Just how will the SPL table look next May without Rangers results impacting on performances?

Rory Fallon is looking for the Dons to end the season in the top half if they are to consider it a success. Aberdeen did not trouble the top-six last season ending up in ninth place. However, with Rangers out of the equation,  many SPL sides will all be hoping for improved showings this time around. The striker joined Aberdeen last summer and is now in his final year of his contract, but the New Zealand international is targeting a good start to the season and a top-half finish. 
 
He said: "I'm taking it a day at a time and I'm not going to be shouting, saying we are going to win the league or anything like that. Our first five games will be where we can judge whether we are going to have a good season. We have a good squad here and we're definitely good enough for top six. If we don't make it then that won't be good enough."
 
Craig Brown's side have to head to Glasgow as Celtic unfurl the league title flag on the opening day of the season and Fallon is confident of picking up a good result. He said: "Celtic are going to be flying as defending champions and they will want to beat us. We felt we could have beaten them on a couple of occasions last season and we have got to work hard and believe we can this time."
 
The former Plymouth forward has been capped 13 times by New Zealand but Fallon has pledged to put club before country ahead of the upcoming season. New Zealand face World Cup qualifiers against New Caledonia, Tahiti and the Solomon Islands over the next few months with Fallon setting his sights on a starting place for Aberdeen rather than for his country. He said: "We've got a few long-distance trips this year and if I'm not in the plans for starting with New Zealand then it doesn't make much sense travelling all the way over there and risk losing my place at Aberdeen".