THE 2023-24 Scottish Premiership season is almost upon us.
And just to spice things up a little before we kick-off ten months of wonderfully mediocre football, bragging rights and conspiracy theories, I thought I’d set the tone by dishing out some of my HOTTEST takes before the chaos gets underway…
Early doors
IT’S the events at Rugby Park I am most interested in this weekend.
Rangers have spent big in the summer, forking out roughly £15m on new transfers.
Ibrox skipper James Tavernier labelled the reformed squad “the land of the giants” with additions like 6′ 3″ Sam Lammers and 6′ 1″ Dujon Sterling.
So you just know that on their trip to Ayrshire, hosts Kilmarnock will score from a corner inside the opening five minutes.
But that fixture isn’t my pick for a shock result on the opening day. Instead, I’m going for newly promoted Dundee to sink top-six chasing Motherwell at Dens Park.
Surprise package
AND it’s the Dee’s who I am backing to exceed expectations this year.
After winning the second division last term, they will look to cement their place back among the big hitters.
It won’t be easy for the Dundonians, but with signings such as experienced Premiership goalkeeper Trevor Carson and tricky winger Scott Tiffoney, they can avoid the relegation dogfight.
Let’s give the refs a break!
I KNOW, I can’t believe I said it either.
But our officials must be under the most microscopic scrutiny of any in the world.
When VAR was introduced, it was supposed to help them get more decisions right, but it only fuelled Scottish football’s ridiculous obsessions with bias and conspiracy.
Yes, there have been some utterly bizarre calls, even with the aid of technology, but human error exists, people.
And for the umpteenth time –they are not against your team!
So the next time you’re at a game, have some respect for the wee baldy guy running about with the whistle.
Player of the year – Danilo (Rangers)
IT’S about time we had added some Brazilian flair to our game once again.
The former Feyenoord striker could be a key man for the Gers this campaign with his qualities in the final third.
Going down
DEATH, taxes and St Johnstone away.
The Perthshire side have had a good run at it (14 topflight seasons and a cup double to be precise) but it’s time to go.
At least, that’s if their disastrous League Cup group stage exit is anything to go by.
It would be a shame because I always enjoy a trip to McDiarmid Park, having been to a game there on many occasions over the past decade.
I will miss those pies.
The winner takes it all
BIG spending Rangers will be the ones lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy in May.
I mean, they’ve simply got to.
Given the investment in Michael Beale’s side, it would be a catastrophe for the Light Blues to not at least pose a serious challenge to Brendan Rodgers and Celtic.
And with that take, I’m away to bury my head in the sand until next summer.
Jay’s league predictions in full:
1. Rangers
2. Celtic
3. Aberdeen
4. Hibernian
5. Hearts
6. Motherwell
7. St Mirren
8. Livingston
9. Kilmarnock
10. Dundee
11. Ross County
12. St Johnstone
