For eight of the 12 top-flight clubs, their season has already begun with seven involved in League Cup action to mixed success and Motherwell venturing into the Europa Conference League for the first time.

We look ahead to the new campaign for the 12 Premiership sides and their current state of play:

Aberdeen

How are they currently placed:

The squad has been overhauled following last season's tenth place finish. The early signs are positive as they eased through the Premier Sports Group stages with new signings contributing and players from last season finding a new lease of life. The team is younger and playing on the front foot.

Still need to strengthen:

Jim Goodwin has spoken of cover at left-back and more creativity. A No.10 to provide a central attacking presence and create chances would be welcome.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst will likely contest the Scottish Premiership title. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Fan confidence:

There were certainly some doubts about the direction under Jim Goodwin following the end of last season but many of those are being eradicated.

Player to watch:

Matty Kennedy – Over a back issue which hampered him last season. Has been flying in pre-season and the League Cup. Has a freedom to rotate with Vicente Besuijen and Jonny Hayes.

Hearts have had plenty of pre-season work. (Photo by Roddy Scott / SNS Group)

Prediction: 4th

Celtic

How are they currently placed:

The Scottish champions look primed to retain their league title with all key players having been retained with extra quality in depth. The likes of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley have had the second half of last season to adapt.

Jim Goodwin has been able to put his own stamp on the Aberdeen squad. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Still need to strengthen:

Someone with the capacity to add an element of robustness at the base of the midfield could be required in the Champions League.

Fan confidence:

Pretty, pretty high. They are Scottish champions after all.

Player to watch:

Jota – There is plenty of choice but the Portuguese winger, in this writer’s eyes, will be the player of the season.

Kilmarnock are back in the Premiership with Derek McInnes as manager. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Prediction: 1st

Dundee United

How are they currently placed:

They have recruited a very good manager in Jack Ross, added some very good players in the transfer window but work is still required.

Still need to strengthen:

Defensive options, namely left-back, a solid presence in midfield and perhaps a creative midfield option.

Fan confidence:

There is excitement for the new campaign with a new manager, Dylan Levitt back and a European campaign but more additions would make United fans that bit happier.

Player to watch:

Tony Watt – The striker scored just once following his January arrival from Motherwell. But with Steven Fletcher added, it will give him someone to play off. It is a partnership which should excite.

Prediction: 5th

Hearts

How are they currently placed:

It has been a productive pre-season for the team who finished third. They have been able to give plenty of minutes to players, ease those with injury issues back into the fold, while seeing new signings perform well.

Still need to strengthen:

Robbie Neilson wants another centre-back, fans want another back-up goalkeeper. A forward with pace to stretch games would be useful.

Fan confidence:

It is very positive. Season-tickets sold out and European trips to look forward to.

Player to watch:

Alan Forrest – The winger has been excellent in pre-season. Has the ability to put some excellent numbers on the board with goals and assists.

Prediction: 3rd

Hibs

How are they currently placed:

Out of the Premier Sports Cup and going into the league season on a low, especially after an administration “boo-boo” which saw an ineligible player feature in a draw with Greenock Morton.

Still need to strengthen:

Another centre-back and perhaps a striker. With Kevin Nisbet still recovering from injury Christian Doidge is the only out-and-out striker with others more versatile.

Concerns:

With the most signings, how the team gels and how new players adapt to Scottish football.

Player to watch:

Elie Youan – A fast, strong attacker who will trouble defences with his speed in behind and ability to score different types of goals.

Prediction: 6th

Kilmarnock

How are they currently placed:

The Championship winners have got on with their business quietly and are in a relatively good position for their return to the top-flight.

Still need to strengthen:

A left-sided defender or wing-back plus more attacking creativity or goals from midfield.

Fan confidence:

There is an expectation to come back into the top-flight and give a good account of themselves especially with Derek McInnes as manager.

Player to watch:

Ryan Alebiosu – The early impressions are positive of the Arsenal loanee who could give Killie what Stephen O’Donnell did down the right.

Prediction: 9th

Livingston

How are they currently placed:

Livi were tested in the Premier Sports Cup, losing to Inverness CT but showing a strong spirit to win at Cove Rangers with ten men. David Martindale has talked of the club punching above their weight to finish in the top six.

Where they still need to strengthen:

Martindale has revealed he is keen to bring in a versatile attacker.

Fan confidence:

Livi have held onto the majority of their key players off the back of another good league campaign. It’s good in West Lothian.

Player to watch:

Joel Nouble – The forward starts the season at Livi and will bring chaos to the club’s attack with his touch, balance and stature.

Prediction: 8th

Motherwell

How are they currently placed:

The squad appeared to be in a good position for their return to Europe. A loss to Sligo Rovers has brought about understandable negativity.

Still need to strengthen:

More options in attack, especially a central striker.

Fan confidence:

All you need to do is see the reaction following the Sligo defeat to realise that Well supporters are not going into the season full of confidence, excitement or expectation.

Player to watch:

Ryan Tierney – The Irish midfielder is a cracking midfield prospect. Strong and mobile, handles the ball very well.

Prediction: 10th

Rangers

How are they currently placed:

Tough pre-season tests against West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur have shown they are in a good position with plenty of squad options. The club have brought in significant transfer fees for Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey with some reinvested.

Still need to strengthen:

The club hope to do a deal for left-back Ridvan Yilmaz. There will be those supporters who would be keen on another forward option.

Fan confidence:

The run to the Europa League final and end of the season has given fans belief Giovanni van Bronckhorst is the man to lead the title challenge.

Player to watch:

Rabbi Matondo – An edge-of-your-seat player who will excite with his speed and dribbling ability. A different profile to any other in the Ibrox squad.

Prediction: 2nd

Ross County

How are they currently placed:

There has been a big change in the squad with ten new signings. Key players Joseph Hungbo, Blair Spittal and Regan Charles-Cook have all left but there has been a lot of talent brought in with permanent deals taking precedence over loans. They have improved throughout the League Cup group stage.

Still need to strengthen:

The Staggies are in a good position. Malky Mackay noted: “There are options coming off the bench that are as strong as what’s coming off the pitch.”

Fan confidence:

County supporters are in a position to be excited by the new campaign. It can be argued the squad looks better as a whole than it did last campaign when they finished in the top six.

Player to watch:

Josh Sims – Plenty of choice from the new signings but the former Southampton player was added during last season and if he gets up and running will be a key performer.

Prediction: 7th

St Johnstone

How are they currently placed:

Being brutally honest, Saints look like they could be in for another tough season. The League Cup was difficult, failing to get out of the group and giving up easy goals.

Still need to strengthen:

A goalkeeper. It is only a matter of days before the league kicks off and they have still not replaced Zander Clark.

Fan confidence:

Low. The support have not been sold on the recruitment, wary of the rising average age of the squad.

Player to watch:

Graham Carey – Back in Scotland after spells in England and Bulgaria. Has a wonderful left-foot and looks like he will be played as an attacker.

Prediction: 12th

St Mirren

How are they currently placed:

Stephen Robinson has been able to put his stamp on the team, adding the likes of Declan Gallagher and Mark O’Hara who he has worked with previously, but it has not started positively, dumped out of the League Cup with defeats to Airdrieonians and Arbroath.

Still need to strengthen:

Increased creativity having drawn a blank in both defeats.

Fan confidence:

Going by the reaction of fans at the Airdrie game, not high. Not high at all. The season opener against Motherwell will paint a clearer picture.

Player to watch:

Alex Greive – The New Zealand international had a positive impact in the second half of the season becoming somewhat of a fan favourite.

Prediction: 11th

Scottish Premiership state of play - Celtic favourites, Rangers signings, Aberdeen overhaul, Hearts & Hibs confidence

Comments