Key events
The Premiership season is nearing its start, while the transfer market remains active.
Ewan Murray’s season preview
As Scotland’s Premiership season kicks off on Saturday, the only real challenge to Celtic comes from within. Rangers seem far behind, both on the field and off. This assessment reflects their current situation, making them relocate to Hampden Park for the early matches of the season due to unfinished upgrades on disabled facilities at Ibrox.
Preamble
Football is back and the new season of the Scottish Premiership kicks off with a thrilling game at Tynecastle: Hearts, who came in third last season, face the runners-up Rangers. Concerns loom at Ibrox over the scale of the task facing Philippe Clement given the lack of optimism in the pre-season.
This summer, Clement brought in nine players, focusing on building for the future, while a number of aging regulars have exited the club.
Providing further backing, Rangers confirmed an extension to Clement’s contract yesterday, valid through 2028, asking for understanding as the team prepares for this match. Good luck with that!
If Rangers falter, Hearts are in a strong position to fill the top spot. Nonetheless, they will face a busy schedule with at least eight European games. As always, much hinges on the performance of Lawrence Shankland, last season’s award winner, who has netted 24 goals in both of his seasons at Tynecastle.
Kick off 12.30pm.
