Explosive Insights and Bold Rugby Predictions for the Scottish Premiership 2023/24

The upcoming 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season holds the promise of yet another captivating competition. Our pundits, Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton, have shared their predictions on the final standings for each team...

While the title race appears to once again involve the same two contenders, all Scottish Premiership sides have much at stake.

There is the battle for the top six and European football and who will be the team to drop into the Championship come the end of the season?

Aberdeen

Image:

Duk was Aberdeen's top scorer last season

Kris Boyd - 4th

Following a successful season led by Barry Robson, Aberdeen aims to continue their momentum. Duk showcased his impact last year, as did Bojan Miovski. However, the departure of Matty Pollock poses a significant defensive setback, along with the loss of Ross McCrorie. Aberdeen has invested in rebuilding their squad and this will be crucial for their future success. Additionally, their guaranteed European football until Christmas presents its own challenges. I believe there may be a role reversal with Hearts this season. Chris Sutton predicts Aberdeen finishing in third place.

Celtic

The retention of Duk and Bojan Miovski is a major boost for Aberdeen, as they proved to be highly impressive in the previous season. Barry Robson's influential presence as manager has resulted in the acquisition of several talented players. Given that they have managed to hold on to their formidable strikeforce, it is likely that Aberdeen will once again finish as the top team among their competitors.

Image:

Brendan Rodgers is looking to continue Celtic's dominance

Kris Boyd - 2nd

Brendan Rodgers is no stranger to this situation - he is well aware of what to expect. During his previous tenure in Scotland, he only suffered one defeat against Rangers. I believe Brendan is confident in his ability to conquer once again. However, if things do not go well initially and points are dropped, those who were vocal about his return will not hesitate to express their criticism. There is no doubt that Brendan is an exceptional manager, and Celtic has made an impressive move by securing him after Ange Postecoglou's departure. Not many would have had the confidence to take over from his success. While Brendan Rodgers exudes confidence, his season will take a different turn if Rangers consistently find a way to defeat Celtic.

-Chris Sutton, 1st

Dundee

Brendan Rodgers finds himself in a completely different situation this time, as he takes charge of a team that has already clinched a treble. There is no doubt that Brendan is a deserving appointment and he is determined to prove himself once again. Is Brendan a skilled coach? Absolutely. Is he inheriting a talented team? Certainly, although there is a void left by Postecoglou, who set the standards incredibly high. It is widely known that Glasgow does not tolerate mediocrity, and only one team can emerge as the victor, making this season particularly intriguing. The key for Celtic is to embark on a strong start, capitalizing on the fact that they are unburdened by the responsibility of Champions League qualifiers, unlike their rivals, Rangers.

Image:

Tony Docherty is Dundee's new manager

Kris Boyd - 10th

I anticipate Dundee facing significant challenges ahead. I mean no disrespect to the Championship, but they struggled last season. Like many teams in the lower ranks, I doubt they will score many goals, and their defenders will have to excel in defending. Maintaining clean sheets was a problem for them in the previous season. With a new manager and system in place, this upcoming season might prove to be difficult. Nonetheless, I believe they will at least secure a spot in the playoffs.

Chris Sutton - 12th

Hearts

Tony Docherty is sure to face a challenging initiation as a manager in his inaugural season. It is truly commendable that he has taken on this role, but the arduousness of the task ahead cannot be denied. Undoubtedly operating on one of the most constrained budgets, he has painstakingly revamped the squad in an effort to secure Dundee's position in the league. Nonetheless, the mountain they have to climb appears insurmountable, and it is highly likely that they will swiftly return to a lower division.

Kris Boyd - Ranked 3rd

There is a clear need for clarification regarding the person in control. It appears that whenever Hearts are in a position to progress, something occurs that puts them at a disadvantage again. However, I am optimistic that they will bounce back this season. Lawrence Shankland has a knack for scoring goals, and they have had the opportunity to refine the adjustments they began making after Robbie Neilson left. I believe they will have the strength to secure the third spot because I don't anticipate them qualifying for Europe, enabling them to concentrate on the league.

Chris Sutton finished in 5th place.

I sympathized with Robbie Neilson. Even though many Hearts fans wanted him gone, I believed he did well overall and helped them become more attacking. While Lawrence Shankland is crucial for them, they will feel the absence of Josh Ginnelly since he moved to Swansea. Have they found a suitable replacement? I'm uncertain. A strong start to the season will be crucial for building confidence and momentum. However, I anticipate this season will be more challenging for them.

Hibernian

Image:

Can Lee Johnson guide Hibs to success this season?

Kris Boyd finished in 5th place.

Had they not reversed their first-leg loss to Inter Club D'Escaldes in Europa Conference League qualifying, they would have faced immense pressure. Undoubtedly, many Hibs supporters are frustrated with Lee Johnson; however, they have granted him the opportunity to invest funds in hopes of creating an impact. Hibs were fortunate in their fixture arrangement, and it is crucial for them to begin strongly before encountering formidable opponents such as Hearts, Celtic, and Rangers.

Chris Sutton - 4th

I take great pleasure in watching Hibs play, primarily because Lee Johnson implements an impressive style of expansive football and constantly experiments with unique strategies. It is crucial for them to maintain their presence in European competition in order to maintain support from the fans. Furthermore, they consistently offer an entertaining style of football on certain occasions. Moreover, they have successfully made some valuable acquisitions during the summer transfer window. However, it will always prove challenging to find a suitable replacement for a striker of Kevin Nisbet's caliber. I predict that they will surpass their city rivals this season.

Kilmarnock

Image:

Derek McInnes has overhauled his Kilmarnock squad

Kris Boyd finished 7th.

Derek McInnes has made some good signings, bringing in players familiar with the league. Keeping Kyle Magennis fit will be crucial, as he is a valuable addition. The team's defense, a point of pride for Derek, has been strengthened by the acquisition of Robbie Deas from Inverness. The signing of Stuart Findley is significant, as he brings both experience and leadership. If Kilmarnock can establish a consistent starting lineup, they will be contenders for a top six position. However, I believe they will narrowly miss out.

Chris Sutton ranks Derek McInnes as an astute manager due to the significant changes he has implemented at Kilmarnock, particularly the recruitment of numerous defenders, which could prove crucial for the team. However, their performance on away games last season was underwhelming with only two victories. Nonetheless, Derek's experience and knowledge of the game will ensure that they remain in the league. He is determined to progress and elevate the team's position in the table, and I believe they will achieve a higher finish this season.

Livingston

Image:

Michael Devlin has joined Livingston for the new season

Kris Boyd - 10th

Livingston has suffered significant player losses yet again, leaving David Martindale hoping to retain Joel Nouble. Working with a reduced budget this summer has made their limitations apparent, although they have successfully incorporated some seasoned players into their squad. This is the first time I have observed Livingston and considered that they might face difficulties this season. Despite the challenges, I believe they will be able to do just enough to secure their place in the league once more.

Chris Sutton predicts that Livingston may face difficulties in staying in the league this season. Despite David Martindale's impressive organization skills and their ability to accumulate points at home on their artificial pitch, Sutton believes that it might be a challenging season for them. He predicts that Livingston will most likely end up in the playoffs.

Motherwell

Image:

Stuart Kettlewell guided Motherwell to safety last season

I have sympathy for Motherwell regarding Kevin van Veen's departure after an exceptional season, and it will be challenging for them to find a replacement. Additionally, losing Max Johnston is a significant setback as he possessed great talent. However, they have a promising young player in Lennon Miller, who is only 16 but has the strength and ability to make a difference. I am confident that we will see him in action. Despite the player departures, I believe Motherwell will continue to progress from their strong finish under Stuart Kettlewell last season and secure a place in the top half.

Chris Sutton finished 7th.

Motherwell will face a challenging task in replacing Kevin van Veen's goal-scoring abilities. Stuart Kettlewell's remarkable contribution last season greatly boosted the team when they were in dire need of it. While they have brought in new players, they have also suffered significant losses with the departures of Max Johnston and Connor Shields. In my opinion, they will perform decently this season but fall short of making it into the top six.

Rangers

Kris Boyd - 1st

Rangers must find a way to consistently win against Celtic if they want to compete for trophies, as they have been in the shadow of their rivals for several years. It is crucial for them to address this issue promptly, as not winning important matches and failing to secure trophies can create problems. The club has shown their support for Michael Beale in the summer, and now it is imperative for him to deliver. Fortunately, the early fixtures have been favorable for Rangers, presenting them with an opportunity. If they can continue winning leading up to the Old Firm game and triumph against Celtic at home, there is a chance for success.

Ross County

Michael Beale's experience from last season appears to have humbled him, as he came in with much confidence but ended up facing defeat in both the League Cup final and Scottish Cup final against Celtic, leading to his controversial remarks about "lucky Ange." This season, with both Rangers and Celtic boasting a pool of talented players, I anticipate a closely contested competition. Rangers have made numerous player acquisitions, but their success will ultimately depend on how quickly these new additions can adapt and make an impact.

Image:

Jay Henderson is one of Ross County's summer signings

Kris Boyd - 9th

Ross County narrowly avoided relegation last season, but they managed to secure victories and maintain their position in the league. I believe Malky Mackay has made significant improvements to the team, acquiring players who possess the ability to create opportunities and find the back of the net. Provided that key players such as Eamonn Brophy, Simon Murray, and Yan Dhanda remain uninjured, their chances of success are promising. However, their defensive line does appear susceptible. I have high hopes for their survival this year and anticipate that they will achieve it.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 9th place.

St Johnstone

Regarding the future of Ross County in the league, I anticipate that they will not only maintain their position but also experience a significantly more comfortable season compared to the previous one. Convincing players to relocate to Dingwall will inevitably pose a challenge for Malky Mackay. However, with his astute managerial skills and the remarkable comeback demonstrated against Partick Thistle during the playoffs at the end of last season, he has proven his ability to turn things around. Furthermore, the team boasts some streetwise players who, under Mackay's guidance, will undoubtedly be well-organized and prepared.

Image:

It has been a tough start for St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean

Kris Boyd - 12th

St Johnstone's alarm bells began to sound after suffering defeats against Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion, and failing to progress past the group stages of the League Cup. It is evident that Steven McLean requires assistance by acquiring more players. Hopefully, he will receive the same level of support that his predecessors have enjoyed, providing him with the optimal chance for survival. Unfortunately, I fear that St Johnstone's time may be running out. I hope to be proven wrong, but I have a sense that they will face difficulties in bouncing back from their League Cup elimination. Chris Sutton - 10th

St Mirren

St Johnstone's League Cup performance does not bode well for the upcoming season. While Steven MaLean exclaimed that he fielded a weakened team against Stirling Albion, it is unacceptable to suffer a 4-0 defeat at home against a recently promoted League One side. It appears that they will face significant challenges this season; however, they should manage to secure their survival once again.

Image:

Stephen Robinson guided St Mirren to their first top six finish last season

Kris Boyd - 8th

I wrongly predicted that St Mirren would be relegated last season. However, they surprised me with an outstanding campaign. Stephen Robinson's excellent tactics made their team extremely difficult to penetrate. Despite losing Curtis Main, who was a threat in the attack, their defense should remain solid. However, scoring goals might be a challenge for them. Although I don't expect them to replicate their previous season's success, they should have enough ability to secure their safety comfortably.

Chris Sutton - 6th place prediction.

Scottish Premiership and SWPL on Sky Sports

Stephen Robinson is a highly skilled manager. St Mirren will feel the absence of Curtis Main as he played a significant role in their accomplishments last season. In an effort to compensate, Mikel Mandron has been added to the team and there are great expectations for Conor McMenamin following his transfer from Glentoran. Although their style of play can be quite direct at times, it proves effective for Robinson. As a result, they are expected to secure a top-six finish for the second consecutive season.

A total of 48 cinch Premiership games will be accessible on our flagship channels, We Football and We Main Event, during the upcoming season. Additionally, at least five SWPL matches will also be broadcasted. Starting from the 2024/25 season, We will further expand our live coverage, showcasing up to 60 cinch Premiership games, in addition to the SWPL.

Scottish football fans can enjoy We News' (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season. Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and the app, including exclusive features and interviews. Additionally, stay updated with dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on We, and free highlights.

We will provide comprehensive coverage and increased visibility for the league across all of We's main social media channels. Additionally, the exclusive Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will remain the go-to platform for all Scottish football content on We.

Don't miss out on our highlights show! Tune in to We Football every week for a dedicated round-up of the cinch Premiership.

Click here to download the We app and visit the official We website. We is the premier destination for domestic football in the UK and Ireland, offering over 400 games per season spanning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Women's Premier League, Premier League, WSL, and EFL.