The season might only be in its infancy but recruitment is a year-round game nowadays. Clubs will already be battling it out behind the scenes to plan for next season and we're just three months away from the January window - and all the fun that comes with it - after all.
With it comes the chance to table bids and strengthen squads immediately but it also opens the window of opportunity to pounce on pre-contracts. Any player out of contract next summer will be fair game from January 1 and clubs up and down the UK will be eyeing the market intent on landing a freebie or two.
It's a well-utilised market in Scotland and the most proactive clubs tend to benefit - Rangers announced the arrival of John Souttar six months in advance while Alan Forrest is already looking an impressive addition for Hearts.
Here, Record Sport have run the rule over 11 players who will be catching the eye of scouts up and down the country.
Gary Mackay-Steven
It's been an up-and-down start to the season for Hearts but Robbie Neilson will be satisfied overall. His team go into the international break third in the league and with a fighting chance of Conference League qualification - with a double-header against Fiorentina to come.
It's been a different story for out-of-favour Mackay-Steven though who has fallen firmly down the pecking order since the arrival of Forrest. Now 32, his next contract will probably be his last big one, so he'll have to field offers and think carefully. As one of the most naturally talented players of his generation in Scotland, though, he likely won't be short on offers even if he struggles to revive his Tynecastle career.
Ryan Kent
Kent's contract situation will likely be causing some anxiety at Rangers as the closer we get to January, the higher the risk of losing him for free. There certainly won't be a drought of clubs down south willing to take a punt on him - especially on a free transfer.
His form hasn't quite been at it this season, yet to score in 10 games, but he's still one of the first names on the teamsheet when available and is a trusted figure for Gio van Bronckhorst. If a deal isn't struck with him soon, though, they may well decide to cash in in January to avoid letting him go for nothing.
Eamonn Brophy
A one-time Scotland cap and still only 26, Brophy has plenty of selling points, but he hasn't been fancied by Stephen Robinson so far. He's yet to start a game in the league with Jonah Ayunga and Curtis Main the preferred front two and could well be considering his options if his situation doesn't improve.
He's another likely to have plenty of offers to consider with teams in the lower reaches of the Premiership always sniffing for a new goalscorer. Having already played for five clubs in Scotland, though, could a move down south be on the cards?
Joel Nouble
The powerhouse striker is looking strong after his loan spell at Arbroath and has been a key man for David Martindale this season. He might have only netted twice but he's been near-ever-present up front and a central part of their strong start to the campaign. His unique skillset brings a head mix of pace and power.
They will dread losing him but will likely struggle to keep hold of him as strikers with his attributes are hard to find. Could he be an option for Hearts, Aberdeen or one of the other Euro chasers?
Ryan Porteous
About as polarising a figure as you'll find in Scottish football, Porteous has the talent to go to the top but his discipline often lets him down. Recently in the headlines after Jim Goodwin's "cheat" blast, his ability is often overlooked.
Nonetheless there was once a time Hibs could have sold him for a small fortune and he continues to prove his worth to the Easter Road team. Lee Johnson is on record as optimistic he'll sign a new deal, and given he doesn't turn 24 until next March, he's likely to land them a not-insignificant compensation fee whatever happens.
Christian Ramirez
He's made no secret of the fact he's a bit unsettled at Aberdeen and it's hard to imagine Goodwin putting up much of a fight to keep him unless things take a dramatic turn for the better. The American striker has just one league appearance to his name so far and with Luis Lopes and Bojan Miovski ahead of him in the pecking order, it's hard to see where the revival comes from.
A proven goalscorer even in a struggling Aberdeen team, though, he remains an attractive proposition and Hearts had a look before being shut out. Could he stay in Scotland for a crack at the whip with another club? Or will it be back home to the states for Ramirez?
Alfredo Morelos
Morelos is at a crossroads in his Rangers career. If Gio van Bronckhorst is to be believed, he has learned his lesson after being booted from their squad to face PSV, but he has a lot to prove before he can be considered their starting No.9 once more.
The question is, can he prove it before January when they will have to make a big decision on the Colombian? There is certainly be plenty of football to be played between now and then and Antonio Colak can't start every game. So will there be a last-gasp renaissance, or are we seeing the beginning of a sad end to Morelos' career in Scotland?
Stephen O'Donnell
He's not making the Scotland squad these days but he's still a reliable performer with plenty to offer. And at 30 years old, it's hardly as if O'Donnell is anywhere close to being over the hill.
The 26-time cap spent the early part of the season filling in at left-back with Paul McGinn taking his usual position but he lost his place in the side altogether for their last two games with Dundee United and Hearts. He's likely to be offered new terms at Fir Park but depending on how much football he plays between now and Christmas, he might be looking elsewhere come January.
Stevie May
He's one of the curious cases of his generation in Scottish football. Back in 2014, May had the world at his feet; impressive loan spells with Alloa and Hamilton saw him burst onto the scene at St Johnstone and 27 goals in 2013/14 gave him his pick of clubs down south.
He chose Sheffield Wednesday and it could hardly have gone less to plan. Three disastrous years later, he was back in Scotland with Aberdeen and his stats since make for some grim reading. Incredibly, he's been back at St Johnstone for four seasons now but 21 goals in 120 games is nothing like the return he promised earlier in his career. Turning 30 in November, does he have time for a move that will reignite his career? He remains one of the most willing runners in the SPFL.
Oli Shaw
Leeann Dempster's description as "one of the best young players of his generation" might be overstating it just a bit, but there's no denying there's talent there. Once a highly-promising talent at Hibs, Shaw was the main man for Kilmarnock last season as he fired 16 goals to help them back into the Premiership, but he's yet to get off the mark in the league this season and was dropped for the first time by Derek McInnes against Livingston.
His poor goal return isn't helped by his team's performances, of course. Killie have just three to their name so far and only a desperately poor Dundee United are saving them the indignity of bottom spot. If they look in serious risk of dropping back down at the first time of asking, will Shaw hang around? Or will he strike while the iron is still relatively hot and secure his future elsewhere?
Ian Harkes
American midfielder Harkes is likely one of the players Liam Fox will be keen to keep - he's been one of their steadying influences since arriving from MLS in January 2019. But after almost 150 appearances in Tangerine, will he feel it's time to move on?
At 27, he's an attractive age, and his performances over the last couple of years give him a fighting chance of a very good move, whether that's down south or to one of the Premiership sides with a bigger budget; even if United fans would hate to see him turning out for Hearts or Aberdeen.
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