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 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 tomorrow, 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 than they were last time around.
However, Celtic have not exactly been dormant on that front either. Ronny Deila has brought in Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City, Nadir Ciftci from Dundee United and Saidy Janko from Manchester United among others.
Adam Matthews is the only 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 stay 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 easily make it five in a row.
The 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.
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 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 and is popular with the support. More importantly, he has stamped his personality on the team.
Celtic 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.
MATTHEW LINDSAY
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic. Ronny Deila was only denied a debut-season clean sweep by awful refereeing in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Inverness. He is far more comfortable than he was 12 months ago. Hard to see anybody challenging them.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Celtic to win both of. But Aberdeen will will be determined to go further in the months ahead.
Which team do expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
I can only see Aberdeen challenging Celtic. The other clubs lack the quality and strength in depth to launch a sustained challenge.
Which team will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Hamilton have never got to grips with the loss of manager Alex Neil.
Which player could be this season’s breakout star?
I would like to see James Forrest enjoy a run in the Celtic team. He could be a potent weapon for Scotland in their remaining Euro 2016 games if he overcomes his injury woes. Stuart Armstrong will also be a massive player for Ronny Deila’s side.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
Jackie McNamara. He has lost the spine of his Dundee United team in the last season or so. But the Tannadice fans still have huge expectations.
How do you think Rangers will fare and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
Early days but things look promising under Mark Warburton. They have brought in some exciting young players. Reaching the League Cup or Scottish Cup Final is not beyond them.
GARY KEOWN
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic by a mile, but suggesting they should be odds-on to win a Treble is sheer stupidity. There are reasons why the Treble has only been done three times by better Celtic sides than this one.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Celtic will win the Scottish Cup as it reaches its conclusion when European commitments ease. The League Cup is a different kettle of fish. Inverness have come close to silverware of late, so let’s go for them.
Which team do expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
No one will make any kind of meaningful challenge to Celtic. Look at the finances. How can they?
Which team will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Hamilton’s form in the second half of last season was abysmal and will bring surefire relegation should it continue. Motherwell will find it tough too.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
James Tavernier at Rangers.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
Martin Canning at Hamilton.
How do you think Rangers will fare and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
No. Rangers fans should expect their team to skate the Championship and be competing for all trophies given the size of the wage bill. Will that transpire, though? Unlikely. They should win the Championship, but the only other trophy likely to be placed in the cabinet is the Petrofac Training Cup.
CHRIS JACK
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic will win the Premiership fairly easily. It must be a disappointment that they haven’t managed a clean sweep in recent seasons. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they did it, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they didn’t, either.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Celtic will be determined to make up for last season’s Scottish Cup heartache, while Aberdeen look well placed to mount another bid for the League Cup.
Which team do expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
Aberdeen have improved from last term but it won’t be enough to win the league.
Which team/teams do you think will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Hamilton need to start quickly while Kilmarnock and Motherwell must improve if they are to avoid the basement battle.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
James Tavernier looks the pick of the Rangers signings.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
It is a big campaign for Martin Canning at Accies and Motherwell’s Ian Baraclough too.
How do you think Rangers will fare over the the season and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
The title, not just promotion, is a must and the Petrofac Training Cup should finally be won. Runs in the Scottish Cup and League Cups are not a priority, but they should be used as a gauge ahead of a potential Premiership return.
NEIL CAMERON
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic by at least a dozen points. The only hope of a title race is that Celtic get into the Champions League, Aberdeen go out of Europe and the extra days and travelling could take their toll. But a Treble is a bridge too far.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Celtic for the Scottish. League Cup? Aberdeen, though I have a feeling about Motherwell.
Which team do expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
Again, it’s Aberdeen. They have added rather than lost players and score goals. Inverness will be up there and maybe Hearts at a push.
Which team/teams do you think will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Hamilton are favourites to go down. The squad on paper lacks quality. The play-off place is between Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
Jamie Walker at Hearts was a star in the Championship. He can do the same in the Premiership.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
I fear for Martin Canning if Hamilton can’t get off to a decent start.
How do you think Rangers will fare over the course of the season and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
Forget the cups. It’s all about automatic promotion. The win against Hibernian made you think Mark Warburton has already worked some magic. However, let’s see how the first 10 games go.
SCOTT MULLEN
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Impossible to look beyond Celtic. But the distraction of Champions League football, if they get that far, may hamper cup hopes.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Aberdeen are in with a shout for the League Cup, while a resurgent Motherwell may end their 25-year wait for silverware by repeating Scottish Cup history at Hampden.
Which team do expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
Aberdeen. They have strengthened well with Graeme Shinnie and Danny Ward.
Which team/teams do you think will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Dundee United. Nadir Ciftci’s decision to follow Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Stevens to Celtic could be a fatal blow. Only a faltering Hamilton could save them.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
Dom Thomas at Motherwell.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
Ronny Deila at Celtic. Champions League qualification will determine how his season is judged. A repeat of last season’s haul of title, a League Cup and Europa League progression won’t be enough to satisfy many.
How do you think Rangers will fare and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
Putting six past Hibs last weekend sent out a clear message Rangers mean business. However, it would be naive to suggest anything more than promotion or a Petrofac Training Cup win is already on the cards.
GRAEME MACPHERSON
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic won with 17 points to spare last season. The margin should be around the same this term. Celtic should win the Treble but there are teams good enough to beat them if they have an off-day.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Celtic will win the Scottish Cup but the League Cup ribbons will be red for Aberdeen.
Which team do expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
Aberdeen. Keeping Derek McInnes as manager was a real boost, as was the capture of Graeme Shinnie from Inverness.
Which team do you think will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Hamilton given the way they plunged down the table in the second half of last season. Losing Stephen Hendrie and Jason Scotland won’t help their cause either.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
Kenny McLean could make a name for himself at Aberdeen after his January switch from St Mirren.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
Hamilton’s Martin Canning, though Ian Bara-clough may find himself in the spotlight if he can’t steer Motherwell from the foot of the table.
How do you think Rangers will fare and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
Rangers should win the Championship and should do so at the second attempt. They may also add the Petrofac Cup but the two major domestic cups will likely prove beyond them.
ALISON McCONNELL
Who is your tip to win the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic will win the SPFL. The question of a domestic Treble is more difficult to achieve. Certainly, that will be their aim but over any 90-minute game they will and can be beaten.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Aberdeen or Dundee United are genuine contenders for one of the domestic cups. Aberdeen for the Scottish Cup but Celtic for the League Cup.
Which team do you expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
Aberdeen. Derek McInnes, however, has to make the head-to-heads against Celtic count as Aberdeen did not beat Celtic in the SPFL last season.
Which team/teams do you think will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Hamilton for me, though I suspect Ross County and Kilmarnock may struggle too.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
Adam Rooney, if he can bang in the goals the way he did last term.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
Ian Baraclough will know he has to do better than last season but any SPFL manager who struggles for results will feel the heat.
How do you think Rangers will fare and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
Rangers will win the Championship, but their support will also want to see strong runs in the cups. Their display in the Petrofac Cup against Hibs suggests an organisation and energy that has been notably absent.
GRAEME McGARRY
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Premiership and do you think Celtic are odds-on to win the Treble?
Celtic will win the league, but hopefully another one or two teams can keep it interesting. Ronny Deila will be aiming for the treble, but I don’t think they will manage it.
Who is your tip to win the Scottish Cup/League Cup and why.
Aberdeen, second strongest team in Scotland, will take Scottish Cup honours. Hearts can use momentum from cruising Championship to win the League Cup.
Which team do you expect to most closely challenge Celtic and why?
Aberdeen are the main challengers, and I like the way Derek McInnes has strengthened in the summer. Paul Quinn and Andrew Shinnie are good signings.
Which team/teams do you think will struggle to avoid relegation and why?
Kilmarnock and Hamilton. Killie need Kris Boyd to recapture the heights of his last season at Rugby Park. Hamilton need to reverse last season’s form slump.
Which player do you think could be this season’s breakout star?
Luke Watt at Motherwell is ready to nail down the right-back position at Fir Park.
Which manager do you think will be under most pressure this season?
Jackie McNamara. Dundee United’s form in 2015 has been poor. Gary Locke could be in for a tough time too.
How do you think Rangers will fare and is challenging for the Championship trophy the best their fans can realistically expect?
Title favourites obviously, but I can’t see them seriously challenging for silverware outwith the Petrofac Training Cup.
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