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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Herald Scotland Online

Herald & Times' signing of the season & POTY predictions

We're just hours away from the start of the Premiership season.

And with that comes the last of Herald & Times' predictions for the campaign ahead.

The signing of the season and top scorer? There are some interesting responses.

So, last but not least, here are our writer's predictions for the players in the league...

Matthew Lindsay

The signing of the season?

The impact that Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin made after joining Rangers in January showed that Michael Beale has an eye for a player. The new recruits the Englishman has brought in this summer promise to be significant upgrades on many of those he had at his disposal last term. Danilo, the Brazilian forward who moved to Ibrox from Feyenoord for a £5m fee last week, promises to be the pick of the bunch.

Player of the Year?

As impressive as Kyogo Furuhashi was for Celtic last term, Cameron Carter-Vickers was the Player of the Season for me. The United States internationalist is the best centre half the Parkhead club have had since Virgil van Dijk. He was badly missed in their final games. If he makes a full recovery from his injury he should be the dominant figure in the game in this country once again.  

Which player will end up as top scorer?

Can Brendan Rodgers get his Japanese players to perform as well as Ange Postecoglou did? The question has been asked many times since the Northern Irishman replaced the Greek-Australian back in June. But I expect Kyogo Furuhashi to top the scoring charts once again in the 2023/24 campaign.

Chris Jack

Signing?

They say that money talks. If that proves to be the case, then Danilo could prove to be cash well spent for Rangers. The Brazilian hasn’t come cheap at £5milllion but looks to have the quality to make a significant impact at Ibrox.

POTY?

If Danilo does find the form that is expected then he should show his class over the course of the campaign. Individual honours must bring team prizes, though.

Top scorer?

Kyogo Furuhashi has been there and done it in the Premiership and has to be the favourite to top the scoring charts once again.

Graeme McGarry

Signing?

Sam Lammers looks good early doors at Rangers and I have a hunch Scott Tiffoney will do well for Dundee, but Aberdeen securing Graeme Shinnie on a permanent deal is the standout acquisition. Integral to what Barry Robson is trying to do.

POTY?

Hard to look past the Celtic quartet of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi. I'll plump for Hatate

Top scorer?

Kyogo Furuhashi.

Liam Bryce

Signing?

Maybe I’m cheating a little here since it’s last season’s loan deal made permanent, but I think there is potentially a real player in Elie Youan. He has so many attributes, and his inconsistent end product is perhaps the main reason why he isn’t already playing at a higher level. If he can pull it all together this term, he will be crucial for Hibs.

POTY?

It would be refreshing to see another Kevin van Veen-esque wildcard compete for top individual honours but I suspect this will be the year of Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Celtic centre-back has been steadily maturing into a top player and, as he approaches 26, should now be moving into his prime years. He was near-flawless last season, denied major recognition only by Celtic’s prolific attack.

Top scorer?

Kyogo Furuhashi remains the most clinical finisher in the division, and I can’t see anyone outscoring him again this season. Signing a new Celtic contract will only invigorate the Japan international further, and he should thrive in a Rodgers attack with an emphasis on wingers delivering for him.

James Cairney

Signing?

Danilo. The Premiership’s most expensive acquisition this summer is an exciting find from Rangers. The attacker has a decent record in the Eredivisie and should be able to hit the ground running at Ibrox - and who doesn’t love a Brazilian striker?

POTY?

Reo Hatate. The Japanese midfielder was signed relatively cheaply by Postecoglou in January 2022 and has proven himself to be a highly accomplished player in the subsequent 18 months. In my opinion, there is no player in Scotland with greater potential or a higher ceiling - but a little more consistency is required.

Top scorer?

Kyogo Furuhashi. The centre-forward is an obvious pick, given his goal scoring exploits last term, and I expect more of the same again this time around. Quite simply, I think he’ll be the top goal scorer in a team that will win the league - and therefore probably the Premiership’s top scorer for the second year running.

Aidan Smith

Signing?

Danilo. The Brazilian forward looks like a real talent and already has some big clubs on his CV after playing for both Ajax and Feyenoord. The pressure of Ibrox should be no issue for Danilo and that’s why I expect him to hit the ground running in the Scottish Premiership. He will score and assist plenty for Michael Beale’s side.

POTY?

Kyogo Furuhashi. Talking about guys who can tear up the Scottish Premiership -  there is currently nobody better than Kyogo. He has starred for Celtic since Ange Postecoglou brought him to the club and I expect him to do exactly the same this season.  

Top scorer?

Kyogo Furuhashi. The 28-year-old just loves scoring goals, he will be right up there again at the end of this season. 

David Irvine

Signing?

Sam Lammers. Michael Beale had a major transfer overhaul to oversee in the summer. But one huge positive has been the ability to reshape his Rangers side meaning the likes of Lammers could join and have the freedom to craft their role rather than be shoehorned into an existing system. Expect Lammers to be a key figure at Ibrox this term.

POTY?

Matt O'Riley. Still just 22, O'Riley has plenty development still to do in his career, but there's no reason he can't step up to be named player of the year in the Scottish Premiership. He has all the work rate to succeed and the talent to boot. I'd expect a Tom Rogic-esque output from the Danish midfielder under Brendan Rodgers.

Top scorer?

Kyogo Furuhashi. It's hard to overlook last season's top goalscorer to pick up the award again this season. With twenty-seven goals last term and 12 the season previous, it'd be no surprise to see another improvement this season with Brendan Rodgers' style likely to be well-suited to the Japanese forward's strengths.

Ewan Paton 

Signing?

Leighton Clarkson. Okay, much like my colleague Liam, I'm being a bit sneaky with this one given Clarkson played for Aberdeen last season on loan from Liverpool. The Dons have signed the 21-year-old permanently now, and after his six goals and nine assists last term, I'm backing him to dictate games on an even more consistent basis, hurting opposition teams frequently.

POTY?

Callum McGregor. Leads by example and has taken to the role of Celtic captain like a duck to water since taking over from Scott Brown. Ange Postecoglou moulded him into more of a defensive-minded midfielder, but Brendan Rodgers could bring the more advanced midfielder back out.

Top scorer?

Kyogo. He notched a stunning 34 goals last term. It's difficult to foresee a situation where he doesn't continue to bang them in, assuming he avoids serious injury. He might not beat that tally, but he won't be far off.

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