I'm really looking forward to the new Premiership's first season getting under way.

Too many people are too quick to knock the game in Scotland and I just don't go along with what they say. It is a fresh campaign, there are a few new faces kicking about and I for one am really excited about it. Here are my predictions on how it's all going to go. You can remind me of them come the end of May.

CELTIC

Of course Celtic will win the league. There is no doubt about that. There will be no real challengers and whether Neil Lennon succeeds in bringing in further new players in or not will have no impact on how they fare domestically this season. Gary Hooper is a loss for them, no doubt about that, but while he might have made the difference for Celtic in Europe, they'll manage fine without him in our own competitions. Position: 1

ABERDEEN

I know I said this last year, but I honestly think Aberdeen will really impress this time. Derek McInnes is a cracking manager and he has made good signings. Barry Robson and Willo Flood bring a lot of experience to the squad and should complement the younger players, such as Ryan Jack. The Aberdeen supporters make sure there is always pressure on the team to do well and the older heads will help the younger lads cope. Niall McGinn looks as if he is keen to pick up where he left off and I like the look of the striker they have brought in, Calvin Zola. It's a big year for Aberdeen and if they can play to their potential their fans will lap it up. Position: 2

ST JOHNSTONE

What a cracking result they had this week, knocking Rosenborg out of the Europa League. The players work their socks off for each other and they have a smashing team spirit about them. They are also a well-run club in terms of working within a tight budget. In addition, they have managed to get more out of Nigel Hasselbaink and David Wotherspoon was a good addition for them. Their confidence will be high and I honestly see them having a right good season. Position: 3

MOTHERWELL

They have made a few good signings this summer, but the biggest one was probably in keeping Stuart McCall as manager. James McFadden and Stephen McManus give the team good experience and they have also brought in the likes of Paul Lawson and Iain Vigurs from Ross County too. I think replicating the form of last season will be a big ask, but I suspect they will still be up there. Position: 4

DUNDEE UNITED

Jackie McNamara did well for the three or four months he was in charge last season, but his priority now has to be in sorting out who he wants to play in central defence. He needs to get a solid partnership in there because last season they shipped far too many goals. I think the return of David Goodwillie will be massive, though. Jackie has brought in a few lads from the First Division, who have earned their move, but I do think you need a wee bit of real quality and Goodwillie can give him that. Position: 5

ROSS COUNTY

What an impact they had last season. They have lost a couple of key players, but there is always a sizeable turnaround up there and they always manage to bring in replacements that give them a freshness. They almost landed a European place last season, which would have been an incredible achievement. They may need to get off to a better start this time, but I am sure they will get a few big results again this term. Position: 6

INVERNESS CT

Like their Highland rivals, they often have players in for a season and then back out again, but they still keep finding decent players to come into the squad. Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas are two of the best motivators in the game and I'd tip them to take a few scalps again this season. Their big issue, though, is doing it on a consistent basis. Position: 7

KILMARNOCK

It could be a hard season for new manager Allan Johnston because of the budget constraints at Rugby Park. I would imagine he would be relatively happy to finish in roughly the same position as Kilmarnock did last time. The chairman might want to see them in the top half of the table, but that is a big ask when you've lost experienced players and there isn't much scope to replace them. Position: 8

HIBS

Where do Hibs go from here? What a nightmare they lived through this week with that whopping 9-0 aggregate defeat to Malmo in Europa league qualifying. I don't see it being anything other than a seriously hard slog for them this season and without Leigh Griffiths you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from. They have done well in the Scottish Cup in recent seasons but to some extent that has camouflaged just how poor they have been in the league. Position: 9

ST MIRREN

They seem to be able to get a really good result one week and then struggle the next. I can see it being another up and down season for St Mirren, although they have some excellent players in the likes of Gary Teale and Steven Thompson. If they can get a bit of momentum going, it could be different but I'd imagine that it could be a bit of a struggle for Danny Lennon's side. Position: 10

PARTICK THISTLE

They'll be saved from finishing bottom by Hearts, I think. It is never easy when you come up from the First Division to the top flight. I know from my good mate Jim McIntyre how hard he found it with Dunfermline and I know from experience what it was like with Dundee. Thistle have, however, signed a gem in Mark Kerr – until you have played with Mark it is impossible to appreciate just how good a player he is. Position: 11

Hearts

We played Hearts in a bounce game last week. Although they still have a few of the experienced lads in their squad, like Jamie Hamill, they will be relying a lot on kids. They also have their 15-point deduction to contend with and the pressure is really on. I can't imagine them being able to avoid relegation. That could potentially mean both Rangers and Hearts playing in the Championship next season. Even after all that has happened within Scottish football, that is still mindboggling. If Gary Locke steers Hearts out of this he'll deserve the freedom of Edinburgh, but I think it is mission impossible. Position: 12.