Scottish Premiership 2020-21 season: Club-by-club analysis and predictions

Celtic manager Neil Lennon with the Ladbrokes Premiership trophy at Celtic Park, on June 19, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. Pic: SNS Group

Celtic are Scottish football’s Marlon Brando while Rangers more like Sharon Stone

With the new Scottish Premiership season now less than a week away, we analyse the prospects for each of the 12 clubs, and ask, if they were an actor, who would they be?

ABERDEEN

Manager: Derek McInnes

Last season: 4th

In: Jonny Hayes (Celtic).

Out: Greg Leigh (Breda, loan ended), Jon Gallagher (Atlanta United, loan ended), Danny Rogers, Frank Ross, Sam Jackson, Luc Bollan, Lloyd Robertson, Sebastian Ross, Jack Chessor, Sean Linden, Chris Antoniazzi, David Dangana, Kieran Shanks, Kyle Dalling.

Game changer: Much will depend on whether they keep Sam Cosgrove or how they replace him if he does go.

Prospects: By their own high standards they struggled at times last season. There were too many draws and they will have to find a way to turn them into victories if they are to move up the standings this term. The return of Jonny Hayes is a boost and will offer greater creativity and mental dig and in Cosgrove they have one of the league’s most prolific scorers. They need to hold on to the big striker or recruit well to ensure a decent goal return.

If they were an actor, they would be: Glenn Close. Like the Fatal Attraction star, Aberdeen peaked in the 80s. Still highly regarded by peers but whether it’s Oscars – where Close has been nominated seven times without winning – or Aberdeen with titles and silverware, they tend to get close, just not close enough.

Odds: 50-1 (all odds from Betfred)Prediction: 3rd

CELTIC

Manager: Neil Lennon

Last season: 1st

In: Mohamed Elyounoussi (Southampton loan).

Out: Eboue Kouassi (Genk, £1.35m); Craig Gordon (Hearts); Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen); Jozo Simunovic, Calvin Miller, Jack Hendry (Oostende, loan), Fraser Forster (Southampton, loan ended); Daniel Arzani (Manchester City, loan ended); Moritz Bauer (Stoke City, loan ended).

Game changer: Odsonne Edouard’s status is pivotal. If he is prised away, it instantly closes the gap they hold over Rangers.

Prospects: As it stands, Neil Lennon has lost and not replaced a clutch of valuable members of his squad – keeper Forster the biggest in every respect. Even allowing for that, the serial trophy snarers retain the talent and strength in depth to repel their Ibrox rivals in their quest for an historic tenth consecutive title. Not least because they rediscovered their mojo following the turn of the year to produce form up with their commanding best of the past decade.

If they were an actor, they would be: Marlon Brando. The Godfather of the game in this country with 11 straight honours, the nine-in-a-row winners continue to make an offer to Scottish football it can’t refuse.

Odds: 4/9

Prediction: 1st

DUNDEE UNITED

Manager: Micky Mellon

Last season: 1st in Championship

In: Jack Newman (Sunderland).

Out: Paul Watson (Dunfermline Athletic); Rakish Bingham; Sam Wardrop; Osman Sow.

Game changer: Lawrence Shankland’s prowess in front of goal was a major factor in Dundee United topping the Championship and, along with Nicky Clark, he will need to maintain a goal threat to give the Tannadice team any chance to shine. Shankland scored 24 league goals in 26 games to propel United to the title. Clark chipped in with seven goals in 15 starts before injury ended his season.

Prospects: A return to the top flight has been too long in coming but the circumstances are hardly ideal. Closed-door games and other coronavirus restrictions have placed a strain on the budget, while there is uncertainty surrounding a new management team, following Robbie Neilson’s departure and the arrival of Micky Mellon. Safeguarding their place in the Premiership is the priority and it could be a struggle.

If they were an actor, they would be: Robert Downey Jnr. Both spent a few years struggling in the doldrums, away from the limelight. But having overcome their demons, they are now back on the main stage.

Odds: 1000-1

Prediction: 10th

HAMILTON ACCIES

Manager: Brian Rice

Last season: 11th

In: Ross Callachan (St Johnstone); Charlie Trafford (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Callum Smith (Dunfermline Athletic).

Out: Alex Gogic (Hibs); Aaron McGowan (Kilmarnock); Mickel Miller (Rotherham United); George Oakley (Pirin Blagoevgrad); Liam Scullion (Fauldhouse United); Blair Alston; Steve Davies; Johnny Hunt; Jack Breen; Niyah Joseph; Jay Blair; Ciaran McAndrew; Charlie Reilly; Sam Woods (Crystal Palace, loan ended); Andy Dales (Scunthorpe United); Luke Southwood (Reading, loan ended).

Game changer: Rice has said he has confidence in his ability to dip into his academy to plug the gaps created by departures.

Prospects: Every season Accies’ impending demise is predicted; every season they prove defiant in extending their longest unbroken stay in the top flight – which is now entering a seventh season. Yet, the meagreness of reinforcements following a 15-player exodus in the summer allows for no conclusion other than they will be unable to resist the gravitational pull.

If they were an actor, they would be: Danny DeVito. Like the Accies, his diminutive status should have precluded his life among the glitterati, but it never did.

Odds: 3000-1

Prediction: 12th

HIBERNIAN

Manager: Jack Ross

Last season: 7th

In: Alex Gogic (Hamilton), Kevin Nisbet (Dunfermline), Drey Wright (St Johnstone)

Out: Adam Bogdan (Ferencvaros), Steven Whittaker (Dunfermline), Kosovar Sadiki, (Finn Harps), Stephane Omeonga (Genoa, loan ended), Greg Doherty (Rangers, loan ended), Jason Naismith (Peterborough, loan ended), Marc McNulty (Reading, loan ended), Vykintas Slivka, Jack Hodge, Matthew Yates.