The Scottish Premiership never fails to offer up shocks, surprises and drama.
Going into each season it is Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs who are expected to be up there challenging for the places after the two Glasgow teams. But invariably one or even two of them seem to manage to fall well short of that.
This campaign so far it is the two capital clubs who are struggling with only the Dons manging to meet expectations – or even exceed them so far. Motherwell and Dundee United have had strong starts, sitting fourth and fifth respectively, and could challenge for Europe.
Unsurprisingly then, those two and Aberdeen are well represented as Not the Old Firm picks out our best Premiership XI of the season so far.
It may be early days, but we still thought it was worth ranking the players based on what we’ve seen so far!
Best Premiership goalkeeper
Aston Oxborough – According to Fot Mob, the Motherwell keeper has the most saves per 90 (4.0) and the most goals prevented (3.4) in the league. He also has the highest save percentage and ‘high claim’ which means claiming high balls into the box. Well fans are baffled he was their second choice last season!
Best Premiership defenders
Nicky Devlin, Slobodan Rubezic, Liam Gordon and Will Ferry – Aberdeen have been on fire going forward this season but also good defensively with Devlin and Rubezic contributing. Gordon has been transformed by his move from St Johnstone to Motherwell and Ferry has been one of the signings of the season for Dundee United – he has created more chances than 82 per cent of the Premiership, won more aerial duels than 75 per cent of the league and more defensive actions than 80 per cent.
Best Premiership midfielders
Lennon Miller, Graeme Shinnie and Sivert Nilsen – The Dons strongly represented here also with their skipper and new midfield general Nilsen forming a strong partnership patrolling the middle of the pitch. And teenage Motherwell star Lennon Miller has been a joy to watch yet again, adding more goals to his game also.
Best Premiership front three
Jamie McGrath, Matty Kennedy and Pape Gueye – McGrath and Kennedy have been creative forces for their respective sides – joint top in the league for chances created and again tied as the best non-Old Firm players for expected assists. Gueye is the league’s top scorer with five and his recent injury is a blow to Aberdeen.
Best Premiership XI so far – Oxborough, Devlin, Rubezic, Gordon, Ferry, Miller, Nilsen, Shinnie, McGrath, Kennedy, Gueye