The highly anticipated 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season is poised to ignite, promising another thrilling chapter in Scottish football. This comprehensive preview delves into the crucial pre-season preparations and strategic moves undertaken by various clubs, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Football Season 2025-26 campaign. Each team’s journey through the summer Transfer Market and their early competitive fixtures offers vital clues about their aspirations and potential trajectory.
Fresh from their historic Scottish Cup triumph, Aberdeen enters the new Scottish Premiership season with a renewed sense of confidence. The Dons’ ultimate high of ending a 35-year wait for the famous trophy has imbued the club with significant momentum, yet they face an immediate challenge with a formidable top-flight opener against Hearts. This fixture marks an intriguing return for former Pittodrie boss Derek McInnes to the Granite City, adding an extra layer of narrative to the season’s commencement.
Celtic, under the continued guidance of Brendan Rodgers, are widely anticipated to be the frontrunners in all domestic competitions, a testament to their overwhelming superiority during the previous Scottish Premiership campaign. Despite their domestic dominance, the champions experienced a rare blip with a penalty shootout defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, a grueling match that followed an arduous schedule including ten Champions League fixtures, highlighting the demanding nature of elite football.
Hearts appear exceptionally well-prepared for the new season, with Derek McInnes boasting an impressive perfect record in his new role after a goal-laden Premier Sports Cup group stage. The Tynecastle side’s pre-season form has been impeccable, bolstered by impactful attacking signings like Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis, and critically, the retention of talismanic captain Lawrence Shankland, a major coup for McInnes. Their Team Preparations suggest a strong challenge for European qualification.
Tony Docherty’s unexpected departure from Dundee, despite securing Premiership status last season, has initiated a period of adjustment for the club. With new leadership in place, the focus shifts to how the squad, including experienced campaigner Drey Wright and forward Emile Acquah, will gel. New captain Simon Murray has already showcased his scoring prowess, signalling his potential to be a key figure in their pursuit of a top-six finish, a minimum target for their Scottish Premiership aspirations.
Hibernian’s European aspirations were curtailed early, with defeat in the Europa League second qualifying round leading to a Conference League tie. The Easter Road side, now traveling to face Dundee in their Scottish Premiership opener, face a significant challenge to replicate or improve upon last season’s third-place finish. A more consistent start to the league campaign is paramount, particularly given their previous struggles for early season form, which necessitated a remarkable unbeaten run later in the year.
Change is afoot at Rugby Park as Stuart Kettlewell takes the reins at Kilmarnock, ushering in a raft of new players. Killie’s hosting of newly promoted Livingston marks their first Scottish Premiership encounter of the season. Kettlewell, previously at Motherwell, has acknowledged his new team as a “work in progress,” emphasizing the need for them to “maintain the levels” of performance witnessed in recent wins, indicating a strategic approach to their Club Previews and development.
Livingston have invested in a new pitch at Almondvale, a factor Martindale believes is significantly aiding their speed of play, as evidenced by a resounding pre-season victory. Meanwhile, the looming uncertainty surrounding Lennon Miller’s future casts a shadow over Motherwell’s Scottish Premiership opener against Rangers. Jens Berthel Askou, Motherwell’s new manager, has actively sought to bolster his attacking options with several new forwards, aiming to inject more firepower into the squad.
Rangers have received a significant morale boost by navigating their Champions League qualifying tie, a crucial step for Russell Martin and the new Ibrox hierarchy. New attacking recruits such as Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama have already made their mark, particularly the latter’s heroics against the Greek opposition. However, St. Mirren faces an incredibly challenging start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, with an opening fixture against defending champions Celtic, testing their Team Preparations from the outset.
