THE gutsy challenge Aberdeen launched for the Scottish title last season made for the most interesting top flight campaign since Rangers were involved three years ago.

The Dons stayed hard on the heels of defending champions Celtic until the closing weeks when the Parkhead club finally edged clear and prevailed.

Kris Commons insisted afterwards that he had not been aware of any threat to the Glasgow club’s domestic supremacy in a typically provocative statement.

But Derek McInnes ’s side impressed many in the game in this country with their all-round play and their general consistency.

And hopes are high ahead of the new term, which kicks off when the league flag is unfurled at Celtic Park before kick-off in their game with Ross County on Saturday, that the months ahead will throw up a genuine contest.

Even the players, coaching staff and supporters at Celtic would welcome having their dominance tested by Aberdeen or another club in the continued absence of the Gers.

But it would not, in the first year of a sponsorship deal with gambling giants Ladbrokes, be very wise to bet on it.

Aberdeen have certainly recruited well during the close season. Paul Quinn, Graeme Shinnie and Danny Ward should make them even more formidable opponents than they were last time around.

However, Celtic have not exactly been dormant on that front either. Ronny Deila has brought in Dedryk Boyata from Manchester City, Nadir Ciftci from Dundee United and Saidy Janko from Manchester United among others. Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven arrived from United back in January.

Adam Matthews is the only first team regular to depart and, despite continuing speculation, Virgil van Dijk remains on the books. Assistant manager John Collins insisted this week the Dutch centre half would be staying if a place in the Champions League group stages was secured.

So Celtic should also be even stronger than they were 12 months ago and should therefore lift their fifth title in succession with little difficulty.

he 17 point margin that Ronny Deila’s charges ultimately won by last season certainly suggested they were, as Commons contended, untroubled by their nearest Premiership opponents.

There were several factors which complicated their season too. Progressing to the knockout stages of the Europa League undoubtedly prevented the Hoops from focusing solely on landing their fourth consecutive league crown.

Negotiating their league programme successfully was also hindered by the fact that Deila was a newcomer not just to Celtic but also to Glasgow and Scotland as well.

The size of the club, the demands for success and the intense scrutiny he was under in the media and from the fans, took time for the Norwegian to get to grips with.

A dire start to his tenure in Europe – when his side was first thrashed by Legia Warsaw and then, after they had been given a Uefa reprieve, knocked out by NK Maribor in the Champions League – did not help his cause to begin with.

But Deila has recovered well from that difficult spell. He appears happy in his new surroundings, is popular with the support and is comfortable dealing with the press, radio and television. Most importantly, he has stamped his personality on the team.

Celtic side defeated Aberdeen in all four of their Premiership matches last season, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in the process. It would be a major upset if they were pipped to the title by anyone come next May.