Scottish Premiership ins and outs – summer 2014

Marquee signing: Having twice commanded a £2m transfer fee, once to Rangers then to Middlesbrough, Kevin Thomson ought to be the stand-out summer signing for promoted Dundee, especially as he is still only 29. However, two serious knee injuries earlier in his career have diminished his midfield presence and his second spell with Hibernian led to frustrating spells on the bench and ended in the despair of relegation.

Key arrival: German duo Thomas Konrad, previously of Eintracht Trier, and Luka Tankulic, Wolfsburg II, have been plucked from their homeland’s regional leagues. But, with defender Konrad’s starring role in a pre-season win over Manchester City and striker Tankulic’s competitive debut goal against Peterhead, they could prove to be astute additions to Dundee’s squad.

One that got away: Paul Hartley showed himself to be no respecter of reputations as he wielded the axe on some well-known faces he believed were expensive luxuries. However, goalkeeper Dan Twardzik did enough on loan to Motherwell to convince the Fir Park club to offer him a permanent deal after his Dens Park exit.

Last season: Championship title

Prediction: 8th. Paul Hartley received much media hype for leading Alloa Athletic to successive promotions and followed that up by finishing the job started by John Brown at Dens Park and winning the Championship, if only on the final day of the season. His reshaping of a title-winning squad shows he has a ruthless streak that could ensure they avoid relegation.

In: Gerry McCabe, assistant manager (Queen of the South); Kevin Thomson, midfielder (Hibernian); James McPake, defender (Hibernian); Simon Ferry, midfielder (Portsmouth); Gary Harkins, midfielder (St Mirren); Paul McGowan, midfielder (St Mirren); Thomas Konrad, defender (Eintracht Trier); Luka Tankulic, forward (Wolfsburg II); Paul McGinn, defender (Dumbarton); Greg Stewart, forward (Cowdenbeath); Philip Roberts, forward (Falkirk); Scott Bain, goalkeeper (Alloa Athletic); Grant Adam, goalkeeper (Airdrieonians); Dylan Carreiro, midfielder (Queens Park Rangers), David Clarkson, forward (Bristol Rovers).

Out: Dan Twardzik, goalkeeper (Motherwell); Christian Nade, forward (Raith Rovers); Gavin Rae, midfielder (Hakoah Sydney City); Craig Beattie, forward (Zebbug Rangers); Declan Gallagher, defender (Livingston); Ryan Conroy, midfielder (Raith Rovers); John Gibson, goalkeeper (Alloa Athletic); Steven Doris, forward (Stirling Albion); Stephen O’Donnnell, midfielder (Clyde); Stephen Hughes, midfielder; Matt Lockwood, defender; Sean Bonnett-Johnson, midfielder; Leighton McIntosh, forward; Grant Adam, goalkeeper. Loan: Jamie Reid, midfielder (Stenhousemuir); Kyle Benedictus, defender (Alloa Athletic); Dylan Carreiro, midfielder (Arbroath). Loan ended: Adam Cummings, defender (Motherwell).