SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
Celtic go in search of their ninth Scottish Premiership title and become the third side to do so following in the footsteps of themselves in the 60s and Rangers in the 90s. Neil Lennon, appointed following their slightly controversial Scottish Cup triumph over Hearts has started well in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers but are the not only side to have shown promise in Europe this season.
Rangers are expected to be Celtic’s closest challengers and have avoided embarrassing UEFA Europa League exits to St Joseph’s and Progres Niederkorn as Stephen Gerrard aims to go one better than second place last year but a trophy of some kind is most likely required at Ibrox to show some progress is being made.
Aberdeen missed out on third place on the final day of the season last year and have lost captain Graeme Shinnie to Derby County but the signing of Craig Bryson from the Rams has pleased the Pittodrie faithful and Derek McInnes and his side will be looking at keeping the top two honest throughout the season and potentially claiming a cup along the way.
Scotland’s fourth side in Europe this season were Kilmarnock who exited the competition almost as fast as they entered it as they were embarrassed by Connah’s Quay Nomads of Wales (Yes, that team that Ross County beat in the Challenge Cup Final last year). The departure of Steve Clarke seems to have hit them hard and could see them vulnerable to teams below them including the Edinburgh duo of Hibernian and Heart who have both strengthened over the summer along with Motherwell.
At the wrong end of the table, newly promoted Ross County will try and follow the example of Livingston last year by surviving in their first season back in the top flight. Livi themselves have lost key players including Craig Halkett and Liam Kelly and could face a real struggle to stay up but another summer of chaos at St Mirren may be their saving grace.
Jim Goodwin needs to get his Buddies side firing sooner rather than later while St Johnstone had a horrible Betfred Cup campaign after defeats to League One Forfar Athletic and Montrose saw the Saints crash out at the group stage. Hamilton survived on the final day of the league season last year and the Accies will be looking to do the same again in 2019/20.
SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP
The Scottish Championship may well become the tale of two teams in one city fighting over a return to the top flight. Recently relegated Dundee join their city neighbours Dundee United in the second tier of Scottish football with both aiming for a return to the Premiership. James McPake take charge of the Dens Park side with ex-Scotland manager Gordon Strachan joining behind the scenes. Robbie Neilson’s men missed out on promotion in a penalty shoot-out to St Mirren in May but have recruited Lawrence Shankland in a bid to make it fourth time lucky and return to the top flight.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle were beaten in the semi-finals of the playoffs last year and will look to follow their highland neighbours Ross County in returning to the Premiership while Ayr United, Dunfermline Athletic and Partick Thistle are the most likely candidates to challenge for the playoff spots. Greenock Morton have a new man in the dugout in David Hopkin who two years ago took Livingston up from the Championship.
Queen of the South will hope to avoid the playoffs this year while part time Alloa Athletic will need to be as good as last year if they are to avoid the drop while Arbroath make a welcome return to the second tier for the first time since 2003.
SCOTTISH LEAGUE ONE
Falkirk are the big favourites in Scottish League One in 2019/20 following their relegation from the Championship last year. Ray McKinnon has invested heavily at the Falkirk Stadium with the sole aim of returning to the second tier as champions come May.
Two of the four angus sides are still in the third tier with both missing out on promotion in the playoffs last season and both Forfar Athletic and Montrose have impressed in the Betfred Cup. Raith Rovers are in their third season at this level and have lost top goal scorer from last year in Kevin Nesbit but will still be looking to pile the pressure on Falkirk.
Newly promoted Peterhead and Clyde will be teams to watch out for as they aim to use that promotion bounce to stay away from the drop zone while Airdrieonians have made the decision to move into a hybrid system of part time and full-time players.
East Fife progressed into the second round of the Betfred Cup and could be a team to watch while Stranraer and Dumbarton will hope to threaten the promotion playoffs, rather than the relegation ones.
SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO
Cove Rangers make their SPFL debut following their 7-0 playoff victory over Berwick Rangers in May saw them promoted from the Highland League and it would take a brave person to bet against them making it successive promotions. Mitch Megginson scored 49 goals in all competitions last season and already is off the mark this year.
Edinburgh City is the only other side to have experience promotion to the SPFL and after a couple of consolidating years, missed out on promotion to League One in the playoffs last year despite leading the table for a large portion of the season.
Brechin City have suffered back to back relegations and need to find form fast if they are to have a chance of promotion back to League One and the same can be said of Stenhousemuir who also drop down to the fourth tier.
Annan Athletic, Queen’s Park and Stirling Albion will all have playoff aspirations this season while the battle to avoid tenth place and the relegation playoff with the winner of the Highland or Lowland League will be very tight.
Albion Rovers produced a great escape and under Kevin Harper will hope to have an easier time of it this year while Cowdenbeath and Elgin City could be sucked into a relegation fight if they are not careful.
HIGHLAND LEAGUE
The departure of Cove Rangers due to their promotion to Scottish League Two leaves the Highland League with only 17 members for the 2019/20 season. Brora Rangers were runners-up last season and are favourites to claim the title this year will have to fight off the threat of Fraserburgh, Formartine United and Inverurie Loco Works.
The last champions other than Cove were Buckie Thistle but following a mid-table finish last season, Thistle will be looking at fighting back at the top of the Highland League. Victory over Nairn County in the North of Scotland Cup secured Fort William’s first victory in over 800 days and after finishing on -7 points last year, the aim will be to secure a first league victory in two years and potentially threaten Lossiemouth, Strathspey Thistle and Clachnacuddin above them.
LOWLAND LEAGUE
Kelty Hearts have grabbed the headlines in the Lowland League during the summer with their signings as Barry Ferguson aims for the title in his first full season in charge. Kelty started the season in the right way with an 8-0 thrashing of Dalbeattie Star but to take the crown, they will have to beat defending champions East Kilbride. Kilby, who had a strong Betfred Cup campaign which included a penalty shoot-out victory over premiership side St Mirren, will aim to regain their title and have a third shot at promotion in the pyramid playoffs.
Berwick Rangers make their debut in the Lowland League this season following relegation from the SPFL and have a very tough test ahead of them if they are to make an instant return. Fellow ex-SPFL member East Stirlingshire have spent big over the summer with signings of Nicky Low and Mark Millar while former champions Spartans hope to improve on last year’s fourth place.
Civil Service Strollers were the surprise package last year and along with Cumbernauld Colts, newly promoted Bonnyrigg Rose and newly named Caledonian Braves (previously known as Edusport Academy), could be dark horses in threatening the favourites while at the bottom of the table, the fight to avoid the drop to the East of Scotland League is likely to be between Dalbeattie Star, Gretna 2008 and Vale of Leithen with the two university sides of Stirling and Edinburgh potentially in the mix as well.
Photo Creds – Abbie Meehan
