As a regular pundit with both BBC Scotland and Sky Sports, James McFadden had a ringside seat during one of the most exciting Scottish title races in years last season and marvelled at the drama which unfolded from close quarters.
He is hopeful the forthcoming William Hill Premiership campaign will be just as fiercely contested and every bit as entertaining despite both Celtic and Rangers bringing in new managers and strengthening significantly during the summer.
Hearts came within minutes of being crowned champions for the first time in 66 years back in May thanks in no small part to their Parkhead and Ibrox rivals suffering dire runs of form during the previous 10 months.
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But McFadden feels the Tynecastle outfit as well as his beloved former club Motherwell – who finished fourth playing an attractive brand of attacking football – have shown what can be achieved with a smart strategy.
He is optimistic the top flight this term will once again make for captivating viewing.
Speaking at a William Hill promotional event in Glasgow yesterday, the Scotland great said, “I don’t know if there will be a three-way title race. I don’t know if it’ll go right to the wire like it did last season. I’m not sure about that.
“But I expect Hearts to still be up there and I’m hoping Motherwell continue. I know Jens Berthel Askou is away, but Alfred Johansson makes me excited from what I have seen so far. They can keep a similar feel and style.
“I’m sure Aberdeen will be better this season. Stephen Robinson is experienced and he’s used to his teams being competitive. I think Kilmarnock will be good this season. Then you have Dundee, Dundee United and Hibs. It will be competitive across the board.”
McFadden continued, “Hearts showed that you can challenge. Motherwell tailed off towards the end of the season, but they looked like they could be in the mix at one point. It shows you that you need to be ready in case Celtic or Rangers don’t perform. If you do then you’ve got a chance.
“I’ve no doubt Hearts will get it right throughout the season. They led the way for the majority of the season and they could do it again. It has to give encouragement to Aberdeen, to Hibs.
“Some clubs have bigger budgets, but look at Motherwell and what they managed to achieve last year. They overachieved. They did ridiculously well. They brought players in, improved them and sold them on.
“To sell Elijah Just for £5m or £6m million plus add-ons is quite incredible for a club like Motherwell. They brought an unknown into the country and got that improvement out of them.
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“Don’t get me wrong, it’s tough and you wouldn’t expect to see what happened with Hearts to happen again. Celtic and Rangers were below standards, undoubtedly. But Hearts put pressure on them. It’s possible.
“So I think that in the years to come, there is a chance for these clubs to bridge the gap. Hearts were the story last season. But Motherwell bridged the gap with smart recruitment of a manager and smart recruitment of players.
“It’s possible to come in and challenge without having the budget. Can more clubs replicate that? I think it’ll be a strong league once again.”
McFadden has been impressed by the transfer business which both Celtic and Rangers, who have appointed Martin O’Neill and Derek McInnes respectively this summer, have carried out in recent weeks. But he still feels the Parkhead and Ibrox clubs have to strengthen further.
“Both of them still need improvement,” he said. “Because the transfer window still has so long to go, it’s difficult to say who’s in a better place. I’m sure there’ll be plenty to come.”
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