It's time to have a look into the Celtic-Mad crystal ball, here are my predictions for the season.
ABERDEEN
New manager Jimmy Calderwood, formerly of Dunfermline, knows the score where Scottish football is concerned. He has brought in four players this pre-season, who are all Scottish based. They are Derek Adams and Stephen Craig from Motherwell, and Scott Severin from Hearts. Surprisingly, young former Celt Brian Prunty has been released, and Aberdeen's goalscoring hopes will now lie on former Clyde hitman Lee Hinds. Up against Rangers at Pittodrie on the opening day, here's to an early upset.
Last Season: 11th
This Season: 6TH
CELTIC
Despite so far only bringing in Henri Camara on loan, Martin O'Neill's Bhoys are still by far the strongest side in the country. Players like Neil Lennon, Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Alan Thompson and Stan Varga are in a league of their own and will not let us down. Juggling between SPL and Champions League football will be our only problem this season, and the 30+ goals per season which we were guaranteed from Henrik Larsson will have to be made up. One to look out for is youngster Aiden McGeady, who'll be out from the start to show everyone what all the fuss has been about.
Last Season: 1st
This Season: 1st
DUNDEE
Still suffering from poor financial mismanagement, Dundee have had to sell many first team regulars, including Nacho Novo to Rangers, and goalkeeper Julian Speroni to Crystal Palace. This will have a major effect on their chances of doing anything this season. One to watch is Chris Sutton's younger brother, John, who made his mark at Raith Rovers last year. Dens Park has always been a tricky ground to go to, but we seem to be getting the hang of it now. This season will be no different.
Last Season: 7th
This Season: 9TH
DUNDEE UNITED
United's best players have all left, and they have been replaced only with James Grady from Partick Thistle. Charlie Miller, Paul Gallagher, Jim Patterson and Craig Easton have all left for other clubs, and without them it is hard to see United making any impact whatsoever. Ian McCall has got a decent youth set-up on the go at Tannadice, but their best hope this year is for Andy McLaren to keep surprising. Keep an eye on Jason Scotland, who recently scored two against Rangers.
Last Season: 5th
This Season: 5th
DUNFERMLINE
New boss Davie Hay has brought in former Celt Simon Donnelly to try and replace Captain Stevie Crawford. Always a tricky visit, East End Park's difficulty level was boosted last year with the introduction of the plastic playing surface. This will remain this season. Runners-up to Celtic in the Scottish Cup last year, Dunfermline continue to impress, but I cannot see them being as strong as they were last term.
Last Season: 4th
This Season: 7th
HEARTS
The mini-huns finished third last season, and were a close bet for second best side in the country. Drew twice with Celtic after we had been crowned Champions, and gave Rangers a run for their money on several occasions. Should be their final season at hell-hole Tynecastle this year, and will be looking to go out with a bang. One to watch is Mark De Vries, one of the most uner-rated players in the league. Craig Levein has built up a good squad spirit at Hearts, and despite being the dirtiest team in Britain, they will do well this season.
Last Season: 3rd
This Season: 3rd
HIBERNIAN
The man who brought us the Huddle, Tony Mowbaray, is the new Hibs manager. Instant respect. He has no experience as a manager and despite bringing in five English based players, his team are out of Europe already, after being knocked out of the Inter-Toto Cup. They possess the dirtiest player in the league, Scott Brown, who has a serious chip on his shoulder. One to watch is classy midfielder Ian Murray. Last term they were beaten in the CIS Cup Final, despite knocking out the Celtic Reserves and Rangers on the way. Will be looking for a better league position.
Last Season: 8th
This Season: 8th
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
The name brings bad memories to every Celtic supporter. Knocked us out of the Scottish Cup twice in the last five years, and it is now payback time. Ground-sharing with Aberdeen, Calley Thistle had to fight with almost everyone to gain SPL access. In truth, we needed rid of the dire Partick Thistle so anyone who replaces them are welcome with open arms. Fair play to manager John Robertson, who has taken them far. Star player is former hun, Mark Brown, who plays in goals. Calley almost made it to the Scottish Cup Final last year, but were beaten by Dunfermline after a replay. Another good cup run would be considered a great season for them.
Last Season: First Division Champions
This Season: 12th
KILMARNOCK
Boring boring BORING Jim Jefferies is still the top man at Rugby Park, where we play our first away match of the new campaign. Killie, last season, had the worst defensive record in the league, and have done nothing in the transfer market to combat that for the forthcoming season. Still made up of has-beens and never-will-be's, Killie depress me. I really hope they get relegated this year. Really.
Last Season: 10th
This Season: 11th
LIVINGSTON
With Davie Hay's high-profile departure from Livvy, Allan Preston has been given the job to revive a sinking ship. With Marvin Andrews off to kick balls out of the park at Rangers, and David Fernandez getting set for another season warming the Celtic Park bench, they have lost their two greatest assets. Have brought in plenty of new faces, including Craig Easton and Derek Lilley, but with their tiny support and severe lack of cash, will find it hard this season.
Last Season: 9th
This Season: 10th
MOTHERWELL
Terry Butcher's Motherwell revival continues, and with the inclusion of Jim Paterson from Dundee United, look to have a decent midfield for the forthcming season. Still a young and angry side, they are the visitors to Celtic Park on the opening day of the season. Potential lambs to the slaughter, they will deploy an eleven men behind the ball tactic and hope for the best. After a few defeats at Celtic Park at the tail-end of last season, here's hoping we can set things straight right away.
Last Season: 6th
This Season: 4th
RANGERS
The recent press have got us all wondering why we should turn up this year, as no doubt Rangers will be the Champions. Super-duper signings like Alex Rae, Marvin Andrews and Nacho Novo have us all shaking in our boots. Because Big Eck is pure dead brilliant so he is. Rangers have lost ten players this pre-season, most of who were regular players. They cannot play Michael Ball anymore because if he plays five more games they will have to pay Everton another installment of his transfer fee. Club Captain Craig Moore has been placed on the transfer list and Fat Boab Malcolm is the midfield hope for the season. Sca-ray! Dado Prso - the Euro 2004 cheat - and Jean-Alain Boumsong seem to be the hot prospects but somehow I don't think Bobo Balde and Chris Sutton will be worried. Rangers are a tad better than what they were last season and if they fail to get into the Champions League most of their new faces will be out the door. I cannot wait until August 29th.
Last Season: 2nd
This Season: 2nd