SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP 2021-22
This summer, the impossible happened. For a few glorious weeks, Scottish football’s all-consuming tit-for-tat was parked as fans found common ground getting behind their national team at Euro 2020.
All was calm... at least until the domestic game’s excitable headline generator cranked back into life. Normality, at last…
Celtic have been front and centre of it all, on the back of a nightmare season of self-sabotage. Eddie Howe was meant to lead an extensive rebuild after their 10-in-a-row hopes were obliterated, with influential chief executive Peter Lawwell stepping down and captain Scott Brown following Neil Lennon out the door. Howe’s last-minute change of heart piled on the pressure, though, with the alternative – former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou – a left-field choice. He’s impressed in his early dealings, but make no mistake: his task in restoring the Bhoys to their former glories is vast.
Across Glasgow, life is a lot more straightforward for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers. Their biggest challenge has been holding on to the stars who led them to last season’s superb title, though emerging talents like Nathan Patterson should play bigger roles.
Hibernian face a fight to hold on to their ‘best of the rest’ spot in third, and should be pushed by a rejigged Aberdeen. New manager Stephen Glass has been backed to reshape his squad – not least with the arrival of Hoop talisman Brown as player-coach. Hearts are back in the top flight after a brief stay in the second tier, meanwhile, but won’t be content to settle for a top-six spot.
How St Johnstone go about backing up their double-winning exploits is anyone’s guess. Rookie boss Callum Davidson’s team was the success story of the season as they finished 5th and scooped both the League Cup and Scottish Cup, making their own act incredibly tough to follow.
Dundee’s promotion means a welcome return for the Dundee Derby; United hope that promoting the little-known Tam Courts – previously head of tactical performance – to succeed Micky Mellon will help fast-track the development of some promising academy prospects.
Livingston and Motherwell are unknown quantities to an extent, after the loss of some dependable performers, while St Mirren will aim to maintain their gradual improvement. Ross County are desperate to avoid another relegation battle, but look like an interesting proposition after the divisive appointment of former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay.
Whatever happens, it won’t be dull….
AT THE LOWER LEVELS
There was little sympathy for relegated Kilmarnock following a dismal showing in the play-offs. So, it was no surprise to see their squad ripped apart, with the additions of battled-hardened pros like Jason Naismith and Scott Robinson key – but they won’t have it all their own way in the fiercely competitive Championship.
It’ll be no less cut-throat in League One, where ambitious Cove Rangers and Queen’s Park are worth a watch. League Two newcomers Kelty Hearts will want to start well after clawing their way out of the Lowland League.
ABERDEEN
LAST SEASON
PREMIERSHIP 4th SCOTTISH CUP Quarter-Finals LEAGUE CUP 2R EUROPA LEAGUE 3QR TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Lewis Ferguson (18)
FAN FILE
GLEN SCHREUDER
@schreuder92
underwhelming – no trophies and finishing below the top three when we’d been hoping for more. Glad to see the back of it. Stephen Glass gets I created a podcast called Red Tinted Glasses, reacting to the games: @RTG_Podcast. we beat Rangers and win a trophy. Dylan McGeouch – hopefully he can stay injury-free this season. Calvin Ramsay [below] and Jack Mackenzie, two promising full-backs who I think could feature regularly for us this term. Michael Devlin. Celtic’s David Turnbull – I’ve been very impressed.
