Sport
Scottish Premiership 2021/22 Preview
Euro 2020 may have seen Scottish football fans unite behind the national team but normal service resumse this weekend with the return of the Scottish Premiership. It’s set to be another exciting season north of the border and one thing is for sure – it won’t be dull – so we’ve taken a closer look at all 12 sides in the top division this season in our Scottish Premiership 2021/22 Preview.
Scottish Premiership 2021/22 Preview
Aberdeen – The Dons endured an underwhelming time last season – trophy-less and pushed into 4th spot behind Hibs. Stephen Glass is now set for his first full season in charge and it’s a new-look squad that will take to the field.
If they start well, they should once again be pushing for ‘the best of the rest’ but there’s every chance this could well turn out to be a transitional season for the Pittodrie side.
Celtic – One side who definitely look set for a transitional Scottish Premiership 2021/22 season are Celtic, even if their new manager believes otherwise.
After a disastrous time of it last season, Ange Postecoglou is now the man in charge but he’s walked into a squad that’s low on confidence and low on quality players. It’ll be a massive rebuilding operation but Celtic fans will give him time and many already see this coming season as a write-off.
Dundee – The Dens Park side secured their place back in the top flight via the play-offs last season and boss James McPake will be hoping they can consolidate their spot in the top division like neighbours United.
Key to this will be the veteran, Charlie Adam, who brings a wealth of experience to a youthful Dundee squad. All eyes will be on the first Dundee derby at Tannadice on September 18 – expect fireworks in that one.
Dundee United – United were unlucky to not seal a top-six spot last season in their first season back in the Scottish Premiership since 2016.
However, Micky Mellon has returned to Tranmere and the new man in charge is the rookie Tam Courts who will be charged with keeping the momentum up in the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season.
United fans may be eyeing up another push for the top-six – particularly if Lawrence Shankland can fire – but it does have the potential to go wrong for United and it could be a long old season.
Hearts – The Edinburgh side are back in the top tier once more and there’s already chat around Tynecastle about pushing for 3rd.
That looks a bridge too far right now but their experienced squad should certainly be pushing for the top-six and Jambos fans will also be counting down the days until the first Edinburgh derby on September 11.
Hibs – It was a mixed end to last season for Hibs fans as their side took 3rd place in the league but then put in a woeful performance against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final.
Jack Ross and his squad will once more be aiming for 3rd but a lot will depend on whether the Easter Road squad can hold onto the talented Kevin Nisbet who is already being courted by clubs south of the border.
Livingston – It was an excellent campaign for Livingston last season, sealing a top-six spot as well as reaching the League Cup final.
They have lost some key players over the summer though, ahead of the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season, including Jon Guthrie, Scott Robinson, and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
So reality could bite hard at the Tony Macaroni Arena this season and they could well be one of the sides battling the drop.
Motherwell – Like Livingston, Motherwell have also lost several key players and the pressure will be on boss Graham Alexander to rebuild a squad that can stay out of the relegation zone on a tight budget.
The Well fans are already on split on whether Alexander is the right man and a slow start to the season would see the pressure ramped right up.
Rangers – The Ibrox club strolled to the title win last season and they’re the odds-on favourites at the bookies to defend their Scottish Premiership crown in the 2021/22 season.
They’ve held onto the majority of their title-winning squad with some shrewd-looking additions including John Lundstram and Fashion Sakala.
With Gerrard in control, you can be sure Rangers won’t be complacent and another Scottish Premiership title looks almost inevitable at this stage.
Ross County – The Staggies pulled it out the fire at the end of last season, winning three of their last five matches to beat the drop.
It could be another tough season for County though, as they boast the smallest squad in the league and new boss Malky Mackay has an extremely tight budget to work with.
St Johnstone – Saints pulled off a remarkable cup-double last season and for many, boss Callum Davidson was manager of the year.
It will take some effort to emulate last season’s heroics this time around but if they play to their best, a top-six spot should be well within their reach.
St Mirren – The Buddies just missed out on a top-six finish last season and they’ve been proactive in the transfer market over the summer so should be primed for a quick start.
A top-six spot will be on the wish-list again and if they can steer clear of injuries, then there’s every chance they’ll be in the mix once more at the end of the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season.
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