THIS week our team of sports writers will be providing their assessment of the season so far for all 12 Ladbrokes Premiership clubs.
Keep an eye on the Herald and Evening Times websites for our mid-season reviews throughout the week.
The season so far
As is becoming the norm for Scottish clubs, St Johnstone beat a hasty retreat from Europe. The defeat to FK Trakai, a name that looked more like a Countdown conundrum than a football team, just about had Theresa May on the phone asking for Brexit advice.
On the home front, though, the Saints started the league campaign with purpose. It’s been a topsy-turvy spell since then, however, and despite impressive wins on the road – the 3-1 win at Ibrox stood out – St Johnstone haven’t won at home since September.
Best player
Zander Clark has been growing in stature between the posts. The canny custodian continues to keep Alan Mannus on the sidelines and the talk in the Fair City is that a Scotland cap could beckon. Mind you, by the time the national team appoint a new manager, Clark could have retired from competitive football.
Star signing
Stefan Scougall is slowly settling into life in Perth and could emerge as a more of a driving force in the second half of the campaign.
Biggest disappointment
Michael O’Halloran began his on-loan return to McDiarmid Park with a bang, rattling in four goals during August en route to becoming player of the month. Since, then, though, he’s been as quiet as a Trappist Monk with a sore throat and is now back to square one at parent club Rangers.
What will the second half of the season bring?
The Saints resume league hostilities with a tricky encounter against resurgent Kilmarnock. The signing of David McMillan from Dundalk could bolster the firepower while the return of Chris Kane and Jason Kerr from impressive loan stints at Queen of the South could be useful weapons in the armoury as they push for another top six finish.
More report cards
- Aberdeen: Ryan Christie shining in mixed campaign for the Dons
- Celtic: Domestic dominance continues but room for improvement in Europe
- Dundee: Neil McCann's side in high spirits after upturn in form
- Hamilton Accies: Martin Canning charting course to survival despite home woes
- Hearts: Christophe Berra plays starring role in eventful season for Jambos
- Hibernian: Inconsistency the issue for Neil Lennon's entertainer
- Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke arrival inspires top six charge
- Motherwell: Louis Moult departure a blow in hit and miss campaign
- Partick Thistle: Another slow start for Jags but top six still in sight
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Rangers: Second place still in sight despite turbulent term at Ibrox
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