Pre-season training getting underway

Scottish clubs are getting back into pre-season training this week, what sort of shape are the teams in, and how many will be there? 

The obvious place to start isMurrayPark, with Rangers due back in the next couple of days how many will be available. Looking at the first team squad from last season it looks only about 13 have committed to return, including the youngsters who barely came off the bench last season.

Another team that could struggle to hold a five a side game will be Hibs, with more than half of last season’s side having moved on, and only Tim Clancy coming in so far. Hibs are in immediate need of filling up their squad, starting with a keeper, as at the moment they have none with Stack and Brown being released at the end of the season.

Hearts will also have a new challenge with a much changed squad now under the supervision of John McGlynn as manager. He will be working with the smallest Tynecastle budget for some time, and will be forced to use some of the youngsters he had on loan at Raith Rovers.

Motherwell have lost only Craigan, and Clancy from their starting line up so far, although Steven Jennings has still to make up his mind. They will still be looking to bring a couple of bodies in, and given financial constraints could still be looking to sell.

The other side looking to re-build areAberdeen, although this will be about the fourth transfer window in a row it will be interesting to see how they shape up this season.

Celtic have barely lost anyone from last season, although Fraser Foster hasn’t re-signed yet. They should be in good shape to win the SPL title easily enough but will need to strengthen to progress inEurope.

The other clubs appear to be operating some kind of merry go round with their players, eg Hasselbaink and Tade to St. Johnstone, Tesselaar to Kilmarnock etc. This won’t improve the overall standard of the SPL….