The 2011-12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League season ended in dramatic fashion on May 15th with Rangers winning their third consecutive title with a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.  Just 69 days later, the new season kicks off this weekend.

Rangers, under new manager Ally McCoist, will be aiming to continue the success they enjoyed under departing Walter Smith.  Spanish flankman Juan Manuel Ortiz is the first in what's likely to be several summer signings McCoist is attempting to bring in.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has already added defenders Kelvin Wilson and Adam Matthews as well as £1m Kenyan international Victor Wanyama to boost their challenge at the top of the table.  A goalkeeper is the next priority, with Croat Stipe Pletikosa on trial at the club.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has ben vigorous in the summer transfer market in a bit to improve on his side's third-place finish last season.  John Sutton, Jamie Hamill, Mehdi Taouil and Danny Grainger have all arrived to bolster the squad.

Peter Houston's Dundee United's season has already started, facing Poles Slask Wroclaw in the Europa League, and he has added ex-Tannadice favourite Willo Flood as well as John Rankin and Gary Mackay-Steven.  However Prince Buaben, Morgaro Gomis and Craig Conway have all left.

The presence of Alexei Eremenko helped Kilmarnock to fifth spot last season but with the Finn now gone along with his countryman Mixu Paatelainen, Kenny Shiels has revamped the Rugby Park side, adding the likes of Patrick Ada, Danny Buijs, Gary Harkins and Czech stopper Zdenek Kroca to his squad.

Motherwell will aim to continue a successful season which saw them make the top six and reach the Scottish Cup Final.  Manager Stuart McCall has lost striker John Sutton but has signed Michael Higdon from St Mirren and Nicky Law from Rotherham.

Inverness CT ended last season strongly and have had good pre-season results.  Terry Butcher has balanced the exit of free-scoring Adam Rooney with the signings of Billy McKay, Andy Shinnie, Gregory Tade and loan defenderTom Aldred.

St Johnstone have added experienced trio David McCracken, Callum Davidson and Frazer Wright to their squad and the Perth club are also attempting to sign Swiss under-19 international frontman Danijel Subotic.

Aberdeen are another side aiming to improve on a disappointing season, with Craig Brown signing David Gonzalez, Youl Mawene, Isaac Osbourne and Chris Clark as well as targetting Icelander Kari Arnason after losing Zander Diamond and Paul Hartley.

Hibs are in a similar position, with Colin Calderwood signing Garry O'Connor and aiming to bring in ex-Celt Cillian Sheridan on loan from CSKA Sofia.  He needs front cover following the news Akpo Sodje is out for six weeks with a medial ligament injury.

St Mirren flirted with relegation last season but have strengthened in the summer, bringing in former Scotland frontmen Gary Teale and Steven Thompson as well as Dutch duo Nigel Hasselbaink and Jeroen Tesselaar and former Celts Paul McGowan and Graham Carey.   However Aaron Mooy will miss the start of the season with a back injury.

Dunfermline Athletic took the First Division title and Jim McIntyre has already added Jason Thomson, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Andy Barrowman, Pat Boyle, Paul Burns and John Potter to his East End Park squad.

It promises to be another Clydesdale Bank Premier League season of drama and excitement.  Let battle commence......

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 18 July 2011