The Sunday Mail teams' verdict on SPL race

Aug 3 2008

MARK GUIDI

CELTIC'S squad is still stronger than Rangers' and there's more creativity and goals in Gordon Strachan's side. Barry Robson will be a key player for the Hoops who will make it four-in-a-row in another tight finish. It should be a real dogfight at the bottom with five teams possibly slugging it out. Inverness and Hibs will eventually become detached and the Highlanders will go down. I also expect Dundee United to pip Falkirk to third place.

SPL Champions: CELTIC. Relegated: INVERNESS CT. UEFA Cup slots: DUNDEE UTD and FALKIRK. Scottish Cup: RANGERS. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: DUNDEE UNITED. Division 1 Champions: ST JOHNSTONE. Division 2 Champions: RAITHROVERS. Division 3 Champions: STENHOUSEMUIR.

GORDON WADDELL

CELTIC have not improved since the last campaign and appear to be treading water. But Rangers - with the loss of Barry Ferguson - are struggling not to go backwards. It will be another season when both lose games to the field while splitting the honours in the derbies. Whoever coughs up the fewest points elsewhere will win it. I've gone for Rangers the past twice and been wrong - this time I have to go for four in a row for Celtic.

SPL Champions: CELTIC. Relegated: INVERNESS CT. UEFA Cup slots: DUNDEE UTD and ABERDEEN. Scottish Cup: DUNDEE UTD. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: RANGERS. Division 1 Champions: DUNDEE. Division 2 Champions: RAITH ROVERS. Division 3 Champions: STENHOUSEMUIR.

GAVIN BERRY

LAST season's title drama will impact on this campaign. Celtic will be buoyed by their final surge while Rangers will struggle to shake off the hangover of their late collapse. With Barry Ferguson out and an early Old Firm clash in store Celtic can open up a decisive gap early on. At the other end I see Killie going down. Jim Jefferies has worked wonders in the past with limited funds but the longterm lack of investment in the squad is now taking its toll.

SPL Champions: CELTIC. Relegated: KILMARNOCK. UEFA Cup slots: DUNDEE UNITED and HEARTS. Scottish Cup: CELTIC. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: RANGERS. Division 1 Champions: DUNDEE. Division 2 Champions: STIRLING ALBION. Division 3 Champions: DUMBARTON.

EUAN McLEAN

RANGERS have failed to add the creative spark in midfield that they desperately need in the absence of crocked Barry Ferguson. That keeps Celtic in pole position to make it four in a row with an established squad that has ALL the elements in place from front to back. Gers' organisation at the back should once again make them hard to beat but without more flair going forward they are in danger of suffering too many costly draws during the course of the campaign.

SPL Champions: CELTIC. Relegated: INVERNESS CT. UEFA Cup slots: DUNDEE UNITED and MOTHERWELL. Scottish Cup: RANGERS. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: ABERDEEN. Division 1 Champions: ROSS COUNTY. Division 2 Champions: RAITH ROVERS. Division 3 Champions: DUMBARTON.

SCOTT McDERMOTT

CELTIC'S squad is more rounded and cohesive than the one at Ibrox and in Aiden McGeady they have the key to unpick defences. Rangers have failed to add creation or imagination to their midfield and despite a glut of top-class strikers I can't see who is going to feed them chances. Elsewhere, Dundee United's new signings should see them pip Motherwell for third spot while Hamilton have enough quality to stay up leaving Inverness Caley as the fall guys.

SPL Champions: CELTIC. Relegated: INVERNESS CT. UEFA Cup slots: DUNDEE UNITED and MOTHERWELL. Scottish Cup: RANGERS. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: DUNDEE UTD. Division 1 Champions: PARTICK THISTLE. Division 2 Champions: EAST FIFE. Division 3 Champions: FORFAR.

ANDY WALKER

THERE'S not much to choose between the Old Firm but Celtic have more quality and flair. Gordon Strachan needs to strengthen his defence but Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell were superb in the title run-in last term. Goals won't be a problem and Aiden McGeady is the SPL's most entertaining player. New boys Hamilton will go down because they are too inexperienced and don't have enough quality.

SPL Champions: CELTIC. Relegated: HAMILTON ACCIES. UEFA Cup slots: HEARTS and DUNDEE UTD. Scottish Cup: RANGERS. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: HEARTS. Division 1 Champions: DUNDEE. Division 2 Champions: RAITH ROVERS. Division 3 Champions: DUMBARTON.

JOHN HILLCOAT

I DON'T believe Rangers will be too concerned with Europe after getting bogged down by fixtures last season and with their focus fixed on the SPL they should be strong enough to see off a Celtic side that hasn't really been strengthened. In the relegation dogfight I reckon Inverness will struggle while Hamilton will be on a high after their promotion and St Mirren have bought wisely. I'm also taking my very own East Stirling to march to glory in the Third Division.

SPL Champions: RANGERS. Relegated: INVERNESS CT. UEFA Cup slots: DUNDEE UTD and MOTHERWELL. Scottish Cup: CELTIC. The Co-operative Insurance Cup: ABERDEEN. Division 1 Champions: ST JOHNSTONE. Division 2 Champions: RAITH ROVERS. Division 3 Champions: EAST STIRLING.