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Well, last season was certainly a treat. From top to bottom, Scottish football provided us with a season for the ages in terms of storylines, drama and a climactic finish. With just three minutes of regulation time to spare, Daizen Maeda secured the league title for Celtic, ensuring that five in a row was heading to Paradise. On the same day, it may be forgotten, Motherwell also recorded a fourth-place finish with a ten-man away victory against David Gray’s Hibernian. In terms of a post-split crescendo, 2025/26 will likely never be eclipsed.

However, that is now a thing of the past. There’s a new season to look ahead to, with optimism brimming across the country ahead of the return of league football. Who will reign victorious? Will Celtic make it 15 league titles out of 16, or will Derek McInnes manage what he couldn’t last season with Hearts and get his Rangers side over the line? Plus, how will Motherwell fare without Jens Berthel Askou? And will ST Johnstone fit seamlessly back into the division?

Strathclyde Sports Writers, Liam McBride and Felix Shoolbread answer these questions, with the near-on impossible task of predicting a season of Scottish football:

Bottom Two Section

Liam McBride = St Mirren (12), Kilmarnock (11): Unlike last season, I expect this battle to go down to the wire. Livingston essentially knew they were relegated at the dawn of the post-split fixtures; I expect St Mirren to be in with a fighting chance till the very end. Based on last season’s performances, manager Craig McLeish will look to employ a more possession-based tactical style. Yet, under Robinson, it was the direct and simple approach that made them such a tough nut to crack at home and allowed for so much success throughout the seasons. Should they avoid relegation, this will once again be key. Yet, with a loss to Dunfermline in the Premier Sports Cup and a narrow 4-3 win against East Kilbride, prospects don’t look too promising…

Kilmarnock enjoyed a turn in form under Neil McCann last season. However, so much of that was down to the excellent form of Findlay Curtis, which earned him a Scotland cap. This summer, David Watson, Lewis Mayo, Brad Lyons, Bruce Anderson, Marley Watkins and Liam Polworth have all exited. It’s an exodus which gives McCann the opportunity to build a squad in his image. Likewise, though, the very fundamentals which secured safety are being torn up, which leaves reasons to be apprehensive.

Felix Shoolbread:

St Johnstone (12), St Mirren (11). I hate to be negative and write off the newcomers before a ball has been kicked, but St Johnstone is my pick for automatic relegation. The Perth side hoisted the Championship trophy last season, deservedly so after seeing off a resilient Partick Thistle team in the final few games. They have however, lost last season’s top scorer Josh McPake which provides a huge blow to survival hopes. Their League Cup campaign finished prematurely, dumped out in the group stages by East Fife. These factors mixed with a squad inexperienced in topflight football means that the signs do not bode well for the Saints. The addition of Logan Chalmers is a very positive one yet may not be enough.

St Mirren provided one of the most topsy-turvy seasons a club has ever seen. They beat the holders of the League Cup to win their first trophy in 13 years, another trip to Hampden in the Scottish Cup, a game of which turned out to be an all timer. Yet they ended up battling Partick Thistle to keep their topflight status at the end of the season. A campaign truly for the ages, made worse by the loss cup winning manager Stephen Robinson to league rivals Aberdeen. I simply can’t see them turning it round enough to escape the bottom two.

European Football

Liam McBride: After losing Barney Stewart and Calvin Miller, Falkirk will struggle to remain a threat at the higher end of the league. The pair’s creative spark was instrumental in the Bairns’ outstanding season last campaign. I believe the battle for 5th will be between Dundee United, Motherwell and Hibs. I gravitate towards Hibernian due to stability. They have a largely similar squad and a risk-averse manager, which means they will sit comfortably in the European spots, even if they lack the quality to trouble the higher ends. In contrast, the Steelmen have lost Elijah Just, Elliot Watt and perhaps most importantly Jens Berthel Askou. Meanwhile, Jim Goodwin’s loose tactics, which allow for some joyful football at times, can also unravel oh so quickly and with a largely different squad, they are an unknown quantity heading into the new campaign.

One thing Aberdeen will be is reliable. Scottish football knows what to expect from a Stephen Robinson side; a team that is well drilled, difficult to break down and strong from set pieces. This clarity in play will breed confidence in the Dons and see some real progress after some dismal league campaigns in recent years. Expect a top-four finish.

And while I wouldn’t expect Hearts to be back up in the title race after losing their captain Lawrence Shankland and manager Derek McInnes, their squad remains comfortably the third best in the country. It may feel like a step back for Hearts; however, consolidating themselves as the third best team is a necessary step towards trying to upset the Scottish football apple cart.

Felix Shoolbread:

Last season’s race for Europe was an interesting one, with teams such as Falkirk in the hunt right till the end, whilst European regulars Aberdeen were nowhere near. It did ultimately end up finishing fairly (in my humble opinion), as Motherwell pipped Hibs to that coveted 4th spot on the final day, capping off a generational season for the Well in style. Rangers were forced to settle for third, as the title race went down to the wire with Celtic crossing the line to lift the league for a record 56th time. A new season brings on refreshed teams with new ambitions, new desire and a new race for Europe.

Motherwell were a fan favourite across the league last season, putting out constant brilliant displays, a joy to watch for the neutral. They have, however, lost one of their star-men from last year’s fairytale season in the form of Elijah Just. He was signed for Swansea City after a successful World Cup Campaign for New Zealand, in which he notched three goals. They have, more importantly, lost the man who orchestrated it all, Jens Berthel Askou. Whilst new manager Alfred Johansson brings in a similar style, it will take a while for the team to properly gel together and incorporate Johansson’s game. Managing to keep hold of last season’s league top scorer Tawanda Maswinhise will provide some optimism for the Well and they should look to build on one of the most impressive non-Old Firm seasons in recent memory.

Hibs are constantly the biggest what if team in Scotland’s topflight. On paper, a great side, well built, great balance between attack and defence, and a somewhat deep selection of players to bring off the bench. Yet, they always fall at the last hurdle, with a disappointing season only brightened by a Hearts title loss. An abysmal first leg result against KF Malisheva in the Conference League Qualifiers was redeemed by a second leg win at Easter Road, with the Edinburgh team overturning a four-goal deficit with a 4-1 win. Keeping hold of players such as Miguel Chaiwa, Josh Mulligan and Owen Elding will no doubt be pivotal in the Hibee’s season. With the additions of cup double winner Jason Kerr, Stoke City prospect Nathan Lowe and more experienced and promising players, Hibs look to be a side that can most definitely improve on a very lacklustre season.

Hearts have had a very rough summer. Very rough. Losing the league on the last day of the season, getting your beloved manager, star striker (and captain) AND your coveted anchor of the midfield snatched away by the same club, it isn’t hard to imagine why Hearts fans may not be feeling too optimistic for the upcoming season. They have however, acted very accordingly, bringing in nine new signings, including Falkirk talisman Calvin Miller and Championship top scorer, Josh McPake. Whilst the departures of Lawrence Shankland, Derek Mcinnes and Cammy Devlin provide an obvious blow to the Gorgie outfit, retaining players such as Claudio Braga on top of these signings allow for a strong squad to be played week in week out. They won’t live up to the spectacle last season provided, but they will certainly try their best.

To Win The League

Liam McBride: And now for the big one. The league title. Who will reign victorious? Celtic or Rangers? First of all, there are still three weeks left in the transfer window and one or two moves can completely change the picture. As can a few long-term injuries to key players, as last season showed. However, on the balance of play, Rangers have it to prove, again. Even in Celtic’s worst season in five years, they still managed to finish 10 points in front of the Govan side. History tells you that either the men in Green and White run away with the title, or in the seasons where it is tight, Rangers crumble when it matters. It’s up to Derek McInnes to show that he can improve the mentality present on the Southside of Glasgow. However, as is always the case in Scottish football, it’s hard to make a logical argument against Celtic.

Felix Shoolbread: The start that Rangers displayed under Russell Martin was nothing short of abysmal. The recovery, however, was one that left them somewhat in the title race until the final few games. Danny Rohl came in and provided much needed stability to a team that was in shambles, guiding them to an unfortunate but acceptable third place finish (given the circumstances). Having lost Rohl to RB Salzburg, Derek McInnes in my eyes was the best option available. Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin are brilliant signings, ones that could be the turning point for the Gers. The additions of Ben Godfrey and Ivor Pandur add much needed stability and experience in the backline, with Pandur playing 48 games for Hull City in their promotion season just there. Their position going into this season is much more favourable than last years disaster class and I would not be surprised if the league title ends up at Ibrox at the end of the season.

Celtic are truly a one-of-a-kind team. You can never write them off. They were down and out of it last season yet clawed their way back to win it once again. They always find a way to prove the doubters wrong time and time again. That being said, there has been a few major losses over the summer whilst there has been virtually no transfer activity until recent days. The losses of Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho may prove to be painful, however with Jota potentially returning soon and the signing of two new strikers, it has not all been doom and gloom. A few more names in the door to bolster the squad depth and the Hoops will be looking to take all three domestic honours, as well as challenge on the European scale.

Predicted Tables and Best Performers

Liam McBride