SPFL Opening Weekend Preview: 9-10 August
Scottish Premiership:
Dundee v Kilmarnock Saturday 9 August 2014 KO 3pm Dens Park (Dundee, Tayside)
Referee: Steven McLean (Scotland)
Preview:
Newcomers Dundee begin their Scottish Premiership campaign with a home tie against Kilmarnock, 98 days after sealing promotion.
The Scottish Championship winners, who will unfurl their winning flag before kick-off, will look to get off to a winning start on their return to the top-flight after a one-year absence.
The Tayside club, who finished 11 points adrift of safety when relegated in 2012/13, have signed 12 new players to help them handle life back in the top tier of Scottish football.
And they will be boosted by last weekend's 4-0 League Cup victory over Peterhead, which followed pre-season wins over the likes of Manchester City and Hearts.
Manager Paul Hartley believes his players are ready to show they have got what it takes to survive in their new surroundings.
"It's nearly time for the real stuff and we're really looking forward to it. It's been a good pre-season and the boys have been excellent in terms of their attitude and preparation," he said ahead of the game. "I couldn't have asked for any more from them and I've been delighted with the way they've gone about their business. "That should give them confidence but we know this is when we are judged, in the games that matter when the new season gets under way."
Killie will be hoping for a more secure season - their second under boss Allan Johnstone - after only ensuring their Premiership status on the final day last term with a 1-0 win over Hibernian which consigned them to the relegation play-off.
It is the Ayrshire side's first competitive game of the campaign having not been involved in the Petrofac Training Cup or League Cup so far.
Meanwhile, Alexei Eremenko is convinced he can have his best spell yet at Kilmarnock after signing for the Rugby Park club for a third time. The Finland international will need to sparkle to improve on his first stint in the 2010-11 season, when he was nominated for the PFA Scotland player of the year award and helped Killie finish fifth in the league.
The former Lecce, Metalist Kharkiv, Rubin Kazan and HJK Helsinki playmaker rejoined the club in January but was clearly unfit at first and struggled to have a major impact on games, although he did enough to help the club stay in the Scottish Premiership. Eremenko only signed two days before Killie's season starts at promoted Dundee but he believes he can quickly get up to speed and be as good as the first time. The 31-year-old said: "I think that's possible, but I am always critical, and I'm hoping to do it even better."
Team News:
Dundee striker Philip Roberts begins a four-match ban following his sending-off for Falkirk towards the end of last season.
Midfielder Kevin McBride is also on the sidelines because of a leg knock, while full-back Gary Irvine hopes to recover from a groin strain and Scott Bain is also absent as the Dundee goalkeeper is still recuperating following appendix surgery.
New signings Lee Miller, Paul Cairney, Mark Connolly, Josh Magennis and Tope Obadeyi are hoping to make their Killie debuts.
Alexei Eremenko could feature if fit after extending his second spell at the Rugby Park side but midfielder Jamie Hamill, who returned to the club this summer following three years at Hearts, is suspended.
Provisional Dundee squad: Letheren, Irvine, Dyer, Konrad, McPake, Davidson, Riley, Harkins, Thomson, MacDonald, Ferry, Stewart, Benedictus, McGowan, McGinn, McAlister, Tankulic, Boyle, Kerr, Wighton, Adam.
Provisional Kilmarnock squad: Samson, O'Hara, Ashcroft, Pascali, Johnston, Slater, Eremenko, McKenzie, Muirhead, Barbour, Clingan, Kiltie, Cairney, Miller, Connolly, Magennis, Davidson, Obadeyi, Brennan.
Hamilton Academical v Inverness Caley Thistle
Saturday 9 August 2014 KO 3pm New Douglas Park (Lanarkshire)
Referee: Don Robertson (Scotland)
Preview:
Hamilton Academical return to Scotland's top-flight with a home match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The Accies, who were relegated in the 2010/11 campaign, were promoted in dramatic style after a play-off win over Hibernian on penalties.
Player boss Alex Neil guided the Lanarkshire side up from the Championship in his first season in charge and the 33-year-old insists neither he nor his team have any fear on their return to the Scottish Premiership. "It is the same as the team, there is absolutely no fear whatsoever," he said. "I have been managing for a year, so to get the team into the top flight in my first season and for the boys to be playing at this level, given how young some of them are - there is no fear from us. "We will give it our best shot, enjoy it and hopefully it will be good enough. We did well last season and hopefully we can take that momentum into this season."
As expected, there have been plenty of changes in the close-season with Hamilton bringing in Falkirk keeper Michael McGovern and Clyde midfielder Kieran McDonald while Dougie Imrie and Danny Redmond are back for second spells at the club.
Mickael Antoine-Curier, who scored 13 goals last term, has signed a further one-year deal while Jason Scotland and Jesus Garcia Tena have also agreed extended contracts.
Hamilton have already been in competitive action, beating Arbroath 2-1 in the first round of the Scottish League Cup last weekend.
Left-back Graeme Shinnie, who is approaching his 150th appearance for the club, will lead the Inverness team out at New Douglas Park - and the 23-year-old views the role as a chance to develop his career. "I love it. To captain a club is always a huge honour. As much as I want Richie to come back, it's nice to have that responsibility on and off the pitch," he said.
"To lead the boys in any game is a huge honour. The time I have got it, I will enjoy it, and when Richie comes back, I will give it back."
Team News:
Hamilton player/manager Alex Neil has no fresh injury concerns to contend with.
Jon Routledge is recovering from a knee operation but is not yet ready to be considered while fellow midfielder Tony Andreu has recovered from a knee injury but it is also too early for him.
Inverness will be without captain Richie Foran and Danny Devine with both due to return to training next week following knee injuries.
Manager John Hughes is aiming to tie up a deal for former Hibernian midfielder Lewis Horner before the game.
Provisional Hamilton squad: McGovern, Gordon, Canning, Tena, Gillespie, MacDonald, Longridge, MacKinnon, Antoine-Curier, Currie, Devlin, Neil, Crawford, Ryan, Scotland, Redmond, Imrie, Hill.
Provisional Inverness CT squad: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Draper, Watkins, Ross, Vincent, Doran, McKay, Polworth, Baptie, Williams, Christie, Evans, Esson.
Motherwell v St Mirren Saturday 9 August 2014 KO 3pm Fir Park (Lanarkshire)
Referee: Calum Murray (Scotland)
Preview:
Motherwell kick off the new Scottish Premiership campaign against St Mirren at Fir Park.
While this is the Buddies’ first game of the campaign under new boss Tommy Craig, Motherwell have already had a couple of competitive matches under their belt.
A dramatic final day of last season saw Stuart McCall’s side finish second in the top flight for the second year running and earned them a slot in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
Although, they were unable to go any further, losing to Icelandic side Stjarnan in extra-time in the second leg.
The Steelmen will face stiff competition from the likes of Aberdeen and Dundee United again to secure European football for a fourth successive season, but boss Stuart McCall has brushed aside claims that his side's bubble has burst.
"People always say 'what can you do next? You have been there a long while'. You only have to look back at the last minute of last season. That's what I'm in football for," he said. "All right, we didn't win a trophy or do anything outstandingly spectacular, but the enjoyment for the group of players that had produced what they had to get to 70 points and finish second, that's why we're in the game. "There will be challenges, there will be ups and downs. There's no doubt, just like we did last year, we'll have some massive blips and bad results and fans will say they're not going back again. "If we can maintain the consistency and keep bouncing back, then that's what we'll try to do."
Jeroen Tesselaar revealed good memories of playing for St Mirren underpinned his decision to return to the Paisley club this summer. The 25-year-old Dutch left-back joined the Buddies in 2011 after failing to make the grade at AZ Alkmaar and had an enjoyable season before leaving for Kilmarnock. After two years at Rugby Park, Tesselaar opted for a return to the Buddies and, speaking ahead of the trip to Motherwell, he claimed the lure of familiar surroundings was an obvious factor in his decision. "It is a move but I have come back to St Mirren, so it feels very good," he said. "It is a good group, good friends, a good pitch so I am looking forward to it. I looked at my options and I decided to come back here as I really enjoyed my first year in Scotland at St Mirren."
The two sides last met in a thriller in Paisley back in April when St Mirren came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory through a stoppage time penalty.
It was the only time the Buddies avoided defeat against the Steelmen in the sides' three meetings in all competitions.
Team News:
Motherwell boss Stuart McCall could be without his entire first-choice back four with Craig Reid, Steven Hammell, Stephen McManus and Simon Ramsden definitely out and others face fitness tests on Saturday morning.
Craig Moore (knee) and Paul Lawson (Achilles surgery) remain out while midfielder Iain Vigurs is suspended.
Veteran striker and captain Steven Thompson will miss the match for St Mirren due to a groin strain.
The 35-year-old has a groin strain which manager Tommy Craig believes will keep him out for at least another couple of weeks but the Buddies boss has no other injury worries for the trip to north Lanarkshire.
There will also be several players looking to make their debuts including Ross Caldwell, Callum Ball, James Marwood and Manchester City loanee Ellis Plummer.
Jeroen Tesselaar is also back for a second spell but Mark Ridgers is likely to have to wait for his debut with Marian Kello set to start in goal. Marc McAusland missed last week’s visit to Carlisle through injury but may be fit enough to return.
Provisional Motherwell squad: Twardzik, Reid, Hammell, Ramsden, McManus, Carswell, Lasley, Ainsworth, Sutton, McHugh, Kerr, Law, Francis-Angol, Thomas, Erwin, Leitch, Cadden, Cummins, Ferguson, Neill, Nielsen
Provisional St Mirren squad: Kello, Naismith, Kelly, McAusland, McLean, Goodwin, McGinn, Teale, Wylde, Marwood, Plummer, Caldwell, Ball, Tesselaar, Ridgers, Reilly, Brown, Williams.
Aberdeen v Dundee United Sunday 10 August 2014 KO 3pm Pittodrie (Aberdeenshire) Referee: Willie Collum (Scotland)
Preview:
BOTH Aberdeen and Dundee United have plenty of reason to be optimistic as they open their Premiership campaign at Pittodrie.
With Celtic faltering at the start of the campaign in Europe, the two sides may even harbour higher ambitions of mounting a challenge for the title.
Aberdeen lifted their home support with their performance against Real Sociedad on Thursday before two late goals saw the Spaniards seal a 3-2 win, 5-2 on aggregate. Earlier thumping wins over Daugava Riga and a memorable victory against Groningen in Holland have also boosted the team.
United will also fancy their chances of challenging for second place after strengthing their squad despite losing key players Ryan Gauld and Andy Robertson.
But Tangerines manager Jackie McNamara believes his side face almost as tough a task as they could get on the opening day when taking on their New Firm rivals in the Granite City.
"It's a tough one - no doubt about it. Aberdeen are a strong side who proved themselves last season by winning the League Cup," McNamara said.
"So all credit to them and they will be looking to build on those achievements. It's never an easy game up there. But we want to look on it from the positive viewpoint that it's a game we should be really looking forward to."
Opposite number Derek McInnes - embarking on his second full season in charge at Aberdeen - is expecting another tight affair against a United outfit who impressed him last term.
"It's a fantastic opening fixture for us, there will be another healthy crowd and I'm sure there will not be a lot given between both teams," he told the club's official website.
"We managed to come out on top last season in majority of the games but all the games were tight affairs and we expect something similar on Sunday. "I was very impressed with Dundee United last season. They've got good individual players and I'm sure they will be looking for improve on last years' efforts."
Meanwhile, defender Andy Considine says he is hoping that the Dons can maintain their levels of consistency to guarantee, at least, a top-four finish.
"It will be nice to do a bit better than last year but all we are after is a solid season and to get top four," the former skipper said.
"All we want to do is have a season like last year, finish third or second or something like that. It's going to be another tough league but I feel, with the way the boys are performing this year, that we have got it in the bag."
Aberdeen won three of the sides' four meetings last term - including two away victories at Tannadice - with the other clash finishing 1-1 at Pittodrie.
Team News:
Aberdeen are without the suspended Jonny Hayes and Russell Anderson but left-back Clark Robertson returns to the squad following knee surgery while teenage winger Scott Wright is also included.
Although, striker Declan McManus has joined League One club Greenock Morton on loan until January.
United will be without Sean Dillon after the defender underwent surgery on his fractured cheekbone. Dillon is joined on the sidelines by Mark Wilson who is recovering from a broken foot. Another defender, John Souttar, is still out due to an ankle injury but Keith Watson should make it back from a calf injury.
Ross County v St Johnstone Sunday 10 August 2014 KO 3pm Global Energy Arena (Dingwall) Referee: Kevin Clancy (Scotland)
Preview:
A NEW-LOOK Ross County kick off against St Johnstone in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture of the new season.
The Dingwall side have recruited 10 new players in the close season as boss Derek Adams hopes to steer County up the table after flirting with the relegation play-off berth last term.
Scottish Cup winners Saints begin life without last season's 27-goal striker Stevie May after their golden boy completed his move to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Tommy Wright's men will also be looking to put the disappointment of their European exit firmly behind them after falling short against Slovakian side Spartak Trnava over two legs.
Wright has brought in young forward Adam Morgan on loan from Yeovil, seen as a potential replacement for May, and the 20-year-old said he was persuaded to Perth by their cup exploits last term.
"The manager was a big influence in me joining the club, and I also watched the Scottish Cup Final, it looked a great day for the club," the former Liverpool youth player told the club's website.
"Football is football, if you do things right in any league good things will happen. The SPFL is a strong league this year. I hope to do my best for the fans and the team, and ultimately have a successful time here and score some goals."
Meanwhile, County have generally struggled in the opening halves of their two seasons in the top flight before some January reinforcements helped them finish the season well to secure fifth and seventh places.
And a relaxed Adams believes a good start does not necessarily guarantee a strong run in the latter half of the campaign.
"Players took a wee bit of time to adjust last season and some who had been here didn't start the season very well. That combined meant we didn't start that well. "Whoever starts well gets confidence and that puts them on a good run. You always want to do that. Partick Thistle got 20 points on board very early last season but they finished in 10th place. It doesn't mean that if you start well you also finish well. "It's over the course of the season that you are judged, not the start, not the middle, it's throughout the 36 games."
County fared well against Saints last season, winning two of their three encounters but lost the other heavily - 4-0 at McDiarmid Park back in August.
Team News:
Ross County could hand debuts to upto 10 players with all of their summer signings in contention to play.
Jordi Balk, Liam Boyce, Joe Cardle, Uros Celcer, Tim Dreesen, Jim Fenlon, Ben Frempah, Jake Jervis, Roasario Latouchent and Antonio Reguero are the new names in Derek Adams's squad.
But midfielder Stuart Kettlewell will be missing as he recovers from a hip operation.
St Johnstone will be without last season's top scorer Stevie May after the star striker left to join Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
But new signings Adam Morgan and Tim Clancy are set to make their debuts while defender Steven Anderson should return after a hamstring injury.
Murray Davidson has been a long-term injury absentee for Saints in recent months and there could be further doubts following Thursday's Europa League exit at the hands of Spartak Trnava.
Scottish Championship:
The Rangers FC v Hearts Sunday 10 August 2014 KO 1:30pm Live on Sky Sports 1/HD1 Ibrox (West Glasgow)
Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland)
Preview:
Rangers and Heart of Midlothian open their Scottish Championship campaign at Ibrox on Sunday.
The hosts will unfurl the League One flag before kick-off following their title win last season.
Also prior to the match, the Govan Stand will be renamed in honour of former Rangers defender Sandy Jardine, who died in April, aged 65.
Jardine also played for and co-managed Hearts and won 38 caps for Scotland, playing at two World Cups.
Both Rangers and Hearts have progressed in the Challenge Cup already this season, seeing off Hibernian and Annan Athletic respectively.
The spotlight will be firmly fixed on the second tier more than ever before this term with the Gers, Hearts and Hibs all battling for one automatic promotion spot.
And Light Blues assistant boss Kenny McDowall recognises the task facing the Old Firm giants if they are to achieve a third successive promotion.
"We know we have to work hard this season, probably harder than we have had to work before," he said.
"It is an exciting league, obviously Hearts and Hibs coming down certainly makes it more exciting but it is going to be tough and you can't forget the other teams in the league. All the games will be tough.
"It is a great game for everybody. We are excited about the prospect of the new season and this is a great game to open the season with, so we look forward to it."
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson - taking charge of his first league game - says he is trying to instill a winning mentality into his young squad.
He said ahead of the game: "Every time we came in at the start of the season, no matter who it was in the league - Rangers or Celtic - we always had the ambition to try and win the league.
"You go as hard as you can and you go at it. As a coach, I'm trying to instil that into the players as well. You must have ambitions that, for every game, you must try and win."
Team News:
Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni remains suspended for Sunday’s Championship opener against Hearts at Ibrox.
The 27-year-old serves the second of a two-game ban after being sent off in last Saturday's friendly against Derby for trying to headbutt striker Chris Martin. The suspension also kept him out of Tuesday night's Petrofac Training Cup win over Hibernian.
Winger David Templeton has shrugged off a knock and will be fine to play for the League One champions.
Hearts will be without midfielder Callum Paterson after he was sidelined for a couple of months after suffering an injury in the 3-1 Petrofac Training Cup win over Annan Athletic last weekend.
Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben both impressed in midfield in that victory and they are set to continue their partnership.
Osman Sow has also been in good form up front with four goals in five appearances and he is again poised to lead the attack.
Jamie Walker is suspended along with Scott Robinson, who starts a three-match ban, but former Hamilton forward James Keatings has returned to training following a hamstring strain.
Last updated: 8 August 2014 16:43pm
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