It's that time of the year again when every Scottish football fan gets their thinking caps on and completely messes up a Premiership predictions list in the most bizarre way possible. Think last season, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers cruised to another title victory? Second-place. A consistent Aberdeen made the top four? 10th. Motherwell bottom-half once again? A European spot. No matter what, the cinch Premiership had finished as one of the most entertaining seasons yet and we can’t wait for it all to get up and running again. The new season kicks-off on Saturday so what better to do than make predictions that we’ll all look back on with laughter...

1. Celtic

After a truly remarkable 2021/22 season from the Parkhead side, Celtic are looking for the same thing once again. From the disasterous end to Neil Lennon's second spell as manager, Ange Postecoglou has done an outstanding job since he took the reins in mid-June last year and there are no signs of slowing down with permanent singings of fan favourite, Jota and Postecoglou’s Australian counterpart, Aaron Mooy. The Champions League Group Stage position has definitely given them an upper-hand in this transfer window and all eyes will be on Rangers to play catch-up.

Postecoglou will aim to ensure the trophy remains at Parkhead for a second consecutive season. (Image: Getty)

2. Rangers

Rangers had quite the season last year. A European Cup final and a Scottish Cup win kept the fans entertained throughout. However, with Gerrard’s exit in November and conceding the title leaving some fans unsatisfied, eyes are now on Giovanni van Bronckhorst to deliver that precious trophy back to Ibrox. New additions have flown in, such as, Antonio Colak and Malik Tillman, but it's always too early to tell if they’ll gel quickly. In addition to Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo swinging the exit door out of Ibrox, who knows if the squad can clinch top spot by May.

Van Bronckhorst will seek to deliver the title back to Ibrox’s trophy cabinet in his first full season as Rangers manager. (Image: Getty)

3. Heart of Midlothian

It was an uneventful but satisfying 2021/22 league season for the Jambos having finished 16 points in front of fourth, but 19 points behind second left the Maroon’s out in no man's land. Having said that, Hearts are now looking forward to a successful Europa League campaign. However, they could endure a slow start due to possible group stage matches in either the Europa or Conference League, with a mid-week trip abroad having the potential to cause disruption in the weekend performances- but with impressive new singings, such as former Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland and Livingston attacker Alan Forrest, a third-place finish should be the minimum for Robbie Neilson's side.

Neilson will be looking for more of the same from his Hearts side as they bid to make their mark in Europe. (Image: Getty)

4. Aberdeen

Aberdeen will be one of the most interesting teams to keep an eye on this season after a campaign to forget with a tenth-place finish. However, Jim Goodwin’s re-build is in motion with a completely new backline acquired. The Dons have splashed the cash on nine new players with one or two more still to come in according to Goodwin. However, this new side will absolutely need time to gel, but with an unbeaten League Cup group campaign with 12 goals netted and four clean sheets, it seems that the Pittordrie side may have gotten to the root of their problems. Having said that, Dundee United will be lurking for that fourth-place European spot, so, time will only tell for Goodwin’s side.

A top-six spot will be at the top of Goodwin’s list as he looks for a vast improvement on last season’s underwhelming finish. (Image: Getty)

5. Dundee United

New crest, new kit, new manager. Dundee United will set out for another European spot for the second time in a row. However, they might just miss out. Jack Ross has now had his fair share of failed managerial experiences, axed by Sunderland and Hibernian, Ross will be looking to steady his managerial ship having replaced Tam Courts, who left to join Budapest Honved in Hungary. It's safe to say that Ross has started his transfer window off with a bang with Scotland international Steven Fletcher. The 35-year-old will be amongst a side seeking to get off to a great start in the Premiership. However, likewise with Hearts, if a European qualifying campaign becomes successful, a group stage run could result in some fatigue at the beginning of this European race.

New manager Ross is all smiles as he looks to make his mark in the Tannadice hot-seat. (Image: Getty)

6. Livingston

The infamous sixth place spot. Who will dodge the horrible Premiership tradition of the split? A chance for some hope of a European-placed finish and guaranteed safety rather than a wasteful final five games due to being too far in front of the teams below. Livingston are tipped to achieve it. A sixth-place finish would be the club's third time reaching the top six since they were promoted in 2018 and having dominated the relegation half last May, a higher finish could be likely. Bruce Anderson, the second highest goal-scorer will need to keep the consistency up and with new signings knocking on the door, Martindale’s side will be looking to return to the top half of the table.

Martindale will make survival his top priority while plotting his club’s return to the top-six. (Image: Getty)

7. Kilmarnock

It’s a return to the main stage for Kilmarnock and manager Derek McInnes. Ever since his tenure with Aberdeen ended after eight years, McInnes has lifted a side in the doldrums after a poor six months under Tommy Wright, with the Killie massively improving to win the title and promotion back to the top-flight. Kyle Lafferty has plenty of experience on the main stage and with a returning Jordan Jones, the Ayrshire club’s front force could cause some discomfort for opposition defenders.

McInnes’s Kilmarnock won’t be there to make up the numbers on their return to the top-flight. (Image: Getty)

8. Hibernian

New manager Lee Johnson has had the worst start possible in Edinburgh with an early exit out of the League Cup. The Hibees suffered defeats to Falkirk and Greenock Morton, the latter after suspension problems. It is no secret that the board aren’t afraid to pull the trigger after Johnson’s predecessor Shaun Maloney was sacked after only four months in charge- and with the ex-Sunderland manager’s woeful start, a poor beginning to the league campaign could see the Englishman fall to the same fate. However, 11 new signings, including the return of Aiden McGeady could turn the tide for the Leith club. Time will tell.

Hibernian manager Johnson has already suffered an underwhelming start- will he be the first managerial casualty of the season? (Image: Getty)

9. Motherwell

A ninth-place spot for Motherwell this season with 2021/22 seeing massive success in qualifying for the Conference League despite average performances throughout the season. However, the Steelmen only managed to win three out of their last 18 league games, coupled with everyone team below them performing worse. So far, the Fir Park club have been the most inactive in the transfer window with three signings. So overall, Graham Alexander’s men may not be good enough to do the same as last season, but they should have that quality to avoid a potential relegation playoff spot.

The Steelmen will be aiming for another positive season with Alexander at the helm, but will a consecutive top-half finish be one step too far? (Image: Getty)

10. Ross County

After an end-of-season push towards the top-half, County achieved a sixth-place finish, the best the Dingwall side have achieved in six years. Malky Mackay's side must thank Regan Charles-Cook for a major part of last season's success, the top goal-scorer claimed 15 goal contributions overall for the Staggies. However, with the striker now off to Belgium side Eupen, it may see County struggle. In addition, Blair Spittal, another popular name also saw the exit door after a move to Motherwell. It’s unknown if County will get those whopping numbers into the back of the net this season, so, for now, a tenth-place spot looks possible for County.

Mackay’s Ross County side will be looking to build on the foundations laid by last season’s impressive top-six finish. (Image: Getty)

11. St. Mirren

It’s St. Mirren to endure the dreaded relegation spot. It's safe to say that the Buddies saw a slump in form after the departure of Jim Goodwin to Aberdeen. Since then, ex-Motherwell boss, Stephen Robinson took the helm and as it's his first full season in charge of the Paisley club, the transitional phase is in full effect. However, a League Cup group stage exit is not the greatest of starts, having failed to surpass both Arbroath and Airdrieonians. In addition, Conor Ronan has returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers, so, a creative player will be desperately needed to match the Irishman’s achievements last season.

Robinson will be looking to put the Buddies’ early League Cup exit behind them. (Image: Getty)

12. St. Johnstone

This could be the season we see the Perth side leave the top-flight of Scottish football after 14 years. Callum Davidson’s double winners have seen quite a clear out this transfer window, with key players such as, Zander Clark and top goal-scorer Callum Hendry all taking the exit door. The Saints were also amongst the Premiership sides to suffer an early exit from the League Cup. It’s safe to say their squad have not strengthened over the past few months and with a bland style of football played last season, a drop to the leagues below could serve as a possibility for Davidson's side.

Davidson won’t want to endure another flirt with relegation but rather extend his side’s long-running stint in the Premiership. (Image: Getty)

Well, there you have it. The ultimate predictions list has been made so we all know what that means... nothing on this list will come to fruition. Celtic to win? Second. St. Johnstone to go down? They’ll be travelling abroad in Europe next season. One thing that will be a guarantee is that the season will intake some cracking football, blunders, and especially multiple controversies. Oh, and don’t forget, we’ll have VAR to look forward to as well.

Scottish Premiership: Season 2022/2023 Predictions