Tam Courts guided Dundee United into fourth place in his first season as manager so it’s safe to say he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to European competition.
Courts led the Terrors into the Europa Conference League before leaving the club for a shot at continental football with Budapest Honved. And he's been watching on with interest as Aberdeen tear away from the pack in third place while Hearts, Hibs and St Mirren jostle for position in a bid to rein them back in.
It could all come to a head this weekend as the Dons travel south to face the Jambos and while Courts is out of Scottish football at the moment, he still knows what’s going on in it. He gives Record Sport the lowdown on who he thinks will be flying the flag for Scotland next season in the Europa and Conference Leagues.
Aberdeen
(Hearts A, St Mirren H, Celtic A)
The job Barry Robson has done has been nothing short of phenomenal. He has made some big decisions and there has been a massive turnaround in Aberdeen’s fortunes. He has also surrounded himself with a top coaching staff and the team are just on a tremendous run just now.
If they were to secure third then it would be a huge achievement in terms of where the club was and the squad he inherited when he first got the job.
Aberdeen are in a very strong position. The only negative just now is the injury Duk appears to have suffered at the weekend. He has been the talisman for them this season, scoring 16 goals for them - like Bojan Miovski. Goals certainly haven’t been an issue for Aberdeen this season. They have also really tightened up defensively under Barry. Over the last five games they have only conceded one goal and have had quite a few clean sheets. That points towards a team who are quite resolute and together. It is perfect for Aberdeen as they look to get over the line.
Hearts
(Aberdeen H, Rangers A, Hibs H)
From a Hearts’ perspective, they will be looking to build a bit of momentum over the final three games. They got a good win over Ross County, put on a spirited performance against Celtic and then at St Mirren they came back for a late point, with Stevie Naismith feeling a sense of injustice with the VAR decision.
The bottom line is they need to start winning games because they have one won one in five. They need to get back to winning games if they want to push Aberdeen all the way. Hearts have Aberdeen, are away to Rangers and then have the derby on the final day. That Hibs game could be massive in terms of the European positions.
At this stage of the season, things can change quickly. A few months ago, Hearts looked to be in the driving seat for third and now they are chasing. The one thing is that they have goals with Lawrence Shankland and Josh Ginnelly a decent partnership. Having a cutting edge always makes you dangerous and a threat.
Hibs
(Rangers H, Celtic H, Hearts A)
If there is a team that is peaking at the right moment just now it seems to be Hibs. They seem to be really in the groove. They were unlucky not to get the win at Aberdeen at the weekend. They have come into form in the last four or five games and will fancy their chances of getting European football.
This season has been an interesting one for the green side of the capital. It is Lee Johnson’s first venture in Scottish football and I am sure he will have learned a lot already. They have recently just appointed Brian McDermott as their sporting director and it looks like there will be a bit of change come the summer in terms of the squad.
They have recently tied down Elie Youan and Lewis Stevenson, so they are making a statement of intent. They have a bit of experience but look like they are putting a young, dynamic side together going forward.
Hibs will be delighted where they are just now and as I have said they are hitting form at the right time in the fight for European football. If he can achieve that then it would be a decent first season for Johnson.
St Mirren
(Celtic H, Aberdeen A, Rangers H)
It has been a tremendous season for St Mirren getting top six football for the first time. Everywhere Stephen Robinson has been he has been a success.
When he came in last season, you saw a team and a squad that was getting better and stronger. You could see the more he got his stamp on things that they would become a force. They have shown that. Mark O’Hara has scored 10 goals this season and Curtis Main leads the line well.
They have had a lot of strong performers and you can see a real momentum there with a strong backing from the local community, who really seem to be buying into what Stephen is doing. I listened to Stephen at the weekend and he was frustrated that his team hadn’t taken all three points against Hearts, although he was relatively pleased by their performance.
St Mirren have a bit of a nightmare run-in. They have Celtic, Aberdeen away and then Rangers. It is a tricky run-in, but regardless of what happens St Mirren are definitely a club who are going in the right direction.
Tam's verdict
If you look at the form and the way the table looks then Aberdeen are very clear favourites for third. You would expect them to secure that quite quickly, although you almost have a cup final feeling coming into Saturday with that Hearts v Aberdeen game.
Hearts have to use Tynecastle to their advantage on Saturday. If Hearts win then it will be game on for third place but I still think Aberdeen will get the result they will need. Then it will be a real tight fight for fourth place. Hearts might just edge out Hibs with St Mirren coming in behind them in sixth.
I would expect Celtic to beat Inverness in the Scottish Cup Final and that being the case then fifth would be enough for the final European place and I can see Hibs taking that final spot.
