The final five days. Just one more working week until we have kick-off in Scotland with the Scottish Premiership, starting at Pittodrie at 12.30pm on Saturday with Aberdeen welcoming Rangers. Of course, it will be slightly surreal without any fans but the most important thing is football is returning.
The next few days will be full of predictions, opinions and maybe some optimism. On top of the build-up there will be some tense moments in the transfer market, notable Alfredo Morelos possibly leaving Rangers and then there is the Hearts and Partick Thistle arbitration process.
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Scottish Football LIVE - latest news, transfer speculation and more
Alfredo Morelos admits he hopes to play in a more competitive league.
The Colombian, who has been linked with a move to Lille, revealed he has had talks with clubs but there has been no agreement.
Speaking to a broadcaster in his homeland, he said: “There are clubs that have spoken but formally there is no agreement.
“If they make me choose between the European leagues, I like them all. Now I am waiting because there is nothing concrete. But if something was to happen we hope to have the opportunity in a more competitive league.”
Ex-Rangers striker Kenny Miller believes the club will have a player lined up to come in and replace Alfredo Morelos before Saturday’s season opener with Aberdeen.
The Colombian has been heavily linked with a move to French side Lille.
Miller told BBC: “It would be a concerning time for Rangers fans going into this game on Saturday without Alfredo, but I would imagine that there must be a ready-made replacement ready to come in and lead that line on Saturday, or I would definitely hope so.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has spoken of his delight at the arbitration process decision which has upheld Hearts and Partick Thistle’s relegations.
He said: “This is a clear, comprehensive and unanimous decision. I am absolutely delighted that our approach has been vindicated throughout, following an intense period of legal scrutiny and review.
“It has been a very demanding process, but I had complete confidence in the actions and decisions of the SPFL board and the SPFL executive team.”
Rangers could pay £2m off the fee received for Alfredo Morelos to Helsinki, report the Scottish Sun.
The deal which brought the Colombian from the Finnish side had a sell-on clause
Celtic have been linked with a move for ex-Hibs striker Steven Fletcher.
Hoops boss Neil Lennon said: “He’s on a long list of players that I am sure a lot of clubs are looking at.”
The Scotland star is a free agent having left Sheffield Wednesday.