SPL Preview

In the past I've made predictions on how teams will do and even published what the final league table will look like (which has turned out to be completely wrong!). I won't do that this year as I don't know much about each team, but I'll probably make a broad suggestion as to where they might finish.

So, in alphabetical order...

Aberdeen: Jimmy Calderwood's side finished in the top six last season, and he'll have to repeat that achievement if he wants to keep his job. Even then it may not be enough. Due to their success in the 1980s under Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen fans are incredibly demanding and seem to think their team should be winning leagues and cups every season. Idiots.

There haven't been many arrivals at Pittodrie this summer, with Dundee goalkeeper Derek Soutar being the main one. A few players have left, but none too important (apart from Kevin McNaughton). They have an excellent striker in the shape of Steve Lovell so should be able to make the top six again, but will it be enough to save the tanned one's skin?

Celtic: Anything over than the title will see Gordon Strachan sacked. Indeed, depending what happens he may not even make it to Christmas. Despite winning the league and a cup last year, Strachan is still not liked by many Celtic fans, with some reckoning he should be sacked if they screw up in Europe once again.

Kenny Miller and Derek Riordan have arrived, and it looks like Dion Dublin could also resign. The ageing John Hartson has left, so they should have a bit more mobility up front, but with Bobo Balde in defence there's always the chance of a bit of comedy. They've hardly scored in friendlies (provoking more criticism), but they mean nothing as we all know. From the views of some Celtic fans, it seems he could have them top of the league by miles at Christmas but would still be sacked if they are out of the Champions League! Still probably the best bets for the SPL title though.

Dundee United: It's Craig Brewster's first full season in charge at Tannadice, but it could also be his last. United fans are like Aberdeen fans and stupidly still expect big things after what happened in the 1980s. If they're in relegation trouble come January, don't be surprised to see him booted out.

There have been few summer signings, although Brewster has continually tried to raid old club Inverness Caley. Noel Hunt signed from Dunfermline, but as he only scored a few goals last season he's not much to get excited about. Lee Miller is a decent striker when on form and could even be paired with Brewster. Some of the deadwood, such as Derek McInnes and Grant Brebner, has been cleared out, but the likes of David Fernandez haven't left yet. They should finish in the top half of the bottom six, but that may not be enough for the Arabs.

Dunfermline Athletic: The first of the genuine relegation contenders. Dunfermline were spared any real danger by Livingston's awfulness last season and have decided to give Jim Leishman another season in charge, which is good news for Saints fans. Anything better than 10th or 11th place will be a bonus for Dunfermline, although don't rule out a decent cup run. They did make the CIS Cup final last season.

On the players' front, Jim McIntyre has arrived from Dundee United, as have a few former Liverpool reserve players. Allan McGregor has returned to Rangers but has been replaced bu a Dutch goalkeeper, whilst Noel Whelan could sign in the next few days. They'll probably finish just above ourselves and Falkirk, but not by much.

Falkirk: Many fans want John Hughes out, whilst some believe he is doing a good job. It's hard to tell what they are like having been spared any real difficulty by Livingston's abysmal showing last season. Hughes doesn't come across as the sharpest tool at the box and some of his comments during the summer regarding players have been a bit confusing to say the least.

Several players have left since last season whilst only an Aussie goalkeeper and a Livingston youth player have arrived. They have just two strikers, neither of who seems to be anything to get excited about. A few replacements for the departed players have been lined up, but none of these have been confirmed with the new season just days away. Could, and hopefully will, end up finishing below us.

Hearts: The only Lithuanian team in this season's SPL, Hearts will be looking to go one better than the second place they managed last season. The job of head coach/manager/director of football/whatever it is this week Valdas Ivanauskas depends on it. A poor start will no doubt see him dumped by October, and a procession of managers will then arrive, with chairman Vladimir Romanov picking the team for them.

No players have been signed as yet, but a few have left or been told to go. Rudi Skacel signed permanently from Marseille, only to decide he wants to leave! Andy Webster also looks to be on his way out. Hearts self destructed a lot last season and were helped by a poor Rangers side, third place looks like their best bet for the new season.

Hibs: Tony Mowbray has enjoyed two superb years in charge of Hibs, but his real test begins now. With Gary Caldwell, Derek Riordan and Gary O'Connor all leaving in the past six months, he faces an immense challenge to repeat the top four placings of the last two seasons.

So far, the only new signing has been Rob Jones from the English lower leagues, a defender who seems to share the same freak like dimensions as Kevin James. No new strikers have arrived yet, leaving Hibs with a fairly toothless looking strike force. Based on their current squad, I can't see them finishing in the top six, and they certainly won't end their Scottish Cup jinx.

Inverness Caley Thistle: Caley Thistle have had two good years in the SPL and will be hoping to finally break into the top six this season. They shouldn't have to worry about losing their manager this season as Charlie Christie is a club legend.

John Rankin seems to have been the only major arrival over the summer, although Dennis Wyness has signed on permanently. Much of their trouble could come from the continual bids for players by Dundee United. Former manager Craig Brewster seems to want to sign several of his ex players, but Caley have stood firm so far. Their main player will be Craig Dargo, who scored 19 goals last season. I doubt they'll make the top six this year, but they will easily avoid the relegation battle.

Kilmarnock: Jim Jeffries has done a decent job at Kilmarnock, and Saints fans will hope this continues. As soon as the former Hearts man leaves, Gus MacPherson will be linked with, and probably take, the vacant manager's job at Rugby Park. Jeffries has signed a new contract, however, so should be OK.

Kilmarnock finished in the top six last season and will probably do that again, even though they still haven't found a proper replacement for Kris Boyd. Steven Naismith is a talented youngster and will have another good season. There haven't been too many signings over the summer, with Grant Murray and a former Walsall striker being the only new players. However, they have most of last season's squad and so don't have anything to worry about.

Motherwell: The Steelmen are under new management. Terry Butcher has gone to Australia and has been replaced by his former assistant, Maurice Malpas. Malpas is new to club management but has been part of the Scotland under 21 set up, so knows what he's doing. Indeed, Motherwell's only problem could be if the Dundee United job comes up and Malpas goes for it, although he'll probably stay put if that happens.

It's been fairly quite on the transfer front at Fir Park, with Ross McCormack the only new signing so far. However, that's a pretty good player to have as your only summer signing and he could form a superb partnership with Scott MacDonald, if he can recapture his old form. Brian McLean has signed permanently from Rangers, whilst Stevie Hammell has left for Southend United. I reckon they'll make the top six and have a decent cup run.

Rangers: Another team with a new man in charge, with Paul Le Guen replacing Alex McLeish. This probably pleases the Rangers fans a lot as they have a foreign manager, and this automatically means that he must be good. In fairness, he has an excellent track record and is apparently a fitness freak, so they should do better than last season.

The Le Guen revolution seems to be a bit like Dick Advocaat's: sign lots of foreigners no one has really heard of. Maybe my football knowledge is lacking, but I hadn't really heard of any of the players Rangers have signed this summer until they arrived at Ibrox. Kris Boyd will be a key player after scoring so many goals last season, whilst Charlie Adam looks set to play a part after spending last year on loan at Love Street. Should improve on last season, but I can't see them winning the league.

St. Mirren: Let's not be silly, we're fighting relegation. I can't see us making the top six or even the top half of the bottom six. Gus MacPherson has a hell of a job on his hands, but I'm sure he's up to the task. The media seem to have written us off, which suits us perfectly. There's no pressure on us to succeed, which makes a change from the past few years.

Richard Brittain, Stuart Balmer, Alex Burke and Garry Brady have arrived, whilst Charlie Adam has returned to Rangers and Mark Reilly has retired. John Sutton will be expected to get the goals, whilst Mark Corcoran could destroy SPL defences with his pace. We'll be fighting it out with Dunfermline and Falkirk, and 11th place will be a major success.

So, there you have it. I reckon Celtic will win the league and Motherwell will replace Hibs in the top six. Please do not use this as a guide when placing bets though!

Let the games begin!