Boothy’s predictions

Our resident expert Scott Booth will run his eye over the weekend's Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures each week and give his big match predictions.

As a former Scottish international striker and current Setanta Sports Scottish football analyst we feel he's pretty qualified to give a weekly run down of who's doing what in the SPL, check out his latest predictions here.

They said it was the title neither side wanted but finally, on the last day, Rangers proved that statement was way wide of the mark.  

For the fourth season in seven the Championship went down to the wire and whether you're in favour of the split or not it has yet again given us incredible drama at the top, middle and bottom of the table. Once more the SPL Trophy was twirling the skies but there was no last minute change of direction this year.

Kyle Lafferty's opener six minutes after kick off at Tannadice on 'Helicopter Sunday' made sure of that, and by the time Kris Boyd had added to a Pedro Mendes strike just on the stroke of half time, an expectant away support were already gazing to the heavens. Their first glimpse of the chopper hovering over the stadium sent the already jubilant fans into frenzy!

This arena had hosted the deciding match in Walter Smith's ever so sweet nine in a row season but having endured failure on the last day a year ago, followed by a shock early Champions League exit at the beginning of this campaign, a victorious end this term must rate as highly as any of his achievements. The performance given by his players on the final day was as professional as you get. Questions had been asked and answers were given. The players provided the perfect balance of quality and attitude as they went about their business.

The balance of power in Scottish football has swung back in favour of Rangers!

Craig Levein's men had been brushed aside. His team were on the brink of a European place but unlike the visiting side they had failed to raise their game. The defeat left United out of the European places for the first time in months.  Despite being fancied by many to end the season as Scotland's third best outfit they eventually had to settle for fifth.

Having tasted final day joy in recent seasons it was now Celtic's turn to face a summer of 'what if's'. It was during the penultimate game when Gordon Strachan's men blew the chance of maintaining a 100% record under his command. A win at Easter Road would have given them top spot and left it in their own hands a week later. A goalless draw in a largely lacklustre performance was all they could muster.

An eleven point swing in five months highlights the lack of quality during that period. Twice they led by seven points in the run in but each time they let it slip. A team that prided itself on late winners and a 'never say die' spirit throughout the last three campaigns finally succumbed in the race to make it four in a row.

In contrast Hearts were able to calmly play out a last day stalemate at Celtic Park having secured the coveted third spot with a week to spare. Their status as best of the rest in Scotland is in no doubt. Csaba Laszlo's first season in charge at Tynecastle ended in joy and renewed hope for of a club that still has more than it's fair share of problems. The manager's ability to get on with the job unhindered by the club owner was a major factor in his success by allowing him to build continuity and trust within his side.

Aberdeen's resilience had once again come to the fore when their last day victory over Hibs allowed them to leap frog the deflated Tangerines. The Europa League spot went to the Dons and the fans inside Pittodrie celebrated a successful end to an up and down season. But the clubs emotional roller coaster continued when, not long after the final whistle, it was announced that Jimmy Calderwood would be leaving the club.

The losers in the north east that day had to settle for second best in the capital in a fairly uneventful campaign under Mixu Paatelainen. But at least they had made it into the top six. For long spells it had looked like they would have to settle for the bottom half of the table after the split.

Unfortunately for Motherwell that was their fate. Mark McGhee's men were unable to replicate last season's successes. Losing Chris Porter and Ross McCormack undoubtedly had a negative effect on the side and injuries to top players left them short for long periods opening the door to inconsistency both in their form and results.

For the clubs below Motherwell it was a nerve racking end with the remaining five all involved in a relegation battle. Having become accustomed to top six finishes in recent years Kilmarnock looked nervous heading into the run in and had it not been for Kevin Kyle's vital strikes it could have been a sticky end for Jim Jefferies men.

Newly promoted Hamilton had started the season incredibly well but it took them until May to secure their SPL status. Even so, Billy Reid's men achieved what they had set out to do and deserve an enormous amount of credit.

The final day saw bottom side Falkirk, Inverness Caley Thistle and St Mirren all in the relegation shake up. If Gus MacPherson's team lost by three goals at home to Hamilton they could drop depending on the result in the Highlands' between Inverness and Falkirk. A win or draw for Terry Butcher's men would see them safe, but only all three points for the visitors would be good enough.

When the final ball was kicked it was an incredibly sad end to the season for Inverness. They have been a brilliant addition to the top flight and will be sorely missed but someone had to go. I wish them every success next season in their fight to bounce straight back.

So, what a ride!! Let's do it all again in August!

Scott Booth was talking to Robbie Balfour