Rangers kick off the season on Saturday against Hearts but do not expect McCoist's side to be first when the campaign ends

CELTIC: Last season 2nd. Prediction 1st

Neil Lennon's willingness to stick with the vast majority of the squad which was pipped to the title in May illustrates how content the Celtic manager is with levels of improvement under his watch.

History suggests Lennon's team, which was swiftly pieced together a year ago, will be stronger this time around. The manager is still seeking a clear first-choice goalkeeper and would like an experienced, big-name signing before the transfer window closes. Still, the failure thus far of any English club to follow up interest in Celtic's star players of last season with concrete bids will please Lennon. He needs a championship win this season to endorse improvement, and should get that.

RANGERS: Last season 1st. Prediction 2nd

Perhaps more fascinating than on-field matters could be how the dynamic between Ally McCoist, the new Rangers manager, and the owner, Craig Whyte, plays out. Given that people within Rangers have publicly stated the playing staff was in major need of an overhaul this summer, the slow-burn nature of that will give supporters cause for concern. Whyte has secured Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Steven Whittaker on long-term contracts; which seems sensible with the protection of assets in mind.

There are no suggestions McCoist will struggle in management but his fate is entirely in Whyte's hands. The early evidence suggests Celtic are the more confident with the squad at their disposal, thus their favourites' tag for the SPL.

HEARTS: Last season 3rd. Prediction 3rd

The policy at Tynecastle is clear: there is downsizing going on to lower a wage bill which has been unsustainable in recent years. The close-season arrival of players on free transfers from Kilmarnock and St Johnstone demonstrates that.

Still, Hearts retain the strongest squad outside of the Old Firm. If two of their key players, Andrew Driver and Kevin Kyle, can regain fitness and David Templeton shows the form displayed in the early part of last season, the Edinburgh club can improve on pre-season form which showed them as blunt in front of goal.

DUNDEE UNITED: Last season 4th. Prediction 4th

The impressive work carried out by Peter Houston at Tannadice since he replaced Craig Levein is often overlooked. United came close to nicking third place from Hearts last season, a fine achievement given the gap in resources between the clubs.

Houston has lost Craig Conway, Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben, all important figures. Yet the return to United of Willo Flood gives Houston confidence, and as long as clubs are unwilling to meet United's valuation of David Goodwillie, they have one of Scotland's best young talents at their disposal.

ABERDEEN: Last season 9th. Prediction 5th

The decline of Aberdeen – shown in relatively dismal attendances at Pittodrie – is one of Scottish football's many tales of woe. Craig Brown has promised a stronger and more skilful approach from his players this term; the 71-year-old at least has the experience to know what should succeed at this level.

A fresh start awaits for Aberdeen as and when they move to a new, purpose-build stadium on the outskirts of the city. Expect Brown to oversee steady improvement on the field in the coming months.

MOTHERWELL: Last season 6th. Prediction 6th

An expected exodus of Motherwell's best players did not really materialise over the close season. John Sutton's exit to Hearts should be offset by the arrival of a similar type of striker, Michael Higdon.

The impressive Steve Jennings signed a new deal at Motherwell and Jamie Murphy, so far at least, has not been subject of the kind of bid his ability merits. As a player, Stuart McCall knew all about success in Scotland. Given the resources at his disposal, a top-six finish would represent that in his first full season as the Motherwell manager.

ST JOHNSTONE: Last season 8th. Prediction 7th

A woeful goalscoring record last season undermined Derek McInnes's hopes of building on a fine first campaign back in the SPL. The manager, admired by clubs in England, probably saw his status slip back as his team toiled in front of goal.

McInnes has done his best to remedy that trouble over the summer. St Johnstone look too strong to be relegation candidates, but not quite good enough to force their way into the top half. The loss of Murray Davidson, courted by Rangers, would further damage their aspirations.

HIBERNIAN: Last season 10th. Prediction 8th

A summer of discontent at Easter Road has seen the Hibs manager, Colin Calderwood, linked with coaching posts at Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.

Damagingly for Hibs, Calderwood has hardly gone out of his way to demonstrate commitment to his employers. None of this has gone down well with the Hibs support, who watched their team return some poor showings under Calderwood last season. In short, few would be sad to see him go.

This is an uneasy marriage, one which seems certain to end in unhappy divorce at some stage. The Hibs squad still does not look nearly decent enough to deflect attention towards more positive matters.

DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC: Last season Division One champions. Prediction 9th

It is unusual for teams who gain promotion to the SPL to bounce straight back down into the second tier. In Dunfermline's case, there is plenty to suggest they will prove that the gap in quality between the bottom half of the SPL and the upper echelons of the First Division is tiny.

In Jim McIntyre, Dunfermline have a forward-thinking young manager. McIntyre's squad is littered with SPL experience and talented youngsters – Steven Bell and Joe Cardle among them – who should thrive on the bigger stage.

ST MIRREN: Last season 11th. Prediction 10th

It is far from impossible that St Mirren will defy expectation and comfortably survive in the SPL.

Danny Lennon's summer transfer dealings have arguably been the most notable in the league, with the former Scotland duo of Steven Thompson and Gary Teale sealing moves to Paisley. That pair, plus the former Celtic player Paul McGowan, give St Mirren an attacking threat which those around them in the league will envy.

As ever, a thin squad means it will take little in the way of injuries to undermine Lennon's cautious optimism.

INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE: Last season 7th. Prediction 11th

Terry Butcher has taken the bold step of overhauling a club who succeeded for years from a legacy put in place by one of their former managers, Steve Paterson. And nobody can criticise the former England captain, who has re-established the Highlanders as an SPL side.

Yet the loss of the free-scoring Adam Rooney to Birmingham City will damage Inverness. Butcher's squad also looks light on top-level experience. As ever, it will be regarded as a profitable season if Inverness retain their SPL status, but they may well face an almighty scrap to do that.

KILMARNOCK: Last season 5th. Prediction 12th

Kilmarnock overachieved in the early part of last season, under the guidance of Mixu Paatelainen. When the Finn departed to take charge of his national side, matters – albeit influenced by a raft of injuries – took a turn for the worse. Kenny Shiels presided over that end to the season, rendering it difficult not to infer that cost issues were highly pertinent when the man whose previous managerial experience came in Northern Ireland was handed the reins on a full-time basis.

Gary Harkins aside, the level of Kilmarnock's summer signings suggest they will struggle. Shiels must hit the ground running to avoid instant pressure.