The sobering Rangers eye catcher that underlines monumental task facing Michael Beale in overturning Celtic

You’re a manager embarking on a new Premiership season. You’re cautiously optimistic about your chances of doing something, but don't want to make a rod for your own back with definitive predictions that come back to bite you if things should go horribly wrong.

“Just looking to improve on last year” is the wary boss’ friend. It offers fans just enough hope of better days ahead but also gives you some wiggle room as the campaign goes on. Of course, it’s not applicable to everyone. Celtic and Rangers are expected to win titles every season. In fairness to Ange Postecoglou, all he can do is improve his numbers while still finishing top. The Scottish Cup is the only tangible reward he’s yet to pick up, but there’s always points and goals totals to beat.

As far as Michael Beale is concerned, it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things how far behind or close he is if the end result is still second place. Getting closer is all well and good but almost isn’t close enough, especially after losing the Viaplay Cup Final to the Hoops.

A direct comparison of points totals a year in makes for interesting reading across the table. Record Sport looks at who’s on the up and who’s gone downhill.

So far, so very, very good for the champions. They are nine points clear of Rangers and a whopping ten points ahead of where they were this time last year, when the gap was a solitary point. A sticky start under Ange goes some way to explaining that. They’ve been relentless this season, only dropping points twice; a shock defeat to St Mirren and a 2-2 draw at Ibrox.

The European run this season was tougher, but perhaps crucially, shorter. It’s now full steam ahead to wrap up the league and Scottish Cup, and the final total could be a