While most of us haven’t even been on our summer holidays yet the Scottish Premier League returns this weekend, just over two months after the last campaign reached its conclusion.
For the football fanatics it will be a welcome relief from the tedium of pre-season friendly matches, although the players might not agree with any excitement over an early start.
Saturday’s curtain raiser should be a belter between defending champions Rangers and Hearts. Can the Gers pick up from where they left off or can the Jambos make a statement of intent at Ibrox?
Rangers v Hearts (12:30pm)
Saturday represents the beginning of a new era in the blue half of Glasgow as Ally McCoist takes charge of his first competitive game since becoming Rangers boss. The former Scotland and Gers striker has some big shoes to fill after watching Walter Smith guide the Light Blues to three consecutive SPL titles.
McCoist’s first game in charge is likely to be a decent test as they take on a Hearts side, who finished third last season and have added some decent players to their ranks. Danny Grainger, Jamie Hamill, Mehdi Taouil and John Sutton have all made the switch from their respective clubs to Tynecastle and should provide manager Jim Jefferies with some good options.
While matters off the field have dominated their build-up to the season Hearts shouldn’t be overlooked by Rangers.
Having said that they do have a terrible record at Ibrox in recent years, losing 13 of their last 16 visits to Glasgow. Recent matches have been low scoring affairs so the bet to look out for is under 2.5 goals at 6/5.
With an earlier start time than usual both teams should be a little rusty but Rangers’ quality should shine through. Rangers are 4/11 to win, while Hearts are 17/2 and the draw is 7/2 in the match betting.
Aberdeen v St Johnstone (3pm)
Two teams who struggled last season clash at Pittodrie in the first of two 3pm kick-offs, with Craig Brown looking to carry on the good work he has been doing with the Dons.
Aberdeen have had another tough summer, losing a number of key players including Chris Maguire, Derek Young and Zander Diamond.
Brown did some great work to make sure the Dons weren’t in a relegation battle last season but another bottom half finish looks as though it is calling to the men from the Granite City.
As for St Johnstone they are 9/2 to finish bottom this season and they could find themselves slipping that way if they don’t find a consistent source of goals after managing just 23 in 38 games last season.
The Dons will need to be strong at home and are 21/20 to get the campaign off with a victory in the match betting, the Saints 11/4 and the draw 23/10.
Motherwell v Inverness
Not much separated these two teams at the end of last season, with Inverness ending up with more points than the Steelmen but finishing below them due to being stuck in the bottom half of the table when the league was divided.
Caley will be looking to make sure they finish in the top six this season, despite the loss of Adam Rooney. The promising young striker has gone to Birmingham City and means, like Motherwell, Inverness are without their main source of goals from last season.
The Steelmen lost John Sutton during the summer and will do well to replace their main threat for the upcoming campaign. Last season Inverness took seven points off Motherwell and we fancy them to do the same again to kick start the campaign. The Highlanders are 5/2 for the away win, while Motherwell 11/10 and the draw is 23/10.
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