Scottish Premiership Season Preview Part Two

From Kilmarnock to Rangers as seen from Row Z

Jul 30, 2026

Hello

In the background FIFA are trying to blow up world football. In the foreground the new SPFL season is upon us. I’ll let the Football Gods deal with the big picture problem and focus on part two of the Premiership season preview.

Like part one, there are no firm predictions, just a gut feeling as to how things might pan out. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Kilmarnock

Last year Bloomhearts, Motherwell and Falkirk were the surprise packages. My feeling is that Killie will be this season’s upstarts. After his World Cup saltiness Neil McCann is going to take things to the next level. Why? How? Because Rugby Pugby is back with a new grass pitch!

That horrific plastic pitch was a big home advantage but is a factor in atrocious away form. Honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the Killie boys play barefoot on this carpet.

Leith Football Team

Last season was a crushing bore of a season for Leith fans. Once they were papped out the Scottish Cup the season just drifted on and on.

Can you call them an enigma? Any good result or performance is usually followed up with a poor one and a “nowhere near good enough” from Sir David Gray.

Given that this season has started with another Jekyll & Hyde pair of performances in Europe I think we’re in for more of the same as last season. That’s kinda dispiriting.

Sadly it feels like at some point David is going to get punted and a bottom six is looming.

Motherwell

The Jens BA era last one season but what a glorious football season it was. Watt, Just, Slattery may be gone too but you’ve got to trust the process and the new head coach Young Alfred Johansson. I know I am.

There’s bound to be some sort of drop off from last season but you wouldn’t rule out another top six finish. I’m looking forward to watching their football.

Paisley Saints

Do you believe in Craig McLeish then Buddies? I’m apprehensive at this point. Paisley have lost a few key players including captain Mark O’Hara so the focus this season may be McLeish’s young pups that he knows so well. And Alex Gogic.

It’s what makes previews such a guessing game. We really have no idea at this stage. You sense it might be another struggle of a season for the Saints and there probably isn’t going to be a trophy this time. Sorry.

Perth Saints

The last time they were in the top tier Saints played a dull brand of losing football. Last season they won the Championship by keeping the sheets clean as the catalyst for pretty dour but winning football.

But that’s all about to change because THE PERTH SAINTS ARE BACK BABY AND THEYRE GOING TO BLOW YOU AWAY thanks to Simo Valikari’s new philosophy.

Yes, he’s grown his hair, squeezed himself into his spandex and is bringing it every week. The Premiership will not know what’s hit them. Honest.

The Rangers

The dust has settled on the seismic changes at Ibrix. The proof of the pudding will be based on results and results only. No excuses. No bottle crashing. Brand McInnes is facing its biggest ever examination. Can going full retro make Rangers deliver?

I’m inclined to believe that The Rangers can win the league UNLESS the Celtic board properly splash the cash to stop them. It’s a wee bit of a shame that the thinking has gone backwards to past glories rather than being progressive (but not a Russell Martin or Danny Rohl type of progressive). Maybe that’s the only way it can work for them to be successful, to fall on those staunch values. It certainly arouses a chunk of the support and most of the McInnes slurping media. We know who they are.

So there we are. The Rangers to win it with a caveat based on Celtic transfer business. 12th place is going to be a battle of the Saints I fear.

Now, over to you.

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