The SPFL 2015-16 Season

The Place to discuss all things SPFL Premiership and Championship related.

Will attempt to preview and review as many games as possible every week and keep every team from the Premiership updated as the Season goes on

Will keep every SPFL Premiership and certain Championship clubs home attendances and top goalscorers up to date throughout the season

Top Goalscorers

Player	Team	SPFL	Europe	League Cup	Scottish Cup	Total
Leigh Griffiths	Celtic	31	4	1	4	40
Kane Hemmings	Dundee	21		1	3	25
Adam Rooney	Aberdeen	20				20
Liam Boyce	Ross County	15		4	1	20
Louis Moult	Motherwell	15		2	1	18
Steven MacLean	St Johnstone	14		1		15
Kris Doohlan	Partick Thistle	14				14
Scott McDonald	Motherwell	10		2	2	14
Jaunma	Hearts	12			1	13
Billy Mckay	Dundee Utd	12			1	13
Miles Storey	Inverness C.T	11		1	1	13
Niall McGinn	Aberdeen	10	2			12
Josh Magennis	Kilmarnock	10		2		12
Osman Sow	Hearts	9		2		11
Greg Stewart	Dundee	9			2	11
Tom Rogic	Celtic	8		1	1	10

---

Weekly Attendance figures for the SPFL:


Match Day 1   - 126,466 overall - Premiership: 83,623     2.37% of the Population      (Highest Attendance)
Match Day 2   - 101,264 overall - Premiership: 37,832     1.9% of the Population
Match Day 3   -   54,022 overall - Premiership only           1.01% of the Population
Match Day 4   -   95,444 overall - Premiership:  64,919    1.79% of the Popularion
Match Day 5   - 114,881 overall - Premiership:  50,851    2.15% of the Population      (2nd Highest)
Match Day 6   -   95,942 overall - Premiership:  65,109    1.8% of the Population 
Match Day 7   - 109,769 overall - Premiership:  41,948    2.05% of the Population
Match Day 8   -   99,239 overall - Premiership:  81,516    1.86% of  the Population
Match Day 9   - 100,385 overall - Premiership:  69,740    1.88% of the Population
Match Day 10 - 111,150 overall - Premiership:  49,049    2.09% of the Population      (3rd Highest)
Match Day 11 -   95,500 overall - Premiership:  31,402    1.79% of the Population
Match Day 12 - 107,034 overall - Premiership:  82,934    2.01% of the Population
Match Day 13 -   97,459 overall - Premiership:  67,573    1.83% of the Population
Match Day 14 - 107,103 overall - Premiership:  47,079    2.01% of the Population
Match Day 15 -   96,264 overall - Premiership:  75,202    1.81% of the Population
Match Day 16 -   67,152 overall - Premiership:  36,206    1.26% of the Population
Match Day 17 -   58,043 overall * only 3 games due to Postponements, will be updated in due course (Cel/Ham updated)
Match Day 18 -   94,465 overall - Premiership:  34,190    1.77% of the Population
Match Day 19 -   88,573 overall - Premiership:   61,622   1.66% of the Population
Match Day 20 - 101,096 overall - Premiership:   37,679   1.9% of the Population
Match Day 21 -  38,432 - Premiership only (*Dundee vs Celtic Postponed)
Match Day 22 - 105,279 overall - Premiership:   73,602   1.98% of the Population
Match Day 23 -   91,654 overall - Premiership:    40,373   1.72% of the Population     *10 SPFL games were Postponed/Abandoned
Match Day 24 -   99,278 overall - Premiership:    73,001   1.86% of the Population
Match Day 25 - 102,630 overall  - Premiership:   59,670   1.93% of the Population
Match Day 26 -   87,479 overall  - Premiership:   61,269    1.64% of the Population
Match Day 27 - 108,895 overall  - Premiership:   46,884    2.04% of the Population
Match Day 28 - 120,161 overall  - Premiership:    72,157   2.26% of the Population
Match Day 29 - 130,335 overall  - Premiership:    34,878   2.45% of the Population
Match Day 30 - 108,985 overall  - Premiership:  - 46,848  2.05% of the Population
Match Day 31 - 120,161 overall  - Premiership:    72,157   2.26% of the Population
Match Day 32 -  100,658 overall - Premiership:    80,104   1.89% of the Population
Match Day 33 -  108,016 overall - Premiership:    43,105   2.03% of the Population
Match Day 34 -  126,314 overall - Premiership:    61,392   2.37%
Match Day 35 -    83,852 overall - Premiership:    46,407   1.57% of the Population
Match Day 36 -    98,874 - Premiership & Play-Offs only:    81,829    1.86% of the Population
Match Day 37 -    29,562 Prem only o
Match Day 38 -  100,391 overall - Premiership:    84,566 (Prem &Play-Off only)  1.88%

Aberdeen
Celtic
Dundee
Dundee United
Hamilton Accies
Heart of Midlothian
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Kilmarnock
Motherwell
Partick Thistle
Ross County
St. Johnstone



2015-16 Scottish Football Predictions

Premiership Champions - Celtic
Runners Up - Aberdeen
Third Place - Hearts


Relegation Play-Off - Kilmarnock
Automatic Relegation - Partick Thistle

Scottish Cup - Celtic
League Cup - Hearts


Championship Winners - Rangers
Play-Off's - Hibernian, Falkirk, Raith Rovers

2015–16 Scottish Premiership table

POS	Team Name	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts		Qualification or Relegation
1	Aberdeen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		Qualification to Champions League second qualifying round
2	Celtic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round
3	Dundee	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Dundee United	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Hamilton Academical	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Heart of Midlothian	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Kilmarnock	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Motherwell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Partick Thistle	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Ross County	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		Qualification to Scottish Premiership play-offs
12	St. Johnstone	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		Relegation to Scottish Championship

Source: Scottish Premiership

ABERDEEN

Transfers:
Players in

Graeme Shinnie - Inverness Caledonian Thistle Free
Joe Nuttall - Manchester City Free
Paul Quinn - Ross County
Danny Ward - Liverpool

Players out

Nicky Low - Dundee
Declan McManus - Fleetwood Town
Joe Shaughnessy - St. Johnstone
Clark Robertson - Blackpool Free
Craig Murray - East Fife Free
Andrew Driver - De Graafschap
Jamie Masson - Free
Russell Anderson - Retired
Danny Rogers - Falkirk

First Team

1. Jamie Langfield
2. Shay Logan
3. Graeme Shinnie
4. Andrew Considine
5. Ash Taylor
6. Mark Reynolds
7. Kenny McLean
8. Willo Flood
9. Adam Rooney
10. Niall McGinn
11. Jonny Hayes
14. Cammy Smith
15. Barry Robson
16. Peter Pawlett
17. David Goodwillie
18. Paul Quinn
19. Danny Ward (on loan from Liverpool)
20. Scott Brown
22. Ryan Jack (Captain)
25. Lawrence Shankland
26. Craig Storie
31. Josh Parker

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 9,610
2012-13 Average Non Celtic Attendance: 9,142
2013-14 Average Attendance: 13,111
2013-14 Average Non Celtic Attendance: 12,460
2014-15 Average Attendance:  13,358 (253,811 fans from 19 SPFL Premiership Matches)
2014-15 Average Non Celtic Attendance:  12,825
2015-16 Average Attendance:  13,105 (248,988 fans from 19 Home games)
2015-16 Average Non Celtic Attendance:  12,329

---

HOME EUROPEAN ATTENDACE:
3/7/2014:  vs FK Shkendiji - 14,112
17/7/2014:  vs Rejika - 15,803
8/8/2014:  vs Kairat Almaty - 20,317

---

SPFL PREMIERSHIP HOME ATTENDANCE:
9/8/2015:       vs Kilmarnock - 11,305
22/8/2015:    vs Dundee - 13,621
12/9/2015:    vs Celtic  - 20,385
15/9/2015:    vs Hamilton  - 13,246
3/10/2015:    vs St Johnstone - 13,405
24/10/2015:  vs Motherwell - 12,389
7/11/2015:    vs Dundee Utd - 12,805
28/11/2015:  vs Ross County - 10,843
12/12/2015:  vs Hearts   - 13,310
26/12/2015:  vs Inverness C.T  - 15,142
30/12/2015:  vs Partick Thistle  - 12,583
22/1/2016:    vs Dundee     - 11,805
30/1/2016:    vs Celtic        - 19,003
27/2/2016:    vs St Johnstone  - 12,563
12/3/2016:    vs Kilmarnock - 13,725
3/4/2016:      vs Hamilton    - 12,509
30/4/2016:    vs Motherwell - 10,259
12/5/2016:   vs Hearts         - 10,087
15/5/2016:   vs Ross County - 10,003

Celtic


1.    Craig Gordon
2.    Tyler Blackett
3.    Emilio Izaguirre
4.    Efe Ambrose
5.    Virgil van Dijk
6.    Nir Bitton
7.    Nadir Çiftçi
8.    Scott Brown (captain)
9.    Leigh Griffiths
10.  Anthony Stokes
11.  Derk Boerrigter
14.  Stuart Armstrong
15.  Kris Commons
16.  Gary Mackay-Steven
18.  Tom Rogić
19.  Scott Allan
20.  Dedryck Boyata
21.  Charlie Mulgrew (vice-captain)
22.  Saidy Janko
23.  Mikael Lustig
25.  Stefan Johansen
26.  Logan Bailly
38.  Leonardo Fasan
42.  Callum McGregor
49.  James Forrest
63.  Kieran Tierney

---

2012-13 Average SPL Attendance: 46,916
2013-14 Average Premiership  Attendance: 47,079
2014-15 Average Premiership Attendance: 44,584 (847,112 fans from 19 SPFL Premiership Matches)
2015-16 Average Premiership Attendance: 44,850 (852,155 from 19 SPFL Premiership Matches)

---

EUROPE:
15/7/2015:  vs Stjarnan         - 48,125
29/7/2015:  vs Qarabag         - 43,011
19/8/2015:  vs Malmö FF       - 52,421
1/10/2015:  vs Fenerbahce    - 41,330
5/11/2015:  vs Molde             - 37,071

---

SPFL PREMIERSHIP:
1/8/2015:     vs Ross County    -   45,197
15/8/2015:   vs Inverness C.T -   42,727
29/8/2915:   vs St Johnstone   -  42,507
21/9/2015:   vs Dundee           -  48,558
25/9/2015:   vs Hearts             -  46,297
25/10/2015: vs Dundee Utd     - 42,718
31/10/2015: vs Aberdeen         - 48,161
21/11/2015: vs Kilmarnock      - 42,770
19/12/2015: vs Motherwell      - 42,603
2/1/2016:    vs  Partick Thistle - 46,067
19/1/2016:  vs  Hamilton Acc   - 45,659
23/1/2016:  vs  St Johnstone    - 43,948
13/2/2016:  vs  Ross County     - 42,560
20/2/2016:  vs  Inverness C.T   - 43,600
2/3/2016:    vs  Dundee              - 41,451
2/4/2016:    vs  Hearts                - 49,009
24/4/2016:  vs Ross County      - 41,396
8/5/2016:    vs Aberdeen            - 47,877
15/5/2016:  vs Motherwell         - 49,050

---

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP: 
23/9/2015:   vs Raith Rovers  -  13,951

Dundee

1.    Scott Bain
2.    Gary Irvine (Vice Captain)
3.    Kevin Holt
4.    Thomas Konrad
5.    James McPake
6.    Daryll Meggatt
7.    Greg Stewart
8.    Nicky Low
9.    Rory Loy
10.  Kevin Thomson (Club Captain)
11.  Simon Ferry
12.  David Mitchell
14.  Philip Roberts
15.  Kane Hemmings
16.  Julen Etxabeguren
17.  Nick Ross
18.  Paul McGowan
19.  Paul McGinn
26.  Kostadin Gadzhalov
28.  Dylan Carreiro
29.  Gary Harkins
30.  Cameron Kerr

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 5,942
2013-14 Average Attednance: 4,737 (Championship)
2014-15 Average Attendance: 6,966
2015-16 Average Attendance: 6,120

---

SPFL PREMIERSHIP:
8/8/2015:      vs Hearts                - 8,222
15/8/2015:    vs St Johnstone     - 6,176
29/8/2015:    vs Inverness C.T   - 4,767
26/9/2015:    vs Ross County     - 5,128
3/10/2015:    vs Motherwell        - 5,152
24/10/2015:  vs Kilmarnock       - 4,970
7/11/2015:    vs Partick Thistle  - 5,027
6/12/2015:    vs Aberdeen           - 6,327
19/12/2015:  vs Hamilton           - 4,568
1/2/2016:      vs Dundee Utd       - 11,025
30/1/2016:    vs Motherwell        - 4,960
12/2/2016:    vs St Johnstone    - 4,876
27/2/2016:    vs Inverness C.T   - 5,048
12/3/2016:   vs Hearts                - 6,195
2/4/2016:     vs Ross County      - 5,095
5/4/2016:     vs Celtic                  - 9,566
2/5/2016:     vs Dundee Utd       - 10,088
7/5/2016:     vs Hamilton            - 4,757
11/5/2016:   vs Kilmarnock        - 4,335

Dundee Utd

2.    Seán Dillon (captain)
3.    Paul Dixon
4.    John Souttar
5.    Callum Morris
6.    Paul Paton
7.    Billy Mckay
8.    John Rankin
9.    Jordan Moore
10.  Robbie Muirhead
11.  Chris Erskine
12.  Ryan McGowan
13.  Marc McCallum
14.  Ryan Dow
15.  Simon Murray
16.  Charlie Telfer
17.  Mark Durnan
18.  Aidan Connolly
19.  Mario Bilate
20.  Blair Spittal
21.  Michał Szromnik
22.  Scott Fraser
23.  Scott Smith
24.  Euan Spark
27.  Ali Coote
28.  Coll Donaldson
30.  Darko Bodul
51.  Luis Zwick

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 7,547
2013-14 Average Attendance: 7,600
2014-15 Average Attendance: 8,108
2015-16 Average Attendance: 7,969

---

SPFL PREMIESHIP HOME ATTENDANCE:
2-8-2015:  vs Aberdeen - 10,706
11-8-2015:  vs  Dundee -  11,835
22-28-2015:  vs Celtic  -  10,605
12-9-2015:  vs Kilmarnock     - 8,264
19-9-2015:  vs Inverness C.T - 6,235
18-10-2015: vs Hearts             - 7,461
31-10-2015: vs Ross County  - 5,549
21-11-2015: vs St Johnstone - 7,020
28-11-2015: vs Hamilton        - 5,788
12-12-2015: vs Partick Thistle - 6,256
15-1-2016:  vs Celtic                  - 10,848
23-1-2016:  vs Kilmarnock        -  7,729
16-2-2016:  vs Motherwell        -  6,251
20-2-2016:  vs Hearts                -  8,031
2-3-2016:    vs Aberdeen           -  9,737
20-3-2016:  vs Dundee              - 11,603
9-4-2016:    vs Inverness C.T    -  6,927 
24-4-2016:  vs Hamilton            -  5,884
10-5-2016:  vs Partick Thistle   -  4,689

---

League Cup Home Attendance: 
22-9-2015  vs Dunfermline - 5,174

Hamilton Accies

1.    Michael McGovern
2.    Ziggy Gordon
3.    Antons Kurakins
4.    Michael Dublin 
5.    Martin Canning (captain)
6.    Grant Gillespie
7.    Dougie Imrie
8.    Chris Turner
9.    Salva Chamorro
10.  Daniel Redmond
11.  Ali Crawford
12.  Gramoz Kurtaj
14.  Carlton Morris (on loan from Norwich City)
15.  Kieran MacDonald
16.  Craig Watson
17.  Louis Longridge
18.  Darian MacKinnon
19.  Darren Hill
20.  Eamonn Brophy
21.  Greg Docherty
22.  Darren Lyon
23.  Scott McMann
24.  Jesús García
26.  Alan Martin
27.  Christian Nadé
30.  Steven Boyd
32.  Andy Ryan
44.  Lucas

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 1,231 (SFL First Division)
2013-14 Average Attendance: 1,435 (Championship)
2014-15 Average Attendance: 2,877
2015-16 Average Attendance: 3,027

---

SPFL PREMIERSHIP Average Home Attendance:
1-8-2015:     vs Partick Thistle   - 2,872
15-8-2015:   vs Dundee Utd       - 2,173
28-8-2015:   vs Hearts                - 4,745
19-9-2015:   vs Motherwell        - 3,325
4-10-2015:   vs Celtic                 - 4,910
17-10-2015: vs Dundee              - 2,862
31-10-2015: vs St Johnstone    - 2,216
22-11-2015: vs Aberdeen          - 2,434
12-12-2015: vs Ross County     - 2,120
26-12-2015: vs Kilmarnock       - 2,006
30-12-2015: vs Inverness C.T   - 1,555
24-1-2016:   vs Hearts                - 2,684
13-2-2016:   vs Dundee Utd       - 3,902
26-2-2016:   vs Celtic                  - 5,017
5-3-2016:     vs Motherwell        - 3,755
19-3-2016:   vs Partick Thistle  - 3,055
8-4-2016:     vs Dundee              - 2,764
30-4-2016:   vs Kilmarnock       - 3,595
11-5-2016:   vs Inverness C.T   - 1,516

Heart Of Midlothian

1.    Neil Alexander
2.    Callum Paterson
3.    Kevin McHattie
4.    Blazej Augustyn
5.    Alim Öztürk
6.    Morgaro Gomis
7.    Jamie Walker
8.    Prince Buaben
9.    Soufian El Hassnaoui
10.  Osman Sow
11.  Sam Nicholson
12.  Billy King
13.  Jack Hamilton
14.  Miguel Pallardó
15.  Scott Gallacher
16.  Gary Oliver
18.  Igor Rossi Branco
19.  Juanma Delgado
20.  Gavin Reilly
21.  Kenny Anderson
22.  Jordan McGhee
23.  Danny Swanson
27.  Angus Beith
28.  Robbie Buchanan
29.  Liam Smith
32.  Alistair Roy
35.  Sean McKirdy
78. Juwon Oshaniwa

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 13,161
2013-14 Average Attendance: 14,121
2014-15 Average Attendance: 15,985
2015-16 Average Attendance: 16,476

---

SPFL Premiership Average Attendance:
2-8-2015  vs St Johnstone - 16,334
12-8-2015:  vs Motherwell - 16,645
22-8-2015:  vs Partick Thistle - 16,657
21-9-2015:  vs Aberdeen -  16,702
24-10-2015:  vs Ross County  - 16,264
3-11-2015: vs Kilmarnock - 16,461
7-11-2015: vs Hamilton    - 16,121
21-11-2015: vs Dundee    - 16,736
27-12-2015: vs Celtic             - 16,844
30-12-2015: vs Dundee Utd  - 16,721
16-1-2016:  vs Motherwell    -  16,574
27-2-2016:  vs Kilmarnock    -  16,352
1-2-2016:    vs Inverness CT -  15,767
5-3-2016:    vs Partick Thistle - 16,558
19-3-2016:  vs St Johnstone  -  16,295
7-4-2016:    vs Aberdeen         -  16,995
30-4-2016:  vs Celtic                -  16,527
7-5-2016:    vs Ross County    - 15,438
15-5-2016:  vs St Johnstone   - 16,046

---

SCOTTISH LEAGUE:
28-10-2015 vs Celtic        - 11,598

Inverness C.T

1.    Ryan Esson
2.    David Raven
3.    Carl Tremarco
4.    James Vincent
5.    Gary Warren
6.    Josh Meekings
7.    Dani López
8.    Ross Draper
9.    Richie Foran (club captain)
10.  Aaron Doran
11.  Jordan Roberts
12.  Dean Brill
14.  Daniel Devine
15.  Nathaniel Wedderburn
16.  Greg Tansey
17.  Lewis Horner
19.  Danny Williams
20.  Liam Polworth
22.  Ryan Christie
25.  Owain Fôn Williams
28.  Andréa Mbuyi-Mutombo
31.  Cameron Mackay
37.  Alisdair Sutherland
39.  Calum Ferguson

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 4,038
2013-14 Average Attendance: 3,571
2014-15 Average Attendance: 3,733
2015-16 Average Attendance: 3,754

---

SPFL PREMIESHIP HOME ATTENDANCE:
1-8-2015  vs Motherwell - 3,307
11-8-2015:  vs Partick Thistle - 3,141
22-8-2015:  vs Hamilton Accies - 3,003
12-9-2015:  vs Hearts - 4,160
25-9-2015:  vs Aberdeen - 6,410
24-10-2015: vs St Johnstone  - 3,471
21-11-2015: vs Dundee - 2,940
28-11-2015: vs Celtic    - 5,976
12-12-2015: vs Kilmarnock - 2,775
19-12-1015: vs Dundee Utd - 2,981
1/2/2016:      vs Ross County  - 5,388
23/1/2016:    vs Partick Thistle  - 3,556
15/2/2016:    vs Aberdeen          - 4,544
12/3/2016:   vs Hamilton          - 3,510
2/4/2016:     vs Motherwell      - 3,348
12/4/2016:   vs Hearts             - 3,202
24/4/2016:   vs Kilmarnock    - 2,228
6/5/2016:     vs Dundee Utd    - 3,587
14/5/2016:   vs Dundee           - 3,794

Kilmarnock

1.    Craig Samson
2.    Ross Barbour
3.    Steven Smith
4.    Jamie Hamill
5.    Stuart Findlay (on loan from Celtic)
6.    Mark Connolly (Captain)
7.    Rory McKenzie
8.    Scott Robinson
9.    Kris Boyd
10.  Chris Johnston
11.  Kallum Higginbotham
12.  Darryl Westlake
14.  Mark O'Hara
15.  Lee McCulloch
16.  Tope Obadeyi
18.  Lee Ashcroft
19.  Craig Slater
20.  Dale Carrick
21.  Jamie MacDonald
23.  Greg Kiltie
28.  Josh Magennis


2012-13 Average Attendance 4,646
2013-14 Average Attendance 4,250
2014-15 Average Attendance 4,076
2015-16 Average Attendance 4,344

---

SPFL PREMIESHIP HOME ATTENDANCE:
1-8-2015:      vs Dundee - 5,207
12-8-2015:    vs Celtic  - 6,090
22-8-2015:    vs Ross County - 3,604
19-9-2015:    vs St Johnstone - 3,165
25-9-2015:    vs Hamilton - 3,308
17-10-2015:  vs Inverness C.T - 3,234
31-10-2015:  vs Motherwell -  3,931
28-11-2015:  vs  Partick Thistle -  3,860
5-12-2015:    vs Dundee Utd     - 2,828
19-12-2015:  vs Aberdeen         - 3,928
2/1/2016:      vs Hearts               - 5,388
16-1-2016:    vs Inverness C.T  - 2,937
30-1-2016:    vs Hamilton          - 3,076
20-2-2016:    vs Dundee             - 3,688
1-3-2016:      vs Ross County    - 2,633
19-3-2016:    vs Celtic                - 6,867
9-4-2016:      vs St Johnstone   - 3,693
7-5-2016:      vs Partick Thistle - 5,729
14-5-2016:    vs Dundee Utd      - 2,702
22-5-2016:    vs Falkirk (Play-Off Final) - 11,013

---

Scottish League Cup Attendance: 
23-9-2015:  vs Hearts  - 3,249

Motherwell

1.    Connor Ripley (on loan from Middlesbrough)
2.    Craig Reid
3.    Steven Hammell
5.    Louis Laing
6.    Stephen McManus
7.    Lionel Ainsworth
8.    Stephen Pearson
9.    Wes Fletcher
11.  Marvin Johnson
12.  Dan Twardzik
14.  Keith Lasley (Captain)
15.  Joe Chalmers
16.  Kieran Kennedy
18.  Josh Law
19.  David Clarkson
20.  Louis Moult
21.  Jack Leitch
23.  Dom Thomas
26.  Chris Cadden
27.  David Ferguson
28.  Luke Watt
34.  Ross MacLean
77.  Scott McDonald

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 5,362
2013-14 Average Attendance: 5,175
2014-15 Average Attendance: 4,338
2015-16 Average Attendance: 4,912

---

SPFL PREMIERSHIP HOME ATTENDANCES:
8/8/2015:    vs Dundee Utd   -  4,859
15/8/2015: vs Aberdeen        -  5,437
29/8/2015: vs Kilmarnock     -  4,136
12-9-2015:  vs Ross County   - 3,545
25-9-2015  vs Partick Thistle - 3,963
17-10-2015:  vs Celtic             - 8,888
7-11-2015:  vs Inverness        - 3,569
28-11-2015:  vs Hearts           - 5,141
12-12-2015:  vs Dundee         - 3,512
30-12-2015:  vs St Johnstone - 4,055
2-1-2016:    vs Hamilton          - 5,734
23-1-2016:  vs Ross County    - 3,279
12-2-2016:  vs Kilmarnock      - 3,764
27-2-2016:  vs Partick Thistle - 4,302
11-3-2016:  vs Motherwell       - 4,210
19-3-2016:  vs Aberdeen          - 6,251
8-4-2016:    vs Celtic                 - 9,123
23/4/2016: vs Hearts                - 5,125
7/5/2016:   vs St Johnstone     - 4,441

Partick Thistle

1.    Tomáš Černý
2.    Gary Miller
3.    Danny Seaborne
4.    Sean Welsh (captain)
5.    Callum Booth
6.    Abdul Osman
7.    David Amoo
8.    Stuart Bannigan
9.    Kris Doolan
10.  Ryan Stevenson
11.  Steven Lawless
12.  Ryan Scully
13.  Frédéric Frans
14.  Christie Elliott
17.  Liam Lindsay
18.  David Wilson
19.  Jack Hendry
20.  Declan McDaid
22.  Gary Fraser
35.  Paul Gallacher
36.  Chris Duggan

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 3,613 (SFL First Division)
2013-14 Average Attendance: 5,001
2014-15 Average Attendance: 3,585
2015-16 Average Attendance: 3,843

---

SPFL PREMIESHIP HOME ATTENDANCE:
9/8/2015:  vs Celtic          - 7,008
15/8/2015:  vs Kilmarnock - 3,600
29/8/2015:  vs Aberdeen   -  4,940
12/9/2015:  vs Dundee      -  2,946
3/10/2015:  vs Dundee Utd  - 3,675
24/10/2015: vs Hamilton      - 3,122
31/10/2015: vs Hearts         - 4,776
21/11/2015: vs Inverness    - 2,864
19/12/2015: vs Ross County - 2,762
16/1/2016:  vs  Dundee          - 3,222
2/1/2016:     vs  Motherwell   -  2,487
23/2/2016:   vs St Johnstone - 2,320
8/3/2016:     vs Aberdeen        - 3,915
12/3/2016:  vs Celtic              -  7,238
2/4/2016:     vs Kilmarnock    -  4,359
5/4/2016:     vs Dundee Utd   -  4,533
23/4/2016:  vs Dundee          -  2,769
30/4/2016:  vs Inverness      -  2,609
14/5/2016:  vs Hamilton        - 2,971

Ross County

1.    Scott Fox
2.    Marcus Fraser
3.    Jamie Reckord
4.    Rocco Quinn
5.    Scott Boyd
6.    Chris Robertson
7.    Michael Gardyne
8.    Ian McShane
9.    Brian Graham
10.  Liam Boyce
11.  Craig Curran
12.  Richard Foster
14.  Darren Holden
15.  Andrew Davies (captain)
17.  Jonathan Franks
18.  Stewart Murdoch
19.  Tony Dingwall
21.  Daniel Bachmann (on loan from Stoke City)
24.  Raffaele De Vita
36.  Jackson Irvine

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 4,429
2013-14 Average Attendance: 3,792
2014-15 Average Attendance: 3,525
2015-16 Average Attendance: 3,632

---

SPFL PREMIERSHIP HOME ATTENDANCES:
8/8/2015:    vs Hamilton Accies   -  3,479
15/8/2015:  vs Hearts                  -  4,806
29/8/2015:  vs Dundee Utd         -  4,014
19/9/2015:  vs Partick Thistle     -  3,531
3/10/2015:  vs Inverness C.T      -  5,473
16/10/2015:  vs Aberdeen          -  5,543
7/11/2015:   vs Celtic                  -  6,042
21/11/2015: vs Motherwell         -  3,378
5/12/2015:   vs St Johnstone    -   3,229
26/12/2015:  vs Dundee             -   3,687
19/2/2016:    vs Hearts               -  3,391
20/2/2016:    vs Hamilton           -  3,059
27/2/2016:    vs Dundee Utd       -  3,564
19/3/2016:    vs Inverness C.T   -  5,912
9/4/2016:     vs Partick Thistle  -  3,603
30/4/2016:   vs St Johnstone    -  3,329
11-5-2016:    vs Motherwell       - 2,976

---

22-9-2015:  vs Falkirk     -  1,341

St Johnstone

1.    Alan Mannus
2.    Dave Mackay (captain)
3.    Tam Scobbie
4.    Simon Lappin
5.    Frazer Wright
6.    Steven Anderson
7.    Chris Millar
8.    Murray Davidson
9.    Steven MacLean
10.  David Wotherspoon
11.  John Sutton
12.  Zander Clark
14.  Joe Shaughnessy
15.  Brad McKay
16.  Liam Caddis
18.  Graham Cummins
20.  Scott Brown
24.  Brian Easton
25.  Chris Kane
26.  Liam Craig
29.  Michael O'Halloran

---

2012-13 Average Attendance: 3,712
2013-14 Average Attendance: 3,805
2014-15 Average Attendance: 4,571
2015-16 Average Attendance: 3,883

---

SPFL PREMIESHIP HOME ATTENDANCE:
8/8/2015:    vs Inverness C.T - 2,959
11/8/2015:  vs Ross County   - 3,065
22/8/2015:  vs Motherwell      - 3,361
12/9/2015: vs Hamilton Acc  - 2,648
25/9/2015: vs Dundee Utd    - 4,634
17/10/2015:  vs Partick Thistle - 3,414
7/11/2015:  vs Kilmarnock         - 3,475
28/11/2015:  vs Dundee             - 4,598
13/12/2015:  vs Celtic                - 6,481
19/12/2015: vs Hearts               - 4,780
16/1/2016:  vs Hamilton            - 2,685
5/2/2016:    vs Aberdeen            - 5,712
20/2/2016:  vs Motherwell         - 3,006
2/3/2016:    vs Partick Thistle   - 2,569
9/2/2016:    vs Inverness C.T    - 2,157
16/3/2016:  vs Ross County      - 2,501
2/4/2016:   vs Dundee Utd        - 5,784
22/4/2016: vs Aberdeen            - 3,990
11/5/2016:  vs Celtic                  - 5,959

Labrokes SPFL Premiership:
Week 1

Celtic vs Ross County
The Season opens with last years Champions unveiling the Championship Flag at Celtic Park against a team who had the second best record in the League after the close of the Winter transfer window , Ross County like every Year start the New Season with a completely new squad which makes it difficult to predict how they'll fair.

Celtic have a far more settled side, they've made only 4 additions to last Season's double winning side with only one of those players (Dedryck Boyata) expected to nake an immediate impact with Nadir Çiftçi suspended for the first 6 Premiership games.

The Champs have started off their 2015-16 Campaign well with 4 wins out of 5 in their Friendly matches and 3 wins out of 3 in Champions League qualifiers,  they've created plenty of chances in those games outwith the Qarabag game and looked pretty robust at the back not withstanding one friendly against Dukla Prague - Leigh Griffiths is likely to make his first start of the Campaign due to Çiftçi's suspension which bodes well the Bhoys in Green in my opinion.

Prediction:  Celtic 3-0 Ross County


Dundee Utd vs Aberdeen
Last Seasons Title Contenders travel to Tannadice for the battle of the New Firm on the opening day of the Season - Aberdeen have already started their 2015-16 campaign and have played 5 Europa League matches already and just this week made the longest journey in the history of European Football by traveling to the City of Almaty of Kazakhstan, The Dons have strengthened their first team well with the addition of Greame Shinnie from Inverness C.T and goalie Mark Ward on loan from Liverpool who has already made himself a European Hero

Utd on the other hand have warmed up for the Season by touring and getting soundly beaten all over Holland and also playing a glamour friendly in London against a very strong QPR side they should have beaten as well as losing at home to Watford.

Utd are much changed from the team that started last Season's campaign having lost Gary Mackay-Steven & Stuart Armstrong in January and Nadir Çiftçi in the Summer all to Celtic, they've also lost Jaraslow Fojut which will be a big loss, they have brought in Coll Donaldson and Rodney Sneijder, brother of Wesley as well as striker Darko Bodul and Mark Durnam.

Normally I'd expect Dundee Utd to been big favourites with Aberdeen having travelled such a distance this week with one eye on the return leg on Thursday Night however with all the changes to the Utd personnel I think it'll be a tough day all round

Prediction:  Dundee Utd 1-2 Aberdeen


Hamilton vs Partick Thistle
My pick for the bottom two slots in the Division for the coming Season, Hamilton looked abysmal after Alex Neil left for Norwich, they did show signs of life after they landed in the bottom 6 and started to win some games again, I feel at this moment in time their squad is considerably weaker than this time last year, its a hazard of over achieving I suppose.

Thistle, another whose squad looks drastically weaker than the one that finished the 2014-15 Premiership so strongly,  they've lost lynch pins of their squad like Conrad Balatoni, Stephen O'Donnell, Kallum Higginbotham, Scott Fox and Lyle Taylor has once again returned to England after a successful loan spell - apart from Keeper Tomas Cerny, who I personally am not a big fan of, I don't believe anyone they have brought in are anywhere near the level of the players they lost over the Summer, they do have a batch of kids that are seemingly talented but whether that transcends into points on the board is another matter.

I feel these fixtures are going to be so vital over the coming Season as to who finishes bottom and who takes the Premiership Play-Off spot

Prediction:  Hamilton 1-1 Partick Thistle




Hearts vs St Johnstone
Hearts return to the Premiership after dominating the Championship last Season, I've been greatly impressed with the business they've done since coming out of Administration at the end of their last Premiership campaign, many of the kids that they blooded to see tjem through their last Premiership campaign are now seasoned Pros and by winning a League that contained Rangers and Hibernian they also know what it feels like to achieve something too, they lost their Captain Danny Wilson over the Summer to Rangers and allowed some others to leave that weren't considered good enough to be firsr picks for manager Robbie Neilson, they've made some very exciting changes to the squad though and I believe their squad as a whole is of much higher standard than the one that finished the Championship in April.

St Johnstone have already started their Season, they dropped out of Europe in the first round against pretty poor Armenian opposition on the away goals rule, the game possibly came to early for Saints, they finished 4th last Season and always seem to be a team that wins points consistently through the Season, they were the 2nd lowest goalscorers in the Division, averaging less than a goal a game, only St Mirren who were relegated by a huge distance scored less than them, over the Summer they added John Sutton to sort that particular problem, the big guy isn't without his critics but he's scored about 130 goals in the Scottish game and averages a goal every two games, in Keith O'Halleron and Steven MacLean they also have guys who can put the ball in the net and the re-signing of Liam Craig could be a masterstroke,  their aging defence has to be a worry though for this campaign.

Prediction:  Hearts 2-0 St Johnstone


Inverness C.T vs Motherwell
Motherwell's first competitive match since the "Battle of Fir Park" saw them kill off Rangers dreams of Premiership Promotion,  Red Cards, Police involvement and a Karaoke Session by Well players in front of jubilant supporters, since that glorious May day though they've lost a few players, most notably Lewis Erwin who galvanised them when they needed it most but Leeds bought him for £320,000 - Scott McDonald has signed on permanently which is a boost and if Stephen Pearson can start where he left off that'll be music to Ian Barraclough's ears.

Inverness C.T have already started their 2014-15 campaign, heartbreakingly losong out in the Europa League to FC Astra, a club who Celticnarrowly beat last Season and a team who then went on to draw wwith West Ham a week after putting ICT out, they dominated that game in Romania and if it hadn't been Caley's European debut I believe a wee bit more know how would have seen them knock the Romanians out, ICT have lost some big players from that Cup winning side, Ofery being one, Marley Watkins who was a goalscoring hero is also away as is their prized possession, Greame Shinnie.

John Hughes being the manager that he is though is still getting top performances out of his players and their style doesn't seem to have changed, I've always felt that ICT with their possession based game are a better away side than a Home one but in the last two years they seem to win these type of fixtures more often than not.

Prediction:  Inverness C.T 2-1 Motherwell


Kilmarnock vs Dundee
Kilmarnock have done the most intriguing business within the Scottish Premiership over the Summer in my opinion, they've signed seasoned pros like Lee McCulloch and Steven Smith as well as re-signing club icon Kris Boyd,  all from Rangers (which is a risk given how poor the Ibrox club have been in the last few years and the poor standard they've competed at) signed the very talented Scott Robinson after his deal with Hearts ended and also signed one of Celtic's brightest prosepcts Jamie Lyndsey on a Season long loan, it'll also be intriguing to see how Garry Locke fairs with a full squad and a level playing field from the first whistle.

Dundee have looked to shave their squad considerably over the Summer which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I'm not convinced that they've added enough genuine quality to their squad, I like Paul Hartley and the Dundee board do seem to back the club so maybe they'll look to do a bit more as the window nears closure, in Greg Stewart though they have a fabulous talent and they have added the goals of Rory Loy from Falkirk which could see them do alright initially

Prediction:  Kilmarnock 1-3 Dundee

Season Predictions:


Premiership Champions - Celtic
Runners-Up - Aberdeen
Third Place - Hearts

Relegation Play-Off - Partick Thistle
Automatic Relegation -  Hamilton Accies


Scottish Cup - Celtic
League Cup - Aberdeen

SPFL Championship:
Winners - Rangers
Play-Off's - Hibs;  Falkirk;  St Mirren

Premiership Play-Off Winners - Hibs

Top Goalscorer - Leigh Griffiths
Player of the Year - Gary Mackay-Steven
Young Player of the Year - Ryan Jack

Week 1

Saturday:
Celtic 2-0 Ross County  (Griffiths, Johansen)
Att: 45,197


Hamilton Accies 0-0 Partick Thistle
Att: 2,872


Inverness C.T 0-1 Motherwell  (Fletcher)
Att: 3,307


Kilmarnock 0-4 Dundee  (Stewart 2, Loy 2)
Att: 5,207


Sunday:
Hearts 4-3 St Johnstone (Juanma, Walker, Patterson, Nicholson - Lappin, Sutton, Cummins)
Att: 16,334


Dundee Utd 0-1 Aberdeen (McLean)
Att: 10,706

2015–16 Scottish Premiership table

POS	Team Name	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts		Qualification or Relegation
1	Dundee	1	1	0	0	4	0	3		Qualification to Champions League second qualifying round
2	Celtic	1	1	0	0	2	0	3		Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round
3	Heart of Midlothian	1	1	0	0	4	3	3
4	Aberdeen	1	1	0	0	1	0	3
5	Motherwell	1	1	0	0	1	0	3
6	Hamilton Accies	1	0	1	0	0	0	1
7	Partick Thistle	1	0	1	0	0	0	1
8	St. Johnstone	1	0	0	1	3	4	0
9	Dundee United	1	0	0	1	0	1	0
10	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	1	0	0	1	0	1	0
11	Ross County	1	0	0	1	0	2	0		Qualification to Scottish Premiership play-offs
12	Kilmarnock	1	0	0	1	0	4	0		Relegation to Scottish Championship

Source: Scottish Premiership

Week 2 Fixtures

Saturday 8th

Dundee vs Hearts


Motherwell vs Dundee United


Ross County vs Hamilton Accies


St Johnstone vs Inverness CT


Sunday 9th


Partick Thistle vs Celtic Live on BT Sports 12:30


Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock

Week 2 Preview



Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock - Aberdeen will want to bounce back from the bitter disappointment of going out of Europe on Thursday night,  they did put a gargantuan effort in but they were too wasteful on the night, Celtic Park apart Pittodrie will be the last place Kilmarnock will want to go after last week's hammering at Home to Dundee, it'll most likely be a subdued atmosphere compared to Thursday and I expect the Dons to be a bit leggy too, still fancy them strongly though - Prediction:  Aberdeen 2-0 Kilmarnock



Dundee vs Hearts - Match of the Weekend in Scotland for me, both teams started the Season with a bang last weekend scoring four goals each, Dundee's were against a rather poor Kilmarnock side whilst Hearts goals came in their exciting 4-3 win over a usually water tight St Johnstone defence, Hearts looked uncomfortable at the back with long diagonals but were pacey, tricky and deadly on the break, Dundee opened up Kilmarnock at will and the scoreline flattered Killie, this should be a cracking contest, I fancy both to finish top 5  - Prediction: Dundee 1-2 Hearts



Motherwell vs Dundee Utd - Motherwell started the Season brilliantly with a good 1-0 win over Caley Thistle in Inverness last week, it coukd and should have been more, Dundee Utd started the Season with a New Firm Derby loss to Aberdeen, truth be told despite Aberdeen making the longest trip in European History Dundee Utd never once looked like hurting them, Utd are a far weaker side this year - Prediction:  Motherwell  1-1 Dundee Utd



Partick Thistle vs Celtic - Thistle started the Season with a very well earned battling point at Hamilton last week, that should give them confidence going into the Glasgow Derby, Celtic started their Season brightly last week with a 2-0 win and also secured their place in the Champions League Play-Off round by besting Qarabag over two legs in Azerbaijan - after such an exhausting trip and blistering conditions I expect Celtic to make 3-5 changes which while freshening them up could also leave them vulnerable  - Prediction - Partick Thistle 0-3 Celtic






Ross County vs Hamilton - Ross County were incredible from the close of the winter transfer window until the end of the Season, their points to games ratio was amazing, as they do though they always ring the changes in the Summer, I saw them last week though at Celtic Park and they were impressive, Hamilton are favourites to go down, I too think they'll be down there but not on their own, I fancy 3 o 4 teams to struggle,  they had a perfect opportunity to start with a bang last week but despite having a man advantage for almost an hour they couldn't break Thistle down - Prediction: Ross County 2-0



St Johnstone vs Inverness C.T - last years 4th vs last Season's 3rd, both teams look considerably weaker at the moment, St Johnstone in defence and Inverness in attack, Inverness as displayed against Astra in the Europa League are still a better side away from home, St Johnstone will want to be more solid than last week while Inverness I imagine will look to hog the ball and play themselves into the game - Prediction:  St Johnstone 1-1 Inverness C.T

Midweek Premiership Fixtures:


Tuesday 11th August


Dundee Utd vs Dundee - Dundee Utd got a much needed win at Fir Park at the weekend, a match which Motherwell dominated they finally got some luck when Louis Laing scored an OG late on which led to the win, Dundee on the otherhand could curse their luck, they absolutely dominated play against Hearts at Dens Park and at 1-0 they just didn't close out the game, they somehow managed to lose the game, they look a far stronger side than their City Rivals though, Dundee haven't got the best of records in these fixtures although Dundee did manage to win their first Dundee Derby in 10 years last April - Prediction:  Dundee Utd 1-2 Dundee

St Johnstone vs Ross County - St Johnstone have had a tough start to the Season, having scored 3 goals at Tyncastle and still leaving empty handed they dominated play on Saturday against an injury ravaged ICT side and yet it took them until injury time to score that elqualising goal, Ross County left Celtic Park on Week 1 with their heads held high and they took that confidence into their first Home game of the Season on Saturday by dismantling Hamilton 2-0, County look like a side who have no intention of finishing anywhere near the bottom of the League this Season - Prediction:  St Johnstone 1-2 Ross County




Wednesday 12th August




Aberdeen P-P Hamilton Accies: Due to the early start for Scottish Clubs in Europe the SPFL allow clubs to call off one game in the first few weeks of the Season, having already played 6 European games and two League games Derek McInnes chose to opt for this game to be Postponed, it's been rescheduled for mid September.


Hearts vs Motherwell - Motherwell look a side vastly improved from the side that finished in the Relegation Play-Off position last Season, beating the Scottish Cup holders in Week 1 was a good start and despite losing on Saturday at Home it was a game they dominated and missed a few golden chances that they'd normally have swallowed up, Hearts have been a breath of fresh air on their return to Scotland's top flight, an opening day 7 goal thriller at a packed Tyncastle followed up by a smash and grab 2-1 win at a packed Dens Park on Saturday, Tyncastle is all set to be full once again for the visit of the Steelmen, I'm expecting a very open game here and one where both are likely to score goals. - Prediction:  Hearts 3-1 Motherwell


Inverness C.T vs Partick Thistle: Caley Thistle haven't had the best starts to their Season, after the heartbreaking disappointment of losing out to Astra in the Europa League Qualifiers their low key start to the Premiership hasn't went unoticed, losing in Week 1 then throwing 2 points away in stoppage time on Saturday, they just can't get into the swing of things yet, Partick Thistle are much the same, they fought for a battling draw on Week 1 having played an hour with only 10 men but on Sunday against Celtic they offered absolutely nothing in opposition of the Scottish Champions, their young CB pairing did very well under the circumstances but they'll have to open up a lot more if they hope to win points this Season - Prediction:   Inverness 1-1 Partick Thistle


Kilmarnock vs Celtic: With Aberdeen and Celtic in their first 3 matches Kilmarnock were never favourites to get off to the best of starts but even with that in mind their start has been particularly worrying, a hammering at home on Week 1 followed by a roill over 2-0 loss at Pittodrie on Sunday to a team who could and should have scored 5 or 6, Celtic on the otherhand have started their Season very brightly, 3 wins and a draw in the Champions League followed by two 2-0 wins in the Premiership sees the Champions take the early top spot in the Division, Kilmarnock has been a very favourable hunting ground for them in recent years and I really don't see this game being much different - Predicition:  Kilmarnock 0-4 Celtic

Match Day 3 Results:

Aberdeen P-P Hamilton Academical


Dundee Utd 2-2 Dundee (Spittal 2 - Stewart, McPake)
Att:  11,835


St Johnstone 1-1 Ross County (Cummins - Curran)
Att:  3,065


Hearts 2-0 Motherwell  (Reiley, King)
Att:  16,645


Inverness C.T 0-0 Partick Thistle
Att:  3,141


Kilmarnock 2-2 Celtic ( Magennis Higginbotham - Griffiths, Bitton)
Att:  6,090

Match Day 4 Preview


Celtic vs Inverness C.T: Celtic will be looking to bounce back after Wednesday's disappointing draw, they've made 56 goalscoring chances though from the first 3 games of the Season, Inverness haven't clicked yet this Season, 3 games, 2 points 1 goal is their stats so far, only lost one goal in 3 games too so they've kept things tight at both ends, I'd expect Celtic to start fast and hope to close the game early with an eye on Malmo  - Prediction:  Celtic 2-0 Inverness C.T




Dundee vs St Johnstone:  Dundee should be buzzing after Tuesday Nights epic Tayside Derby comeback, they have been a joy to watch in the opening three games of the Season, play some great attacking football and also can be quite suicidal at the back, makes for an entertaining combination,  Saints have struggled at the start of the Season but still have that fighting spirit they're renown for, they've scored three late equalisers in their first 3 games although they went on to lose one of those - Prediction:  Dundee 2-1


Hamilton vs Dundee Utd:  Dundee Utd ha e answered their Pre-Season critics quite well so far, they've played some brilliant football at times and they played their part in the classic Dundee Derby on Tuesday and in Blair Spittal they have a young player who looks ready to be their next big break out star, Hamilton are favourites to go down and have barely looked like scoring in their first two games  - Prediction:  Hamilton 1-3 Dundee Utd


Motherwell vs Aberdeen:  Aberdeen took the midweek off to rest up and focus for this match, they've started the Season with 2 wins from 2 and without losing a goal, Motherwell after a good opening day win have lost their next two games, they'll be hoping to stop the rot against a team they couldn't match last term  - Prediction:  Motherwell 1-2 Aberdeen


Partick Thistle vs Kilmarnock:  Huge game at the bottom of the League in only Match Day 4, Thistle haven't scored a goal yet but have only lost two in a 2-0 reverse to the Champions, Kilmarnock having lost both games and 6 goals played brilliantly well against the Champions to secure a 2-2 draw, they could have lost six goals easily but they stuck at it and got their rewards - Prediction:  Partick Thistle 1-1 Kilmarnock


Ross County vs Hearts:  Scotland's Match of the Day for me, both teams like to play football and both are good counter attacking sides, County have 4 pts from their last two games while, Hearts sit top of the Premiership with 3 wins from 3 and while they scored a lot of goals they lost a lot too, on Tuesday they looked a lot mlre soild at the back, I think this game will live up to expectation - Prediction:  Ross County 2-2 Hearts

Dundee Utd took a battering then. Are they not looking good this season Gaffer?

Hero wrote:Dundee Utd took a battering then. Are they not looking good this season Gaffer?

Nah, they've lost too much talent in the last year, they've got some cracking young players coming through again, Blair Spittal being one, he scored two against Dundee last midweek, his two goals are on the round up posted above but apart from him no-one has stood out for them early season

I fancy them to struggle this Season, dont think they'll get sucked into the relegation or the Play-Off battle but I think first half of the Season they'll flirt with the relegation spots.

Their manager Jackie McNamara and owner Stephen Thompson haven't been on the best of terms either, I'd noy be surprised if he walks

  Match Day 5 Preview


Aberdeen vs Dundee - Match of the Day in Scotland, 4th place travel to 3rd place, Dundee have started off the Season very well but probably should have more points on the board than the 7 they currently have, 2 wins and a draw from 4 games doesn't do them justice, they'll head to Pittodrie in confident mood. Aberdeen have started the Season well, 100% record in the Premiership so far and are still moulding their squad, with 6 European games already under their belt they've had a hectic start to the Season, Iexpect both teams to have a real go hhere and both teams to score goals.  Prediction: Aberdeen 3-2 Dundee


Dundee Utd vs Celtic - Dundee Utd have had a slow start to the Season combined with a poor Pre-Season the knives are out for manager Jackie McNamara, they'll be in more buoyant mood than usual over the visit of Celtic though as their opponents have a huge Champions League game in Sweden on Tuesday and will expect to ring the changes, Celtic have a lot of injury doubts for this game and I'd expect them to make as many as 8 changes for this trip, they'll be looking to rest key men but they also have a big squad, expect Stokes, Commons, Mulgrew and Scepovic to start and a debut for Scott Allan.  Prediction:  Dundee Utd 1-2 Celtic


Hearts vs Partick Thistle: Hearts have started off the Season breathtakingly well, it's the first time in 10 Season's they've opened up the Season with 5 wins on the bounce, four of which have came in the first four Premiership games of the Season, the Chanpionship winners have taken their form up a Division with them, the most impressive part of their game is the fact they have goals all over their team, really exciting to watch and have shored up at the back, Thistle have started the Season solidly enough, they haven't caught the eye yet but 3 draws in four games and the only loss comimg against Celtic tells it's own story, they'll go to Tyncastle in the belief they can take something from the game.  Prediction:  Hearts 2-0 Partick Thistle


Inverness C.T vs Hamilton Accies: Hamilton's season finally kick started last weekend with the 4-0 destruction of Dundee Utd, the Accies hadn't scored a goal until then but looked deadly that day, Caley Thistle on the other hand looked totally inept for 70 minutes at Celtic Park last week, they wete 4 down but it could easily have been 7 or 8 and no-one would have complained, they took the bad look off it though and scored 2 goals near the death, you could see signs of life aftwr that, that could be the spark John Hughes has been screaming for since the beginning of the Season. Prediction:  Inverness C.T 1-0 Hamilton Academical


Kilmarnock vs Ross County - Kilmarnock after a poor start to the Season finally got off the mark last midweek with a 2-2 draw vs Celtic and followed that up last weekend with an identical scoreline away to Relegation rivals Partick Thistle, they're still bottom of the League on goal difference but they at least now have some genuine positivity to play off, Ross County have only won 1 game from their opening four but I've seen enough to be sure they'll be more than OK, they've only lost two of their four as well and those were against Celtic and Hearts, teams that should occupy the top 3 this Season. Prediction:  Kilmarnock 1-2 Ross County


St Johnstone vs Motherwell -  St Johnstone have been very un St Johnstone like in their start to the Season, instead of grinding out less than memorable wins in low scoring encounters their opening games of the Season have all been quite exciting, all have produced Both Teams To Score and they've averaged 1.5 goals per game and lost 2 goals per game, to put that into prespective, last Season they only scored and lost 34 goals from 38 games, Motherwell have lost 3 of their first 4 games although two of those came at the hands of 100% record teams Aberdeen & Hearts, they've looked a far better side than the one that toiled last Season, both will fancy their chances of taking full points in this one.  Prediction:  St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell

The SPFL continues to lead the way with attendance figures, the 114,881 thousand in attendance last week through the 42 League Clubs was ranked at 2.15% of the Population, for comparison the 92 English League Clubs ranked had 1.36% of the Population.

SPFL Premiership Match Day 6 Preview


Celtic vs St Johnstone:  St Johnstone go to Celtic Park hot on the heels of their first win of the Season with their comeback victory last week at Home to Motherwell, they're a far more open side this Season, scoring goals but also losing plenty, it's been an unusually chaotic start to the Season although it makes them infinitely more entertaining to watch, Celtic attempt to get over the bitter disappointment of dropping out of the Champions League although a Champions League lite Europa League Draw might refocus them pretty quickly,  Celtic have started most games this Season in blistering fashion, highly expect the same here. Prediction  -  Celtic 4-1 St Johnstone


Dundee vs Inverness C.T:  Dundee's start to the Season has been highly positive, they've been given many plaudits however despite all the back slaps they've only won two of their five League games and crashed out of the League Cup at the first time if asking to League One Dunfermline, they've played some great football at times but struggled to kill teams off when they've been in the ascendancy, Caley Thistle on the other hand have had a disastrous start to the Season,  they managed to keep clean sheets but struggled to score goals, now they're conceding goals and still struggling up front,  long term they'll be OK but for now I can't see them picking up much.  Prediction  -  Dundee 2-0 Inverness Caley Thistle


Hamilton vs Hearts:  Hamilton Accies after a worrying start to the Season have picked up two wins on the bounce, they've found a style again that suits them, not to dissimilar to how they played last year in the first half of the Season,  Hearts are on a brilliant run, the best they've had in 10 years, top of the League and 7 wins out of 7 in all competitons, in Jaunma and Osman Sow they have strikers who can score all type of goals, they also have players like Walker & Nicholson who can chip in and create chances and Gomis in the middle of the Park has been in sensational form, they seem to have tightened up at the back top which is a big bonus.  Prediction  -  Hamilton 1-3 Hearts


Motherwell vs Kilmarnock:  Despite Kilmarnock's horrendous start to the Season and all the criticism they've receieved they're only 1 point behind Motherwell who after that opening day victory found themselves on the end of 4 straight SPFL defeats, to be fair to 'Well though they have played well in a few of those games and were unlucky to lose a couple of them, they did manage to get a morale boosting 3-1 extra time win in the League Cup on Tuesday, Kilmarnock also battered Berwick Rangers 4-1 in the same competiton that same night too, first goal will be crucial for Killie here though, if they lose it I don't think  they'll get back into the game.  Prediction  -  Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock


Partick Thistle vs Aberdeen:  The Dons boast one of the last two 100% records in the Premiership yet still find themselves sitting third, Aberdeen have had a really strong start to the Seaaon, only losing 1 goal in four games after giving a fine account of themselves in Europe, they'll face a Thistle side thats had an unspectacular start to the Season, won none of their first 5 games, their organisation has helped them to 3 draws,  the only two games they lost were to the clubs sitting in the top two spots of the table, they didn't offer much in losses to Celtic and Hearts, this game may also go the same way.  Prediction   -   Partick Thistle 0-2 Aberdeen


Ross County vs Dundee Utd:   Pressure is on Dundee Utd to get a result, 3 losses in their opening 5 SPFL games isn't the start they hoped for although it wasn't all that unexpected, this week they've released Rodney Sneijder and looking to move Henri Anier on, thats to free up wages for the £200,000 signing of Billy Mckay, they need his goals badly, County on the other hand have continued the form they shown in the second half of last Season, moving the ball around well, Jackson Irvine has been running the show for them and Liam Boyce offers a great focal point to their attack, sitting fourth in the table aftwr last weeks 4-0 demolition away to Kilmarnock they'll be absolutely buzzing at the prospect of hosting Utd.   Prediction  -  Ross County 2-1 Dundee Utd

  Match Day 6 Results:


Celtic 3-1 St Johnstone (Griffiths Rogic Mulgrew - Boyata OG)
Att:  42, 507

Dundee 1-1 Inverness C.T (Hemmings - Raven)
Att:  4,767

Hamilton 3-2 Hearts (Kurtaj, Crawford, Tena - King, Patterson)
Att:  4,745

Motherwell 1-0 Kilmarnock (Moult)
Att:  4,136

Partick Thistle 0-2 Aberdeen (Rooney, McLean)
Att:  4,940

Ross County 2-1 Dundee Utd (Boyce, Davies - Dillon)
Att:  4,014

Signings confirmed by SPFL clubs ahead of 2015/16:

Ladbrokes Premiership

Aberdeen
Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT)
Joe Nuttall (Manchester City)
Paul Quinn (Ross County)
Danny Ward (Liverpool, loan)

Celtic
Dedryck Boyata (Manchester City)
Saidy Janko (Manchester United)
Logan Bailly (Leuven)
Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United)
Scott Allan (Hibernian)
Ryan Christie (Inverness CT)
Jozo Simunovic (Dinamo Zagreb)

Dundee
Rory Loy (Falkirk)
Kane Hemmings (Barnsley)
Daryll Meggatt (Alloa Athletic)
Kevin Holt (Queen of the South)
Nicky Low (Aberdeen)
David Mitchell (Stranraer)
Julen Etxabeguren Leanizbarrutia (East Fife)
Nick Ross (Inverness CT)
Riccardo Calder (Aston Villa, loan)
Rhys Healey (Cardiff City, loan)

Dundee United
Mark Durnan (Queen of the South)
Coll Donaldson (Queens Park Rangers)
Darko Bodul (Rheindorf Altach)
Rodney Sneijder (Almere City) - has now left the club
Billy McKay (Wigan Athletic, loan)
Adam Taggart (Fulham, loan)
Aaron Kuhl (Reading, loan)

Hamilton Accies
Alan Martin (Clyde)
Chris Turner (Dumbarton)
Antons Kurakins (Ventspils)
Gramoz Kurtaj (Banik Most)
Christian Nade (Raith Rovers)
Carlton Morris (Norwich City, loan)
Alexandre D'Acol (AEK Athens)

Heart of Midlothian
Blazej Augustyn (Gornik Zabrze)
Gavin Reilly (Queen of the South)
Juanma Delgado (Kalloni)
Igor Rossi Branco (Maritimo)
Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod)

Inverness Caley Thistle
Nat Wedderburn (Cowdenbeath)
Jordan Roberts (Aldershot Town)
Dani Lopez (La Roda)
Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers)
Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo (Frejus Saint-Raphael)
Iain Vigurs (Motherwell)
Miles Storey (Swindon Town, loan)
Tobi Sho-Silva (Charlton Athletic, loan)

Kilmarnock
Scott Robinson (Hearts)
Jamie MacDonald (Falkirk)
Kallum Higginbotham (Partick Thistle)
Kris Boyd (Rangers)
Steven Smith (Rangers)
Stuart Findlay (Celtic, loan)
Dale Carrick (Hearts)
Lee McCulloch - player/coach (Rangers)
Oliver Davies (Swansea City, loan)
Kevin McHattie (Hearts)

Motherwell
Joe Chalmers (Celtic)
David Clarkson (Dundee)
Wes Fletcher (York City)
Louis Moult (Wrexham)
Louis Laing (Nottingham Forest)
Kieran Kennedy (Leicester City)
Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough, loan)
Jake Taylor (Reading, loan)
Liam Grimshaw (Manchester United, loan)

Partick Thistle
Callum Booth (Hibernian)
Tomas Cerny (Hibernian)
David Amoo (Carlisle United)
Gary Miller (St Johnstone)
Mathias Pogba (Crawley Town)
Robbie Muirhead (Dundee United, loan)

Ross County
Brian Graham (Dundee United)
Ian McShane (Queen of the South)
Michael Gardyne (Dundee United)
Scott Fox (Partick Thistle)
Darren Holden (Hartlepool United)
Stewart Murdoch (Fleetwood Town)
Jonathan Franks (Hartlepool United)
Ricky Foster (Rangers)
Chris Robertson (Port Vale)
Andrew Davies (Bradford City)
Jackson Irvine (Celtic)
Daniel Bachmann (Stoke City, loan) - has now left the club
Martin Woods (Shrewsbury Town)

St Johnstone
Brad Mckay (Hearts)
Joe Shaughnessy (Aberdeen)
Graham Cummins (Exeter City)
John Sutton (Motherwell)
Liam Craig (Hibernian)
Darnell Fisher (Celtic, loan)
Greg Hurst (Stirling Albion)