After enduring what felt like a never-ending summer dominated by stories about the fall of Rangers Scottish football punters can now dig out the scarves and season tickets in anticipation of the start of new SPL season.

It cannot be denied though that the real story of 2012-13 will be on how the new Rangers adapt to life in the lower regions of Scottish football but there will still be a focus on how the SPL clubs will handle the knock on effects of the Ibrox clubs demise.

In a league which is seen from the outside as being nothing more than a two horse race the absence of the Govan club will undoubtedly result in their old rivals being instantly installed as red hot favourites.

Neil Lennon’s Celtic would be wise to keep an eye open on Golden Bingo given the luck they’ve got in Rangers’ absence, but the fact they will not have Rangers to compete with may have severe consequences for them as they look to make an impact in the Champions League.

Not having the pressure of Rangers breathing down their necks could see them take their eyes of the ball leading to points being needlessly dropped.

>On the flip side should they find the SPL to be a cakewalk we may see that then having to step up to the plate, upping their game when taking on Europe’s finest after handing out whippings to the likes of St Mirren and Ross County being a real challenge.

The financial necessity of qualification for the Champions League means Lennon has been unable to make any major moves in the transfer market and if they are to slip up and miss out the chances that some of their useful assets such as Kayal, Wanyama and Hooper seeking pastures new will greatly increase.

After a sticky start the Celtic boss appears to have won over the faithful and even if they are to lose one or two quality performers the Parkhead club should have a squad which is too strong for the rest.

Motherwell have benefited from Rangers fall from grace the most with the Fir Park outfit being awarded the opportunity of participating in the Champions League qualifiers too though the Greeks of Panathiniakos will probably prove to be an obstacle to overcome.

Stuart McCall was a surprising choice to assume the managerial reigns at the Lanarkshire club but he proved to be a wise acquisition leading a side easy on the eye and full of attacking potent.

The departures of the experienced duo Stephen Craigan and Steve Jennings will be difficult to overcome but I expect the Well to enjoy another good season with the talents of exciting young forwards Jamie Murphy, Henrik Ojamma and Chris Humphry causing headaches for SPL defences.

2012 will be forever remember fondly in the minds of Hearts supporters thanks to their historic 5-1 Scottish Cup crushing of city rivals Hibernian but as ever with the Gorgie club that success was immediately followed by more changes in the managerial hot seat with the departure of Paulo Sergio.

In his place comes John McGlynn who done a decent job at Raith Rovers and was previously on the Tynecastle coaching staff.

It seems certain Hearts will continue with their downsizing with Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov taking a step back from the day to day running of the club and cup heroes Ian Black and Craig Beattie moving on.

owever in Jamie McDonald, Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas McGlynn has solid foundations to work on though there lack of a real cutting edge in attack may make it harder for them to challenge for the runner up spot.

Peter Houston’s Dundee United finished the last campaign in fourth place and will be expected to mount a challenge to Celtic this year.

The Tannadice men have snapped up two of the First Division’s top players in Michael Gardyne and Mark Millar and have a good record of turning some of the lower leagues players into top SPL pros and I see no reason this should not continue.

A lot of expectation will be heaped on the young shoulders of Johnny Russell and Gary Mackay-Steven, both potential Scotland internationalists, and with the added threat of Jon Daly United should be considered a side who can make a real impact this season.

We are just entering August and already the unfortunate annual cull of Scottish teams participation in European competition has already begun with St Johnstone being turfed out the Europa league qualifiers.

To be fair to the Perth club there wasnt much expectation they would make an impact in the tournament, their real aim this term will be to improve on last season’s sixth placed position.

Lomas appointment was certainly a bold one on behalf of the St Johnstone club’s board but the Ulsterman proved to be a good choice.

The much admired Murray Davidson must be ready to flex his muscles and shine this season and if he can supply the pacy front two of Nigel Hasselbaink and Gregory Tade will enough ammunition this could be another good year for the Saints.

Though good year or not I would not be confident in seeing McDairmid Park packed to the rafters unfortunately as the locals continue to appear to find better things to do of a Saturday afternoon.

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