Scottish Premiership returns
Scottish Premiership returns
The Scottish Premiership is set to return for the 2026-27 season this Friday. The previous season saw Celtic secure their 56th top-flight title, overcoming Hearts on the final day of the campaign. This followed a season where Hearts had led the league for an extended period.
The upcoming season will feature several managerial changes, with managers beginning permanent tenures. These include Wouter Vrancken, Martin O’Neill, and Craig McLeish at their respective clubs.
Celtic’s title defence and squad changes
Celtic, under manager Martin O’Neill, will aim to build on their success from last season. O’Neill, who had two interim spells in charge last term, was appointed permanent manager for a second time in June. The club has made two signings this summer: Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, for reported combined fees of around £15m. However, Daizen Maeda has departed to join Ipswich Town.
Despite securing the title last season, there has been some unrest among supporters. O’Neill has expressed a desire to bring in high-calibre players. Celtic have been linked with Real Oviedo and Egypt winger Haissem Hassan, as well as Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur. O’Neill stated that the club is trying to bring quality into the team. Celtic will begin their campaign at home against Dundee on Monday.
Rangers and Hearts prepare for the new season
Rangers have seen significant changes. He previously managed Hearts, bringing them close to a league title. Rangers have added players to their squad, six on permanent deals, including Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland. South Africa defender Olwethu Makhanya is also among the new recruits, and young Serbia international midfielder Vanja Dragojevic has joined. Shankland has been appointed skipper. Rangers will start their season away to Dundee United on Friday.
Hearts, after their strong performance last season, face the challenge of rebuilding. Manager Wouter Vrancken has arrived from Sint-Truiden. The club has seen nine players depart and 12 arrive. Hearts‘ season has begun with a loss to Sturm Graz in a Champions League qualifier. Former striker Ryan Stevenson commented on the new squad, stating, “Hearts just look as if it’s just a new squad flung in together, with the manager too, trying to find their way.”
VAR and other league developments
The use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) continues to be a discussion point in Scottish football. This will be the fifth season of VAR‘s implementation in Scotland, with opinions remaining divided among fans. Associations were recently advised that VAR should only intervene in “blatant” incidents. Last season, former Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt and Derek McInnes received sanctions for their reactions to a late penalty awarded to Celtic.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari expressed belief that the system will improve after a meeting with the Scottish Football Association’s VAR manager Martin Atkinson. The league also features other notable changes, including Stephen Robinson’s first full season at Pittodrie and Kilmarnock’s decision to replace their artificial surface with natural grass. Motherwell, despite losing key players like Watt and Elijah Just, have retained their methodical footballing approach and players such as Tawanda Maswanhise and Lukas Fadinger. Craig McLeish assumes the role at St Mirren. Dundee United will host Rangers on Friday.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
