Although Scottish clubs have already been in action in the League Cup for a couple of weeks, the season really begins in earnest this weekend as teams play their first league matches. Unfortunately the top division has a familiar ring to it.
Since the Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998 there have only been two clubs who have won the title and you don't get any prizes for guessing which two -- the Old Firm of Rangers and Celtic.
Going all the way back to the launch of the Scottish league in 1891, Rangers have won the title 55 times and Celtic 54. Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian have all won four times, but that was in the distant past. The last team to break the Glasgow Old Firm's grip on the league were Aberdeen back in 1985 under a certain Alex Ferguson.
With Rangers currently facing many problems most pundits and bookmakers feel Celtic will make it 55 titles to equal their rivals by the end of this season. That would make four titles in a row for The Bhoys, with Rangers last being champions in 2021 when Steven Gerrard was manager. That was an important victory for Rangers as it stopped Celtic winning 10 in a row.
In fact Celtic have dominated during the Premiership era having won 12 of the last 13 seasons and 18 titles to Rangers' eight since 1998. Admittedly, for four seasons from 2012 Rangers were playing in the lower divisions owing to financial malpractices.
Rangers appear to be a bit disorganised at the moment. For a start they will have to play their opening home games at Hampden Park as renovations to Ibrox Stadium have not been completed. Although they have been busy in the transfer market, recent signings have not inspired fans. You can be sure that their Belgian boss, Philippe Clement, will soon be under pressure if results don't go their way.
Celtic on the other hand have enjoyed an excellent pre-season in which they put four goals past both Manchester City and Chelsea. The fans are also very happy having at the helm Brendan Rodgers, who is enjoying his second spell as manager at the club.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor sounds confident about the upcoming season. "Domestically, we are trying to win everything we are in," he said this week.
A familiar face joining Celtic this season in Kasper Schmeichel, who is taking over goalkeeping duties from Joe Hart who has retired.
Of course we must not forget there are 10 other teams in the league who in reality are vying for third place. The Edinburgh club Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) are probably the strongest of these along with Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.
Hearts have always been regarded as an influential team, but never quite good enough to challenge the two big Glasgow clubs. They became known as "The Nearly Men" of Scottish football which was reflected in the name of a fanzine some years ago, Always the Bridesmaid.
Interestingly Rangers' first match today is away to Hearts at Tynecastle Park, which could be a testing opener. That game could set the tone for the rest of the season for Rangers. Celtic are at home to Kilmarnock who did well to finish fourth last season.