ABERDEEN’S victory over HNK Rijeka in the Europa League did not, despite being rapturously received by their fans and those who care about the wellbeing of Scottish football, secure a place in the group stages.

The Pittodrie club will still have to overcome Kairat in the third qualifying round – and after a 2-1 defeat in the first leg on Thursday night there is no guarantee that will happen - and then negotiate the play-off in order to progress.

With some formidable opponents, including Borussia Dortmund, Rosenborg and Southampton, sure to be involved in the next stage if they get through, it is far from certain the Dons will be able to extend their run in Europe. They came undone against La Liga outfit Real Sociedad at the same stage last term.

Yet, Aberdeen’s 5-2 aggregate win over Croatian rivals who were ranked above them in the competition – a stunning 3-0 triumph away from home in the in the first leg in particular – did achieve something significant.

It provided hope the forthcoming Ladbrokes Premiership will be a contest instead of another procession to anyone who remembers a time when clubs from outwith Glasgow regularly won the Scottish title and yearns for their return.

Since Rangers found themselves competing against part-time teams comprised of joiners, plumbers and electricians in the bottom tier three years ago, Celtic have skooshed the top flight by comfortable 16 point, 19 point and 17 point winning margins.

However, Aberdeen have, slowly but surely, emerged as challengers. They were highly unfortunate not to finish runners-up two seasons ago. Last term, they were comfortably the second best team in the country.

Kris Commons suggested, in his typically impish fashion, he hadn’t been aware of a challenge to Celtic’s supremacy last term. The four league wins his side recorded over their nearest rivals in the league, during which they scored nine goals and conceded just two, would appear to back up his claim.

Nevertheless, Derek McInnes’s charges once again impressed in the 2014/15 campaign. An eight game winning streak and a 13 game unbeaten run kept them in contention until April. Adam Rooney finished top scorer with 18 goals.

And this season they should fare even better. McInnes has managed to retain all of his key players and has recruited well this summer. Paul Quinn has joined from Ross County, Graeme Shinnie has arrived from Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Danny Ward has joined on loan from Liverpool. Could they be serious contenders this time around?

The chances are, despite the widely-anticipated departure of centre half Virgil van Dijk before the close of the transfer window at the end of this month, Ronny Deila’s side will also be superior in the coming months as well.

The Norwegian has familiarised himself with his new surroundings in Scotland and has also strengthened well with the acquisitions of Stuart Armstrong, Dedryck Boyata, Nadir Ciftci, Saidy Janko and Gary Mackay-Steven. It is hard to see anybody preventing them from romping to their fifth consecutive title success.

The “financial Armageddon” which some predicted when Rangers were lost to the Premiership has not materialised. Indeed, quite the opposite has happened. In many respects it has flourished. Inverness, Dundee United, Hamilton, Motherwell and St Johnstone have all capitalised on the absence of the Ibrox club and enjoyed great success, much to the delight of their supporters.

The pursuit of a place in the top six before the split, the scramble to clinch spots in the Europa League and the struggle to avoid relegation maintains interest for supporters of almost all 12 of its participants. No other division in the continent can boast so few meaningless matches.

The Premiership play-off matches which were introduced last year have been a massive success as well. They have attracted huge crowds and brought additional money into our game courtesy of a broadcasting deal with BT Sport.

League reconstruction is set to be discussed by the SPFL again soon and a new structure could, if there is agreement among all 42 member clubs, be in place as early next season. It will be fascinating to see what, if anything, they come up with.

Last time around the abomination that was a 12-12-18 set-up was, mercifully, rejected thanks to the bravery and common sense of Stewart Gilmour of St. Mirren and Roy McGregor of Ross County.

There is much talk about the league being expanded to include 16 teams – speculation which has led to claims of the goalposts being moved to ensure that Rangers take their place among the elite clubs and which has sent the many conspiracy theorists in our game into meltdown.

Changing the league set-up will make it different. But will it make Scottish football any better? Will it improve the standard on the pitch? Will it boost gates and draw in more sponsors? Will it bring through more home-grown talent? It is hard to see how it can. With any luck, our clubs will decide: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Yet, the continued absence of a genuine battle for the Premiership trophy is highly unfortunate. It is something which has, due to the sizeable fan base and financial muscle of Celtic and, before they experienced their financial troubles, Rangers, we have grown to accept in the last two or three decades.

There is plenty to look forward to. Seeing how a Dundee team which exceeded expectations by finishing in the top six last season and which has strengthened significantly in the summer by signing Kane Hemmings, Rory Loy and Nick Ross, for instance, will be fascinating. So, too, will tracking the fortunes of Inverness, Dundee United, Hearts and St. Johnstone. They are all capable of enjoying good runs.

The battle to avoid getting sucked into the play-offs last term was fascinating and involved Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Motherwell, who ended up second bottom. Hamilton, who fell away dramatically after losing manager Alex Neil to Norwich City, will do well to stay up this season.

But at the top Celtic should run away with it once more, despite the challenge Aberdeen make, and do so playing attractive, effective and attacking football.