Scottish Premiership 2020/21 — A Detailed Preview
Sixty thousand odd fans, screaming ‘Just can’t get enough’ at Celtic Park as the giants from Glasgow thrash their fellow Scottish counterparts — this is a regular scene in the Scottish first division for a major part of the year. Sadly, it won’t be the case at least for the next 6 months as the next season of the biggest footballing competition in Scotland begins this weekend.
Due to COVID pandemic this year, unfortunately the previous season of the Scottish Premiership never reached its penultimate stage. That was not a very big issue though as the rampant Celtic side had already sealed their title with a gap of 13 points before football was suspended in the European nation.
While everyone’s been talking about Liverpool’s outrageous triumph in the Premier League, there has been a blind eye towards this sleeping European giant in their neighbouring nation.
Only one single statement could be enough to justify Celtic’s gargantuan achievement — the Scottish Champions were sitting atop the table for 29 of their 30 match-days. Seems to make Liverpool’s achievement seem far less ordinary.
Well, it would be criminal to count Celtic and Liverpool in the same breath, as the Reds’ Legend, Steven Gerrard is now the man at the helm of Celtic’s rivals and runners up, Rangers.
In any other domestic league, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers would have beaten any kind of an opposition to win the title. 67 points from a possible 90 is something the Italian and German Champions have on their points tally every other season. But, sadly they came second to the mighty Celtic.
The top two sides’ dominance is very well suggested by the gap between them and the other clubs in the division. Third-placed Motherwell sit 21 points behind Rangers, and ironically they are closer to the relegation zone than the runners up in Scottish football.
Another interesting fact is that there is a meager 10 point difference between the third ranked team and 7th-placed Hibernian — something which again glorifies the power of Celtic and Rangers at the top.
Heart of Midlothian were the unfortunate pick amongst the complacent Premiership bottom-clubs and with just 4 wins out of a possible 30, they were relegated to the second division in Scotland.
With Scotland’s biggest footballing event returning this Saturday, it’s a must to have a detailed preview at what the teams have been up for in the buildup to their opening day, and how the tournament is expected to shape up in the next year or so! Here is a detailed preview to the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership season.
The Transfer Business: Ins & outs from the Scottish Premiership
Champions Celtic haven’t done much business this summer and have tried to retain most of their first team and bench squad. Their fairytale with English club Southampton takes a bitter-sweet turn as Fraser Forster’s loan spell ends at Celtic Park, but Mohamed Elyounoussi goes the other way on a 1 year loan deal.
Last season runners-up Rangers have taken some big decisions as they try to close the 13 point gap over their rivals this season. Ianis Hagi and Jermain Defoe have been grabbed up on permanent deals after the duo impressed on their loan stint in the previous year. EFL Championship has been raided to bring in Leon Balogun (Wigan) and Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland), both of whom will be key men in stopping the goals this season.
Motherwell has released a lot of players, but their key signing definitely is Ricki Lamie, the no nonsense defender from Livingston who has been brought in to bolster the defence. On the other hand, their top-four counterparts Aberdeen have made a big move to sign Celtic midfielder Jonny Hayes in the hopes of improving their position this season.
The only managerial change remains Micky Mellon, who has taken the reigns at promoted side Dundee United and will be hoping to prove his team’s mark in the first division this season.
In the Spotlight: Players to look out for this season
A lot is being circulated currently about the interest from France and England in Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard. Rightly so, as the pacey striker has been the Scottish Premiership’s best attacking player by a mile.
Edouard scored 21 goals to become the top-scorer last season, but that’s not all. He managed to outscore 2nd placed Jermain Defoe by 8 goals as the latter could manage only 13 goals in 29 games played.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon would be hoping Edouard stays because if he does, it is an automatic addition of 20-odd goals to the team’s tally.
The full-back duo of James Tavernier and Borna Barisic will be a pair to keep an eye on. The Rangers’ wing-backs are supposedly the reason why the runners up could manage to concede only 19 goals in the entire season, matching Celtic’s tally in that regard.
There is no doubt Tavernier and Barisic are Gerrard’s key-men, not only in defence but also on the attack. Their overlapping runs cause a lot of threat to the opposition and their disciplined tracking back during a counter-attack is flawless. They are our pick for the top two defenders to watch this season.
The young player to watch out for, this season, will be undoubtedly Luke Bolton. The Manchester City winger, on loan at promoted side Dundee United, is likely to be the gem amongst the stones in the Scottish top-flight. Considered as one of the bets academy players back at the Etihad Campus in Manchester, the 20-year-old is all set to impress and earn his place in the first squad at Dundee.
What are the odds — A look at our possible winners and losers
While Rangers, backed by Steven Gerrard, has probably strengthened their squad to take it down the wire for challenging Celtic, the reigning champions still remain the best bet to win the Premiership next season.
The gap between Celtic and Rangers could be narrowed down due to the fact that the former haven’t made any upgrade to their squad yet. But there is still scope though, to make bigger additions during the season. Nevertheless, Celtic and Rangers should fight for the top two places, with the current champions having a slight edge.
Hibernian could make a move to the top-four this season. The Scottish giants had a season to forget as they finished 7th last season, something which is fairly below their standards and capabilities. With personnel additions to the defence, midfield as well as the attack, there is no doubt we could see the side in Europa League Qualifying Round spot at the end of the season.
Hamilton Academical were fortunate that their shambolic season was overshadowed by a relegation level performance by Heart of Midlothian in the previous season. Most of their squad have moved away to greener pastures or have been released by them. Modifications have been made to the squad but there is no chance their first team matches the level of competition that the Scottish Premiership has risen to. Hamilton are the favourites to get relegated this season.
The Opening Day Bonanza
The first phase of the Scottish Premiership starts on the 1st of August 2020. The first game of this elite tournament is something which could really start the season with a bang, as last year’s runners-up Rangers face a big test to consistent top-four side Aberdeen at the Pittodrie Stadium.
Champions Celtic play a fixture which could be counted in one of their easiest clashes this season as they host Hamilton at Celtic Park. There is a high possibility of the footballing fraternity seeing a big margin romping by Celtic on the opening day.
Promoted side Dundee United who have a lot of expectations attached to them, host St. Johnstone at Tannadice Park — a game which could offer a glimpse at the new look Dundee side.
The Scottish Premiership has always been remembered as a tournament boosted by the deafening sound of the supporters and passionate 22 men looking for glory in each and every game. Without the fans and with all the medical guidelines, the fans would be missed by each team — but the passion remains the same as the kick-off of another great season in the Scottish footballing history awaits.