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It’s Great To Be Back!

Date: 6th August 2018

 

Scottish football’s league season got underway this weekend and it was fantastic to see our clubs back and trying to outdo each other.

After a successful week for the Scottish Premiership sides in Europe, it was great to finally get the league campaign started.

Current top flight champions and double treble winners Celtic, wasted no time in getting back into the groove. The Hoops took an early lead over Play-off victors Livingston, they were then three up before the hour mark. Record signing Odsonne Edouard got himself on the scoresheet, it looks like striker is set for a successful scoring season.

Kenny Miller’s side managed to pull a goal back in the dying stages. Livi will be hoping that it only gets easier after losing to the champs in Glasgow on the opening day.

Hearts will be hoping that they can finish in the top three this term and they will be happy with their 4-1 away win, especially after coming from a goal behind. Austrian midfielder Peter Haring had impressed in the League Cup previously and shone in his league debut by grabbing a brace.

Kilmarnock hadn’t won any of their last eight opening day league fixtures but that was before Steve Clarke was in charge at Rugby Park and the boss managed to mastermind a victory over Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone side. Teenager Mikael Ndjoli, on loan from AFC Bournemouth, scored an absolute screamer to secure the triumph in the 85th minute.

Scottish Championship winners St Mirren enjoyed securing all three points as they returned to the top flight. A Danny Mullen brace was enough to grab The Buddies the win over Dundee in Paisley.

Then on Sunday, ten men Rangers outperformed Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Steven Gerrard’s side look well drilled and they showed enough to keep their manager happy. Yet The Dons once again showed the resilience that’s seen them occupy second spot for the last four years as they scored an injury time equaliser.

Hibs have been flying in the Europa League and they’ve taken that form into the new season. Neil Lennon’s men produced a top class performance to dismantle Motherwell, with new summer signing Stevie Mallan scoring a fine free-kick on the half hour mark.

That result at Easter Road means that both Edinburgh sides finish the opening weekend of the season in the top two places. The capital clubs are definitely ones to keep an eye on as confidence seems to be high in the East.

In the Championship, newly promoted Ayr United comfortably beat recently relegated Glasgow side Partick Thistle at Somerset Park. Prolific marksman Lawrence Shankland scored both for Ayr and he’s now being linked with a move to Premiership side Dundee. The result shows you that anyone can beat anyone else in this league. Things looked stale under Alan Archibald for Thistle last year and I’d be worried that things haven’t changed enough during the summer months.

Dunfermline Athletic stunned heavily fancied Dundee United at Tannadice and that’s even after former Pars man Nicky Clark managed to give the home side the lead just before half time.

Arbroath were the biggest victors in League One as they destroyed Montrose with a 4-0 away triumph.

Dumbarton will be hoping for an immediate return to the Championship and they started in the right manner with a 2-0 victory over East Fife.

In League Two, yet another side from Scotland’s capital was taking an opponent apart as Edinburgh City smashed four past Albion Rovers. While Clyde and Berwick Rangers also enjoyed winning starts to the campaign at that level.

It has been a brilliant start to the league season and it’s great to have the domestic game back up and running for another year. Let’s hope the good football and optimism that currently surrounds our game continues and we all enjoy a fine, exciting campaign!

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