They’re the one crew within the division who’re but to win away from dwelling. That has to alter if they’re to keep away from being rooted to these relegation locations because the season progresses.

Cowie desperately wants to seek out some objectives from someplace. Ronan Hale has 5 within the league marketing campaign nevertheless it appears as if they’re lacking the creativity of Yan Dhanda and the objectives of Simon Murray – who each departed in the summertime.

Probably much more worryingly, they’ve scored simply twice on their travels, with 14 general – the bottom within the league. Cowie might need to dip into the market in January to seek out these objectives to keep away from one other play-off nailbiter or worse.

Star man: Ronan Hale

St. Johnstone 3/10

St Johnstone discover themselves on the backside of the Premiership heading into Christmas.

A stuttering begin to the marketing campaign noticed Craig Levein sacked after simply 10 months on the membership in September. He had steered the Saints to security final season however a run of 4 consecutive defeats at the beginning of this time period price the previous Scotland boss his job.

Simo Valakari was appointed as his alternative however visa points delayed his first outing within the dugout till he led his crew to a 2-1 win in Dundee in October. Nevertheless, a run of 1 victory in eight matches since then has seen St Johnstone slip to the foot of the desk.

New Yr’s Decision?

Benjamin Kimpioka and Nicky Clark have struck up a good understanding for the Saints, with 11 league objectives between them however that accounts for over half of St Johnstone’s league objectives. Valakari wants extra from these round them and it might be that January gives a possibility to usher in extra firepower.

The stats do not lie – St Johnstone prop up the desk by way of pictures on objective this season and that should change if they’ve any ambitions of transferring off the underside of the desk.

Star man: Benjamin Kimpioka

St. Mirren 6/10

Sitting comfortably in mid-table, supervisor Stephen Robinson might be content material with St Mirren’s first half of the season, particularly given an early European begin and off-field points which have dogged his squad and choice.

The Buddies fell brief of their bid to achieve the group levels of the Convention league with an combination defeat to Brann of their second qualifying spherical however these early season experiences ought to give the squad a want to return to European soccer.

Robinson’s job has been made trickier this season with numerous issues off the park, together with the discharge of Shaun Rooney in October, after which Jaden Brown in November, with Kevin van Veen’s mortgage additionally ending early in the identical month.

His different subject has been inconsistency – St Mirren have struggled to place successful runs collectively. They did finish Aberdeen’s unbeaten league begin in November solely to comply with that up with defeats to Dundee United and Motherwell.

New Yr’s Decision?

Robinson’s facet are simply two factors off Motherwell in fourth as they intention to attempt to end among the many European locations this yr. High six is the precedence however the demise of Hearts this season leaves an area within the higher reaches of the league going and Robinson can be eager to be within the combine for Europe in Could.

To try this, St Mirren can be counting on Toyosi Olusanya to take care of his goalscoring type which has seen the striker bag 5 league objectives to this point this season. Each facet might at all times be doing with extra objectives however St Mirren’s stats appear to recommend they’re proper the place they need to be – firmly mid-table for objectives scored and objectives conceded whereas sitting sixth within the league – Robinson can be hoping Olusanya’s team-mates can step up and push his facet on that little bit additional.

Star man: Toyosi Olusanya

When does the winter switch window open and shut?

The 2024 winter switch window for each English and Scottish league golf equipment formally opens on Wednesday January 1.

Switch Deadline Day really falls on Monday February 3 2025. The English window closes at 11pm UK time.

Switch Deadline Day for many main European leagues – together with France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Scotland – can be Monday February 3 2025.