The new Scottish Premiership season is upon us, and the prospect of a genuine three-horse title race has fans buzzing. Last season's thrilling contest saw Hearts lead for 250 days before Celtic snatched the title at Celtic Park in May. The Daily Record has produced an unofficial guide packed with interviews, analysis, team-by-team previews, summer signings, manager profiles, stadium focuses, and every fixture for the season ahead.
Hearts face rebuild after key departures
Hearts must regroup after a bruising summer. Manager Derek McInnes, striker Lawrence Shankland, and midfielder Cammy Devlin have all moved to Rangers. Wouter Vrancken takes over the rebuild, with fans hoping the Tony Bloom-led scouting system can unearth new talent from France, Belgium, and North Macedonia. Fresh energy will be vital after the gut-punch finish to last season.
Celtic and Rangers: Old rivals, new dynamics
At Celtic, Martin O'Neill returns after delivering a dramatic double, remaining the glue in a fragile relationship between fans and the board. Rangers believe Derek McInnes' knowhow and Shankland's goals can finally end Celtic's dominance, having won just one top-flight title in 14 years.
Motherwell, Hibs, and Falkirk make waves
Motherwell were last season's entertainers, finishing fourth under Jens Berthel Askou, who has since moved to Toulouse. New boss Alfred Johansson takes them into the Conference League. Hibernian also enter that competition after beating Partizan Belgrade last summer, and they beat both Celtic and Rangers away for the first time since 1984/85. Falkirk impressed on their return to the top flight, finishing in the top half and reaching the cup semi-finals, but have lost key players Calvin Miller and Barney Stewart.
Dundee derby, Aberdeen rebuild, and more
The Dundee derby remains tight after last season ended with just three points separating the rivals. Aberdeen have slipped to ninth after winning the 2024/25 Scottish Cup, and manager Stephen Robinson faces a major rebuild. Kilmarnock ended a 17-match winless run in January to spark a turnaround under Neil McCann. St Mirren started the season as League Cup holders after denying Celtic a domestic treble, but needed a play-off to stay up. Craig McLeish has been appointed permanently after an interim spell. St Johnstone return to the top flight as Championship champions, 11 points clear, but have lost Josh McPake to Hearts.
