Acid test in opener against Rangers

Acid test in opener against Rangers.In: Roberto Bisconti (Charleroi, Bel). Out: Arild Stavrum (Besiktas), Andy Dow (Motherwell), Paul Bernard (released). Prediction: 6th.CelticMartin O’Neill has not been resting on laurels, but it is a sign of the Treble-winners’ standards that no signing targets have yet come up to scratch. Henrik Larsson’s Golden Boots remain most persuasive argument for continued success. Paul Lambert-Neil Lennon midfield axis is a potent force .In: Bobo Balde (Toulouse, Fr). Out: Alan Stubbs (Everton), Ramon Vega (Watford), Eyal Berkovic (Man City). Prediction: Champions.DundeeMamma mia! Last season’s success story (6th) are embroiled in internecine feuds that would do justice to The Godfather.

Player-manager Ivano Bonetti and his erstwhile friends Marco De Marchi and Patrizio Billio are in legal dispute after the pair remained in Italy this summer following a £25,000 fine each.In: Julian Speroni (Platense, Arg). Out: Claudio Caniggia (Rangers), Willie Falconer (released), Frank van Eijs (Rot Weiss Essen, Ger). Prediction: 8th.Dundee UnitedTannadice welcomed Roma, Barcelona and Manchester United in glory days of late 1980s, but it took all of Alex Smith’s guile to prevent Ayr, Clyde and Raith being on itinerary this time. Smith has tried to build on great escape by bringing back Billy Dodds to United but the Scotland striker refused to move.

Danny Griffin and Charlie Miller are midfield gems.In: Jim McIntyre (Reading) Out: Alberto Naveda (released). Prediction: 7thDunfermline AthleticNot only survived return to the SPL last season, but thrived. Manager Jimmy Calderwood has gone back to his old club in Holland to recruit striker Jack de Gier, but it is new Scotland cap Barry Nicholson who provides most flair. East End Park will remain a formidable place to visit.In: Jack de Gier (Nijmegen, Hol), Gus McPherson (Kilmarnock), David Nicholls (Falkirk), Benito Kemble (Motherwell) Out: None. Prediction: 10th.Heart of MidlothianJust missed out on a place in Europe, but Craig Levein is restructuring squad to his needs by cutting huge wage bill which led to £4m loss last year.

Manager has resisted advances from England for both captain Colin Cameron and keeper Antti Niemi, and has raft of young talent coming through Could revitalise Hearts.In: Kevin McKenna (Cottbus, Ger). Out: Darren Jackson (St Johnstone), Lee Makel, Gordon Durie (released). Prediction: 4th.HibernianThird place in title race and reaching Scottish Cup final is not enough for Alex McLeish, who spent a club-record fee on classy defender Ulises De La Cruz – currently starring in the Copa America for Ecuador after his goal helped to beat Brazil recently – but top scorer Mixu Paatelainen has yet to be replaced.In: Ulises De La Cruz (Deportivo Universitario, Ecu), Alen Orman (Antwerp), Tony Caig (Charlton), Franciso Luna (Monterey, Mex), Derek Townsley (Motherwell). Out: Russell Latapy (Rangers), Mike Franks (PSV Eindhoven, Hol), Mixu Paatelainen (Strasbourg, Fr), Dirk Lehmann (Brighton), Stuart Lovell (Livingston), Marc Libbra (Toulouse, Fr). Prediction: 3rd.KilmarnockNo new faces at Rugby Park, merely the exit of Ally McCoist’s smiling one. Bobby Williamson is another who is relying on surge of young talent emerging from his ranks, rather than gambling on maverick foreign mercenaries. Teenager Paul Di Giacomo looks worthy successor to McCoist’s lineage.In: None.