Scottish League One: Season 2022/2023 Predictions
The 2022/23 season of Scottish League One kicks-off this weekend, in what promises to be the most competitive, unpredictable and challenging yet. Dunfermline Athletic, Queen of the South and Falkirk are three teams who will almost certainly be vying for top spot, while Kelty Hearts and FC Edinburgh will look to make their mark in a league which is impossible to call…
10. Peterhead
Manager: Jim McInally
Last season: 7th
Peterhead will be entering their fourth consecutive season in League One and their 11th under McInally, the SPFL’s longest-serving manager. The Blue Toon staved off any relegation threat last season in seventh-place and finished a healthy eight points clear of Dumbarton who suffered relegation through the play-offs.
However, the club have lost midfielders Scott Brown and Grant Savoury to Championship sides Raith Rovers and Queen’s Park respectively as well as Simon Ferry and Derek Lyle who have been appointed manager and assistant manager of Open Goal Broomhill in the Scottish Lowland League.
The club also finished bottom of their League Cup group having lost all four matches and conceding 13 goals, including a 2-0 and 3-0 defeat to League Two sides Dumbarton and Stirling Albion. A disappointing group campaign, coupled with losing influential players means this could be a long season for McInally’s men.
9. FC Edinburgh
Manager: Alan Maybury
Last season: 4th (League Two- promoted via. play-offs)
This season marks a new era for FC Edinburgh, formerly Edinburgh City in what is their inaugural season in the third tier after promotion through the play-offs last season. In addition, it’s also their first season back at the re-developed Meadowbank Stadium after five years ground-sharing at Ainslie Park, home of Lowland League side, Spartans.
Maybury, in his first full season at the helm, has signed experienced players, such as, defender Liam Fontaine from Championship side Dundee and midfielder Innes Murray from Hibernian alongside Kieran Watson and Nicky Reid from East of Scotland Football League side Penicuik.
The Citizens finished fourth in their League Cup group, with a bonus point victory over Airdrieonians showing that they have the ability to hold their own, however, a league with Falkirk, Dunfermline and Queen of the South alongside experienced League One clubs could see the Edinburgh side flirt around the relegation area.
8. Kelty Hearts
Manager: John Potter
Last season: 1st (League Two- promoted)
Kelty Hearts have had a great start to life as a SPFL club having clinched the League Two title last season, however, it is all change at New Central Park with John Potter replacing Kevin Thomson as manager.
Potter’s new charges finished bottom of their League Cup group with a 3-2 victory over Cove Rangers coupled with a 2-0 defeat to Albion Rovers. The club have retained most of their squad including top goal-scorers Nathan Austin and Joe Cardle while bringing in defender Lewis Martin from Dunfermline.
The Maroon Machine should hold their own in their inaugural season as a League One club while having the potential for a tilt at the promotion play-offs, however, considering how tough the league promises to be, they should have more than enough to survive in a season of consolidation.
7. Alloa Athletic
Manager: Brian Rice
Last season: 5th
It was a below average season for an Alloa side who had aspirations of a promotion play-off spot in 2021/22, however, after replacing Barry Ferguson in February, Brian Rice steered the ship to a decent fifth-place finish.
Rice will be looking to build on the consistency he established with the Wasps winning five of their final seven league matches last season and his side have picked up bonus point victories against Dunfermline Athletic and East Fife in their League Cup group. Having said that, the league will be increasingly tougher this season and the Clackmannanshire side may well find a tilt at promotion a step too far.
6. Clyde
Manager: Danny Lennon
Last season: 8th
This season opens a new chapter in Clyde’s 145-year history as they ground-share at New Douglas Park, Hamilton after their departure from Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. The Bully Wee have been the most active in the transfer window with 14 new additions to a squad where only six remain from last season as Danny Lennon looks to improve on two consecutive eighth-place finishes.
Notable signings include former Hibernian defender Steven Thicot, Peter Grant from Queen’s Park, Brian McLean from Greenock Morton, Jordan Allan from Airdrieonians and midfielder Raymond Grant who was part of the 2018/19 promotion season. Lennon has also added youngsters to his squad, with 22-year-old Olly McDonald joining from Gretna 2008.
The club finished bottom of their League Cup group with a 2-0 victory over Greenock Morton alongside a 2-1 defeat against Bonnyrigg Rose and a narrow loss to Falkirk. However, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover as with a balance of experience and youth, Clyde have the ability to improve this season and the potential to challenge at the top end of the table.
5. Montrose
Manager: Stewart Petrie
Last season: 3rd
In three of the past four seasons, Montrose have qualified for the promotion play-offs as they consistently punch above their weight under the management of Stewart Petrie, however, this season could see them miss out.
The Gable Endies’ were fourth in their League Cup group which included a 2-0 defeat to League Two side Stenhousemuir. In addition, the Angus club have seen a departure in defender Cammy Ballantyne to Airdrieonians. Having said that, striker Rory McAllister has signed from Cove Rangers which should add strength to their back-line and see them at least challenge for promotion in a hugely competitive league.
4. Airdrieonians
Player-manager: Rhys McCabe
Last season: 2nd
The Diamonds pushed Cove Rangers all the way, but ultimately lost the promotion play-off final and remain in League One for another season. Since then, there has been a change of the guard with Rhys McCabe being promoted from within as player-manager as Ian Murray departed for Raith Rovers.
At the youthful age of 30, McCabe, the SPFL’s youngest manager, hasn’t been afraid to put his own stamp on the squad with Cammy Ballantyne arriving from Montrose, as well as youngsters Lewis Jamieson and Justin Devenny on-loan from St. Mirren and Kilmarnock respectively.
The early signs look as if appointing a rookie manager has paid off with the club finishing second in their League Cup group with results including an impressive 2-0 victory over St. Mirren. Therefore, the Diamonds seem to have enough experience about them to secure another promotion play-off spot this season.
3. Queen of the South
Player-manager: Willie Gibson
Last season: 10th (Championship- relegated)
In what is their first season as a third tier club since their promotion in 2012/13, Queen of the South will be looking for an immediate return to the Championship, but it won’t be easy.
The Doonhammers are one of two League One teams to qualify out of the League Cup Group Stage having finished as the third best runner-up, with a bonus point win against Premiership side St. Johnstone and a 3-0 victory over Ayr United amongst the highlights. However, a 3-2 defeat against Annan Athletic backs up the old saying that ‘every team is capable of taking points off each other’- but, Queen’s experience should put them well in the mix for the promotion race.
2. Dunfermline Athletic
Manager: James McPake
Last season: 9th (Championship- relegated via. play-offs)
Dunfermline are back in League One for the first time since 2016 after suffering relegation through the dreaded play-offs. John Hughes has since been replaced by former Dundee manager, James McPake whose remit is simple- secure the club automatic promotion back to the Championship.
McPake has brought in four new arrivals at East End Park as he prepares for a title push which includes midfielder Chris Hamilton from Heart of Midlothian and defender Kyle Benedictus from Raith Rovers.
In the League Cup Group Stage, the Pars’ did fail to qualify for the last 16 with a 1-1 draw against Alloa Athletic ensuring they wouldn’t be one of the top three runners-up- and in a cutthroat league, it is games against part-time teams that you need to win if you want to be serious contenders for the title.
1. Falkirk
Manager: John McGlynn
Last season: 6th
After four years in League One exile, this could be a season to remember for the Bairns faithful. In what was a massively underwhelming sixth-place finish last season, new manager John McGlynn has brought in a raft of experienced signings including, defender Sean Mackie from Hibernian, midfielder Stephen McGinn from Kilmarnock and Morton forward Gary Oliver.
McGlynn’s new-look squad are the only League One club to reach the last 16 of the League Cup as group winners which included a 1-0 victory over Premiership side Hibernian. They have only conceded once in their first four competitive matches this season, and if they build upon that solid start, there would be no reason to suggest why they couldn’t go all the way and lift the league trophy.
Scottish League One Table Prediction (Image: BBC Sport)