You would have to be sorely tempted to place a bet on Rangers winning the Premiership title, according to Hugh Keevins, who admits he has long brought the prediction business into serious disrepute.
Rangers have strengthened to the detriment of Hearts by taking their manager, captain and top scorer, and on Saturday morning, another of their stand-out stars of last season. The Ibrox side have also signed others of a quality, and quantity, unmatched by their rivals across the city.
Other challengers fall short
Aberdeen have nine new arrivals so far, but none of them strengthen the argument that Pittodrie will be a place to watch in the new season. The rest of the clubs don't count in the Premiership stakes.
The Rangers signing who would cause betting to be suspended would be Lewis Ferguson from Bologna – but Keevins can't see it happening.
Historical perspective
Keevins recalls being old enough to remember when, in 1961, Denis Law went from Manchester City to Torino. National Service had only ended in December 1960, and ration books had only just stopped being used. That transfer introduced glamour into an otherwise drab existence.
The idea of a Scottish player leaving Serie A today to return to the Premiership sounds fanciful to him for that reason. No more Napoli, Juventus or Roma. Plenty more Falkirk, St Mirren and St Johnstone. And that's before we get to the size of Ferguson's transfer fee and the wage he'd be able to demand.
Impact on betting
If Rangers can overcome those hurdles and get their man, the concept of gambling responsibly will be under serious threat, Keevins adds.
