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One thing about Scottish soccer: it’s never dull — especially off the field.
In recent years, the Scottish Premier League has seen more comings and goings than a Kardashian family reunion. At one point, as recently as two years ago in fact, three of the biggest clubs in the country — including Glasgow giants Rangers — weren’t even playing in the top division.
Imagine La Liga without Barcelona or the English Premier League without Manchester United.
Yes, it’s the relegation of big clubs, the issue of sectarian singing in the stands making it all the way to parliament and the return of so-called “safe standing” areas in stadiums (namely Celtic Park) that give the old saying “only in Scottish football” all its meaning.
The coming season, which kicks off on Saturday, marks a return to normalcy of sorts in the Scottish game, what with Rangers rejoining the fray in the Premiership after its banishment to the lower divisions due to financial malfeasance.
That means the Old Firm (Celtic v. Rangers) returns to the regular fixture list, and given the bitter, sectarian-based rivalry between the two sides (Catholic vs. Protestant, Irish republican vs. British loyalist), supporters and police alike will be on high alert.
So what will this and other happenings mean for the Premiership league table? Here with our predictions for order of finish for the 2016-17 season in Scottish football:
Scottish Soccer Teams, Ranked
1. Celtic
The return of Rangers will mean more competition for the Hoops, but newly appointed manager Brendan Rodgers has the tactical brains and squad manpower to lead the club to its sixth straight league crown. Rodgers’ biggest challenge will be keeping Celtic, his boyhood team, relevant in Europe. All eyes will be on young guns Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts.
2. Aberdeen
The Dons have arguably been the biggest beneficiaries of Rangers’ absence, and they have established themselves as the second-best side in Scotland in recent seasons. Derek McInnes’ men will continue the trend for at least one more season, much to the delight of the Pittodrie faithful, who hate Rangers almost as much as Celtic supporters do.
3. Hearts
It will take Rangers time to get “Premiership-ready,” and Hearts manager Robbie Neilson and his charges will be the primary beneficiaries. The Edinburgh side have always been among the biggest fish in the small pond. Former Celt Tony Watt, forever famous in Glasgow for his Champions’ League goal against Barcelona, will bolster the attack.
4. Rangers
Only in Scottish football (here we go again) could a team languishing in the Championship the season before coast to a top-four finish the following campaign, but the Ibrox men will do just that. Manager Mark Warburton — a friend and former colleague of new Old Firm rival Rodgers — is building something in the Govan section of Glasgow, but they are still a year away from challenging Celtic for the title.
The addition of Joey Barton, though, has generated plenty of headline copy already.
5. Dundee
Paul Hartley has had the Dees punching above their weight for some time now, and that trend will continue in 2016-17.
6. Motherwell
Manager Mark McGhee has changed the mojo around Fir Park, after the Steelmen narrowly escaped relegation two seasons ago. If Australian striker Scott McDonald sticks around, a top-six finish is in the cards.
7. St. Johnstone
Saints’ bench boss Tommy Wright continues to accomplish more with less in Perth, but his playing squad has seen more high-profile subtractions—Callum Davidson, Billy Dodds, Stevie May—than additions in recent transfer windows, and the results will show on the field.
8. Ross County
Speaking of more with less, last year’s surprise League Cup winners the Staggies continue to remain fixtures in the top flight despite working within relatively tight budget constraints. Manager Jim McIntyre may get a look from bigger clubs as a result.
9. Patrick Thistle
You mean there’s a third team in Glasgow? The Jags play in the shadows of city rivals Celtic and Rangers but are perhaps best known for employing Paul Pogba’s older brother Mathias.
10. Inverness CT
If a club the size of Callie can have a legend, then Richie Foran is it. The Irishman takes over for John Hughes in the Highlands, and side will battle stay out of the relegation zone in this transition year.
11. Hamilton Accies
Accies have lost goalkeeper Michael McGovern, one of the stars (for Northern Ireland) of Euro 2016. They’ll lose even more on the pitch.
12. Kilmarnock
Manager Lee Clark just arrived and he already has one foot out the door. Chaos reigns supreme at Rugby Park, and it will result in relegation for Killie.
