SCOTTISH football: A rubbish watch, but a great read.

The off the cuff phrase coined by a Press colleague some time ago won’t be unveiled as the new motto for the SPFL any time soon.

But the self-deprecating view of our national game is as prevalent as ever as the countdown continues to the start of the new league campaigns this weekend.

If there is one thing that seems to bring Scottish football fans together, it is the ill-informed criticism from supporters and pundits south of the border.

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Punters that will argue online at all hours of the day, jibe each other in offices and pubs and hurl abuse across the stands are suddenly united when their English counterparts start to mock our leagues or our clubs.

We understand the limitations of our game on and off the park and acknowledge the gulf in everything from pitches to players when compared to England.

Scottish football it is what is. It’s not over-hyped or overpaid, our teams aren’t technically brilliant and our grounds aren’t full every week.

But there is a passion and enthusiasm at the heart of our game and that is why fans up, down and across the country will have had this weekend in mind for some time.

In terms of the characters and the stories, the dramas and the controversies, the SPFL leads the way and the new campaign could be one of the best we have had for several years.

At the top, Brendan Rodgers will look to make more history with Celtic and pick up where he left off once again after leading his side to a second successive Treble last term.

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But the Northern Irishman will have a fresh challenger this time around and will go head-to-head with arguably the most worldwide renowned figure ever to grace Scottish football in Steven Gerrard.

Whether the Liverpool and England legend succeeds or fails this term, it will be a fascinating watch and the arrival of Gerrard has undoubtedly raised the profile of the Premiership.

The 38-year-old, of course, still has everything to prove as a boss and it will take a remarkable effort for his side to prevent Celtic winning eight-in-a-row come May.

There is a fresh dynamic to this title race, however, and the battle between Gerrard and Rodgers adds extra intrigue to the already madcap world of the Old Firm.

Rangers should be Celtic’s closest challengers in the coming months but that won’t be the only squabble worth keeping an eye on.

The duel between Aberdeen and Hibernian could be just as exciting as Derek McInnes looks to hit the heights of recent years and Neil Lennon attempts to raise the bar at Easter Road.

Across the capital, Craig Levein must hope his extensive squad rebuild pays off, while Steve Clarke has a chance to write another chapter in his Kilmarnock fairytale.

Read more: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard targets two transfer deals 'sooner rather than later'

He will face competition for a top six berth from the cup nearly men Motherwell and a St Johnstone side aiming to bounce back from an uncharacteristic campaign last time out.

Below them, Dundee and Hamilton will want to stay clear of another relegation scrap, while St Mirren and Livingston have doubters to win over if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

There will be times where the football isn’t exactly flowing and the action fails to live up to expectations but there are some enticing matches and potentially headline-grabbing tales to look forward to in the coming days, weeks and months.

There are big personalities across the league and the politics, the touchline spats, the war of words in the papers and on the airwaves will ensure Scottish football remains a hugely entertaining, if slightly whirlwind, place to work once again. Let the games, and the fun, begin.