GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) - Celtic holds the league title. Rangers have a new manager. And Hearts have turned the Scottish Premier League into a three-team race.
The league kicks off Saturday, and it's difficult to pick the strongest club.
Celtic should be in strong physical shape to defend the title. But the quality of the team is in doubt, shown by a 3-0 loss on Wednesday in a friendly against a young Manchester United side.
Celtic, which also played friendlies in the United States and Poland, went 1-4-2 in the pre-season, scoring just twice.
"It is the first time I have been to America for a pre-season and it is definitely not easy," Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said. "It is good for everyone who doesn't have to play but not so good for players. So what we'll need to do is sit down and reassess it as the season goes on."
Celtic also plays in Japan on Aug. 3 against Yokohama F Marinos, and then faces Chelsea in London on Aug. 9 in a friendly.
Chief executive Peter Lawell defended the gruelling schedule, which many say is driven by commercial considerations.
"We're delighted to be invited to these places," he said. "Part of it all is to exploit the Celtic brand worldwide. If were going to make money from these tours and its not money grabbing - that money goes straight back into the team.
Celtic raced away with the league last season, clinching the title on April 5.
Strachan has complained about a lack of transfer money over the summer. He's still trying to land a couple of big-name players, primarily Real Madrid's Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen. Former Spanish international Diego Tristan turned down a move to the club, complaining about Scotland's bad weather.
The top signing was Czech midfielder Jiri Jarosik, who moved from Chelsea after spending last season on loan at Birmingham City.
The problem seems to be in attack. Goal-scorers like Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson have departed. Playing up front are now Kenny Miller and Maciej Zurawski.
Young striker Craig Beattie will also miss Saturday's opener against Kilmarnock with a hamstring injury. In addition, key midfielder Stilian Petrov is reportedly consider leaving the club to play in England.
"Just now, the squad is not as strong as we had last season because the new players are still getting accustomed to the way we play and are trying to gel into the team," midfielder Aiden McGeady said. "But, over the next couple of weeks, I think you will see us getting a bit stronger."
Strachan will be relying on former substitutes - and he knows it.
"It's asking too much of the mainstays and the names that have been bringing success to the club for the last few years," Strachen said. "The backup players need to really back us up."
Rangers have made big changes.
New manager Paul Le Guen, who won three straight French league titles with Lyon, has added a half dozen new faces. His move to Scotland - replacing Alex McLeish - has surprised many, who expected him to go to a more high-profile league.
"I don't live for what other people think about this," he said. "The most important thing is what I think inside."
With Rangers out of the Champions League this season, Le Guen's top signing was Czech striker Libor Sionko, who moved from Austria Vienna on a three-year contract.
Also joining Rangers were Jeremy Clement from Lyon and Swedish defender Karl Svensson. Coming aboard, too, are goalkeeper Lionel Letizi and Makhtar N'Diaye.
Rangers will play their opener at Motherwell on Sunday without captain Barry Ferguson, who is recovering for a heel injury. Dado Prso will captain the team.
"Unfortunately, it is too early for Barry," Le Guen said. "He needs to train more and he needs some matches before he can come into the team."
Striker Kris Boyd is suspended for the opener after exceeding the disciplinary points threshold in the final game of last season.
Hearts, which finished second to break the traditional 1-2 of Celtic and Rangers, start this season with manager Valdas Ivanauskas in charge. He took over late last season, the third manager after George Burley and Graham Rix were fired by Lithuanian owner Roman Romanov.
The Jambos have spent little money in the off-season, and owner Vladimir Romanov says the emphasis this season will be on youth.
"I want to see young players in the team and for Hearts to have a unique style of football," Romanov said. "A successful season for me will be seeing the management team working together. I want them not only to use experienced players, but also use young players. This may be a risk, but that's what I'd like to see happen."
Hearts defeated Bosnian side Siroki Brijeg 3-0 on Wednesday in a first-leg, second-round qualifier of the UEFA Cup, and plays its Scottish opener Saturday at Dunfermline.
In other games Saturday, it's Dundee United versus Falkirk, Hibernian versus Aberdeen, and Inverness versus St. Mirren.
Canadian content includes former international defender-midfielder Richard Hastings at Inverness and midfielder Rhian Dodds at Kilmarnock.
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