Millions of eyes from all around the world were fixed on the Scottish Premiership last season as Hearts bid to end the Glasgow-centric dominance that has reigned over Scotland since the 80s. Celtic got the title over the line at the last minute, which many will find disappointing, but the global attention on Scottish football can only be a good thing.
Hearts’ weren’t the only underdog story of last season with Motherwell and Falkirk providing excellent stories in their own right. Whilst the 2026/27 season certainly has a hard act to follow in terms of entertainment factor, here’s everything you need to know about the league heading into the next season.
Aberdeen:
It’s a first full season in charge for Stephen Robinson who replaced Jimmy Thelin in March. It’s always hard to predict how Aberdeen will fair as life post Derrick McInnes can best be described as a rollercoaster. Aberdeen have flirted with relegation the past few years before proving to be too big to go down. But of course, there is the third place season of 2022/23 and the Scottish Cup win in 2025 to counter.
It’s been a busy summer in the North East with 10 signings thus far. Stephen Robinson has re-united with Connor Ronan from their time at St. Mirren. They’ll hope the force is with them after signing Obi Wan Kenobi’s great-grandson in Nesta Guinness-Walker, Tony Yogane’s positive loan at Dundee has rewarded him with a move to Aberdeen. They’ve also added household Premiership names in Lewis Mayo and Brad Lyons to name a few.
Incomings: Connor Ronan, Alexander Briedl, Lewis Mayo, Brad Lyons, Toyosi Olusanya, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Dan Happe, Ayoub Mouloua, Marius Müller, Tony Yogane.
Outgoings: Topi Keskinen, Alexander Jensen, Graeme Shinnie, Ryan Duncan, Marko Lazetic, Tom Mcintrye, Per Kristian Bratviet, Elvis Bwomono, Vicente Besuijen, Alfie Stewart (loan), Alfie Bavidge (loan).
What to expect: Mid-table finish.
Celtic:
Celtic are now five-in-a-row champions, but it somehow feels like a dark cloud is hanging over the club. Despite the drama from the end of last season, it’s fair to say that last season’s Celtic side are probably the worst title winners in recent memory. Although, that speaks to just high the bar is for Celtic.
Martin O’Neill will lead Celtic out for another season after signing a further one-year deal, somewhat delaying another managerial appointment. Despite criticisms surrounding their performances or style of play, O’Neill’s Celtic have shown that they can really turn it up when it matters, You can look ash their second half dismantlement of St. Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final, or snatching the title from Hearts with just minutes remaining, or their comeback against Rangers in the split and much, much more.
Unfortunately for Celtic, the fall-out between the fans and the board continues after a lack of signings, with Celtic fans standing firmly behind the ‘not another penny’ campaign until they see change. Failures to secure new deals for Marcelo Sarrachi and Kelechi Iheanacho only add fuel to the fire too. It truly feels like a lot of discontent hangs over the club at the minute.
Incomings: Camilo Duran
Outgoings: Luis Palma, Maik Nawrocki, Kelechi Iheanacho, Stephen Welsh, Hayato Inamura, Josh Clarke, Shin Yamada (loan), Kasper Schmeichel (retired)
What to expect: Title contenders
Dundee:
When Stephen Pressely was appointed as Dundee boss last season, many eyebrows were raised from Dundee fans and neutrals alike, many even tipped them to go down, but Pressely kept them up at a canter.
They’ll be without last season’s star man in Luke Graham after the defender departed for Stoke in a club record deal. Losses of Trevor Carson and Jon McCracken in the goalkeeping department may force the club to look for a replacement between the posts.
Incomings: Idris Odutayo, Zan Besir, Alan Forrest, Ryan Finnigan, Owen Bevan
Outgoings: Luke Graham, Jon McCracken, Ethan Ingram, Clark Robertson, Paul Digby, Billy Koumetio, Emile Acquah, Lewis Montsma, Trevor Carson (retired)
What to expect: Bottom-half/ relegation candidates
Dundee United:
Much like his former club Aberdeen, Jim Goodwin’s recent career is another rollercoaster. When he took the Tannadice helm in 2023 the club was as good as relegated. Goodwin led them back to the Premiership at the first time of asking, before securing European football upon their Premiership return, even going toe-to-toe with Rapid Vienna in the conference league.
They seemed to revert to the mode with a bottom six finish last year. It’s been a busy window on the other side of Dens Road so far. Jack Walton has returned to the club, there’s also been promising signings from Australia whilst Dylan Tait is an impressive signing from their competitors in Falkirk.
Incomings: Jesse Randall, Lachlan Rose, Joshua Rawlins, Dylan Tait, Michael Forbes, Jordan Amissah, Jack Walton, Medhi Merghem, Idjessi Metsoko (loan)
Outgoings: Craig Sibbald, Ryan Strain, Ashely Maynard-Brewer, Johnny Russell, Kristijan Trapanovski, Dave Richards, Lewis O’Connell, Owen Stiron (loan), Ruairidh Adams (loan)
What to expect: Mid-table finish
Falkirk:
Falkirk returned to the Premiership after 16 years last season, marking a double-promotion with a top-six finish. A side who built on solid home performances last season and nearly secured European football in the process.
Falkirk are on the up at the moment and they can build on this success. Or, whatever goes up can come straight back down. They’ve lost star men from last season in Barney Stewart and Calvin Miller, Filip Lissah hasn’t returned to the club following an impressive loan spell. It could well get worse with John McGlynn being one of the leading contenders to replace Steve Clarke as Scotland boss.
Incomings: Lewis Nielson, Jack McMillan, Deniss Melniks, Craig Sibbald, Scott Tanser, Jay Hogarth, Ethan Laidlaw, Paul McGovern
Outgoings: Barney Stewart, Calvin Miller, Dylan Tait, Jamie Sneddon, Gary Oliver, Brian Graham, Rhys Walker, Sean Mackie
What to expect: Bottom-half finish
Heart Of Midlothian:
Hearts were mere minutes away from becoming the first non Old-Firm cub to win the league in over 40-years. Derrick McInnes has since departed for Rangers and its a completely new look Hearts side for the Wouter Vrancken era. Numerous new signings will look to fill the void left by the departures of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin.
They’ll start the season with Champions League qualifiers and look to build on last season’s success through Jamestown Analytics.
Incomings: Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Sabri Guendouz, Amadou Ba-Sy, Beau Reus, Josh McPake, Tom Renaud,MJ Kamson-Kamara, Calvin Miller, Cormac Daly
Outgoings: Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Islam Chesnokov, Lewis Nielson, Frankie Kent, Alan Forrest, Beni Banigime, Alexander Schwolow, Macualy Tait, Michael Steinwender, Cormac Daly (loan), Kenneth Vargas (loan), Harry Stone (loan), Liam McFarlane (loan), Calem Nieuwenhof (loan), Craig Gordon (retired)
What to expect: European football
Hibernian:
During his first season in charge, David Gray took Hibs from bottom of the league to a 17-match unbeaten run and third place. Last season levelled out with a 5th place finish as teams seemed to figure out Hibs’ one-dimensional style of play.
Hibs have made five signings so far, all of which from the EFL. Elie Youan is the only one to depart, but they could spend the season without Rocky Bushiri through injury. Frequent transfer rumours tout Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa away from the club. Mulligan has maintained he isn’t looking for a move away. Whilst it’s believed Hibs have placed a price tag on Chaiwa greater than the club record sale that seen Kieron Bowie move to Hellas Verona in January.
Incomings: Jason Kerr, Adam Mayor, Callum Wright, Azeem Abdulai, Nathan Lowe (loan)
Outgoings: Elie Youan
What to expect: European contenders
Kilmarnock:
Neil McCann saved Kilmarnock from relegation last season and despite missing the start of the club’s preseason thanks to punditry duty in America, has worked hard in the transfer window by offloading some unneeded names and bringing in new, exciting ones.
The main talking point for Kilmarnock heading into the season is their stadium surface. Kilmarnock have long boasted strong home form stemming from their astroturf pitch, but will return to grass for the season. Historically, they’ve also struggled away from home, but now it’s time to see if their home form stems from having a surface advantage, or if they simply enjoy playing in front of a Rugby Park crowd.
Incomings: Mark O’Hara, Roshaun Mathurin, Erik Ring, Callum Ferrie, Ieuan Owen, Bailey Rice (loan)
Outgoings: David Watson, Lewis Mayo, Brad Lyons, Liam Polworth, Robbie McCrorie, Kyle Magennis, Bruce Anderson, Matty Kennedy, Marley Watkins, Ben Brannan (loan)
What to expect: Bottom-half finish
Motherwell:
Jens Berthel Askou had Motherwell as the talk of the town last season, even within a crazy season where Celtic and Rangers weren’t at their best, it’s still quite remarkable that there was genuine debate on whether Motherwell could win the league. Much like Falkirk however, they’ve been picked apart this summer and that era could very well be over.
Askou has departed for Toulouse, key midfielders Elliot Watt and Callum Slattery have left the club, Stephen Welsh has signed for Swansea and Elijah Just is expected to join him.
Alfred Johansson has taken over the club this season and despite two short managerial spells between Jens Berthel Askou and Michael Wimmer, the Motherwell board have shown success when hiring left-field European managers. This has earned the trust of their supporters and could make Johansson one to watch this season, but this could well be a transitional season for Motherwell.
Incomings: Jake Girdwoord-Reich, Martin Moormann, Willy Vogt, Alex Paulsen (loan)
Outgoings: Callum Ward, Callum Slattery, Kofi Balmer, Elliot Watt, Liam Gordon, Sam Nicholson, Aston Oxborough, Zach Robinson, Andy Halliday (retired)
What to expect: Mid-table finish
Rangers:
Rangers endured an extremely disappointing season last time out. A disaster start under Russell Martin made him the shortest serving Rangers manager ever. It looked like Danny Rohl picked up the pieces but a poor end to the season saw Rangers limp into third. Rohl has since departed for Red Bull Salzburg as Derrick Iciness has finally become Rangers boss, whilst taking Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin with him.
Rangers’ fairest critique in recent years has been their recruitment, but it seems they’ve played this window extremely sensible. Players like Shankland and Devlin are proven in Scotland and there should be little question marks over their other signings.
This should be Rangers’ best chance in a league in a long time, even if it’s thanks to an almost inevitable Celtic decline.
Incomings: Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Ross McCrorie, Dan Neil, Ivor Pandur, Ben Godfrey (loan)
Outgoings: Jack Butland, Leon King, Ben Davies, James Tavernier, Kieran Wright, Bailey Rice (loan)
What to expect: Champions
St. Johnstone:
Much like Jim Goodwin at Dundee United, when Simo Valakri took over at St. Johnstone, they were as good as gone. Once more, he guided his side back to the Premiership at the first time of asking and played some seriously impressive football along the way.
Following their promotion, they’ve taken some of the Scottish Championship’s best players with them on the way. St. Johnstone should look to lean on their Premiership establishment, as well as some sides being on decline whilst they’re on the up to remain in the division.
Incomings: Unax Alvarez, Logan Chalmers, Danny Finlayson, Matty Todd, Macualy Tait, Toby Stewart (loan), Zaxh Mitchell (loan)
Outgoings: Josh McPake, Jonathan Svedberg, Scott Bright, Sven Sprangler, Franciszek Franczak, Reghan Tumility, Stephen Mallan
What to expect: Bottom-half finish
St. Mirren:
You’d be forgiven for thinking St. Mirren made a deal with the devil to win the League Cup last season. Whilst injuries certainly stacked up, it seemed their season derailed from there. However, Premiership football remained in Paisley after a play-off win over Partick Thistle.
Craig McLeish replaced Stephen Robinson on an interim basis last season but has been rewarded with the full-time role for his part in the club’s survival. Less than impressive signings present him with the task of repeating the feat.
Incomings: Samuel Ramos, Henry Fieldson, Chris Mochrie, Ryan Carr, Jacob Chapman, Esesoa Sule
Outgoings: Mark O’Hara, Dan Nlundulu, Oisin Smith, Scott Tanser, Miguel Freckelton, Conor McMenamin, James Scott, Luke Kenny, Callum Penman (loan)
What to expect: Relegation candidates
Given the Premiership’s nature, there will be at least one change in this line-up to the 2027/28 season. Whilst its early doors, Partick Thistle seem a safe call for promotion. The differing class between the Premiership and Championship seems apparent, but Partick Thistle could look to blur this line next season.
They enjoyed an unbeaten home campaign in 2025/26 and whilst there’s no guarantee they do the same this season, it’s certainly a building block to their next promotion push.