Dundee derby, O'Riley & Thelin in focus

Celtic have their hands on the Scottish Premiership trophy as the 2024-25 season begins

A new Scottish Premiership campaign gets under way on Saturday.

With the first round of top flight games spread over three days, each fixture will get plenty of attention, but here are some of the more intriguing sub-plots to consider.

Game of the weekend - Dundee United v Dundee (Sun, 13:30)

The first Dundee derby since April 2022 pitches newly promoted Championship winners United against one of last season's Premiership success stories.

Dundee, in their first season back in the top flight, drew praise from all quarters after Tony Docherty's first campaign as a manager. The Dark Blues finished sixth and have followed that up with four wins out of four in the League Cup group stage.

Sunday's meeting will be the first test of whether Jim Goodwin's United can emulate their city rivals' impressive Premiership return.

Dundee striker Simon Murray will be facing one of his former clubs and aiming to add to the 10 league goals he scored earlier in 2024 for previous club Ross County and his five League Cup goals so far this term.

The last derby at Tannadice finished 2-2, while the Dark Blues have not won there in 12 visits since a 2-1 success in 15 August 2004.

Player to watch - Matt O'Riley (Celtic)

After a close season of speculation and reports of rejected bids, Matt O'Riley remains a Celtic player for the time being at least.

Atalanta and Southampton are the clubs linked most heavily with the midfielder, with the Serie A outfit headed for the new Champions League 'league phase'.

But so are Celtic after winning last season's Premiership and thanks to Scotland's co-efficient still being favourable.

It would appear there is no urgency from club or player to make a sale happen and, while O'Riley is an option for manager Brendan Rodgers, opposition teams will have their work cut out combatting the 23-year-old, who contributed 18 goals and 13 assists in the league last time.

Kilmarnock are the first team to face Celtic in a competitive fixture this season, Derek McInnes' side travelling to Glasgow for Sunday's match that will be preceded by the unfurling of the Premiership flag.

The Rugby Park side already have two Europa League qualifiers under their belt and will need every ounce of fitness they have to quell Celtic's party.

Manager in focus - Jimmy Thelin (Aberdeen)

It's been so far, so good for Jimmy Thelin as Aberdeen manager. Four Scottish League Cup group games, four wins.

However, there were some moans and groans at half-time when the Dons trailed Airdrieonians and when they were being held 0-0 by Dumbarton after 45 minutes.

On Monday, his Scottish Premiership bow takes place in Perth against St Johnstone, managed by one of the division's most experienced bosses, Craig Levein.

And Thelin has a decision to make over whether Bojan Miovski starts or features at all. The striker, who has scored 44 goals over his two years at Pittodrie, was used sparingly during the recent League Cup games amid suspicion he will soon be sold.

Swede Thelin's main task this season is one of improvement. Aberdeen were a bottom-six team last term, albeit best of the rest in seventh. Top six is therefore a primary target but European qualification is also achievable.

And games like Monday's are exactly the type any aspiring Aberdeen team needs to be winning to be taken seriously. It's against opponents like St Johnstone that Thelin and his players will be judged.