How have the Old Firm shaped up in pre-season?
KEITH JACKSON: Very well. Rangers appear to have added high quality options to last season’s squad despite losing two key players in Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey. Celtic, on the other hand, have kept hold of their star men. It’s shaping up to be a compelling battle.
DAVID McCARTHY: Both look to be in good shape. Rangers played really well against West Ham and in patches against Spurs, with the new boys finding their feet quickly. Celtic might have lost a few more goals than they’d have liked but look really potent from middle to front.
MICHAEL GANNON: They both look in really good shape and capable of scoring tons of goals. It might mean bad news for the rest of the league but it could be an epic battle for the title.
FRASER WILSON: Very well it has to be said. Both have invested serious cash and now look to have at least two viable options for every position. Rangers have added explosive pace in the forward areas and Antonio Colak looks a solid number nine while Celtic have topped up on their title winning squad. It’s going to be a gripping battle.
Motherwell have left themselves with work to do in Europe but will they beat Sligo in Ireland this week to stay alive?
KEITH: They had better. Last week’s result was a slap in the face to Scottish football just when the game in this country feels as if it’s going places. Failure to turn this tie around now will be inexcusable.
DAVID: I hope so but I’m not sure they will. Sligo looked like a team 20 games into their season on Thursday and Motherwell will have to be far sharper than they were to get a result.
MICHAEL: I wouldn’t stick my final few pennies before payday on it. Motherwell somehow managed to stumble into Europe last season and they are in danger of staggering out of it.
FRASER: It’s a case of heart over head when I say yes. For the good of Scottish football we really need a Well victory. They have the players to do the job and it’s down to those players to put in a performance.
Hibs, St Mirren and St Johnstone have failed to get out of their Premier Sports Cup groups despite playing lower league opposition. Is the heat on their managers already?
KEITH: Absolutely. Hibs have got themselves into a horrible mess from the top down over these last 12 months, St Johnstone survived the drop by the skin of their teeth and St Mirren are in danger of going backwards. All three need to come out of the blocks quickly or there will be trouble ahead.
DAVID: It increases the need for these clubs to get off to a good start in the league. A poor start, coupled by their cup flops, will bring pressure on the managers and they’ll know it,
MICHAEL: Too right. The Premier Sports Cup group stages are pretty unfair but they all know the dates and the ramifications. They need to get off to decent starts in the league or the pressure will really be on.
FRASER: It’s way too early for Lee Johnson to be under pressure despite the shambolic start to Hibs’ season. St Mirren looked good against Edinburgh and Stephen Robinson should be fine. But Callum Davidson, after a dismal campaign last season, really needs to hit the ground running.
The Commonwealth Games are just around the corner...how confident should Jake Wightman and Laura Muir be of repeating their successes at the World Championships last week?
KEITH: There’s no reason why Wightman can’t bag himself another huge title. Muir is also a cert to make it onto the podium and with Kenyan Faith Kipyegon sitting this one out there’s every chance of a golden double.
DAVID: Wightman’s success is one of the sports stories of the year and he and fellow Scot Josh Kerr will be looking at a 1-2 in the 1500m. Muir is now established as one of the very best.
MICHAEL: There’s no reason why they can’t go for more glory and go for golds. Scottish athletics is in a good place and these two can lead the way to a memorable games, with hopefully more medals. Keep an eye on the boxing team, there’s some real talent in there.
FRASER: Wightman is at the top of his game and should be brimming with confidence. Whether he’s still got enough in the tank is another matter. Muir just seems to get better and better. Both will be hungry to get on the track in Birmingham to show their class.
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