ANY notion that the SPFL Championship might receive less of the spotlight in the year ahead after Rangers managed to escape from the division at the second attempt was obliterated by two things that took place in recent months. The first was the relegation of Dundee United, a feat that had looked almost impossible at the start of last season but began to look increasingly likely the longer a dreadful campaign wore on. Being sent down at the home of their city rivals Dundee only added to the sense of ignominy.

How one of Scotland’s biggest clubs recovers as they prepare for their first season outside of the top flight for 20 years will be one of the more fascinating storylines in the year ahead. Under the stewardship of their third manager in 10 months, Ray McKinnon brings both a personal connection to the club – he had two spells at Tannadice as a player and was also brought up as a fan – and recent experience of the division. Taking Raith Rovers into the play-offs in his solitary season as manager was an impressive achievement given his paucity of resources.

Winning the title – or at the very least securing promotion – will be the target this year and United will try to achieve with almost an entirely new team given the vast numbers freed at the end of last season. McKinnon hasn’t cast the net too far in the rebuilding process, with most of his new faces recruited from other Scottish clubs, including Lewis Toshney with whom he worked at Raith last season. Cammy Bell in goal also looks a solid acquisition.

The other headline-grabbing moment over the summer was Hibernian’s appointment of Neil Lennon as manager. Having achieved the virtually unachievable by returning the Scottish Cup to Easter Road after a 114-year absence, Alan Stubbs decided he could do no more and elected for a switch to Rotherham. The cup success, however, served to mask the fact that Hibs had failed to get out of the Championship at the second time of asking. Lennon has been handed the task of making it third time lucky.

Given his success at Celtic and outspoken personality, the Northern Irishman would have been a draw regardless of where he pitched up but there is additional intrigue given Hibs’ need for instant success. They cannot afford a fourth season outside of the top division and, after two years of falling short, would no doubt rather avoid the play-off route to do it if they can. Lennon has made only two signings to date – veteran striker Grant Holt and goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw – but perhaps more significant was persuading leading goalscorer Jason Cummings to pen a new four-year deal to stay at the club. Holding on to midfielder John McGinn will also be key.

Falkirk will look to provide the main opposition to United and Hibs after reaching the play-off final last season only to lose to Kilmarnock. Losing midfielders Blair Alston and Will Vaulks weakens Peter Houston’s hand, although the experience of John Rankin will go a long way to filling that void. Danny Rogers’ return as goalkeeper on loan from Aberdeen is another positive.

Several other clubs will fancy sneaking in to the play-offs. The loss of McKinnon, Toshney and James Craigen – the latter to rivals Falkirk - will undoubtedly be a loss to Raith but new manager Gary Locke has chosen to tread a familiar path in his recruitment, snapping up an assortment of former Kilmarnock and Hearts players including an intriguing move for Rudi Skacel.

St Mirren, after a disappointing first season in the Championship, will look to make a better fist of it this time. Manager Alex Rae has been busy bringing in new faces, in the forward areas in particular where David Clarkson, Lawrence Shankland, Ryan Hardie and John Sutton will compete for places.

Dunfermline will also have aspirations of a second successive promotion, and have made some impressive signings – including the loan capture of Hearts’ Gavin Reilly – to try to make that happen.

At the other end of the table it would look to be between Ayr United and Dumbarton for the drop, with Morton and Queen of the South hoping to finish closer to a promotion play-off spot than the relegation one.