Scottish Championship: The soul of Scottish football is back with a bang
What does success look like for Ayr United?
At the end of last season a visibly scunnered Scott Brown cast doubt on his own future as Ayr exited the play-offs.
But those dark clouds have seemingly scudded off into the distance with Brown leading his side to four wins out of four in the Premier Sports Cup group stage, including a 4-0 win over Arbroath at Somerset Park.
Add to this new signings like Dom Thomas, Kevin Holt and Shaun Want who have all returned from across the Irish Sea – indeed, former Hamilton Academical defender Want was player of the season for a Larne side who competed in Europe – and suddenly the Honest Men look to have the nous and ability to set solid foundations.
Off the field the club is heading in the right direction too. Could this finally be their year?
Their final match of the season will be at home to St Johnstone. The Perth side are among the favourites to win the division after their 16-year stay in the top flight came to an end.
They have stuck with Simo Valakari, clearly believing in his vision of attack-minded football. It worked for Falkirk last season and has clearly worked for the Saints in the League Cup thus far, four wins out of four ending in a flourish with an 8-0 destruction of Elgin City.
Add to this an intriguing blend of decent performers from last season – Sven Sprangler, Jason Holt and Adama Sidebeh – now allied with proven Championship additions like Sam Stanton, Reece McAlear and Morgan Boyes and there looks to be promise there. The signing of Stevie Mallan also catches the eye.
Some bookies are making the other relegated Premiership side Ross County favourites to win the title.
Appointing BBC Scotland pundits seems to be de rigueur and owner Roy McGregor has prised John Robertson away from weekends on Sportsound to lend his experience to manager Don Cowie.
The Staggies have also brought in quality and experience with Declan Gallagher, Ross Docherty, Nicky Clark and Gary Mackay-Steven. They all know this territory inside out and should immediately stamp some identity into the side.
It would certainly be a big surprise if County or St Johnstone finish outside the top four. The evidence of Livingston last season shows that the teams dropping out of the top flight are highly likely to be in the mix.