The Scottish Premiership heads into the Christmas interval on the again of a outstanding first half of the season – however who impressed probably the most and what sides have to mirror on poor outcomes forward of the remainder of the marketing campaign?
Aberdeen: 7.5/10
Few would have predicted how speedy Jimmy Thelin’s affect at Pittodrie would show to be in his first season in Scotland. His Aberdeen facet have been unbeaten within the league till November 23 and, at one level, had stormed 9 factors away from Rangers in third place.
A 2-2 draw at Parkhead and 2-1 win at dwelling to Rangers in October had some Dons followers even dreaming of a title cost however issues have slowed down since. A 6-0 League Cup semi-final loss to Celtic was a well-recognized dose of actuality amid their 11-match unbeaten begin to the league marketing campaign.
That kicked off a run of only one win in seven matches, with irritating attracts at St Johnstone and Hibernian derailing their explosive begin going into the festive interval as a rejuvenated Rangers have moved into second spot.
Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath is out of contract in the summertime
New 12 months’s Decision?
Thelin must arrest his facet’s dip in kind which has seen them go with no win in seven after their terrific begin. Aberdeen are lacking the early objectives scored by Pape Gueye however it is going to be fascinating to see if the Swede decides to dip into the switch market to attempt to regain a few of that early season momentum.
Trying even additional forward, the likes of Jamie McGrath and Jack MacKenzie are out of contract in the summertime, with the previous particularly having been very important to Thelin’s attacking choices.
Aberdeen have robust away journeys to Kilmarnock and Dundee United to cope with within the short-term to attempt to get again to successful methods earlier than an important go to to Glasgow to face Rangers, reside on Sky Sports activities, in the midst of January. These video games seem must-win if they’re to remain within the race for second however Thelin is a long-term venture at Aberdeen. The early indicators have been spectacular.
Star man: Jamie McGrath
Celtic: 9.5/10
Celtic stay unbeaten within the Premiership this season underneath Brendan Rodgers
Celtic stumbled in components final season after the departure of Ange Postecoglou and the return of Brendan Rodgers, with the Parkhead facet in considerably of a transitional section as their previous boss reacquainted himself within the east finish of Glasgow.
There was a sense final time period that there have been gaps to sneak by way of or vulnerabilities to use. This season Celtic have barely put a foot improper. Aberdeen threatened to put down a title problem with a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park in October however, in fact, the sport might have been over at half-time with Celtic two objectives to the great. Rodgers’ facet have been excellent since that draw, and have conceded simply 4 league objectives all season.
They’ve been ruthless domestically and progressed in Europe, with much-improved performances on the continent, whereas additionally they bagged the primary trophy on provide this season after a considerably controversial win over Rangers within the League Cup closing earlier this month.
Rangers have seemingly weathered an early season storm in a transitional marketing campaign however a go to to Ibrox on January 2, reside on Sky Sports activities, is one other alternative for Rodgers to doubtlessly flex his muscle mass within the Outdated Agency fixture after an exhilarating cup closing final time round.
Callum McGregor has loved one other effective season for Celtic
New 12 months’s Decision?
Extra of the identical, actually. Rodgers could dip into the switch market as he appears to be like to proceed Celtic’s European development however, at dwelling, captain Callum McGregor has led from the entrance as soon as once more, chipping in with some excellent objectives this season.
The likes of Nicolas Kuhn have been mightily spectacular at dwelling and in Europe after a considerably slower begin to his Celtic profession. Rodgers shall be eager to assist Arne Engels rediscover his early season kind with the £11m man stuttering of late. However Kuhn’s rejuvenation has proven that Rodgers is ready to be affected person to get the most effective out of his gamers.
Star man: Callum McGregor
Dundee: 5.5/10
Dundee are properly positioned underneath Tony Docherty
Tony Docherty continues to do a effective job at Dens Park, with Dundee firmly within the hunt for an additional top-six end.
Shedding Luke McCowan late on in the summertime window to Celtic wouldn’t have come as an excessive amount of of a shock to many given his performances however Dundee have managed with out him a bit higher than many might need anticipated.
A lot of that’s right down to the spectacular type of his former midfield accomplice Lyall Cameron. The younger Scotsman has seven objectives in all competitions this season and has weighed in with 4 assists within the league as properly, making him indispensable for Docherty.
The supervisor did must information his facet by way of some early season struggles with Dundee successful simply two of their opening 10 video games. However Cameron – and objectives from Simon Murray – have helped to regular the ship as they proceed to hover round midtable.
Lyall Cameron has been excellent for Dundee
New 12 months’s Decision?
In some way hold maintain of Cameron. That shall be simpler mentioned than achieved with the 22-year-old heading into the ultimate six months of his deal. The midfielder has progressed year-on-year after serving to Dundee climb again into the highest tier in 2023 and it might be that the membership determine to money in now in the event that they obtain any appropriate provides.
If they’ll dangle on to Cameron for the remainder of the season no less than, then it ought to assist with consistency. Dundee have did not win back-to-back league fixtures this season – that’s one thing Docherty will look to treatment over the following 5 months as he’ll simply have one eye on the chasing pack within the decrease half of the desk.
Star man: Lyall Cameron
Dundee United 7/10
Dundee United have made a optimistic return to the Premiership underneath Jim Goodwin
It has been a effective return to the top-flight for Jim Goodwin and Dundee United, along with his facet remaining unbeaten in November to cement their grip on a high six place heading into the festive interval.
The type of Sam Dalby, on mortgage from Wrexham, has been key, with the Englishman’s eight objectives – together with one in a draw at Ibrox – serving to to make him the league’s high scorer whereas firing United up the desk.
In addition to a good return in entrance of the opposition purpose, United have been comparatively stingy on the different finish, with the most effective defensive document within the league outdoors of the Outdated Agency and goalkeeper Jack Walton conserving six clear sheets.
Their draw at dwelling to the champions Celtic was one other signal that Goodwin’s facet are again the place they belong and can now goal a top-half end.
Sam Dalby (left) is the highest scorer within the Premiership
New 12 months’s Decision?
Goodwin recruited properly in the summertime with loanees Luca Stephenson and Emmanuel Adegboyega contributing alongside the likes of Will Ferry. The supervisor could determine to return into the market in January in a bid to safe a top-six end which might characterize a stable return to the Premiership.
To try this Goodwin might want to attempt to flip some attracts into wins – conceding late equalisers in opposition to the likes of Dundee, Ross County and, extra lately, Kilmarnock throughout the season may have pissed off the supervisor.
Star man: Sam Dalby
Coronary heart of Midlothian 2/10
Hearts’ have discovered themselves in a relegation struggle this season
Following a formidable season final yr, Hearts have been probably the most disappointing performers this time round. An eight-game winless run within the league at first of the marketing campaign price Steven Naismith his job and so they stay battling on the improper finish of the desk.
New boss Neil Critchley has picked up 4 wins in 10 league video games since taking cost however Hearts have work to do if they’re to salvage their league marketing campaign and keep away from battling it out on the improper finish of the desk because the season goes on.
A seemingly respectable begin to December, with a degree in opposition to Aberdeen and win over Dundee, regarded like a base to construct on however their 1-0 defeat to a Kilmarnock facet which performed almost the complete recreation with 10 males was an actual setback.
Their Convention League exit final week confirmed the breadth of anger among the many assist and though they responded with a win over St Johnstone, heading into the festive interval, Hearts are in hassle and want to start out placing factors on the board rapidly to maneuver additional away from the underside.
Lawrence Shankland has scored simply three objectives for Hearts this season
New 12 months’s Decision?
Lawrence Shankland’s future remains to be up within the air because the membership captain heads into the ultimate six months of his deal, however extra urgent for Critchley was his lack of objectives after a plentiful season final yr. He banished his 12-game goalless streak with a double in opposition to Dundee at first of the month however Hearts badly want him to construct on that.
He has solely scored three objectives this season however it’s telling that Shankland remains to be the membership’s joint high scorer – he was the driving pressure behind his facet’s marketing campaign final time period. Critchley wants these round Shankland to assist the Scotland worldwide who appears to be like destined to go away Tynecastle this summer season.
Star man: James Penrice
Hibernian 3/10
Hibs head coach David Grey has been underneath strain at numerous factors this season
One other season and one other Hibernian rollercoaster – however not many would have predicted them battling it out with their Edinburgh rivals on the improper finish of the desk heading into December.
Membership legend David Grey was given the everlasting supervisor’s job after steadying the ship on the finish of final season and was backed over the summer season with signings together with Kieron Bowie, who arrived from Fulham for a sizeable outlay. It appeared to sum up Hibs’ season, nevertheless, that he was dominated out for 4 months with a hamstring harm in September.
The reality is that Hibs suffered earlier this season as a result of video games the place they misplaced by the odd purpose, conceded late on – they have been 2-1 up going into the 93rd minute of their 3-2 defeat to Dundee United in October – or failed to complete clear lower possibilities at Parkhead and Ibrox which might have modified your complete complexion of their marketing campaign.
A lot-needed and consecutive wins over fellow strugglers Ross County and high-flying Aberdeen lifted Hibs up the desk and issues, no less than for now, look a bit rosier. Now it’s about placing extra wins collectively persistently to make a run for the highest six as they attempt to break free from that pack of golf equipment within the backside half who simply can not seem to get going.
Hibernian’s Nicky Cadden celebrates along with his brother Chris after scoring
New 12 months’s Decision?
It looks like Grey has been on the brink a few instances this season however he has at all times scraped by way of. A 96th minute equaliser in opposition to Aberdeen earlier than a snug win over Motherwell helped to stabilise issues however they’re nonetheless slowed down within the backside six.
The supervisor shall be determined to get Bowie again, whereas he’ll search for extra from Dwight Gayle – who has managed simply two league objectives since his arrival, and appears set to retire this summer season. If Grey is to carry on to his job then Hibs want to chop out the late dramas and convert their possibilities – outdoors of the Outdated Agency no crew has taken extra photographs on purpose with 242 however they’ve simply 24 objectives to indicate for it.
Star man: Nicky Cadden
Kilmarnock 4/10
Derek McInnes shall be eager to push into the highest six with Kilmarnock
Repeating the feats of final season was at all times going to be a tough ask for Derek McInnes and Kilmarnock. Maybe there was at all times going to be a comedown of kinds after a fourth positioned end led to European fixtures at first of this season however there’s the sensation that Killie have not fairly obtained going once more this time round.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of in shedding out on Convention League group-stage soccer to Copenhagen however the Rugby Park membership’s European travails gave the impression to be to the detriment of a good home begin.
They did not win till October 5, once they beat Dundee 3-2, and adopted that up with a 1-0 victory over Rangers earlier than a defeat to Ross County adopted. It’s an instance of Kilmarnock struggling for consistency all through the marketing campaign to this point.
Leaking objectives has additionally been an issue, with Kilmarnock at present boasting the joint worst defensive stats within the league with 35 conceded – not one thing you’d count on from a McInnes crew. They regarded extra like themselves in final week’s gutsy 1-0 win over Hearts, regardless of having Robbie Deas despatched over after simply six minutes.
Bruce Anderson has scored 5 objectives for Kilmarnock
New 12 months’s Decision?
A 6-0 defeat to Rangers earlier this month was met with dismay by McInnes who will see the busy Christmas interval as a chance to place some factors on the board and drag themselves up the desk. With simply six factors separating them in ninth from St Mirren in sixth, a few optimistic outcomes might change the complexion of their season going into the New 12 months. It’s a congested backside six.
A few gamers together with David Watson and Danny Armstrong maybe have not fairly hit the heights of final season, which is presumably to be anticipated after such a profitable marketing campaign final time period and disrupted pre-season as a result of European motion. McInnes will not have a lot time to work with the squad with no winter break this time period but when he can get these names firing once more you then’d fancy Killie to be comfy in Might.
Star man: Matty Kennedy
Motherwell 6/10
Stuart Kettlewell has guided Motherwell into the highest 4
It has been a combined bag for Motherwell to this point this season however supervisor Stuart Kettlewell in the end has trigger to be happy with the place his facet discover themselves going into Christmas.
Inconsistency has harm his facet in some respects, with the supervisor saying there was “anger, actual anger within the degree of efficiency” following a 3-0 dwelling defeat to Hibernian final month, however but his crew discover themselves in fourth spot.
Kettlewell shall be delighted with the progress of 18-year-old Lennon Miller, nevertheless. The teen was made Motherwell captain earlier this season and has risen to the problem, contributing 5 assists and a few objectives to assist his facet.
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