Rangers manager Derek McInnes is still chasing his inaugural victory of the campaign, while Celtic’s new signing Kasper Hogh and Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken have both delivered performances that quieted many of their sceptics. The Ibrox outfit were left reeling after a shock defeat to Hibernian, whereas Celtic lit up Kilmarnock's freshly‑laid grass surface, and the Jambos demonstrated that last season’s near‑miss was not a solitary flash of brilliance. At this early juncture St Mirren sit level on points with Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, yet questions loom over whether they will be forced to part with one of their key contributors before the close of August. Below is a detailed recap of the lessons drawn from the weekend’s matches.
Derek McInnes insisted that Rangers "aren't as bad as people think", yet the team continues to exhibit many of the habits that doomed them last term. He reshuffled his back four for the Hibs encounter, but the side struggled to maintain a cohesive shape. New acquisition Vanja Dragojević’s challenge on Josh Kerr resulted in a penalty, highlighting the defensive lapses that have become all too familiar. The combination of individual mistakes and a lack of consistency remains a source of irritation for the Rangers faithful.
Meanwhile, watching Youssef Chermiti being carried off on a stretcher after the club turned down a lucrative offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray added another layer of disappointment to an already bleak evening for the Glasgow side. Hibernian manager David Gray admitted that his players "rode their luck" at moments, yet they stayed united and backed up an impressive mid‑week Conference League qualifying win with a hard‑earned triumph at Ibrox.
The result eases some of the pressure that has been bearing down on Gray since the start of the season. Celtic’s £11 million investment in Danish forward Kasper Hogh came with a hefty burden of expectation. His debut against Dundee was underwhelming – he squandered several clear chances – but he quickly redeemed himself at Rugby Park.
In just 35 minutes he netted a hat‑trick on the new grass pitch, showcasing an instinctive ability to read the game and exploit pockets of space inside the box. His performance underlined why the club were willing to pay a premium for his services. Kilmarnock’s porous defence provided ample opportunity for Hogh, while teammates Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan also found the net, propelling the Hoops to the top of the table on goal difference. Conversely, Neil McCann’s side have now endured two opening defeats, conceding nine goals in total.
The manager’s philosophy of playing an open, attacking style will need to be balanced with a rapid improvement in defensive solidity if they hope to avoid a repeat of last season’s relegation battles. Hearts have endured a difficult start under Vrancken, with the team showing little of the form that saw them flirt with the title last year. Early setbacks in Europe and a disappointing loss to Aberdeen sparked doubts about his appointment. However, a home clash against Dundee United at Tynecastle Park offered the perfect platform for redemption after a 6‑1 drubbing in the Europa League qualifiers.
The Jambos clicked on both ends of the pitch – their attack was clinical and their defence held firm – delivering a convincing win that lifted spirits despite missing six players through injury and suspension. Dundee United, on the other hand, failed to build on their 1‑1 draw with Rangers in the season opener.
Although the scoreline suggests a balanced affair, United dominated possession and created several chances, only to fall short in the final third. Their inability to convert possession into goals will be a focal point in the weeks ahead. St Mirren have enjoyed a flawless start, securing maximum points and recording back‑to‑back clean sheets. After a double‑goal opening day, a penalty converted by Killian Phillips proved decisive in the narrow win over the Saints in Paisley.
Phillips’ form has attracted interest, and manager Craig McLeish has pledged to facilitate the best possible move for the midfielder as he approaches the final year of his contract. Newly promoted St Johnstone displayed confidence in their top‑flight return, earning a win but lacking a cutting edge. They failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, missed a penalty and struck the woodwork on multiple occasions. Their inability to capitalise on chances ultimately cost them, despite a solid overall performance.
A week’s difference was stark for Aberdeen: after a spirited comeback to defeat Hearts, they stumbled against Dundee. Although they were far from convincing against the Jambos, they showed resilience that was missing at Dens Park, where travelling supporters made their displeasure known with loud boos. Steven Pressley’s side secured a 2‑0 victory, yet a larger margin might have more accurately reflected the dominance on display. Joe Bevan shone, scoring and providing an assist, helping the team claim their first points after a narrow loss at Celtic Park.
The teams will meet again on Saturday in the League Cup, where Pressley will seek to replicate the performance, while Stephen Robinson’s side will need a substantial improvement. Motherwell’s early season worries following the departure of Jens Berthel Askou have proved unfounded.
Alfred Johansson has continued the work of his predecessor, keeping the Steelmen unbeaten both in Europe and domestically. A clean sheet against Falkirk will boost confidence as they aim for another top‑four finish.
Although Motherwell looked the stronger side initially, the Bairns eventually found their rhythm and salvaged a point at Fir Park. John McGlynn’s squad has lost several key players, but the recent display should provide a morale boost heading into the first break of the season.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for all clubs as they strive to turn early performances into sustained success.