Everyone loves a talented, up-and-coming youngster to follow. Everyone loves to see players that haven’t quite made it on the big stage drop down and show what they’re all about in the lower leagues.

What about the players who’ve been there and done that though? What about the veterans? Will anyone show them any love?

Chris and Cammy from the Pure Championship Podcast thought that should change that ahead of the 2020/21 Scottish Championship season. They’ve taken you through a few players that fit into the categories mentioned above already, but here’s five veterans that would still give you a run for your money as a pretty decent 5-a-side team.

Jamie MacDonald – Raith Rovers

MacDonald is back in the Championship and both of the Pure Championship boys are delighted to see him back in Scotland’s second tier, where he previously excelled.

The veteran shot-stopper spent part of last season on loan at Alloa Athletic when he was drafted in to replace the injured Neil Parry and put in several top performances for Peter Grant’s side.

Whilst he did only keep three clean sheets for Alloa, MacDonald certainly won the Wasps many points along the way and will no doubt be a big factor in helping Championship newcomers Raith Rovers do well this term.

Steven Naismith – Hearts

There’s people tipping Steven Naismith to play his way back into being picked for the Scottish National Team. While we’re not quite onboard that train, if he plays as well as many are expecting him to at Championship level this season then why shouldn’t there be calls for him to be called up to the squad even if he’s in the second tier.

Can the 34-year-old fire Hearts back into the Premiership should be the first question on everyone’s lips though. With just four Premiership goals last season, maybe a season against the often mistake-laden and concentration-lacking Championship defences will do him good. There’s question marks as to whether he even fits into Robbie Neilson’s tactical plan for this Hearts side, but we think if he stays fit, he’s got to be in the first eleven.

Graham Dorrans – Dundee

Dorrans was Dundee’s surprise signing last season, paving the way for another to join the club this season (coming next…). The now 33-year-old midfielder’s career at Rangers was blighted by injury but it’s easy to forget they paid over £1million to secure his signing from Norwich in the summer of 2017.

He was quietly a cut above many in the league last season. His class shone in this frantic and unpredictable league. While he couldn’t drag his Dundee teammates to challenge their neighbours for the title, he did raise levels across the side. He’ll certainly be looking to add to last season’s tally of five assists and a solitary goal.

Charlie Adam – Dundee

34-year-old Adam played in the English Premier League as recently as the 2017/18 season and has spent the past few seasons in the English Championship and is certainly a real coup for a Championship club.

Adam brings bags of experience with him to Dens Park and will form part of a midfield that will also contain another player who played Premier League football not too long ago in Graham Dorrans.

Something that particularly excites us about Adam being in the Dark Blues midfield is what it could mean for Pure Championship favourite Finlay Robertson in the long term.

Whilst the highly rated youngster may struggle for game time in the short term with Adam, Dorrans, Paul McGowan and Shaun Byrne all ahead of him in the pecking order, Adam could be a fantastic mentor for Robertson to learn from.

Stephen Dobbie – Queen of the South

What can you say that hasn’t already been said about the former King of the Scottish Championship? We said former there because after 57 goals across three seasons he only managed eight last season in a poor Queen of the South side that battled bravely against relegation.

Injuries did play a part, could time be finally catching up with the soon-to-be 38-year-old? Dobbie’s best form seemed to come when he had someone to play around, to be the side’s focal point so that he could operate in the vacated space. Everyone now knows the quality Lyndon Dykes has, fans of Queen of the South and of the league knew of this well before though. Dykes did Dobbie’s dirty work and enabled his scoring streaks.

The Doonhamers have recruited virtually a new squad this summer, Dobbie is one of a few constants. Will the young side, including Connor Shields and Aiden Fitzpatrick, enable a Dobbie scoring streak again this coming season?

If you want to listen to Chris and Cammy previewing the 2020/21 Scottish Championship season, find us on the Pure Fitbaw feed or listen below.