SPFL summer business so far

ABERDEEN

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Willo Flood (Dundee United), Barry Robson (Sheffield United), Lawrence Shankland (Queen's Park), Gregg Wylde (Bolton Wanderers), Calvin Zola (Burton Albion)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Stronger, definitely.  Derek McInnes has clearly identified the weaknesses in the squad he inherited from Craig Brown; the lack of a big lug - sorry, I mean 'target man' - and pretty much the whole midfield.  Flood and Robson provide experience and quality in the middle of the park, while Wylde will give them as much pace on one side as Jonny Hayes provides on the other.  Zola, at 6'3", offers something different up front.  The defence should be solid with Andy Considine back from injury (words I thought I'd never write) and, critically, there have been no offers for Niall McGinn.

FURTHER NEEDS: An experienced goalkeeper to compete with Jamie Langfield, and one or two more full backs to provide depth.


CELTIC

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Virgil Van Dijk (Groningen, £2m), Amido Balde (Vitoria Guimaraes, £1.8m)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Stronger, at least for now, but Victor Wanyama's departure appears inevitable and Gary Hooper has a lot of suitors.  Van Dijk gives Neil Lennon another option in central defence, while Balde is highly rated despite only 9 goals in the Portuguese League last season; his height and physical presence should give SPFL defenders nightmares.  Even if there are no more new faces, this squad is still light years ahead of any other team in the country.

FURTHER NEEDS: That depends on whether they feel they need a replacement for Wanyama, or if Beram Kayal can fill the gap.  Otherwise, they seem pretty well set.


DUNDEE UNITED

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Calum Butcher (Hayes & Yeading United), Aidan Connolly (Queen's Park), Chris Erskine (Partick Thistle), Brian Graham (Raith Rovers), Kudus Oyenuga (Hayes & Yeading United), Paul Paton (Partick Thistle), Andrew Robertson (Queen's Park), David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers, loan)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Possibly a bit weaker.  After the departure of Jon Daly and Johnny Russell, there was much gnashing of teeth at Tannadice, but the return on loan of prodigal son Goodwillie must reassure the supporters.  The Scotland international should easily fill Russell's shoes, though ex-Morton and Raith man Graham will struggle to replace Daly.  Jackie McNamara has brought in two ex-Partick men who should do well - midfield enforcer Paton and the tricky Chris Erskine; with the latter on one flank and Gary Mackay-Steven on the other, there should be plenty of ammunition for the forwards.  There are holes at left back and in midfield after the loss of Barry Douglas and Willo Flood respectively.

FURTHER NEEDS: A new left back and a keeper to back up Radoslaw Ciernziak, definitely.


HEARTS

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Danny Wilson (Liverpool, loan made permanent)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Undoubtedly weaker, of course.  Eleven players who played for the first team last season have gone, though Wilson has been signed permanently thanks to a loophole.  If Hearts are punished like Rangers and Dunfermline before them, there's likely to be a transfer embargo until January which, along with their 15 point deduction, would cripple them ahead of the new campaign.  Currently there are only two outfield players aged 22 or over.  Whilst some of the youngsters impressed last year, the defence in particular looks threadbare and there is almost zero depth.

FURTHER NEEDS: Err...the Jambos look reasonably set in goal.  Other than that, they could do with reinforcements in pretty much every position.  Whether they are allowed to bring in anyone else is another matter.


HIBERNIAN

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Liam Craig (St. Johnstone), Owain Tudur Jones (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Ryan McGivern (Manchester City, loan made permanent), Fraser Mullen (Heart of Midlothian)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Weaker, simply because Leigh Griffiths isn't coming back - Wolves want him for their League One campaign.  The next best striker, Eoin Doyle has gone as well.  Currently Hibs have only youngsters Ross Caldwell and Danny Handling up front.  Elsewhere, Pat Fenlon has indulged his fetish for central midfield players by bringing in Welsh international Jones, which will look like an odd signing if Kevin Thomson, who fills an almost identical role, signs a new contract.  Keeping McGivern looks like a good move as he will do a good job at left back or in central defence.  Craig proved a potent goal threat from midfield with St. Johnstone.

FURTHER NEEDS: At least two strikers must be brought in.  The exits of David Wotherspoon and Matt Done leave Alex Harris as pretty much the only natural wide player in the squad. 


INVERNESS CT

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Curtis Allen (Coleraine), Adam Evans (Burnley), Joe Gorman (Crewe Alexandra), Ben Greenhalgh (Concord Rangers), Harry Hooman (Cheltenham Town), James Vincent (Kidderminster Harriers), Marley Watkins (Hereford United), Danny Williams (Kendal Town), Dean Brill (Luton Town, loan)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Stronger in terms of depth, but a weaker starting XI simply because Andy Shinnie has gone and doesn't appear to have been replaced; perhaps Nick Ross or Aaron Doran will be deployed in his role this season.  Pretty much all the signings are unproven at this level and Terry Butcher will be hoping he has unearthed a gem or two.  There is certainly an onus on pace, as Greenhalgh, Watkins and Williams are all wide players.  By all accounts, Vincent will rival his new teammate Draper in workrate and tenacity.

FURTHER NEEDS: Every position seems covered, but there might yet be a loanee or two brought in.


KILMARNOCK

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Conor Brennan (Leicester City), Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars), Antonio Reguero (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Craig Samson (St. Mirren)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Weaker, even if Kris Boyd signs a new contract.  New boss Allan Johnston at least inherits two good keepers to make up for the departure of Cammy Bell, but James Dayton will be badly missed and forwards Cillian Sheridan and William Gros have both gone.  The only outfield player to join up is Nigerian Reuben Gabriel, whose countryman Papa Idris had his contract ripped up after it turned out he was injured when signed (never heard of a medical, guys?).  Momo Sissoko is on trial with Roda JC in Holland, while Ryan O'Leary hasn't signed a new deal, which leaves Johnston hugely lacking in the centre of defence.

FURTHER NEEDS: Experience in central defence would be valuable indeed, which will be why Killie are courting Andy Webster.  Johnston will need to get a handle on how many of the umpteen youngsters brought through by Kenny Shiels are ready for the rigours of a full season in the first team before he can work out where he needs to strengthen further, but his assistant Sandy Clark has suggested up to six signings are needed.


MOTHERWELL

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Fraser Kerr (Birmingham City, loan made permanent), Paul Lawson (Ross County), Gunnar Nielsen (Silkeborg), John Sutton (Heart of Midlothian), Iain Vigurs (Ross County)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? See my blog from last week - undoubtedly weaker, with seven of the starting eleven that finished last season gone (unless James McFadden signs a new deal).  Stuart McCall will have to completely rebuild up front, and expect Sutton, in his second spell at Fir Park, to be the fulcrum of the attack.  Lawson is an underrated defensive midfielder, while Vigurs will provide a creative spark in midfield.  The departure of excellent keeper Darren Randolph is covered by the arrival of Faroese international Nielsen.

FURTHER NEEDS: Plenty, even if they can persuade McFadden to stay.  At least one winger, another striker and a right back are a must.  Another central defender wouldn't go amiss either.


PARTICK THISTLE

SIGNINGS SO FAR: John Baird (Dundee), Paul Gallacher (Ross County)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? If anything, the newly promoted side are currently weaker than when they finished last season, having brought in only the experienced keeper Gallacher, who will likely deputize Scott Fox, and hard-working forward Baird.  However, they have lost Chris Erskine, their outstanding player from last season, and a first choice midfielder in Paul Paton.  Alan Archibald's squad look a long way off being ready for the step up.

FURTHER NEEDS: A forward capable of scoring goals in the top flight is badly needed - Baird does not fit that description, and neither do any of Partick's other strikers.  A combative midfielder to replace Paton will also be on the shopping list.  I'd expect plenty of business to be done between now and the end of August.


ROSS COUNTY

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Melvin De Leeuw (Cambuur), Ben Gordon (Yeovil Town), Marc Klok (Utrecht), Kevin Luckassen (AZ Alkmaar), Darren Maatsen (Excelsior), Steven Saunders (Motherwell)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Hard to say.  Derek Adams has lost some important players - defenders Evangelos Ikonomou and Andre Hainault and midfielder Iain Vigurs in particular - but ex-Kilmarnock left back Gordon and, if he can stay fit, Saunders, will be good fits.  The Dutch contingent?  County were short of wide players last season, and De Leeuw looks like he will fill that gap.  I don't know enough about the others to comment, but trusting teenager Luckassen and Gary Glen to get goals seems a bit daft.  The most important move of the summer was the agreement with St Johnstone that allowed Richard Brittain to tear up his pre-contract.

FURTHER NEEDS: Adams has himself identified a "15 goal a season striker" as a priority.  Otherwise the squad looks pretty well set.


ST JOHNSTONE

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Steve Banks (Dundee United), Brian Easton (Dundee), Dylan Easton (Berwick Rangers), Gary McDonald (Morecambe), David Wotherspoon (Hibernian)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Weaker; new boss Tommy Wright has been left with a huge hole in midfield to fill after Liam Craig and Murray Davidson left.  I don't see journeyman McDonald filling that gap.  Striker Rowan Vine wasn't offered a new deal, but Gregory Tade's decision to leave caught the club off guard.  On the other hand, Brian Easton could be the long term successor to Callum Davidson at left back, while Wotherspoon is a decent wide midfielder who may benefit from a new start after not quite fulfilling his potential at Easter Road.

FURTHER NEEDS: At least one striker, and that's providing that Wright believes Stevie May is ready for a crack at the SPFL after scoring for fun while on loan in the lower leagues.  Another central and a left-sided midfielder are probably needed too.


ST MIRREN

SIGNINGS SO FAR: Kealan Dillon (Hull City), Christopher Dilo (Blackburn Rovers), Gary Harkins (Dundee), David Cornell (Swansea City, loan)

STRONGER OR WEAKER? Probably as strong up front after holding on to Paul McGowan and bringing in Harkins from Dundee (although Esmael Goncalves has left), but they will miss Newcastle loanees Paul Dummett and Conor Newton.  The loss of goalkeeper Craig Samson to Kilmarnock is offset by the arrival of Welsh international Cornell on loan.

FURTHER NEEDS: I'd be surprised if Danny Lennon didn't look for another target man to back up veteran Steven Thompson.  We may yet see Dummett and Newton back, but if they don't return then a left back and a midfielder will be needed.  Another centre-back would be a bonus in case Darren McGregor isn't ready to return from long-term injury.


NAREY'S TOEPOKER SPL RANKING (AS OF 9 JULY)
1. Celtic
2. Aberdeen
3. Dundee United
4. Inverness CT
5. St. Johnstone
6. Motherwell
7. Ross County
8. St. Mirren
9. Hibernian
10. Kilmarnock
11. Partick
12. Hearts

There's a long way to go, folks...

L.