The coming season marks the fourth year of Clydesdale Bank’s SPL sponsorship - and we all hope the term to come will be as exciting as its predecessors.

Champions Rangers face a challenge to retain their title after the summer exit of top scorer Kris Boyd, as well as Kevin Thomson, DaMarcus Beasley, Stevie Smith, Danny Wilson and Nacho Novo. Walter Smith has yet to bring anyone in, although the club have taken Honduran frontman Georgie Welcome on trial.

Celtic, by comparison, have been a blur of activity over the summer. With Neil Lennon confirmed as manager, 16 signed players and loan signings have left the club, with seven - including Joe Ledley and World Cup duo Efrain Juarez and Cha Du-Ri - coming in. Lennon is promising more to come, with a goalkeeper and central defender his transfer priorities.

Third-placed Dundee United will be hurt by the loss of last season’s captain Andy Webster, who returned to Rangers at the end of his loan deal. However in preparation for the new season United have brought in highly-rated defender Barry Douglas and goalkeeper Filip Mentel to strengthen their squad. If Peter Houston can keep hold of youngsters David Goodwillie, Craig Conway and Garry Kenneth, United will be looking to challenge the Old Firm this term.

John Hughes' Hibs have balanced the exits of Benji, Patrick Cregg, Alan Gow, Yves Ma-Kalambay and Darren McCormack with the arrivals of midfielder Edwin de Graaf from NAC Breda as well as defenders David Stephens from Norwich and Michael Hart from Preston.

Motherwell must go into the new term missing last season's loan signings, Everton duo John Ruddy and Lukas Jutkiewicz, as well as the departed Jim O'Brien and Giles Coke. Craig Brown has brought in Cypriot defender Angelis Charalambous as well as goalkeepers Darren Randolph and Lee Hollis.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has had his own mini-clearout with big names Jose Goncalves, Laryea Kingston, Christian Nade and Michael Stewart all leaving Tynecastle and experienced SPL pair Kevin Kyle and Darren Barr arriving.

James McArthur's exit to Wigan will be the main difference to the Hamilton Accies squad this season, but Billy Reid has moved shrewdly in the market, bringing in winger Jim McAlister from Morton, former Kilmarnock wide man Gavin Skelton, Stirling defender Andy Graham, former St Mirren full-back Jack Ross and Bury defender David Buchanan.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has been similarly busy during the summer with the arrivals of defender Rory McArdle from Rochdale, 'keeper Mark Howard from St Mirren, Colchester forward Scott Vernon and former Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley from Bristol City. Last season's disappointment saw Charlie McGrew, Gary McDonald, Mark Kerr, Stewart Duff, and Davide Grassi leaving Pittodrie.

St Johnstone will be aiming for a successful second season in the SPL and Derek McInnes has strengthened by bringing in striker Scott Dobie from Carlisle, midfielder Cleveland Taylor from Brentford, Walsall striker Sam Parkin and West Brom forward Marcus Haber on loan. Kenny Deuchar, Paul Sheerin and Stuart McCaffrey are among the men who've left the club.

Kilmarnock installed former Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen as manager and he's brought in Portuguese winger David Silva, with Jamie Adams, Mark Burchill, David Fernandez, Simon Ford, Gavin Skelton and Kevin Kyle all leaving.

St Mirren also have a new manager in the shape of Danny Lennon, who has had to cope with Andy Dorman, Mark Howard , Chris Smith, Chris Innes, Allan Johnston, Billy Mehmet, Stephen O'Donnell and Jack Ross all leaving. He has brought in Darren McGregor, Paul McQuade and Gareth Wardlaw from former club Cowdenbeath as well as David van Zanten, Craig Samson, and Sean Lynch along with loan duo Jure Travner from Watford and Celtic's Paul McGowan.

SPL new boys Inverness CT have bolstered their squad by signing 'keepers Jon Tuffey and Max Johnson as well as Hapoel Beer-Sheva front man Gil Blumanshtein, defenders Chris Innes and Kenny Gillet, while Nauris Bulvitis and Lionel Djebi-Zadi are among the players who have departed.

There may yet be more comings and goings before next Saturday's kick-off – let the battle commence!

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 12 August 2010