2024-25 William Hill Scottish Premiership predictions: Rangers' woes should gift Celtic glory

Forty years have passed since there was anything other than an Old Firm winner of the William Hill Premiership and this season is unlikely to see a dramatic shift in the balance of power in Scotland.

Celtic, the current champions and victorious in 12 of the last 13 campaigns, are the favourites to continue their hot streak, while Rangers, who last deposed their rivals in 2020-21 and pushed them hard again in the season just gone, are the next best. 

Hearts are big odds but the best-priced of the other ten clubs to produce the first non-Old Firm champion since Aberdeen in 1984-85.

Bhoys still ahead of Old Firm rivals

Rangers got to within eight points of Celtic last term, though the gap had been down to three a couple of weeks before the end of the season.

Light Blues fans are, however, concerned they may struggle to erode that gulf, with manager Philippe Clement insisting he needs to sell players before he can seriously strengthen. 

And they won't be starting 2024-25 at Ibrox either, with overrunning redevelopment work meaning they will have to open their 'home' campaign at Hampden Park.

This will all be music to the ears of Celtic's fans and backers especially as the Hoops took ten points from a possible 12 off Rangers last season and continue to exert a stranglehold over their Old Firm foe.

Hearts, who improved markedly under Steven Naismith and will lean heavily on last year's Golden Boot winner Lawrence Shankland, are third in the market to land the title, though few would seriously expect them to mount a challenge.

Can Saints stay alive in battle to survive?

If the race for the title is either a two-horse affair or a Celtic procession - and the latter is suggested - then the battle to avoid relegation looks far more competitive.

St Johnstone, Ross County and Dundee are all towards the foot of the market. Newly-promoted Dundee United, Motherwell and St Mirren are also nearby in the prices and there is also a Bottom Two finish market where St Johnstone are again doubted.

Saints somehow managed to survive last term, securing four points from their last two games, sparing them a date with the playoffs.

Now under new American ownership, there doesn't appear to be any great enthusiasm for a club who face another hard slog. 

Skipper and defender Liam Gordon has left to join Motherwell and while new majority shareholder Adam Webb preaches top-six finishes and cup runs, simply staying in the top division has to be their only ambition this season.

Ross County look like their natural challengers for bottom spot having diced with relegation yet again this term but gutsy wins, at home and away, against Raith in the playoffs surely gives them something to build on.