Scottish Premiership returns: What to look out for this season

Contemporary hopes, new desires and unrivalled drama – it might solely imply one factor – the Scottish Premiership is again!

With 4 video games dwell on Sky Sports activities throughout the opening weekend, here’s a have a look at what’s to come back and what to look out for throughout the brand new marketing campaign.

What’s dwell on Sky Sports activities?

The 2024/25 season will start with an unprecedented 4 video games dwell on Sky Sports activities this weekend.

Hearts will host Rangers within the season opener at lunchtime on Saturday August 3, whereas champions Celtic start their title defence at dwelling to Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon – each dwell on Sky Sports activities.

That August 4 sport at Celtic Park follows a mouthwatering Dundee derby as Dundee United mark their top-flight return at dwelling to rivals Dundee – dwell on Sky Sports activities.

A brand new period at Aberdeen will get beneath method on Monday night time as Jimmy Thelin’s aspect go to St Johnstone within the last match dwell on the opening weekend.

Elsewhere, Motherwell face Ross County on Saturday at 3pm, whereas David Grey will get his tenure as Hibernian head coach beneath method at St Mirren on Sunday.

The title race

Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic go into the brand new marketing campaign as agency favourites to win a fourth consecutive title.

A nice pre-season within the US – which included victories over Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis plus Chelsea – has left confidence excessive.

The Hoops have additionally managed to maintain a maintain of star man Matt O’Riley regardless of loads of curiosity, whereas skilled goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has joined as the brand new No 1 to exchange Joe Hart.

Contrasting to the little turnover in gamers and constructive pre-season outcomes at Celtic – Rangers’ pre-season has been powerful for boss Philippe Clement.

A bunch of skilled gamers have left, a number of recent faces have arrived, stadium work delays have seen them transfer dwelling matches to Hampden Park and outcomes have left some supporters feeling frightened.

The Belgian says he faces a “big rebuild” whereas Celtic have “a small renovation” however he can be beneath no illusions that the calls for will stay the identical – cease Celtic successful a thirteenth title in 14 seasons.

As issues stand – he has his work lower out and it’s Celtic’s title to lose.

Who will make European push?

Hearts completed third final outing however boss Steven Naismith believes they’ll “achieve more” this season regardless of going through a “tougher challenge”.

Maintaining maintain of captain Lawrence Shankland will go an extended strategy to deciding how powerful that problem can be as they stability taking part in in Europe alongside home calls for.

Kilmarnock shocked many with their fourth-place end final outing however nobody needs to be shocked in the event that they’re planning to go even higher on this marketing campaign beneath the skilled Derek McInnes as he embarks on an 18th season as a supervisor.

The Rugby Park membership and St Mirren earned European qualification finishes however know to try this once more can be powerful – with the likes of Hibernian and Aberdeen targetting a top-six return.

Dundee – regardless of solely returning to the Premiership final summer time – took full benefit of turmoil at Easter Highway and Pittodrie, as they produced a collection of unbelievable outcomes to complete within the top-six and can hope to raised that this time round.

There are a number of golf equipment who will again themselves to push up the desk and be digging out their passports this time subsequent yr – however who will produce what it takes over the subsequent 38 video games?

Derby drama awaits

With Dundee United’s return to the Premiership – there are much more derbies to look out for this season!

Celtic and Rangers followers solely want to attend till Sunday September 1 for the primary Outdated Agency conflict of the season, which takes place dwell on Sky Sports activities from the house of the champions.

The perimeters will conflict once more at Ibrox on Tuesday January 2 – dwell on Sky Sports activities – with their last pre-split assembly at Parkhead on Saturday March 15.

The primary Edinburgh derby of the season takes place on Saturday October 26 as Hibernian host Hearts at Easter Highway, earlier than the perimeters meet at Tynecastle Park on Boxing Day – dwell on Sky Sports activities – and as soon as once more at Hibs on Saturday March 1.

Following the primary Dundee derby of the season dwell on Sky Sports activities this weekend, the groups meet once more at Dens Park on Tuesday January 2 – dwell on Sky Sports activities – with the ultimate pre-split conflict at Tannadice on Saturday March 15.

New faces to look out for

In addition to new faces on the pitch, there have been adjustments within the dugout too.

Aberdeen can be led by Jimmy Thelin after his arrival from Elfsborg, Jim Goodwin is again within the top-fight with Dundee United, whereas after profitable caretaker spells Don Cowie is within the Ross County sizzling seat and David Grey will lead Hibernian on a everlasting foundation for the primary time.

Motherwell have been the busiest membership on the sphere with 11 new arrivals together with Ross Callachan from Ross County and Liam Gordon from St Johnstone.

Ross County, St Johnstone and Dundee United have all made large adjustments too, with the likes of Ronan Hale and Ricki Lamie shifting to Dingwall, Uche Ikpeazu becoming a member of Craig Levein at St Johnstone plus former Barcelona academy star David Babunski arriving at Tannadice Park.

Rangers have additionally added a number of recent faces with Connor Barron impressing in pre-season whereas at Celtic Brendan Rodgers has targeted on including high quality to his group somewhat than making wholesale adjustments – with Schmeichel’s arrival the spotlight.

High quality over amount is an method Derek McInnes has additionally taken with only a handful of faces becoming a member of together with Bruce Anderson, Robby McCrorie and Corrie Ndaba.

Hearts‘ additions could also be one of the crucial eye-catching with Yan Dhanda, James Penrice and Blair Spittal three acquainted names becoming a member of Steven Naismith’s ranks. In the meantime, on the opposite aspect of Edinburgh, Grey has needed to make large adjustments on the again with a brand new centre-half pairing and new goalkeepers Josef Bursik and Jordan Smith arriving.

On goalkeepers, Dimitar Mitov’s transfer to Aberdeen will excite the Dons trustworthy, whereas Simon Murray’s arrival at Dens Park may assist fireplace them additional up the desk and St Mirren will hope the likes of Shaun Rooney and Alex Iacovitti returning to the Premiership will give their season a lift.

There are many new faces and little doubt extra to come back earlier than the switch window shuts on August 30.

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