Celtic's current stranglehold on the Premiership title forced the chasing pack to take stock of their progress in the close season.

Rangers, for one, opted to make wholesale changes after the dust settled on a tumultuous campaign, with an extensive staff and squad overhaul taking place at Ibrox.

The Light Blues' fortunes surely must improve as a result and the early signs have been promising in that regard.

Steven Gerrard's focus on defence resulted in moves for Allan McGregor, Nikola Katic, Connor Goldson and Jon Flanagan that look to have shored up a previously porous back-line.

Less remedial work was required at the top end of the pitch - Rangers finished top goalscorers last time out.

The onus will fall on Colombian Alfredo Morelos to hit the back of the net with consistency if Gerrard is to have any aspirations of removing Celtic from pole position.

While Gerrard's arrival means the spotlight will shine on Ibrox, Aberdeen and Hibs hold lofty ambitions of their own.

Derek McInnes' Dons equipped themselves well over two legs against Burnley and are determined to make it five second placed finishes on the trot.

Coveted defender Scott McKenna and new recruit Mikey Devlin have the potential to form a solid centre-half partnership, while summer signing Lewis Ferguson hinted at his quality with a sublime effort at Turf Moor.

It's at the top end of the pitch McInnes holds concerns, however. Last season's chief playmaker Ryan Christie has returned to Celtic, while top marksman Adam Rooney has made a much-publicised move to Salford City.

Replacing Christie's creativity and Rooney's goals will prove key to the Dons' fortunes this time out.

Hibs, on the other hand, should have no problem hitting the back of the net.

Flo Kamberi has already established himself as one of the league's premier strikers, and Aussie forward Jamie Maclaren's return to the club creates a menacing double act in the attack.

Dylan McGeough's switch to Sunderland left a hole in the middle of the park, but the early signs are that Stevie Mallan has the quality to fill the void.

Neil Lennon looks to have finally secured a safe pair of hands between the sticks which should go a long way to helping shore up at the back.

Liverpool loanee Adam Bogdan performed heroics in Greece to send Hibs through in Europe.

Holding onto talisman John McGinn, wanted by champions Celtic, will likely have a big say on Hibs' end-of-season standing.

While more of the same is the order of the day at Hibs, Hearts have opted for an entirely different approach.

Craig Levein has made wholesale changes to his squad in a bid to stamp his mark on the side.

Uche Ikpeazu has already stolen the hearts of Hearts fans, while Steven Naismith's return and Steven Maclean's arrival bolsters the front line further.

The Jam Tarts' top scorer last season, Kyle Lafferty, is a wanted man, though, and his departure would heavy the burden on the new recruits' shoulders.

At the back, previous number one Jon McLaughlin has left, with Colin Doyle and Zdenek Zlamal vying to take the starting jersey.

Scottish defenders Christophe Berra and John Souttar proved an effective partnership at centre-half as Levein's side put together an impressive clean sheet run.

Replicating that robustness at the back will be the building block for Hearts' campaign.