SPL summer signings

BBC Sport Online's Clive Lindsay examines the strengths of the summer signings in the Scottish Premier League

ABERDEEN

Nickname: The Dons

Ground capacity: 22,199

Position last season: 7th

Manager: Ebbe Skovdahl

In: Roberto Bisconti (midfield, from Charleroi) free.

Out: Andy Dow (defence, to Motherwell) contract cancelled; Eoin Jess (midfield/forward, Bradford City) free; Arild Stavrum (forward, Besiktas) £120,000; David Rowson (midfield, Stoke City) free; Paul Bernard (midfield, Barnsley) released; Michael Hart (forward, Livingston) free.

Chances: Finished strongly last season, so their young squad have the ability to make chase a top-six, but they may rue the loss of top scorer Stavrum if he is not quickly replaced.

Key man: Kevin McNaughton - the young defender should blossom further having broken into the team last season.

Wild card: Roberto Bisconti - can Ebbe Skovdahl's first signing in 19 months prove that the manager has the ability to spot talent?

Prediction: 9th

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CELTIC

Nickname: The Bhoys

Ground: Celtic Park

Capacity: 60,506

Position last season: First

Manager: Martin O'Neill

In: Bobo Balde (defence, Toulouse) £900,000

Out: Ramon Vega (defence, Watford) free, Alan Stubbs (defence, Everton) free; Eyal Berkovic (midfield, Manchester City) £1.5m; Vincent Sullivan (forward, Livingston) free; Paul McLaughlin (forward, Livingston) free.

Chances: Martin O'Neill has only added one new player, but he showed with last season's domestic Treble that he could turn misfiring flair into a winning machine. The test may come should European Golden Boot winner Henrik Larsson suffer any long-term injuries.

Key man: Henrik Larsson - record-breaking goalscorer...enough said!

Wild card: Bobo Balde - strong and muscular, but he supply a more positive impact than previous French import Olivier Tebily?

Prediction: 1st

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DUNDEE

Nickname: The Dark Blues

Ground: Dens Park

Capacity: 12,371

Position last season: Sixth

Manager: Ivano Bonetti

In: Julian Speroni (goalkeeper, Platenta) free.

Out: Claudio Caniggia (forward, Rangers) £1m; Frank van Eijs (midfield, Rot-Weiss Essen) released, Willie Falconer (midfield/forward) released; Steven Tweed (defence) free; Shaun McSkimming (midfield, Atlanta Silverbacks) free; Craig Ireland (defence, Notts County) free; Dave Mackay (defence, Arbroath) season's loan; Lee Mair (defence, Falkirk) season's loan; Derek Soutar (goalkeeper, Alloa Athletic) season's loan; Keith Gibson (midfield, East Fife) season's loan; Nicky Banger (forward) free; Marco Russo (midfield) free.

Chances: Talisman Claudio Caniggia has gone, but the return of Fabian Caballero from long-term injury may mean the former World Cup star will not be too badly missed.

However, their early exit from the Intertoto Cup suggests that Dundee are far from the finished article.

Key man: Fabian Caballero - the Argentine has the talent to make the Dens faithful forget Caniggia.

Wild card: Zurab Khizanishvili - can the tall 19-year-old who has already won 17 caps for Georgia and make a big impact for Dundee this season in more ways than one?

Prediction: 4th

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DUNDEE UNITED

Nickname: The Terrors

Ground capacity: 14,209

Position last season: 11th

Manager: Alex Smith

In: Jim McIntyre (midfield/forward, Reading) free.

Out: Darren Brady (midfield, Livingston) free, Davie Maguire (forward, Livingston) free, Alberto Navada (forward) free, James Bruce free, John Duffy (defence, Peterhead) free; Steven Fallon (defence, Arbroath) free.

Chances: They only managed to avoid the drop following a late run last season, but they will hope to start where they left off. But they are poised tolose top defender Jason de Vos, there is also speculation about Danny Griffin departing and they still lack a top-class goalscorer.

Key man: Charlie Miller - should benefit from a good pre-season and a slimmer version should become an even stronger influence in midfield.

Wild card: Danny Griffin - has a major role to play as captain, but how long will he remain at Tannadice?

Prediction: 8th

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DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC

Nickname: The Pars

Ground: East End Park

Capacity: 12,500

Position last season: Ninth

Manager: Jimmy Calderwood

In: Jack de Gier (forward, NEC Nijmegen) £300,000, Gus Macpherson (defence, Kilmarnock) free, Davie Nicholls (midfield, Falkirk) free.

Out: David Graham (forward) released; Hamish French (midfield/forward, Cowdenbeath) free; Dean Walker (forward, Forfar Athletic) free.

Chances: The surprise guys of last season, but their form collapsed after the league split and their pre-season form has been poor. Jimmy Calderwood may have to again prove himself a shrewd operator the transfer market should they fail to repeat last season's fine start.

Key man: Barry Nicholson - impressed on his Scotland debut and should be an even greater driving force for the Pars this season.

Wild card: Jack de Gier - can the veteran Dutchman prove that Calderwood's £300,000 is well spent and provide the goal threat the Fifers lacked last season?

Prediction: 10th

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HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN

Nickname: The Jam Tarts

Ground: Tynecastle

Capacity: 18,000

Position last season: Fifth

Manager: Craig Levein

In: Kevin McKenna (defence, Energie Cottbus) £250,000.

Out: Grant Murray (defence, St Johnstone) free; Gordon Durie (forward) released; Lee Makel (midfield) released; Kris O'Neill (midfield, Hamilton Academical) free; Alistair Graham (midfield, Hamilton) free; Craig Neeson (defence, Cowdenbeath) free.

Chances: Craig Levein continues to be on a tight budget and, as Kevin McKenna was already on loan at Tynecastle, has been unable to add to his squad. Transfer speculation continues to follow top men Antti Niemi and Colin Cameron and much may rest on Hearts being able to hold on to them.

Key man: Antti Niemi - but Charlton Athletic want the goalkeeper who was Hearts' star man last term.

Wild card: can Stephane Adam avoid injury and again become a vital getter and provider of goals?

Prediction: 5th

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HIBERNIAN

Nickname: The Hibees

Ground: Easter Road

Capacity: 18,000

Position last season: Third

Manager: Alex McLeish

In: Ulises de la Cruz (defence/midfield, Universitaria de Quito) £700,000; Alen Orman (defence, Royal Antwerp) £100,000; Derek Townsley (midfield, Motherwell) free, Francisco Luna (forward, Monterrey) nominal; Tony Caig (goalkeeper, Charlton Athletic) free; Craig Brewster (forward, Ionikos) free.

Out: Russell Latapy (midfield, Rangers) free, Mixu Paatelainen (forward, Strasbourg) free, Stuart Lovell (midfield, Livingston) free; Dirk Lehmann (forward, Brighton) free; Shaun Dennis (defence, Raith Rovers) free; Paul Lindsay (midfield, Berwick Rangers) free.

Chances: Hibs' form dipped at the end of the season after it became clear that Russell Latapy was leaving. Much will rest on whether any of the summer signings will have as great an impact as the little Caribbean.

Key man: Franck Sauzee - the former French international has been a class act as sweeper and McLeish will hope that his ageing legs can withstand another season.

Wild card: Ulises de la Cruz - can the Ecuadorian wing-back overcome the pressure of having to justify his club record fee?

Prediction: 3rd

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KILMARNOCK

Nickname: Killie

Ground capacity: 18,128

Position last season: 4th

Manager: Bobby Williamson

In: Michael Ngonge (forward, Watford) free; Mickael Pizzo (midfield, Red Star Paris) free.

Out: Ally McCoist (forward, retired); Gus MacPherson (defence, Dunfermline) free, Paul Wright (forward, Falkirk) free; Andy Smith (forward, Raith Rovers) nominal; Neil McFarlane (defence, Airdrie) free; David Williams (midfield, Forfar Athletic) free; Stuart Davidson (midfield, Queen of the South) free; Darren Beesley fee.

Chances: Clinched a Uefa Cup spot with ease without any outstanding performances last season. They have lost several experienced campaigners and may lack the strength in depth to repeat the feat.

Key man: Peter Canero - the young defender has the talent to fill the shoes of Killie legend Gus MacPherson.

Wild card: Andy McLaren - can the reformed alcoholic bounce back from a dip in form from last season?

Prediction: 6th

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LIVINGSTON

Nickname: Livvy Lions

Ground: West Lothian Courier Stadium

Capacity: 10,004

Position last season: First (Scottish First Division)

Manager: Jim Leishman

In: Nathan Lowndes (forward, St Johnstone) free; Gary Bollan (defence, St Johnstone) free; Stephen Whalen (forward, Morton) free; Michael Hart (forward, Aberdeen) free; Javier Sanchez Broto (goalkeeper, Airdrieonians) free, Darren Brady (midfield, Dundee United) free; Davie Maguire (forward, Dundee United) free; Stuart Lovell (midfield, Hibernian) free; Massimiliano Caputo (midfield, Brescia) loan; Phillipe Brinquin (defence, Le Havre) free; Oscar Ramos (defence, SC Faranse) free; Francisco Guinovat (midfield, Deportivo Badajuz); David Fernandez (forward, Airdrie) free; Steven Swift (defence/midfield, Benburb Juniors); Vincent Sullivan (forward, Celtic) free; Paul McLaughlin (forward, Celtic) free.

Out: Neil Alexander (goalkeeper, Cardiff City) £120,000, Darren Jackson (midfield/forward, St Johnstone) free, Graham Coughlan (defence) free, Derek Fleming (defence, Partick Thistle) free, Charlie King (midfield, Brechin City) free, Gerry Britton (forward, Partick) free, Colin Allison, Sean Sweeney (defence) free, Gordon Smith, Allan McManus (defence, Airdrie) free; Ian McCaldon (goalkeeper) free.

Chances: Livingston have almost completely changed the team that won the First Division last season. Much will depend on how the new ingredients blend, but pre-season results suggest that they will hold their own in the SPL.

Key man: David Fernandez - the Spanish striker showed that he had plenty of talent while with Airdrie and could show his class again in the SPL.

Wild card: Massimiliano Caputo - will the midfielder live up to his billing as Roberto Baggio's understudy?

Prediction: 7th

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MOTHERWELL

Nickname: The Well

Ground capacity: 13,742

Position last season: 8th

Manager: Billy Davies

In: Andy Dow (defence/midfield, Aberdeen) free, Mark Brown (goalkeeper, Rangers) free, David Kelly (forward, Sheffield United) free, Eddie Forrest (defence, Airdrie) free, Roberto Martinez (midfield, Wigan Athletic) free, Stephen Cosgrove (midfield, Manchester United) free, Karl Ready (defence, QPR) free; Neil Tarrant (forward, Aston Villa) loan.

Out: Derek Townsley (midfield, Hibernian) free; Said Chiba (midfield) free; James Okoli (defence) free; Benito Kemble (defence, St Johnstone) free.

Chances: Cash cut-backs mean that Billy Davies has had to replace quality players with journeymen frees and will do well to steer them clear of relegation.

Key man: Steven Hammell - the young defender showed his talent last season and may need to be at his best to stop Motherwell conceding goals this season.

Wild card: Roberto Martinez - can the skilful midfielder blossom in the rough and tumble of the SPL?

Prediction: 12th

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RANGERS

Nickname: The Gers

Ground capacity: 50,444

Position last season: 2nd

Manager: Dick Advocaat

In: Christian Nerlinger (midfield, Borussia Dortmund) £1.8m, Claudio Caniggia (forward, Dundee) £800,000, Russell Latapy (midfield, Hibernian) free.

Out: Giovanni van Bronckhorst (midfield, Arsenal) £8.5m, Jorg Albertz (midfield, Hamburg) £3m, Tugay Kerimoglu (midfield, Blackburn Rovers) £1.3m, Mark Brown (goalkeeper, Motherwell) free; Sergio Porrini (defence) free; Lionel Charbonnier (goalkeeper) free; Rod Wallace (forward) free; Kevin Morrison; Ross Currie.

Chances: Dick Advocaat has lost key midfield men and replaced them on the relative cheap. But it is unlikely that Rangers will again suffer the injury woes of last season and should provide a much closer tussle with Celtic for the title.

Key man: Barry Ferguson - the one Scottish certainty in Dick Advocaat's line-up must take greater responsibility following the departure of van Bronckhorst, Tugay and Albertz.

Wild card: Claudio Caniggia - can the Argentine's ageing legs provide the penetration Rangers' attack was missing last season?

Prediction: 2nd

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ST JOHNSTONE

Nickname: Saints

Ground capacity: 10,673

Position last season: 10th

Manager: Sandy Clark

In: Grant Murray (defence/midfield, Hearts) free; Darren Jackson (midfield/forward, Livingston) free, Rachid Djebaili (midfield, Noisy-le-Sec) free; Benito Kemble (defence, Motherwell) free.

Out: Nathan Lowndes (forward, Livingston) free, Gary Bollan (defence, Livingston) free; Michael O'Neill (midfield, Portland Timbers), Alan Kernaghan (defence) free; Stephen Roberston, Darren Hearney (midfield, Morton) free; Stephen McAllister; Scott Findlay (goalkeeper, Livingston) free.

Chances: Momo Sylla apart, St Johnstone were uninspiring last season and their summer signings have hardly got the reluctant punters rushing to buy season tickets to watch the expected struggle to avoid relegation.

Key man: Keigan Parker - the young striker will have to shoulder a greater burden now that Nathan Lowndes has left for Livingston.

Wild card: Momo Sylla - unpredictable yet talented and exciting, can the defender-turned-midfielder become an even greater team player?

Prediction: 11th