Will Scottish Premiership return to two-team title tussle?

What the report says

BBC Sport football writer Tom English says the new Scottish Premiership season opens on Friday with the central question of whether the league will return to a familiar Celtic-Rangers title race after Heart of Midlothian pushed the Old Firm deep into last season’s run-in. The article frames Hearts’ challenge as an exceptional campaign that ended brutally on the final day, and suggests few would expect a repeat.

According to the BBC analysis, Hearts are now rebuilding after changes in management and personnel, while Motherwell have also lost key parts of the side that impressed last season. Aberdeen are tipped to improve under Stephen Robinson, Hibernian are described as having potential but recurring inconsistency, and Falkirk would likely view another top-six finish as a success. The piece argues that the most likely title storyline is Celtic against Rangers, now led by Martin O’Neill and Derek McInnes respectively.

BBC Sport reports that Celtic have spent heavily on Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, with the pair costing a reported £17m, while noting possible departures for Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston. Rangers, under McInnes and new American ownership, are described as having invested heavily in a more robust squad, though questions remain about creativity.

The preview also highlights off-field issues that may shape the season, including fan disorder, criticism of sanctions after incidents involving Celtic and Hearts, an Scottish FA independent review into scenes around an Old Firm cup tie, and renewed scrutiny of refereeing after contentious late-season decisions. The wider context is that Scottish football is seeking another dramatic campaign without the toxic finish that marred the last one.