Think of the Scottish Premiership and you think of a division with enough box-office drama and passion to rival, if not surpass, any other European league. Where Scotland's top flight has had its perceived shortcomings over the years, though, is in the product and standard it offers on the pitch. Less technical and tactical.
However, with more Premiership sides than ever showing a willingness to keep the high balls low, early-season data suggests the league is shifting towards a style many fans would regard as a more attractive watch. As domestic action prepares to return from an extended international break, the dust has been blown off the BBC Scotland supercomputer to uncover some underlying trends, with the help of the stats gurus at Opta. Are SPFL away ticket prices too expensive?
And is price cap on agenda? O'Neill 'just as determined' to lead Celtic New boss Reedijk promises 'brave and intense' Hibs There had long been a notion within Scottish football that it wasn't possible for most clubs to enjoy success on the pitch while entertaining their supporters with a progressive style. Not got the technical ability of Virgil van Dijk or Kristoffer Ajer?
Forget splitting your centre-backs either side of the six-yard box to collect a goal-kick and start an attack. You don't have Callum McGregor in midfield? Yeah, best not ask your number six to drop deep and progress play under pressure.
It was all seen as too risky. Budgets wouldn't allow for it. Leave that to the big boys.
That was the type of reasoning you would tend to hear. However, those arguments were booted out of the park - or, more aptly, passed off the pitch - by Motherwell and Falkirk last season. Saturday, 10 October - Sunday, 11 October Listen to coverage on BBC Sounds, watch highlights on BBC iPlayer, and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
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