So, this blog was right... Collins wasn't sacked by Hibs. His resignation on Thursday settled the issue.
Why has he gone? He claims it is due to the restrictive budget he was forced to operate under, but it's still an extraordinary decision, handing in his notice after just 14 months at the club with a crucial run of fixtures coming up. It comes across as the rash decision of a man backed into a corner - and perhaps in the next few days more details will emerge. Some fans contend that he wanted out before the current slump in form got any worse. If this is true, it points to a man who is shockingly unsure of himself in such a brutal profession. Other rumours allege that an argument with the chairman, Rod Petrie, came to a head, leading Collins to conclude that he could no longer have a workable relationship with the club's board.
So, Hibs have a managerial vacancy once again. For a club lauded for being well-run and taking the long-term view, they do work through managers at a fast pace.
Collins' replacement will be the 5th new face in the dugout since 2001.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Edinburgh in uproar
It's not easy being overshadowed by bigger, more successful football teams.
Edinburgh's two clubs have been kept out of the light for so long by the Glasgow Old Firm that you'd think the fans would have resigned themselves to their fate by now. Thankfully, this hasn't happened, and Scottish football is all the richer for it.
While supporters at Aberdeen and Dundee Utd have responded to repeated disappointment by drifting away from match days, leaving dwindling crowds to rattle around stadiums still haunted by memories of glorious achievements in the 1980s, Hearts and Hibs supporters are turning up in numbers, despite the fact that most fans of either club weren't alive the last time their club won a league title.
Yet this gloriously irrational behaviour has a flipside... it tends to cause despondency and anger rather than resignation when things aren't going well. And neither club has had a good month.
Hibs have won just once in their past 8 games, and the fans are starting to vent their fury. Rationally speaking, this shouldn't be happening - the club has sold so many players in recent seasons that expectations for this term should be muted, and their excellent unbeaten run at the start of the season means the club is still in 5th, which is hardly a disaster. Furthermore, what with the debts, new training centre and potential new East Stand at Easter Road, the club has got a fairly large list of bills besides going shopping for new players.
But the team's form is awful, and a minority have begun calling for John Collins to be sacked. Both manager and squad seem short of confidence at the moment, not helped by an increasingly edgy mood at Easter Road. It wasn't last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Falkirk, but the abject defeat against Aberdeen that proved the catalyst for the latest discontent. Few of the new signings have really made their mark yet, while the tactics and line up seem to chop and change from one match to the next.
Unless this current slump becomes a prolonged losing streak, there is no prospect of Collins getting the sack. Hibs simply don't respond to short term pressure in that way, much to their credit. But the manager certainly faces an important Festive period, and Hibs need to stay in touch with Motherwell and Dundee Utd in the battle for third spot at least. Otherwise the famously radge support could get even more vocal.
All this could seem no more important than the typical family row at the Christmas dinner table, though, compared to what's going on at Hearts just now. They are also on a poor run of results, but this time the catalyst was goalkeeper Eduardas Kurskis' mistake at the weekend that allowed Rangers to grab all three points from a game that had "draw" written all over it. The player's inclusion in the team is symptomatic of the chaotic way player selection works at Hearts, with the teamsheet faxed in from Lithuania covered in Vladimir Romanov's scribbles, some names crossed out and others put in their place.
Predictably, the Jambos are furious. Yes, Hearts have also lost plenty of decent players over the past year or so as well, but given the still large 1st team squad and huge wage bill they should not be down in 8th position in the league. And while Hearts, too, claim to be planning a new stand at their stadium, the latest promised date for submitting the planning permission has come and gone this week without any progress. Whatever Vladimir Romanov is up to, living up to his promises is not featuring high on his list of priorities at the moment.
The big question is: are the Hearts fans going to turn their anger into action? If Hibs were currently in their position, the fans would probably have rampaged through the streets of Leith by now, before orchestrating a forced occupation of the stadium and holding a mass rally to demand action.
Instead, the Jambos are trying to organise a meeting to plan a meeting to discuss a possible boycott of a home match, perhaps in February. For all their bluster, they tend to sit on their hands during crises and moan, rather than stand up and be counted. The occasional open letter to the owner is about as forceful as they get.
So far, Romanov has been able to do as he likes at Hearts, almost completely un-opposed (and there are still many Hearts fans that caution against doing anything that might upset Dear Leader, despite the chronic misrule). Indeed, it's arguable that Hearts only ended up in his hands because the fans failed to organise themselves against the proposed sale of Tynecastle to a property developer until the very last minute, forcing them to go cap in hand to a mysterious Russian businessman whose ultimate motive remains unclear.
Could this be the moment that the maroon half of Edinburgh finally reaches breaking point?
Edinburgh's two clubs have been kept out of the light for so long by the Glasgow Old Firm that you'd think the fans would have resigned themselves to their fate by now. Thankfully, this hasn't happened, and Scottish football is all the richer for it.
While supporters at Aberdeen and Dundee Utd have responded to repeated disappointment by drifting away from match days, leaving dwindling crowds to rattle around stadiums still haunted by memories of glorious achievements in the 1980s, Hearts and Hibs supporters are turning up in numbers, despite the fact that most fans of either club weren't alive the last time their club won a league title.
Yet this gloriously irrational behaviour has a flipside... it tends to cause despondency and anger rather than resignation when things aren't going well. And neither club has had a good month.
Hibs have won just once in their past 8 games, and the fans are starting to vent their fury. Rationally speaking, this shouldn't be happening - the club has sold so many players in recent seasons that expectations for this term should be muted, and their excellent unbeaten run at the start of the season means the club is still in 5th, which is hardly a disaster. Furthermore, what with the debts, new training centre and potential new East Stand at Easter Road, the club has got a fairly large list of bills besides going shopping for new players.
But the team's form is awful, and a minority have begun calling for John Collins to be sacked. Both manager and squad seem short of confidence at the moment, not helped by an increasingly edgy mood at Easter Road. It wasn't last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Falkirk, but the abject defeat against Aberdeen that proved the catalyst for the latest discontent. Few of the new signings have really made their mark yet, while the tactics and line up seem to chop and change from one match to the next.
Unless this current slump becomes a prolonged losing streak, there is no prospect of Collins getting the sack. Hibs simply don't respond to short term pressure in that way, much to their credit. But the manager certainly faces an important Festive period, and Hibs need to stay in touch with Motherwell and Dundee Utd in the battle for third spot at least. Otherwise the famously radge support could get even more vocal.
All this could seem no more important than the typical family row at the Christmas dinner table, though, compared to what's going on at Hearts just now. They are also on a poor run of results, but this time the catalyst was goalkeeper Eduardas Kurskis' mistake at the weekend that allowed Rangers to grab all three points from a game that had "draw" written all over it. The player's inclusion in the team is symptomatic of the chaotic way player selection works at Hearts, with the teamsheet faxed in from Lithuania covered in Vladimir Romanov's scribbles, some names crossed out and others put in their place.
Predictably, the Jambos are furious. Yes, Hearts have also lost plenty of decent players over the past year or so as well, but given the still large 1st team squad and huge wage bill they should not be down in 8th position in the league. And while Hearts, too, claim to be planning a new stand at their stadium, the latest promised date for submitting the planning permission has come and gone this week without any progress. Whatever Vladimir Romanov is up to, living up to his promises is not featuring high on his list of priorities at the moment.
The big question is: are the Hearts fans going to turn their anger into action? If Hibs were currently in their position, the fans would probably have rampaged through the streets of Leith by now, before orchestrating a forced occupation of the stadium and holding a mass rally to demand action.
Instead, the Jambos are trying to organise a meeting to plan a meeting to discuss a possible boycott of a home match, perhaps in February. For all their bluster, they tend to sit on their hands during crises and moan, rather than stand up and be counted. The occasional open letter to the owner is about as forceful as they get.
So far, Romanov has been able to do as he likes at Hearts, almost completely un-opposed (and there are still many Hearts fans that caution against doing anything that might upset Dear Leader, despite the chronic misrule). Indeed, it's arguable that Hearts only ended up in his hands because the fans failed to organise themselves against the proposed sale of Tynecastle to a property developer until the very last minute, forcing them to go cap in hand to a mysterious Russian businessman whose ultimate motive remains unclear.
Could this be the moment that the maroon half of Edinburgh finally reaches breaking point?
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Strachan blows more hot air but Celtic progress anyway
In the build up to last night's re-arranged Champions League fixture against AC Milan, Gordon Strachan insisted that Celtic were not going to the San Siro merely seeking the point that would see them through to the knock-out stages, but were looking to win the game and top the group.
You'd have thought he might have learned by now.
Celtic's home record in the Champions League under Strachan is impeccable - played six, won six. Yet in 16 away ties in the competition, stretching back before the current manager's reign, they have only a draw against Barcelona three years ago to interrupt the string of defeats. In Europe, Celtic do not travel well.
The supporters won't care too much today, of course. Shaktar Donesk's home defeat against Benfica means that Celtic join AC Milan in the knock-out stages. But if this team is to take the step up to the next level, their atrocious away record really needs to be sorted. Talking themselves up in press conferences is not the answer.
You'd have thought he might have learned by now.
Celtic's home record in the Champions League under Strachan is impeccable - played six, won six. Yet in 16 away ties in the competition, stretching back before the current manager's reign, they have only a draw against Barcelona three years ago to interrupt the string of defeats. In Europe, Celtic do not travel well.
The supporters won't care too much today, of course. Shaktar Donesk's home defeat against Benfica means that Celtic join AC Milan in the knock-out stages. But if this team is to take the step up to the next level, their atrocious away record really needs to be sorted. Talking themselves up in press conferences is not the answer.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Gary McAllister and Billy Davies early favourites for the Scotland job
According to the BBC, and the bookies, Gary McAllister and Billy Davies are the early favourites to take over as Scotland manager. Jimmy Calderwood is nowhere to be seen but Kenny Dalglish is also tipped.
Go figure.
Go figure.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Gretna scrape a draw, but they're still pointless
Back to domestic business at the weekend, and both Edinburgh clubs had reasons for regret. Hibs enjoyed a terrific home draw with Dundee Utd, hardly a disgraceful result, but shocking defending had given the visitors a two goal lead before Hibs rallied themselves.
Hearts, meanwhile, failed to take full advantage from the gifts on offer against Gretna. It was a story of maroon midfielders, really... first Michael Stewart got sent off after some shameful play-acting from Danny Grainger. Then Laryea Kingston scored with a nice chip from just outside the box, before scoring at the wrong end to level the scores.
Watching the highlights, though, is depressing. Fir Park was once again empty, even if the official attendance of 1,544 was not the lowest at a Gretna match this season. Alright, so they are a small club (Hearts, the self-styled big club, should surely be taking more than 400 supporters with them to Motherwell though). But just what else is it that Gretna offer?
The truth is that they play some decent football at times, which is a credit to Davie Irons' coaching. But it's rarely enough. Irons characterised their problems as a lack of squad depth, a lack of experience, and a lack of quality. Meanwhile, it transpires that it's Mick Wadsworth, the Director of Football, who holds sway over transfers. This is perhaps a clue to the acrimonious departure of previous manager Rowan Alexander.
Gretna desperately need investment in the squad, yet after spending much more money than their rivals to force his club up the divisions, owner Brooks Mileson seems to have turned the taps off now that they've arrived in the SPL. At this rate, they are going straight back down.
Can anyone explain what the point of all this is?
Hearts, meanwhile, failed to take full advantage from the gifts on offer against Gretna. It was a story of maroon midfielders, really... first Michael Stewart got sent off after some shameful play-acting from Danny Grainger. Then Laryea Kingston scored with a nice chip from just outside the box, before scoring at the wrong end to level the scores.
Watching the highlights, though, is depressing. Fir Park was once again empty, even if the official attendance of 1,544 was not the lowest at a Gretna match this season. Alright, so they are a small club (Hearts, the self-styled big club, should surely be taking more than 400 supporters with them to Motherwell though). But just what else is it that Gretna offer?
The truth is that they play some decent football at times, which is a credit to Davie Irons' coaching. But it's rarely enough. Irons characterised their problems as a lack of squad depth, a lack of experience, and a lack of quality. Meanwhile, it transpires that it's Mick Wadsworth, the Director of Football, who holds sway over transfers. This is perhaps a clue to the acrimonious departure of previous manager Rowan Alexander.
Gretna desperately need investment in the squad, yet after spending much more money than their rivals to force his club up the divisions, owner Brooks Mileson seems to have turned the taps off now that they've arrived in the SPL. At this rate, they are going straight back down.
Can anyone explain what the point of all this is?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
After missing out on Euro 2008, can Scotland make it to the next World Cup?
Football doesn't allow much time to dwell and reflect anymore. Scotland may have only played their last Euro 2008 qualifying game a week ago, but already it's time to forget about the disappointment of that game and look ahead. Club supporters are already immersed in the domestic season again, while today's 2010 World Cup qualifying draw gives a chance to focus on the next challenge.
It's hardly an easy draw, but it could have been worse. Scotland are in the only group with 5 members instead of six, and will face Holland, Norway, Iceland and Macedonia. The route to qualification goes like this - secure the maximum 12 points against the two weakest nations, share the points with Holland, and two wins against Norway should do the job. Easy, eh?!
Of course, what no one yet knows is whether Alec McLeish will still be in charge of the side. The Scottish Football Association want him to stay, not surprising given that he's got Scotland playing their best football for a decade. But the rumours that he's about to jump into the vacancy at Birmingham are getting stronger by the hour.
Is fighting for Premiership survival, in a club with a large "For Sale" sign around its neck, really a more attractive job than the chance to take your nation to its first major tournament for 12 years? Birmingham probably wouldn't be McLeish's first choice, but he was chastened by his experience last year, when he spent 6 months waiting for the phone to ring. McLeish felt that his achievements at Rangers earnt him a crack at a job in the English Premiership, but clubs like Middlesborough and Charlton preferred to look elsewhere.
There's also the small question of money. The SFA will offer improved terms on his current £350k a year contract, but any Birmingham offer will be much more than that. McLeish may feel that this is his only chance to crack the lucrative English managerial marketplace, and if so he will be gone within a week.
Let's face it, it's probably better than leaving half-way through a qualifying campaign, as Walter Smith did. And, impressive though his time in charge has been, this might be as good as it gets for McLeish as Scotland manager. As discussed on this blog in January, McLeish's managerial career has thus far followed a familiar patttern - excellent first year, followed by decline. Maybe it's for the best if he goes now.
Who to replace him? Well, the rank awfulness of the Berti Vogts era means the SFA will not appoint a foreign coach again for a long time. So the shortlist will be exclusively Scottish. This is how it will happen.
Gordon Strachan has already been rejected for the job once and won't put himself forward again. There's as much chance of David Moyes being interested as Alex Ferguson. Billy Davies could be out of a job soon but hasn't done enough to convince yet. Craig Levein and John Collins are both strong candidates, but will probably not want to leave their clubs at this time.
That leaves Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, and Jimmy Calderwood at Aberdeen. Both have been in their jobs for a while, both are experienced, and they both might feel that they have taken their current clubs as far as they can. Calderwood is currently in talks about extending his contract at Aberdeen, but is understood to be reluctant to do so without the promise of more money for his squad. Money that isn't going to be made available. He's looking increasingly frustrated at Pittodrie, and may decide that the Scotland job would be a welcome fresh challenge.
So, there we go... 2 real candidates, both with decent records in the Scottish game but nothing like the record of achievement McLeish could point to. Calderwood looks the choice, though... he has some experience of the UEFA Cup, and has worked in Holland before. That should be enough to sway the decision his way.
It's hardly an easy draw, but it could have been worse. Scotland are in the only group with 5 members instead of six, and will face Holland, Norway, Iceland and Macedonia. The route to qualification goes like this - secure the maximum 12 points against the two weakest nations, share the points with Holland, and two wins against Norway should do the job. Easy, eh?!
Of course, what no one yet knows is whether Alec McLeish will still be in charge of the side. The Scottish Football Association want him to stay, not surprising given that he's got Scotland playing their best football for a decade. But the rumours that he's about to jump into the vacancy at Birmingham are getting stronger by the hour.
Is fighting for Premiership survival, in a club with a large "For Sale" sign around its neck, really a more attractive job than the chance to take your nation to its first major tournament for 12 years? Birmingham probably wouldn't be McLeish's first choice, but he was chastened by his experience last year, when he spent 6 months waiting for the phone to ring. McLeish felt that his achievements at Rangers earnt him a crack at a job in the English Premiership, but clubs like Middlesborough and Charlton preferred to look elsewhere.
There's also the small question of money. The SFA will offer improved terms on his current £350k a year contract, but any Birmingham offer will be much more than that. McLeish may feel that this is his only chance to crack the lucrative English managerial marketplace, and if so he will be gone within a week.
Let's face it, it's probably better than leaving half-way through a qualifying campaign, as Walter Smith did. And, impressive though his time in charge has been, this might be as good as it gets for McLeish as Scotland manager. As discussed on this blog in January, McLeish's managerial career has thus far followed a familiar patttern - excellent first year, followed by decline. Maybe it's for the best if he goes now.
Who to replace him? Well, the rank awfulness of the Berti Vogts era means the SFA will not appoint a foreign coach again for a long time. So the shortlist will be exclusively Scottish. This is how it will happen.
Gordon Strachan has already been rejected for the job once and won't put himself forward again. There's as much chance of David Moyes being interested as Alex Ferguson. Billy Davies could be out of a job soon but hasn't done enough to convince yet. Craig Levein and John Collins are both strong candidates, but will probably not want to leave their clubs at this time.
That leaves Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, and Jimmy Calderwood at Aberdeen. Both have been in their jobs for a while, both are experienced, and they both might feel that they have taken their current clubs as far as they can. Calderwood is currently in talks about extending his contract at Aberdeen, but is understood to be reluctant to do so without the promise of more money for his squad. Money that isn't going to be made available. He's looking increasingly frustrated at Pittodrie, and may decide that the Scotland job would be a welcome fresh challenge.
So, there we go... 2 real candidates, both with decent records in the Scottish game but nothing like the record of achievement McLeish could point to. Calderwood looks the choice, though... he has some experience of the UEFA Cup, and has worked in Holland before. That should be enough to sway the decision his way.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Hibs and Hearts share the points after another thrilling Edinburgh derby
The second round of fixtures in the SPL kicked off at the weekend, and again the Edinburgh derby was the match that received the biggest build-up. And again, it wasn't on Saturday, this time moved to a Sunday lunchtime slot, with the television cameras in attendance. Setanta have certainly demonstrated their faith in this fixture to draw a bigger audience to the "product".
It turned out to be a neatly symmetrical afternoon, Hibs' dominance in the first half being rewarded with a goal, Hearts' early reply in the 2nd demonstrating their increasing presence in the game. When all sides of such a tempestuous fixture say that a draw was just about fair, then you can be fairly sure that the result was the right one. Hibs were prettier and more cohesive; Hearts were strong and frequently dangerous. The two Edinburgh teams look evenly matched at this point in time.
A shame for Jambo supporters, then, that prior to this game they had handed a 7 point lead to their biggest rivals in the race for 3rd place, after their baffling and inconsistent approach in the first quarter of the season left the maroon team in the wrong half of the table. It's an even bigger shame that neither club is capable of putting together a real title challenge, and will again leave the Old Firm to battle it out amongst themselves for the SPL, as so often in the past.
At least Hibs fans have the comfort of knowing why. The last time the club gambled on success, by giving then manager Alec McLeish more money than it could afford, it forced the club to the brink of selling its ground and relocating to the Edinburgh outskirts to pay the debts. Instead, they have cut expenditure and traded their way out of trouble - a sound long term decision, but one that precludes any romantic dreams of challenging the big two Glasgow clubs.
With Hearts, of course, it's a more complex story. They have spent serious money - far beyond any other club except the Old Firm - but have just one 2nd place finish, and one Scottish Cup victory, to show for it. Now, as they approach the third anniversary of Vladimir Romanov's arrival, they seem no better off than when he arrived. It is inconceivable they can finish any higher than 3rd this season, yet surely they are not accumulating unheard of debts for this? Meanwhile, there are still no confirmed plans for redeveloping their ground. Something, sometime, is going to have to give.
Of course, most of Scotland predicted trouble... Hearts are not the only club in recent times to make bombastic claims about challenging the Old Firm, only to sink back again without achieving their stated aim. Dundee and Motherwell come to mind. There are signs of discontent in Gorgie, with many Hearts fans now openly calling for Romanov to end his involvement with the club, but - as yet - no concerted campaigning. For all the excitement on the pitch, the real story in Edinburgh football is yet to unfold.
It turned out to be a neatly symmetrical afternoon, Hibs' dominance in the first half being rewarded with a goal, Hearts' early reply in the 2nd demonstrating their increasing presence in the game. When all sides of such a tempestuous fixture say that a draw was just about fair, then you can be fairly sure that the result was the right one. Hibs were prettier and more cohesive; Hearts were strong and frequently dangerous. The two Edinburgh teams look evenly matched at this point in time.
A shame for Jambo supporters, then, that prior to this game they had handed a 7 point lead to their biggest rivals in the race for 3rd place, after their baffling and inconsistent approach in the first quarter of the season left the maroon team in the wrong half of the table. It's an even bigger shame that neither club is capable of putting together a real title challenge, and will again leave the Old Firm to battle it out amongst themselves for the SPL, as so often in the past.
At least Hibs fans have the comfort of knowing why. The last time the club gambled on success, by giving then manager Alec McLeish more money than it could afford, it forced the club to the brink of selling its ground and relocating to the Edinburgh outskirts to pay the debts. Instead, they have cut expenditure and traded their way out of trouble - a sound long term decision, but one that precludes any romantic dreams of challenging the big two Glasgow clubs.
With Hearts, of course, it's a more complex story. They have spent serious money - far beyond any other club except the Old Firm - but have just one 2nd place finish, and one Scottish Cup victory, to show for it. Now, as they approach the third anniversary of Vladimir Romanov's arrival, they seem no better off than when he arrived. It is inconceivable they can finish any higher than 3rd this season, yet surely they are not accumulating unheard of debts for this? Meanwhile, there are still no confirmed plans for redeveloping their ground. Something, sometime, is going to have to give.
Of course, most of Scotland predicted trouble... Hearts are not the only club in recent times to make bombastic claims about challenging the Old Firm, only to sink back again without achieving their stated aim. Dundee and Motherwell come to mind. There are signs of discontent in Gorgie, with many Hearts fans now openly calling for Romanov to end his involvement with the club, but - as yet - no concerted campaigning. For all the excitement on the pitch, the real story in Edinburgh football is yet to unfold.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Henry draws a blank in Glasgow. Again.
Barcelona were back in Scotland last night. Now, no one can deny that the club is a glamorous, global sporting brand, packed with star players yada yada, but these visits are becoming more and more frequent. They spent part of the summer in St Andrews, after all, enjoying the benevolent climate and golf, before friendlies against Dundee Utd and Hearts, and claim they enjoyed themselves so much they'd like to do the trip again sometime soon. Much more of this and we'll all start to get a little bored with them.
Of course, Thierry Henry was in Scotland last Autumn, too, when France got beaten 1-0 by Scotland at Hampden. And on Tuesday night, as he stepped out onto the Ibrox turf, you can't help but wonder if he was concerned he was about to have another disappointing night in Glasgow. There were Lilian Thuram and Eric Abidal alongside him, as they were that night. He will have recognised Lee McCulloch, David Weir and Barry Ferguson in blue shirts (although of a lighter hue this time), and seen the familiar figure of Walter Smith in the home dug-out. You'd like to think he briefed his team mates on what they could expect. But if he did, it didn't work.
True to form, Smith set his team out to contain and frustrate, concentrate on not conceding and try to nick a goal if possible. Just like Scotland, Rangers defended very deep, living dangerously at times as they repelled attack after attack. Again, just like Scotland, they worked their socks off, and finished with a clean sheet. If anything, Henry had fewer chances than he did against Scotland. Substituted with 10 minutes to go, he had had another frustrating night.
Rangers were unable to score themselves, but they will be justifiably happy with their efforts. Barcelona had the bulk of the possession and the most chances, but failed to convert any of them. With 7 points from their first 3 games, Rangers are looking well placed to get through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the second time in three years. One more win could well be enough.
This is not just important in footballing terms, it's vital for the club's finances too. Rangers are heavily in debt and, by Smith's own admission, spent over budget this summer as they tried to close the gap with Celtic. That gamble has already paid off, with the income from getting to the group stages already helping to pay off the close season investment in McCulloch, Carlos Cuellar and others.
After two bleak, trophy-less years, Rangers look like they are on the road to recovery.
Of course, Thierry Henry was in Scotland last Autumn, too, when France got beaten 1-0 by Scotland at Hampden. And on Tuesday night, as he stepped out onto the Ibrox turf, you can't help but wonder if he was concerned he was about to have another disappointing night in Glasgow. There were Lilian Thuram and Eric Abidal alongside him, as they were that night. He will have recognised Lee McCulloch, David Weir and Barry Ferguson in blue shirts (although of a lighter hue this time), and seen the familiar figure of Walter Smith in the home dug-out. You'd like to think he briefed his team mates on what they could expect. But if he did, it didn't work.
True to form, Smith set his team out to contain and frustrate, concentrate on not conceding and try to nick a goal if possible. Just like Scotland, Rangers defended very deep, living dangerously at times as they repelled attack after attack. Again, just like Scotland, they worked their socks off, and finished with a clean sheet. If anything, Henry had fewer chances than he did against Scotland. Substituted with 10 minutes to go, he had had another frustrating night.
Rangers were unable to score themselves, but they will be justifiably happy with their efforts. Barcelona had the bulk of the possession and the most chances, but failed to convert any of them. With 7 points from their first 3 games, Rangers are looking well placed to get through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the second time in three years. One more win could well be enough.
This is not just important in footballing terms, it's vital for the club's finances too. Rangers are heavily in debt and, by Smith's own admission, spent over budget this summer as they tried to close the gap with Celtic. That gamble has already paid off, with the income from getting to the group stages already helping to pay off the close season investment in McCulloch, Carlos Cuellar and others.
After two bleak, trophy-less years, Rangers look like they are on the road to recovery.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Old Firm tied at the top of the SPL as Rangers beat Celtic again
Rangers won the first Old Firm clash of the season on Saturday, an impressive 3-0 win that puts the Old Firm level on points again at the top of the SPL. After two seasons of not mounting a decent challenge for the title, this season's battle already looks like it could go down to the wire.
Gordon Strachan admitted that Rangers deserved to win, and he will be used to it by now - since Walter Smith returned to Ibrox, they've won all three Old Firm clashes. To be fair, Celtic weren't helped by a nasty head injury to captain Stephen McManus, especially as Gary Caldwell is such an inferior defender. With the games now coming thick and fast, Celtic still need to learn how to stop conceding cheap goals or their season could unravel.
Elsewhere, Hibs' unbeaten start to the season was ended by impressive Motherwell, but John Collins praised his players for their performance: with Hibs only a point off the leaders, he claimed there is a "huge amount to feel positive about". Mark McGhee was naturally pleased with the win, but was also full of praise for Collins' passing football philosophy. These two teams are arguably the ones a neutral would choose to watch this season.
Hearts were undone by Dundee Utd, and Aberdeen beat ICT. Kilmarnock and Falkirk shared the points, while St Mirren beat Gretna to move away from the foot of the table.
Gordon Strachan admitted that Rangers deserved to win, and he will be used to it by now - since Walter Smith returned to Ibrox, they've won all three Old Firm clashes. To be fair, Celtic weren't helped by a nasty head injury to captain Stephen McManus, especially as Gary Caldwell is such an inferior defender. With the games now coming thick and fast, Celtic still need to learn how to stop conceding cheap goals or their season could unravel.
Elsewhere, Hibs' unbeaten start to the season was ended by impressive Motherwell, but John Collins praised his players for their performance: with Hibs only a point off the leaders, he claimed there is a "huge amount to feel positive about". Mark McGhee was naturally pleased with the win, but was also full of praise for Collins' passing football philosophy. These two teams are arguably the ones a neutral would choose to watch this season.
Hearts were undone by Dundee Utd, and Aberdeen beat ICT. Kilmarnock and Falkirk shared the points, while St Mirren beat Gretna to move away from the foot of the table.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
After a heroic campaign, it's now do or die for Scotland against Italy
After all that has gone before, including a double over France and an impressive trashing of Ukraine on Saturday, Scotland suffered their third defeat of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 loss away to Georgia.
Given the hightened expectations, this has somewhat predictably led to a mood of recrimination and bitter disappointment, with the Scotsman, for example, describing it as the "collapse" of the heroic run to next summer's competition. The Beeb's "expert analysts" (fortunately Alan Hansen managed to watch the game for once, as it didn't clash with England) all felt it was a poor performance. But Scotland, unlike England, still have their fate in their own hands. A victory over Italy at Hampden next month, irrespective of other results, and we will be back at the international top table after a decade of failure. If France lose against Ukraine (unlikely, but not impossible) then a point will do.
It wasn't an impressive display, that's for sure. But then, it wasn't an easy tie either, despite Georgia's own injury problems. With both first choice full-backs out, no Paul Hartley, Scott Brown or Lee McCulloch from midfield, and a half-fit Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher, it was a patched-up Scotland team, and this second game in 4 days was a step too far. The SFA's decision to debut a third choice maroon strip for this game may have had a small psychological effect, too, especially as Scotland could have played in the traditional dark blue jersey that reminds us all of fighting the English and "being a nation again".
It is absolutely critical that Scotland can field its best possible team in a month's time. And this is where the clubs can play their part - especially the Old Firm, who between them supply so many players to the national squad these days. Pray that there is no "club v country" posturing over the hamstrings of Scott Brown and Alan Hutton, and that Ferguson and Fletcher get the opportunity to get themselves match fit.
Celtic and Rangers may protest that they should only look after their best interests, and not be obliged to do Scotland any favours. Yet qualification for Euro 2008 would bring such benefits in terms of heightened prestige and profile for the Scottish game that it would have beneficial consequences for the Old Firm as well. Scottish football went through a long lean period, and next summer's competition could still herald our renewed strength. If the two Glasgow clubs can't recognise that, they are even more myopic than many people suppose.
Given the hightened expectations, this has somewhat predictably led to a mood of recrimination and bitter disappointment, with the Scotsman, for example, describing it as the "collapse" of the heroic run to next summer's competition. The Beeb's "expert analysts" (fortunately Alan Hansen managed to watch the game for once, as it didn't clash with England) all felt it was a poor performance. But Scotland, unlike England, still have their fate in their own hands. A victory over Italy at Hampden next month, irrespective of other results, and we will be back at the international top table after a decade of failure. If France lose against Ukraine (unlikely, but not impossible) then a point will do.
It wasn't an impressive display, that's for sure. But then, it wasn't an easy tie either, despite Georgia's own injury problems. With both first choice full-backs out, no Paul Hartley, Scott Brown or Lee McCulloch from midfield, and a half-fit Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher, it was a patched-up Scotland team, and this second game in 4 days was a step too far. The SFA's decision to debut a third choice maroon strip for this game may have had a small psychological effect, too, especially as Scotland could have played in the traditional dark blue jersey that reminds us all of fighting the English and "being a nation again".
It is absolutely critical that Scotland can field its best possible team in a month's time. And this is where the clubs can play their part - especially the Old Firm, who between them supply so many players to the national squad these days. Pray that there is no "club v country" posturing over the hamstrings of Scott Brown and Alan Hutton, and that Ferguson and Fletcher get the opportunity to get themselves match fit.
Celtic and Rangers may protest that they should only look after their best interests, and not be obliged to do Scotland any favours. Yet qualification for Euro 2008 would bring such benefits in terms of heightened prestige and profile for the Scottish game that it would have beneficial consequences for the Old Firm as well. Scottish football went through a long lean period, and next summer's competition could still herald our renewed strength. If the two Glasgow clubs can't recognise that, they are even more myopic than many people suppose.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Scotland two results away from achieving the unthinkable
Another fine performance, another triumphant result. Scotland's 3-1 win over Ukraine has put the Eastern Europeans out of Euro 2008, and four points from the remaining two games will guarantee qualification. Alec McLeish, while always stressing the difficulty of the task, always said that "we have to believe we can qualify". Now the rest of Scotland is believing too.
McLeish also said this was his team's best performance at Hampden so far, and the home crowd probably had their best match for years too, a wall of noise coming down from the stands throughout the game. The players are thriving in this new-found confidence, and it delivered a 2-0 lead within 11 minutes. Scotland were busy and committed, Ukraine unable to settle into any sort of shape, and Kenny Miller headed in from a free kick. From another set piece, the ball fell to Lee McCulloch, in acres of space, who chipped in a delightful effort to the far corner.
Ukraine came back into it, Shevchenko bagged a goal before half-time, and Scotland had to dig deep once again to prevent another score. But then James McFadden escaped his marker and scored from a breakaway to seal the points.
Georgia away is next Wednesday, hardly an easy tie, and illustration of just how tough this group is. Georgia could easily finish 6th in this group. A win there, and a draw against Italy in November will seal the job, unless Italy (or most unlikely, France) have already screwed up by then.
A massive game to finish, then. But Italy will not be relishing that trip.
McLeish also said this was his team's best performance at Hampden so far, and the home crowd probably had their best match for years too, a wall of noise coming down from the stands throughout the game. The players are thriving in this new-found confidence, and it delivered a 2-0 lead within 11 minutes. Scotland were busy and committed, Ukraine unable to settle into any sort of shape, and Kenny Miller headed in from a free kick. From another set piece, the ball fell to Lee McCulloch, in acres of space, who chipped in a delightful effort to the far corner.
Ukraine came back into it, Shevchenko bagged a goal before half-time, and Scotland had to dig deep once again to prevent another score. But then James McFadden escaped his marker and scored from a breakaway to seal the points.
Georgia away is next Wednesday, hardly an easy tie, and illustration of just how tough this group is. Georgia could easily finish 6th in this group. A win there, and a draw against Italy in November will seal the job, unless Italy (or most unlikely, France) have already screwed up by then.
A massive game to finish, then. But Italy will not be relishing that trip.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Scotland enter the final straight...
"Squeaky bum time", the phrase attributed to Alex Ferguson to describe the business end of a season, is an ugly saying. But it seems to have stuck, and so here it is... squeaky bum time, as Scotland look to prevail in the home straight of Euro 2008 qualifying and reach a major tournament for the first time in a decade.
It seems unbelievable, following all the heroics of this campaign so far, that Scotland still need 7 points from their final 3 matches to guarantee a place at next summer's championship. That's pretty tough going, but a measure of the quality of this group, with 3 countries still very much in it. Scotland, Italy and France are now vying for 2 places between them, with Ukraine almost certainly out of it.
Predictions at this stage are pointless, as Scotland have confounded every expectation so far. Tomorrow's game could go either way. They could lose to Georgia on Wednesday, or beat Italy in the last game. The 2 giants of the group could get their act together just in time, or implode under pressure.
Whatever happens, it's going to be gripping.
It seems unbelievable, following all the heroics of this campaign so far, that Scotland still need 7 points from their final 3 matches to guarantee a place at next summer's championship. That's pretty tough going, but a measure of the quality of this group, with 3 countries still very much in it. Scotland, Italy and France are now vying for 2 places between them, with Ukraine almost certainly out of it.
Predictions at this stage are pointless, as Scotland have confounded every expectation so far. Tomorrow's game could go either way. They could lose to Georgia on Wednesday, or beat Italy in the last game. The 2 giants of the group could get their act together just in time, or implode under pressure.
Whatever happens, it's going to be gripping.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Aberdeen given UEFA Cup draw
Dear God, that's harsh.
Aberdeen today found out who their opponents will be in the UEFA Cup group stage, and it's not easy reading for the Pittodrie faithful. Panathinaikos, Lokomotiv Moscow, Atletico Madrid and FC Copenhagen make for a formidable quartet of fixtures. What makes things even worse is that only one of these clubs, Atletico, comes from one of the "big" football markets in Europe, which will affect television revenue for these ties.
Finishing anything other than bottom of this group looks a tough ask: FC Copenhagen are the only other club even vaguely comparable in terms of their player budget, but they have much more European experience in recent years.
Still, if Jimmy Calderwood can successfully negotiate a way out of these matches, and keep Aberdeen in the mix at the right end of the SPL, it will rank as an achievement as great as any in his management career to date. He has always expressed a desire to test himself: it looks as if his wishes have just come true.
Aberdeen today found out who their opponents will be in the UEFA Cup group stage, and it's not easy reading for the Pittodrie faithful. Panathinaikos, Lokomotiv Moscow, Atletico Madrid and FC Copenhagen make for a formidable quartet of fixtures. What makes things even worse is that only one of these clubs, Atletico, comes from one of the "big" football markets in Europe, which will affect television revenue for these ties.
Finishing anything other than bottom of this group looks a tough ask: FC Copenhagen are the only other club even vaguely comparable in terms of their player budget, but they have much more European experience in recent years.
Still, if Jimmy Calderwood can successfully negotiate a way out of these matches, and keep Aberdeen in the mix at the right end of the SPL, it will rank as an achievement as great as any in his management career to date. He has always expressed a desire to test himself: it looks as if his wishes have just come true.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Hibs living up to the "Scottish Arsenal" tag
It's usual for fans to spend the summer talking up the prospects of their club in the season ahead. In Scotland, where a small league makes for even more intense rivalry, supporters can banter about football seemingly without end, defending their own team while denigrating their rivals.
So when Hibs' new keeper, Yves Ma-Kalambay, said when he met the Scottish media back in June that the footballing fraternity in England spoke about Hibs as "the Arsenal of Scotland", it sparked bragging and barracking across Edinburgh.
On the face of it, the comparison is ridiculous. Arsenal are one of the very richest clubs on the planet, playing against elite competition in a spanking new stadium, with an enviable recent record of success. Hibs are, measured by turnover, a 20th of the size of the London club, have got their hands on silverware just twice in 16 years, and one of those occasions is widely forgotten about because, to get their hands on that Division One trophy, they had to get relegated from the top league first.
And yet... while Hibs could not hold on to 1st place in the SPL going into the international break, they are right up at the sharp end of the table, the only unbeaten club in the SPL. Having sold their most valuable and talismanic player over the summer, they have made a stunning start to the season, relying on a youthful team and a coaching philosophy that bears a strong French influence.
Sounding familiar?
John Collins deserves all the credit now coming his way. He has only been in the job 12 months, and had something of a turbulent first year. He was perceived as more aloof than his popular predecessor, Tony Mowbray, and the player revolt and subsequent slump in form last season only added to the impression that he was arrogant and ill-suited to management.
His critics are now either admitting their errors, or staying quiet. Indisputably, Hibs are now his team, and he has got them to play for him. Having lost around £10m of talent, flogged to pay off the debts, and spent no more than £1m in fees to bring new players in, he has ended up with a better balanced and harder-working squad. Yet they are still capable of the fast, fluid football that is Hibs' trademark.
There is no doubt that the manager is driven. His mantra, repeated constantly, is that success in football requires hard work and humility. But he reserves his highest praise for those players who, in matches, show him that they "want the ball", that they always make themselves available for a pass. As a result, the man in possession has more options, the passing is less hurried, and the team has more composure.
Yet he is also keen to dispel those myths about his unapproachability and impossible standards. Sounding hoarse after the win over Rangers, the BBC's Chick Young asked if he had been shouting at his players during the match. "Only encouragement", Collins stressed, "only encouragement".
He may be still a rookie manager. But all the signs are he is learning very fast.
So when Hibs' new keeper, Yves Ma-Kalambay, said when he met the Scottish media back in June that the footballing fraternity in England spoke about Hibs as "the Arsenal of Scotland", it sparked bragging and barracking across Edinburgh.
On the face of it, the comparison is ridiculous. Arsenal are one of the very richest clubs on the planet, playing against elite competition in a spanking new stadium, with an enviable recent record of success. Hibs are, measured by turnover, a 20th of the size of the London club, have got their hands on silverware just twice in 16 years, and one of those occasions is widely forgotten about because, to get their hands on that Division One trophy, they had to get relegated from the top league first.
And yet... while Hibs could not hold on to 1st place in the SPL going into the international break, they are right up at the sharp end of the table, the only unbeaten club in the SPL. Having sold their most valuable and talismanic player over the summer, they have made a stunning start to the season, relying on a youthful team and a coaching philosophy that bears a strong French influence.
Sounding familiar?
John Collins deserves all the credit now coming his way. He has only been in the job 12 months, and had something of a turbulent first year. He was perceived as more aloof than his popular predecessor, Tony Mowbray, and the player revolt and subsequent slump in form last season only added to the impression that he was arrogant and ill-suited to management.
His critics are now either admitting their errors, or staying quiet. Indisputably, Hibs are now his team, and he has got them to play for him. Having lost around £10m of talent, flogged to pay off the debts, and spent no more than £1m in fees to bring new players in, he has ended up with a better balanced and harder-working squad. Yet they are still capable of the fast, fluid football that is Hibs' trademark.
There is no doubt that the manager is driven. His mantra, repeated constantly, is that success in football requires hard work and humility. But he reserves his highest praise for those players who, in matches, show him that they "want the ball", that they always make themselves available for a pass. As a result, the man in possession has more options, the passing is less hurried, and the team has more composure.
Yet he is also keen to dispel those myths about his unapproachability and impossible standards. Sounding hoarse after the win over Rangers, the BBC's Chick Young asked if he had been shouting at his players during the match. "Only encouragement", Collins stressed, "only encouragement".
He may be still a rookie manager. But all the signs are he is learning very fast.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Rangers batter Lyon, but couldn't beat Motherwell
So which is the question? How bad are Lyon? Or how good our Motherwell? Because, seen through the prism of playing the same opponents in 4 days, Mark McGhee is looking more and more astute, while Alain Perrin looks set for another sunrise sacking.
It wasn't as if Motherwell were holding onto their 1-1 draw either. In fact, it was Rangers who were chasing the game from the 23rd minute, only levelling through a Kris Boyd penalty after Motherwell had passed up a number of opportunities to extend their lead.
Mark McGhee deserves the manager of the month award. His team are a solid 5th in the SPL, with 13 points from 8 games, and through to the League Cup quarter finals. It's a night and day contrast with their start last season under Maurice Malpas. Malpas can complain that he deserved more time, but his team struggled at first and never quite lost that nervousness and scrappy play. This season, Motherwell are playing with verve and confidence in a bold 4-3-3 formation. They have produced arguably the performance so far (even better than Ranger's victory tonight) by knocking Hibs out of the League Cup. Clearly, McGhee has transformed the attitude of his squad.
He has had some backing from the board, too, with Chris Porter looking a particularly canny signing. But let's not go overboard. Long gone are the loud noises from Fir Park about becoming Scottish football's "third force". Administration and years of financial austerity have taught a tough lesson about speculating on success. Presumably, after a takeover collapse in the spring, the club is still up for sale. McGhee might have a bit more budget to play with, but he's not swimming in money. His rehabiliation of Ross McCormack is just as important as tasty new signings, the stiker almost unrecognisable from the young fella who failed to make an impact at Rangers.
Who knows where Motherwell's strong start will take them this season. But it's nice to see another Scottish club playing attacking and attractive football.
It wasn't as if Motherwell were holding onto their 1-1 draw either. In fact, it was Rangers who were chasing the game from the 23rd minute, only levelling through a Kris Boyd penalty after Motherwell had passed up a number of opportunities to extend their lead.
Mark McGhee deserves the manager of the month award. His team are a solid 5th in the SPL, with 13 points from 8 games, and through to the League Cup quarter finals. It's a night and day contrast with their start last season under Maurice Malpas. Malpas can complain that he deserved more time, but his team struggled at first and never quite lost that nervousness and scrappy play. This season, Motherwell are playing with verve and confidence in a bold 4-3-3 formation. They have produced arguably the performance so far (even better than Ranger's victory tonight) by knocking Hibs out of the League Cup. Clearly, McGhee has transformed the attitude of his squad.
He has had some backing from the board, too, with Chris Porter looking a particularly canny signing. But let's not go overboard. Long gone are the loud noises from Fir Park about becoming Scottish football's "third force". Administration and years of financial austerity have taught a tough lesson about speculating on success. Presumably, after a takeover collapse in the spring, the club is still up for sale. McGhee might have a bit more budget to play with, but he's not swimming in money. His rehabiliation of Ross McCormack is just as important as tasty new signings, the stiker almost unrecognisable from the young fella who failed to make an impact at Rangers.
Who knows where Motherwell's strong start will take them this season. But it's nice to see another Scottish club playing attacking and attractive football.
Hibs looking up, while Killie suffer
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies is famed for his hang-dog, glum demeanour, but no one could blame him for looking dejected after what he described as possibly his worst week in charge of the Ayrshire club.
Being dumped out of the League Cup, and by Division One opposition as well, was a desperately bitter pill to swallow for a man desperate to make amends for their 5-1 thrashing in last season's final. Killie's best hope of silverware this season has now gone, and Jefferies knows it.
He might have relished taking out his frustrations on Hibs in the SPL, but with a long injury list, probably feared the worst. And the worst did happen - Hibs only scored 4 on Saturday, but having a defender sent off probably hurt as much as shipping an extra goal. Jefferies had ligitimate complaints about the first of 3 penalties awarded to Hibs in the match, but admitted that the better team won. He now faces a real test in steadying the ship... Kilmarnock are currently 7th and face a crucial period in which they need to pick up some points while missing many of their influential players. A couple of good results will have a dramatic effect on their League placing at this stage of the season, but Killie fans must already be concerned about their chances of securing a top 6 finish this season.
Things are looking so much brighter at Hibs. Saturday's victory meant that they resumed their unbeaten start to the SPL almost as if the mid-week Cup defeat had never happened, and opened up a 5 point lead betweeen them in 3rd place and the chasing pack. Their play is improving match by match, with this summer's new recruits starting to really gel into the team. Clayton Donaldson, the striker signed on a free transfer from York City, got all the headlines with his hat-trick, but Yves Ma-Kalambay in goal and defender Thierry Gathuessi have also settled well.
After losing around £10m worth of talent in the summer, and spending no more than £1m on fees to replace them, Hibs' have started better than many fans expected, and any remaining doubts about John Collins' perfectionist management style are melting away. Whatever his methods, they seem to be working.
Being dumped out of the League Cup, and by Division One opposition as well, was a desperately bitter pill to swallow for a man desperate to make amends for their 5-1 thrashing in last season's final. Killie's best hope of silverware this season has now gone, and Jefferies knows it.
He might have relished taking out his frustrations on Hibs in the SPL, but with a long injury list, probably feared the worst. And the worst did happen - Hibs only scored 4 on Saturday, but having a defender sent off probably hurt as much as shipping an extra goal. Jefferies had ligitimate complaints about the first of 3 penalties awarded to Hibs in the match, but admitted that the better team won. He now faces a real test in steadying the ship... Kilmarnock are currently 7th and face a crucial period in which they need to pick up some points while missing many of their influential players. A couple of good results will have a dramatic effect on their League placing at this stage of the season, but Killie fans must already be concerned about their chances of securing a top 6 finish this season.
Things are looking so much brighter at Hibs. Saturday's victory meant that they resumed their unbeaten start to the SPL almost as if the mid-week Cup defeat had never happened, and opened up a 5 point lead betweeen them in 3rd place and the chasing pack. Their play is improving match by match, with this summer's new recruits starting to really gel into the team. Clayton Donaldson, the striker signed on a free transfer from York City, got all the headlines with his hat-trick, but Yves Ma-Kalambay in goal and defender Thierry Gathuessi have also settled well.
After losing around £10m worth of talent in the summer, and spending no more than £1m on fees to replace them, Hibs' have started better than many fans expected, and any remaining doubts about John Collins' perfectionist management style are melting away. Whatever his methods, they seem to be working.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hibs and Killie bow out of the League Cup early
If nothing else, we know that there will be a different name on CIS League Cup this season. Last March's finalists, Hibernian and Kilmarnock, were both dumped out of the competition this week, and won't even make the quarter finals.
For the holders, it's hardly a spirited defence of their first trophy for 16 years. Hibs' unbeaten start to the season also ended with the 4-2 defeat by Motherwell. And yet, in a strange way, Hibs might get over this disappointment quite quickly. The chances of this club successfully defending their prize were, frankly, slim. The only thing consistent about Hibs is their inconsistency. Instead, with their next Cup tie not until January, Hibs have a clear run through til New Year to try and amass as many SPL points as possible. The real prize on offer to the Easter Road club this season is a 3rd place League finish, and the UEFA Cup place that comes with it. If Hibs achieve that, this early season disappointment will be long forgotten.
Kilmarnock, meanwhile, have now lost the opportunity to avenge last year's disappointment in the final, where they got comprehensively beat. In fact, their best performance in last year's League Cup came in the semi final against Falkirk, but they no longer have Steven Naismith to run riot as he did in that game. As well as that loss, they are now trying to cope with a worrinngly long injury list.
We'll know who recovers more quickly from their midweek disappointments this weekend - Hibs and Killie face eachother in the SPL this weekend.
For the holders, it's hardly a spirited defence of their first trophy for 16 years. Hibs' unbeaten start to the season also ended with the 4-2 defeat by Motherwell. And yet, in a strange way, Hibs might get over this disappointment quite quickly. The chances of this club successfully defending their prize were, frankly, slim. The only thing consistent about Hibs is their inconsistency. Instead, with their next Cup tie not until January, Hibs have a clear run through til New Year to try and amass as many SPL points as possible. The real prize on offer to the Easter Road club this season is a 3rd place League finish, and the UEFA Cup place that comes with it. If Hibs achieve that, this early season disappointment will be long forgotten.
Kilmarnock, meanwhile, have now lost the opportunity to avenge last year's disappointment in the final, where they got comprehensively beat. In fact, their best performance in last year's League Cup came in the semi final against Falkirk, but they no longer have Steven Naismith to run riot as he did in that game. As well as that loss, they are now trying to cope with a worrinngly long injury list.
We'll know who recovers more quickly from their midweek disappointments this weekend - Hibs and Killie face eachother in the SPL this weekend.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Rangers shell-shocked by Hearts
No debate about the match of the weekend in the SPL. While the rest of the results favoured the punter by coming in broadly as predicted, Hearts 4-2 humiliation of the would-be contenders would have destroyed their hopes of a payout. Even at tempting odds of 4-1, few would have put money on a Hearts win.
The real surprise performance was from the home side. Hearts, uniquely, had managed to attract critical headlines even during the international break, with those not called up for their countries packed off for a training camp in Lithuania, at the same time that Lithuania were playing Scotland at Hampden. Yet they tore out of the blocks, establishing a 2-0 lead before Rangers had got into the game.
The visitors were poor, though. Walter Smith elected to leave Barry Ferguson on the bench, but David Weir, who probably needed a rest, had to play - somehow, he and Cuellar were the only fit centre backs, despite Rangers having a wealth of options in this position. And why no Steven Naismith? He would have relished this big fixture early in his Rangers' career. Pretty toothless up front, at the back Cuellar had a nightmare, and Alan Hutton relapsed to old form with an erratic display.
The real surprise performance was from the home side. Hearts, uniquely, had managed to attract critical headlines even during the international break, with those not called up for their countries packed off for a training camp in Lithuania, at the same time that Lithuania were playing Scotland at Hampden. Yet they tore out of the blocks, establishing a 2-0 lead before Rangers had got into the game.
The visitors were poor, though. Walter Smith elected to leave Barry Ferguson on the bench, but David Weir, who probably needed a rest, had to play - somehow, he and Cuellar were the only fit centre backs, despite Rangers having a wealth of options in this position. And why no Steven Naismith? He would have relished this big fixture early in his Rangers' career. Pretty toothless up front, at the back Cuellar had a nightmare, and Alan Hutton relapsed to old form with an erratic display.
Probably not the result they wanted ahead of their Champions League game against Stuttgart on Wednesday night, but then again, the real work in Europe has already been done this season. Having secured a spot in the lucrative group stages, Rangers probably don't much care what happens in Europe now. Winning the SPL is everything for the Ibrox club... but on this showing, the title is some way off.
Results and table: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/default.stm
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Gallus Scotland demand to be taken seriously
What a week! An morally satisfying victory over Lithuania on Saturday was followed on Wednesday night by a stunning win in Paris that leaves Scotland as very serious contenders for Euro 2008 qualification. If the chances of participating in the first major competition since the 1998 World Cup still seemed slightly fancifal a week ago, they now look very, very real.
Lithuania were eventually dispatched with goals from Kris Boyd, Stephen McManus and James McFadden, but not before Lithuania had scored a penalty to level the match at 1-1. Lithuania means mostly one thing to Scottish fans these days - it's the country which runs Hearts - and suitably it was a Hearts player, Saulius Mikoliunas, who conned the referee into giving the penalty, by falling over Darren Fletcher's non-challenge. Typically, this injustice rattled Scotland, but made the eventual win all the sweeter.
Not half as sweet as beating France, though. Scotland are now top of the group on 21 points. With Italy on 20 and France on 19, the job is far from complete, but the fact that Ukraine are now out of the picture on 13 is measure of just what Scotland have achieved so far. Most pundits predicted us finishing no higher than 4th.
Of course, beating France was no easy matter, with Scotland desperately hanging on at times against wave after wave of attack. But, as at Hampden last October, France could not find a way through. Scotland held their own in midfield, forcing their opponents to attack from the flanks, and then threw everything in the way of the ball. When all else failed, Craig Gordon furthered his own claim as one of the best emerging goalkeepers in the world with a number of breathtaking saves. Having given themselves a platform, McFadden then popped up to score the only goal of the game.
Last month, McLeish had talked about the gallus nature of players like McFadden and Scott Brown - a self-confidence, even cockiness, in their natures that allows them to ignore the natural order of things and refuse to accept that anyone is better than them. But the suspicion was that he was really talking about himself, and the attitude and belief now bursting out of the Scotland team. They may line up in a defensive 4-5-1 formation against the big teams in this group, but there is no sense of inferiority amongst the players once on the park.
Scotland now believe they can qualify for Euro 2008. Cocky? Maybe. But France and Italy now know they have a real fight on their hands.
Lithuania were eventually dispatched with goals from Kris Boyd, Stephen McManus and James McFadden, but not before Lithuania had scored a penalty to level the match at 1-1. Lithuania means mostly one thing to Scottish fans these days - it's the country which runs Hearts - and suitably it was a Hearts player, Saulius Mikoliunas, who conned the referee into giving the penalty, by falling over Darren Fletcher's non-challenge. Typically, this injustice rattled Scotland, but made the eventual win all the sweeter.
Not half as sweet as beating France, though. Scotland are now top of the group on 21 points. With Italy on 20 and France on 19, the job is far from complete, but the fact that Ukraine are now out of the picture on 13 is measure of just what Scotland have achieved so far. Most pundits predicted us finishing no higher than 4th.
Of course, beating France was no easy matter, with Scotland desperately hanging on at times against wave after wave of attack. But, as at Hampden last October, France could not find a way through. Scotland held their own in midfield, forcing their opponents to attack from the flanks, and then threw everything in the way of the ball. When all else failed, Craig Gordon furthered his own claim as one of the best emerging goalkeepers in the world with a number of breathtaking saves. Having given themselves a platform, McFadden then popped up to score the only goal of the game.
Last month, McLeish had talked about the gallus nature of players like McFadden and Scott Brown - a self-confidence, even cockiness, in their natures that allows them to ignore the natural order of things and refuse to accept that anyone is better than them. But the suspicion was that he was really talking about himself, and the attitude and belief now bursting out of the Scotland team. They may line up in a defensive 4-5-1 formation against the big teams in this group, but there is no sense of inferiority amongst the players once on the park.
Scotland now believe they can qualify for Euro 2008. Cocky? Maybe. But France and Italy now know they have a real fight on their hands.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Taking stock of the season ahead
It's early September, it's international week, and in the days ahead Scotland will be taking the next vital steps in their improbable campaign towards Euro 2008. Meanwhile, the SPL takes a break for 10 days, the transfer window is firmly shut, and the time is right to reflect on the past month and see how 2007/8 is panning out.
On the last day of August, the long running transfer saga of the summer finally ended with Steven Naismith joining Rangers for a little less than two million quid. Meanwhile, Kenny Miller, who six summers ago made a similar move, but from Hibs instead of Killie, left Celtic for Derby Country in search of first team football. He is not the only footballer to have played for both sides of the Old Firm, but he's possibly the first to have failed to fulfil his potential at either.
It will be fascinating to see if Naismith can avoid the same fate. His age practically guarantees a place in the matchday squad (3 of the 18 must be under 21) but getting regular games will be tougher. Rangers now have lots of choices upfront, and between them have scored lots of goals this season.
That Rangers suddenly have choices all over the park (their weakest position looks to be left back) is thanks to heavy spending in the summer. The owner, David Murray, took plenty of stick from the fans after a second season without a trophy, but he has backed his manager, no question. In fact, Walter Smith admitted that they had spent over-budget, and that was before the fee for Naismith. If Rangers had failed to get through to the group stages of the Champions League, and the honey pot that comes with it, the accounts would be looking even worse this year.
As it is, the gamble has paid off, and they look well placed to challenge Celtic for the title this season. It is just a challenge, mind... Celtic might have had a slower start, but they have since started to get their game together. The Old Firm clashes are going to regain their customary spice this season, and should make compelling spectactles.
Certainly, Celtic and Rangers look able to swat aside the rest of the League this year. It's very, very hard to see where a challenge might come from. Aberdeen have started slowly, aren't as strong as last season, and Jimmy Calderwood has doubts over how much his board is prepared to back him. Hearts, despite their win against Motherwell, can already forget any notion of a challenge for second place, let alone the title. Hibs are far too callow, although remain unbeaten. And Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Dundee Utd have their ambitions set on a top-six finish, no higher.
In fact, Monday night's game between Motherwell and Hearts highlighted many of the problems in the SPL. The scheduling of the game, and live tv coverage, might be cited as mitigating circumstances for the low attendance, but 5,000 is still a pitiful crowd for a match between one team who is resurgent under a new manager, and another with pretensions of greatness.
Just a few years ago, Motherwell declared their aim to become the "third force" in Scottish football, before mounting debts forced them into administration without really achieving very much. 2006 Scottish Cup win aside, will people be saying the same thing about Hearts in a few years time?
On the last day of August, the long running transfer saga of the summer finally ended with Steven Naismith joining Rangers for a little less than two million quid. Meanwhile, Kenny Miller, who six summers ago made a similar move, but from Hibs instead of Killie, left Celtic for Derby Country in search of first team football. He is not the only footballer to have played for both sides of the Old Firm, but he's possibly the first to have failed to fulfil his potential at either.
It will be fascinating to see if Naismith can avoid the same fate. His age practically guarantees a place in the matchday squad (3 of the 18 must be under 21) but getting regular games will be tougher. Rangers now have lots of choices upfront, and between them have scored lots of goals this season.
That Rangers suddenly have choices all over the park (their weakest position looks to be left back) is thanks to heavy spending in the summer. The owner, David Murray, took plenty of stick from the fans after a second season without a trophy, but he has backed his manager, no question. In fact, Walter Smith admitted that they had spent over-budget, and that was before the fee for Naismith. If Rangers had failed to get through to the group stages of the Champions League, and the honey pot that comes with it, the accounts would be looking even worse this year.
As it is, the gamble has paid off, and they look well placed to challenge Celtic for the title this season. It is just a challenge, mind... Celtic might have had a slower start, but they have since started to get their game together. The Old Firm clashes are going to regain their customary spice this season, and should make compelling spectactles.
Certainly, Celtic and Rangers look able to swat aside the rest of the League this year. It's very, very hard to see where a challenge might come from. Aberdeen have started slowly, aren't as strong as last season, and Jimmy Calderwood has doubts over how much his board is prepared to back him. Hearts, despite their win against Motherwell, can already forget any notion of a challenge for second place, let alone the title. Hibs are far too callow, although remain unbeaten. And Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Dundee Utd have their ambitions set on a top-six finish, no higher.
In fact, Monday night's game between Motherwell and Hearts highlighted many of the problems in the SPL. The scheduling of the game, and live tv coverage, might be cited as mitigating circumstances for the low attendance, but 5,000 is still a pitiful crowd for a match between one team who is resurgent under a new manager, and another with pretensions of greatness.
Just a few years ago, Motherwell declared their aim to become the "third force" in Scottish football, before mounting debts forced them into administration without really achieving very much. 2006 Scottish Cup win aside, will people be saying the same thing about Hearts in a few years time?
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Scotland the modern European nation
First Minister Alec Salmond unveiled his own plan for turning Scotland into a modern European nation this week - the launch of a "national conversation" which he hopes will have people discussing what a good idea it would be to become an independent country again.
He might have found, though, that many minds were instead contemplating the chances of Scotland achieving something of note in European football this season. Crunch time for the Euro 2008 qualifiers is still a little way off, but this week the clubs were back in action.
Dunfermline begin their UEFA Cup campaign on Thursday, but let's be honest - this adventure will be diversion from their campaign to get back into the SPL this season, and little more. The real stories this week concerned the Old Firm in the Champions League qualifiers.Much has been said about the high stakes Rangers are playing for. Last season they could only look on with envy as Celtic prospered in the Champions League. Rangers participation in the Uefa Cup left them at least £10m worse off, making this summer's crucial squad rebuilding much more difficult. To their credit, Rangers have brought in a lot of players, despite the high profile targets that got away, such as Steven Naismith and Scott Brown. But this has raised the stakes even further... Rangers are spending money they don't have, and if they fail to make it to the group stages this year, the financial consequences will be dire.
The good news is that they have a 1 goal lead following the first leg against Red Star Belgrade, who didn't really look that threatening. The bad news is that Rangers were pretty poor, and the game could easily have finished goalless were it not for Nacho Novo's late, late intervention.
This is, perhaps, to be expected. Rangers are trying to integrate a lot of new players, and an unbalanced squad mean injuries are particularly destabilising - Kris Broadfoot had to fill in at left-back on Tuesday, and not surprisingly looked nervous and unsure of himself. If they can just get through the second leg unscathed, Ibrox will be hugely relieved.
Celtic have had a pretty lacklustre start to the season, but a 1-1 draw against Spartak Moscow on Wednesday was a great result. They will fancy their chances back in Glasgow for the return leg, but need to be wary.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Where now, Gretna?
Just 2 games into the season, and Gretna are confirming most pundits' predictions that they are going to go straight back down come May. Having shipped 4 goals each against Falkirk and then Hibs, Gretna are sitting in bottom place in the SPL table.
Despite the heavy losses, it's not a completely hopeless situation. Gretna were at one stage 2-0 up against Hibs before sliding to defeat, and they created chances if not end product against Falkirk. In neither game were they totally outplayed, and can perhaps count themselves unlucky not to have at least a point on the board by now. Furthermore, both Hibs and Falkirk play a similar brand of football, and were able to unstitch Gretna's defence through slick passing and movement. It could be that the new boys will fair better against more typically direct, physical sides.
But they will need to get some results soon, because there simply isn't the time for the team to learn how to play in this division. While St Mirren and Inverness are also still waiting on their first points of the season, these two clubs have much more experience of the division and know what it takes to survive. If Gretna get cut adrift at the bottom by the end of the first two months, there will probably be no way back... as Dunfermline proved last season.
The truth is, though, that Gretna look short of quality. They are certainly looking to bring in some more players before the end of August, but whether it will be enough is highly debatable. At exactly the time when the team needs some investment the most, owner Brooks Mileson seems to have turned off the taps.
It's been a bizarre 2007 so far, after several years in which everything seemed to land butter side up for the club. Gretna breezed through the lower two leagues (no surprise really, with a squad budget the envy of several SPL clubs), and cantered into a 12-point lead in Division One, too. The club had enjoyed huge publicity from its run to the Scottish Cup final in 2006, and had not been shy in milking the attention. But then Mileson became sick and - whether related or not - cuts started to be made to the playing staff, cuts that have continued this summer. Then in March this year Rowan Alexander, the manager throughout the rampage through the Scottish leagues, went on sick leave, rumoured to be suffering from a stress-related condition. The team then stumbled, and almost blew promotion altogether, before finally winning the Division One title on the last day of last season.
Suddenly, "plucky" little Gretna don't seem such a good news story anymore. Mileson is now keeping a low media profile, which is a shame because it would be nice for him to explain the continuing shambles surrounding Alexander, who seems to think he is still the gaffer, despite being replaced by Davey Irons. There are legitimate grumbles surrounding Gretna's plans for stadium redevelopment - a mandatory requirement for the SPL, but still to get started. And Gretna's fairytale story is not what it seems - the club has done so well solely because of the cash pumped in by a wealthy owner, not some sort of David v. Goliath heroics. They are a tiny club that bought their way to the top.
Good luck to the long-standing Gretna fans, who will follow their team across Scotland this season and enjoy an experience that seemed impossible 5 years ago. But the rest of us are entitled to wonder just what has been proved by plucking an obscure non-League club and dropping them in the SPL, and where they go from here.
Despite the heavy losses, it's not a completely hopeless situation. Gretna were at one stage 2-0 up against Hibs before sliding to defeat, and they created chances if not end product against Falkirk. In neither game were they totally outplayed, and can perhaps count themselves unlucky not to have at least a point on the board by now. Furthermore, both Hibs and Falkirk play a similar brand of football, and were able to unstitch Gretna's defence through slick passing and movement. It could be that the new boys will fair better against more typically direct, physical sides.
But they will need to get some results soon, because there simply isn't the time for the team to learn how to play in this division. While St Mirren and Inverness are also still waiting on their first points of the season, these two clubs have much more experience of the division and know what it takes to survive. If Gretna get cut adrift at the bottom by the end of the first two months, there will probably be no way back... as Dunfermline proved last season.
The truth is, though, that Gretna look short of quality. They are certainly looking to bring in some more players before the end of August, but whether it will be enough is highly debatable. At exactly the time when the team needs some investment the most, owner Brooks Mileson seems to have turned off the taps.
It's been a bizarre 2007 so far, after several years in which everything seemed to land butter side up for the club. Gretna breezed through the lower two leagues (no surprise really, with a squad budget the envy of several SPL clubs), and cantered into a 12-point lead in Division One, too. The club had enjoyed huge publicity from its run to the Scottish Cup final in 2006, and had not been shy in milking the attention. But then Mileson became sick and - whether related or not - cuts started to be made to the playing staff, cuts that have continued this summer. Then in March this year Rowan Alexander, the manager throughout the rampage through the Scottish leagues, went on sick leave, rumoured to be suffering from a stress-related condition. The team then stumbled, and almost blew promotion altogether, before finally winning the Division One title on the last day of last season.
Suddenly, "plucky" little Gretna don't seem such a good news story anymore. Mileson is now keeping a low media profile, which is a shame because it would be nice for him to explain the continuing shambles surrounding Alexander, who seems to think he is still the gaffer, despite being replaced by Davey Irons. There are legitimate grumbles surrounding Gretna's plans for stadium redevelopment - a mandatory requirement for the SPL, but still to get started. And Gretna's fairytale story is not what it seems - the club has done so well solely because of the cash pumped in by a wealthy owner, not some sort of David v. Goliath heroics. They are a tiny club that bought their way to the top.
Good luck to the long-standing Gretna fans, who will follow their team across Scotland this season and enjoy an experience that seemed impossible 5 years ago. But the rest of us are entitled to wonder just what has been proved by plucking an obscure non-League club and dropping them in the SPL, and where they go from here.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Lessons from opening weekend of the 07/08 SPL season
Everybody hopes - and expects - that the SPL title race will be a more closely contested affair this time around. The season previews were remarkably consistent, but the Guardian and the Beeb both summed it up pretty well... Rangers should push Celtic a lot harder than in the past 2 years.
While excitement and unpredictability are always welcome, there a couple of specific reasons why the SPL needs to put on a good show this season. For one, Celtic are chasing their 3-in-a-row, and it would be a tragedy if it was handed to them on a plate. Such an achievement should remain special and rare, and if Celtic get the hat-trick with ease it will confirm all the stereotypes about an uncompetitive, dull league. Hopefully, the 9-in-a-row achievements of both Old Firm clubs will remain in the history books for the same reason.
Secondly, Setanta is helping the SPL to access a potentially huge new audience. Their deal to screen live English Premiership football is attracting a lot of subscribers down south, who will be getting SPL matches as well by default. Scottish football can win some of these "accidental" viewers over - but only if the product is good enough. While the EPL has been very good at exploiting other markets as lucrative additional income streams, the SPL has not... but the opportunity now exists to market the competition more widely.
The opening fixtures suggest that things will, indeed, be closer between the top two. Rangers have surprised by doing a lot of business in the summer - in fact Walter Smith admits that they are now "over-budget". The chairman will be having kittens at the mounting losses, but the result is a squad that looks much more resilient. Lee McCulloch is exactly the sort of player who should thrive in the SPL, while there is now more competition for places across the team. Their first match was a decent marker to throw down, even if Inverness Caley Thistle were punchless.
Celtic have also strengthened over the summer, but a poor pre-season has been followed by a poor goalless draw against Kilmarnock. The squad looks strangely unbalanced, too... they now have about 40 strikers on the books, but little cover at full-back, for example. They remain favourites, of course, but need to improve, especially up front.
It would be nice to think a fresh challenge might come from somewhere else in the league, but that looks as unikely as ever. Aberdeen, drowning in debt, will be doing well to repeat last season's third place. The supposed arrival of Hearts as a major new force still looks more hype than reality, while Hibs' determination to rebrand themselves as the East Scotland Football Academy will rule out any thoughts of a sustained title challenge coming from Easter Road. Selling your best players to your rivals is not the way to win a championship. They will probably maintain their reputation for being the most watchable football team in the division, however.
Dundee Utd are probably the most likely candidates to join the top six, with Kilmarnock reliant on Steven Naismith staying if they are going to stay in the top half of the table. Motherwell should also do better under Mark McGee.
St Mirren and Falkirk should continue to establish themselves as SPL clubs, ICT might find themselves drifting closer to the bottom of the table, but they won't fear relegation because Gretna are surely going right back down. The fairytale is over.
If one more good thing comes out of this season, it might be the year that Scottish football finally, and decisively, gets to grips with the problem of sectarian chanting and singing. Rangers' first match was marred by the "Fuck the Pope" brigade - much more of that, and the authorities will be forced to act. It's about time.
While excitement and unpredictability are always welcome, there a couple of specific reasons why the SPL needs to put on a good show this season. For one, Celtic are chasing their 3-in-a-row, and it would be a tragedy if it was handed to them on a plate. Such an achievement should remain special and rare, and if Celtic get the hat-trick with ease it will confirm all the stereotypes about an uncompetitive, dull league. Hopefully, the 9-in-a-row achievements of both Old Firm clubs will remain in the history books for the same reason.
Secondly, Setanta is helping the SPL to access a potentially huge new audience. Their deal to screen live English Premiership football is attracting a lot of subscribers down south, who will be getting SPL matches as well by default. Scottish football can win some of these "accidental" viewers over - but only if the product is good enough. While the EPL has been very good at exploiting other markets as lucrative additional income streams, the SPL has not... but the opportunity now exists to market the competition more widely.
The opening fixtures suggest that things will, indeed, be closer between the top two. Rangers have surprised by doing a lot of business in the summer - in fact Walter Smith admits that they are now "over-budget". The chairman will be having kittens at the mounting losses, but the result is a squad that looks much more resilient. Lee McCulloch is exactly the sort of player who should thrive in the SPL, while there is now more competition for places across the team. Their first match was a decent marker to throw down, even if Inverness Caley Thistle were punchless.
Celtic have also strengthened over the summer, but a poor pre-season has been followed by a poor goalless draw against Kilmarnock. The squad looks strangely unbalanced, too... they now have about 40 strikers on the books, but little cover at full-back, for example. They remain favourites, of course, but need to improve, especially up front.
It would be nice to think a fresh challenge might come from somewhere else in the league, but that looks as unikely as ever. Aberdeen, drowning in debt, will be doing well to repeat last season's third place. The supposed arrival of Hearts as a major new force still looks more hype than reality, while Hibs' determination to rebrand themselves as the East Scotland Football Academy will rule out any thoughts of a sustained title challenge coming from Easter Road. Selling your best players to your rivals is not the way to win a championship. They will probably maintain their reputation for being the most watchable football team in the division, however.
Dundee Utd are probably the most likely candidates to join the top six, with Kilmarnock reliant on Steven Naismith staying if they are going to stay in the top half of the table. Motherwell should also do better under Mark McGee.
St Mirren and Falkirk should continue to establish themselves as SPL clubs, ICT might find themselves drifting closer to the bottom of the table, but they won't fear relegation because Gretna are surely going right back down. The fairytale is over.
If one more good thing comes out of this season, it might be the year that Scottish football finally, and decisively, gets to grips with the problem of sectarian chanting and singing. Rangers' first match was marred by the "Fuck the Pope" brigade - much more of that, and the authorities will be forced to act. It's about time.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The waiting is nearly over
Summer, and the sun is shining. No? Oh well, we'll be started again soon. In a little over 2 weeks, another Scottish football season will be under way.
This used to be a time when football disappeared from the papers completely, and only the most die-hard fans, desperate to follow their team to a pre-season friendly to get a first glimpse of their team's new signings, were following what was going on.
But now, with pre-season seen as much as a marketing opportunity and additional source of revenue as preparation for the challenge ahead, and the explosion in media coverage, we can all keep up to date with what the various clubs are up to.
Austria has proved a popular destination for training, while Celtic have embarked on their inevitable American tour. But Hearts have managed to grab the attention again, with this bizarre gem, stuck on their own website:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b13aH-vk_E
It's supposed to be, one assumes, a bit of playful sparring between Roman Bednar and Vladimir Romanov. But Bednar looks like he's not having fun anymore after Vlad catches him with a left hook. Cue shocked laughter and uncertainty, before Vlad is declared "the winner" and the fight is broken up.
Does anyone else suspect Vlad might be an only child?
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Review of the 06/07 season
So, another Scottish football season has finally drawn to a close. Celtic's almost total dominance made sure 06/07 won't be remembered as a vintage campaign, but there were highlights. In particular, Scotland's refusal to crumble in a Euro 2008 qualifying group containing both World Cup Finalists gave the entire nation room to hope that things are on the up again.
Anyhow, here's the review...
Team of the year
Anyhow, here's the review...
Team of the year
Picking a team of the season highlights some of Scottish football’s problems this term. For example, the closest either of the Old Firm have had to a consistent striker is Kris Boyd, but a Henrik Larsson or Brian Laudrup he ain’t. Meanwhile, the shenanigans at Hearts saw Craig Gordon dropped for a spell, and his form was clearly affected. But nonetheless, here it is… a team to tear up the SPL, in a trendy, fluid 4-5-1 formation.
Artuc Boruc (Celtic); Stephen Whittaker (Hibs), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Lee Naylor (Celtic); Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Scott Brown (Hibs), Russell Latapy (Falkirk), Barry Robson (Dundee Utd), Steven Naismith (Kilmarnock); Anthony Stokes (Falkirk - on loan from Arsenal).
Moments of the season
Nakamura swings his boot When Man Utd went to Celtic Park for a Champions League game the autumn, they were expected to give them a battering. And, for the first hour, they did batter them, without actually managing to score a goal. Then Jari Jarosik won a free-kick with a disgraceful dive, and up stepped Shunsuke Nakamura. The resultant goal was a thing of mesmerising beauty, utterly out of keeping with Celtic’s performance in the rest of the match.
Scotland 1-0 France Once again, the signs were ominous. The World Cup finalists were in town for a Euro 2008 qualifier, and Scotland were hoping for a draw. Again, they were battered, but somehow managed to not concede a goal. And then we scored! Scotland have taken the lead against France! The hero of the moment is… Gary Caldwell?! Cue a weekend of bafflement and celebration.
Player Revolt #1 After an indifferent start to the season, Vladimir Romanov threatened to sell the players to "Kilmarnock or whatever club would take them" if they didn’t beat Dunfermline. Cue a hijacked press conference, as Stephen Pressley, flanked by Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon, mumbled his way through a public criticism of the regime. Extraordinary television.
Player Revolt #2 Paul Le Guen and Barry Ferguson, it’s fair to say, did not get on. PLG wanted to impose his way of doing things on Rangers. Bazza responded by rampant indiscipline, both on the pitch (where he played like a man who’d missed the team talk) and off it, where he organised a piss-up in Newcastle. PLG, in a final test of his authority, dropped Ferguson and effectively put him on the transfer list. Ferguson complained to the chairman, and Le Guen resigned.
Player Revolt #3 Hibs won their first trophy for 16 years when they lifted the League Cup in March, but behind the scenes John Collins’ perfectionist management style was ruffling a few feathers. An unexpected defeat to Dunfermline led to a dressing room “bust-up”, and a delegation of players went to complain to the chairman. Unlike at Rangers, they lost, issuing a humbling apology and promising never to do anything like it again.
Player of the season
Scott Brown Quite simply, one of Scotland’s best prospects for a generation came of age this season. Back in July, he was still a Hibernian player, but the next 6 months saw plenty of upheaval. By Christmas had a new agent, was working under a new manager, and had handed in a transfer request. When Hibs made it clear he would not be leaving in January, he could have sulked. Instead, he got his head down and played. Really played. He won the League Cup with Hibs in March (not something that happens often at the Edinburgh club). He shed his previous hot temper. He established himself as a regular in the Scotland team on the strength of two performances. And, at the age of 21, he became the most expensive transfer between two Scottish Clubs when he moved from Hibs to Celtic for £4.4m. It’s not been flawless, but if he lives up to his potential, 2006/7 will go down as a pivotal season in his career.
Runners-up:
Shunsuke Nakamura Yes, he’s the most exciting player the Champions have. Yes he’s got a sweet left foot. And yes he’s a joy to watch at times. But he was all of this last season, too. Perhaps inevitably for a foreign flair player, he’s inconsistent, but the media hype around him seems to treat his every touch as golden. It’s not. The Japanese David Beckham indeed.
Russell Anderson Once again Aberdeen have their captain to thank for all that was good about their season. They clinched third place without really scoring enough goals, pointing to a tight defence as the reason for their success. Thanks to Anderson, it was. But successive Scotland managers have ignored the central defender, so We love fitba is hardly alone for ignoring him too.
Neil Lennon A controversial choice, given that the snarling, big-arsed provocateur has hardly had his best season with Celtic. He’s looked all of his 35 years when lumbering around the centre circle during matches, and even at his best he was never as good as Paul Lambert. Sadly, age hasn’t matured him either… he’s always been a hate figure to other fans, but this season he took the novel step of noising up his own supporters too. But now he’s left, it’s time to recognise his contribution to the Celtic cause. In the first half of this season, when Celtic could still be arsed, Strachan put their never-say-die attitude down to a fear of losing. In fact, the players probably had a fear of Lennon screaming at them. For all his more unpleasant traits, Lennon has a winner’s attitude. The Champions will miss him.
Steven Naismith Is he a striker? Is he a winger? Either way, he’s good. More than likely will be moving on from Kilmarnock this summer.
Flops of the season
Rangers Think back to last summer, and the optimistic mood music coming from the Rangers fans (a fair few journalists – the laptop loyalists – amongst them) was deafening. Paul Le Guen was going to revolutionise the club and reassert their dominance over Scottish football. Oops.
Hearts Think back to last season, and the bullishness of the Romanov Revolution was overwhelming. “2nd place is under-achievement” said Roman, the owner’s son. Oops.
Thomas Gravesen £40k a week might not raise eyebrows in the Premiership, but for the SPL that kind of salary - Gravesen's reputed earnings - represents a statement of intent. Celtic had bought a player simply unattainable to any of their rivals, a player with Real Madrid pedigree no less. In the League, the only question was how many man of the match awards he would win, because surely he would only really be tested in the Champions League. In fact, he struggled to hold down a regular place in the SPL and was frequently bullied out of those matches he did play, and started the pivotal 2nd leg against Milan on the bench. Oops.
Meteor Award
Gretna Their third consecutive promotion has made the rise of Livingston look pedestrian. They almost blew it after squandering a 12-point lead over St. Johnstone, but a win on the last day of the season clinched the title. And now they’re in the SPL.
Whether this is good news for the SPL or not is debatable. Gretna are still a tiny club, albeit propped up by a wealthy owner. They’ll probably attract a few more fans out of curiousity, but they’ll be playing their “home” games in Motherwell, which won’t do much for attendance figures. Like Livingston, they may find a seat at the top table hard to sustain.
Consolation Award
St Johnstone The Perth team reached the semi-finals of both cup competitions, and for 5 minutes or so were Division One Champions, with one foot in the SPL. They ended the season with nothing, and Jason Scotland – their inspirational striker – has already left.
Dunfermline So, so close, and yet so far. Improbably, they fought a way back into the survival dogfight, before defeat in their penultimate match confirmed relegation. In the Scottish Cup final they held Celtic for 85 minutes before losing to a scrappy goal scored by a defender. Life can be cruel sometimes. At least they have the UEFA Cup to look forward, a competition in which manager Stephen Kenny has previous - it was his Derry City who thumped Gretna last season, before getting a highly credible draw in their 1st leg with PSG.
Quotes of the season
“We are the only club in the history of football who can be the champions by 20 points and be under pressure in the first game of the season. So we just laughed at that pressure and produced some stunning football."
Gordon Strachan initiates smug mode after Celtic open their title defence with a 4-1 won over Kilmarnock.
"I'm very disappointed. This has all been done very quickly."
The SFL president, John Smith, struggles to cope with the pace of the modern world, as a proposal to create an SPL2 is launched, 5 years after first being discussed.
"Football is supposed to be what is happening on the field of play, not turned into a show thanks to the referee."
Vladimir Romanov blames the man in the middle for Hearts 3-0 defeat against AEK Athens in a Champions League qualifier.
“I can’t believe we just got beat by a fucking pub team.”
John Collins loses his cool after losing the Boxing Day Edinburgh Derby.
"Rangers are more important than Paul Le Guen. Even more important than Barry Ferguson."
Paul Le Guen ladles on the sarcasm when explaining his reasons for dropping his captain.
"I read it, ripped it up and put it in the bin."
John Collins carefully considers Scott Brown's written transfer request.
"Far too often Dundee Utd lose by scorelines that are unacceptable. People who don't want to do things properly, who don't want to fight to the end, are no good to me. I will just get rid of them." Craig Levein goes nuts after a 5-0 hammering from Rangers.
“Now it has become obvious to me why you, the Monkeys, were trying to ruin Hearts not only in the Championship, but in European competitions as well. I think it was not without your help that the ‘frozen’ referee from Russia was selected to officiate our match and that in the games against the Greek side we got three red cards.”
Vladimir can’t get that game against AEK Athens out of his head. Apparently, it was the fault of the journalists, who are all monkeys.
“A woman cheats herself and nature if she gives herself without love.”
Vlad also tries to do his bit for traditional values.
“Dunno.”
Scott Brown responds to a question about whether he was one of the Hibs players who complained to the chairman about the manager.
"See ya. Daft little ground, silly game, fuck off."
Richard Keys doesn't seem to think much of the key Faroe Isles v Scotland clash.
Monday, May 21, 2007
SPL final weekend
The 2006/7 SPL season finally came to a close at the weekend, split along class lines. On Saturday the bottom six played, and showed us once again all the problems this league faces. The biggest crowd of the day – 6,000 – saw Dundee Utd and Motherwell play out a 0-0 draw and wonder if either of these clubs can push on next season. Optimists could find encouraging signs at both clubs, but the fact is that they have contributed very little of note this term. Meanwhile, even smaller crowds witnessed Inverness Caley Thistle beat St Mirren and an already relegated Dunfermline capitulated to Falkirk.
ICT have firmly established top-level football in the Highlands, and that is a notable achievement, even if it took the amalgamation of two existing clubs to do it. And fans of Falkirk and St. Mirren are of course entitled to look forward to next season with confidence and hope for the continued progress of their teams. But with such limited gates, it’s really tough for them to grow much further and hold onto their best players – Rangers have cherry-picked one from each for next term on pre-contracts. Both have said they will rebuild over the summer, but SPL survival will probably be the limit of their ambitions next season as well.
At least Sunday provided better entertainment, most notably up North, where it turned out to be a very good day indeed for Aberdeen. Firstly, and most importantly, they secured third place in the league at long last, meaning best of the rest status behind the Old Firm and an entry into the UEFA Cup next season. Secondly, they achieved this by beating Rangers 2-0. The visitors were below par, but nonetheless, this was Aberdeen’s first points off the Old Firm all season, earning a bit of legitimacy to go with that 3rd place. Their failure to take so much as a point off them prior to the weekend had become an increasing embarrassment.
And thirdly, they won in front of a healthy home crowd of 20,000. Aberdeen’s trouble with attendances have been well documented this season, and Jimmy Calderwood has often expressed his frustration on the issue – because, unless more punters start coming turning up on a regular basis, the Dons are going to struggle to put any kind of sustained challenge together.
It is expected that they will sell Pittodrie and move to a new home within the next few years in order to pay the debts off. They will then have a clean slate – but the size of that new ground, and therefore the size of the ambitions of the Dons – will probably be defined between now and then.
In the end, it didn’t matter what Hearts did on the pitch, because it was all in Aberdeen’s hands. But a 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock was not how they wanted to finish the season. The assistant coach, Stephen Frail, was justified when saying that the damage had been done earlier in the season. Since the Soviet-era clown Eduoard Maloveef left, Hearts really have been more consistent and more reliable, and the points have piled up as a consequence. But that doesn’t change the fact that, in the high stakes game that Vladimir Romanov is playing, entry into the Champions League again represented a minimum achievement for this season. To miss out not only on that competition but the UEFA Cup as well is nothing short of disastrous. The financial results will come out later, but it’s certain that this season of utter non-achievement will have come at another heavy loss.
And finally, the Champions turned up at Easter Road, with neither Hibs nor Celtic having anything left to play for. Well, except that Hibs really needed to sign off with a win, and end the run of 9 games without victory. And win they did, as both sets of fans sat back and enjoyed the Scott Brown show. He scored with a header, bossed the game, and generally showed why Celtic have just spent £4.4m to acquire him, a record fee between Scottish clubs.
It’s an ominous development for everyone else, Rangers especially. Celtic have just made themselves favourites to win the title next season too.
ICT have firmly established top-level football in the Highlands, and that is a notable achievement, even if it took the amalgamation of two existing clubs to do it. And fans of Falkirk and St. Mirren are of course entitled to look forward to next season with confidence and hope for the continued progress of their teams. But with such limited gates, it’s really tough for them to grow much further and hold onto their best players – Rangers have cherry-picked one from each for next term on pre-contracts. Both have said they will rebuild over the summer, but SPL survival will probably be the limit of their ambitions next season as well.
At least Sunday provided better entertainment, most notably up North, where it turned out to be a very good day indeed for Aberdeen. Firstly, and most importantly, they secured third place in the league at long last, meaning best of the rest status behind the Old Firm and an entry into the UEFA Cup next season. Secondly, they achieved this by beating Rangers 2-0. The visitors were below par, but nonetheless, this was Aberdeen’s first points off the Old Firm all season, earning a bit of legitimacy to go with that 3rd place. Their failure to take so much as a point off them prior to the weekend had become an increasing embarrassment.
And thirdly, they won in front of a healthy home crowd of 20,000. Aberdeen’s trouble with attendances have been well documented this season, and Jimmy Calderwood has often expressed his frustration on the issue – because, unless more punters start coming turning up on a regular basis, the Dons are going to struggle to put any kind of sustained challenge together.
It is expected that they will sell Pittodrie and move to a new home within the next few years in order to pay the debts off. They will then have a clean slate – but the size of that new ground, and therefore the size of the ambitions of the Dons – will probably be defined between now and then.
In the end, it didn’t matter what Hearts did on the pitch, because it was all in Aberdeen’s hands. But a 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock was not how they wanted to finish the season. The assistant coach, Stephen Frail, was justified when saying that the damage had been done earlier in the season. Since the Soviet-era clown Eduoard Maloveef left, Hearts really have been more consistent and more reliable, and the points have piled up as a consequence. But that doesn’t change the fact that, in the high stakes game that Vladimir Romanov is playing, entry into the Champions League again represented a minimum achievement for this season. To miss out not only on that competition but the UEFA Cup as well is nothing short of disastrous. The financial results will come out later, but it’s certain that this season of utter non-achievement will have come at another heavy loss.
And finally, the Champions turned up at Easter Road, with neither Hibs nor Celtic having anything left to play for. Well, except that Hibs really needed to sign off with a win, and end the run of 9 games without victory. And win they did, as both sets of fans sat back and enjoyed the Scott Brown show. He scored with a header, bossed the game, and generally showed why Celtic have just spent £4.4m to acquire him, a record fee between Scottish clubs.
It’s an ominous development for everyone else, Rangers especially. Celtic have just made themselves favourites to win the title next season too.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Dunfermline drop through the floor
Imagine being a Pars fan.
Relegation looked nailed on months ago. There simply was no way back. The season would be remembered for a great, improbable run in the Scottish Cup, but there was no chance of staying in the SPL.
And then they went on a run, becoming the SPL's form team as the two clubs above them, St Mirren and Motherwell, went into freefall. Victories over both those teams had dragged the Pars back to within a point of St Mirren, and suddenly survival looked possible. Maybe, even probable. On Saturday, Dunfermline were 1-0 away to Inverness, while St Mirren were 2-0 down to Motherwell. If those scorelines remained the same, Dunfermline would have leapfrogged St Mirren at the bottom of the table, with just one more game left to play.
But then it all went wrong. Dorus De Vries, the goalkeeper who has been in heroic form since January, made a blunder and allowed Caley back into the game. Then he was defeated by a wicked deflection in the 89th minute. Meanwhile, the Buddies found 3 goals to snatch all the points from Motherwell. Dunfermline, finally, are relegated, and their fans are distraught. As John Cleese said in Clockwise:
"It's not the despair...I can TAKE the despair. It's the HOPE....."
Somehow, they are going to have to lift themselves for the Scottish Cup final in a fortnight, but you can't imagine it being much of a party now.
There now remains just one issue to be decided... who is going to finish third and grab the UEFA Cup spot? Aberdeen now lead Hearts by just a point, after their defeat to Celtic and Hearts' victory in the Edinburgh derby. Aberdeen's claim to be the third best team in Scotland is undermined somewhat by their failure to take a single point off the Old Firm this season, but if they are to guarantee that 3rd place, they will need to beat Rangers this coming weekend, because Hearts will surely fancy a win against Kilmarnock, who have nothing left to play for.
Aberdeen's season is about to be defined by one match.
Relegation looked nailed on months ago. There simply was no way back. The season would be remembered for a great, improbable run in the Scottish Cup, but there was no chance of staying in the SPL.
And then they went on a run, becoming the SPL's form team as the two clubs above them, St Mirren and Motherwell, went into freefall. Victories over both those teams had dragged the Pars back to within a point of St Mirren, and suddenly survival looked possible. Maybe, even probable. On Saturday, Dunfermline were 1-0 away to Inverness, while St Mirren were 2-0 down to Motherwell. If those scorelines remained the same, Dunfermline would have leapfrogged St Mirren at the bottom of the table, with just one more game left to play.
But then it all went wrong. Dorus De Vries, the goalkeeper who has been in heroic form since January, made a blunder and allowed Caley back into the game. Then he was defeated by a wicked deflection in the 89th minute. Meanwhile, the Buddies found 3 goals to snatch all the points from Motherwell. Dunfermline, finally, are relegated, and their fans are distraught. As John Cleese said in Clockwise:
"It's not the despair...I can TAKE the despair. It's the HOPE....."
Somehow, they are going to have to lift themselves for the Scottish Cup final in a fortnight, but you can't imagine it being much of a party now.
There now remains just one issue to be decided... who is going to finish third and grab the UEFA Cup spot? Aberdeen now lead Hearts by just a point, after their defeat to Celtic and Hearts' victory in the Edinburgh derby. Aberdeen's claim to be the third best team in Scotland is undermined somewhat by their failure to take a single point off the Old Firm this season, but if they are to guarantee that 3rd place, they will need to beat Rangers this coming weekend, because Hearts will surely fancy a win against Kilmarnock, who have nothing left to play for.
Aberdeen's season is about to be defined by one match.
Monday, April 30, 2007
McManus makes himself a hero
Tam McManus might be only 26, but he already has something of the journeyman about him. He was a Hibs kid (he came through around the same time as Kenny Miller) and went out on loan a couple of times before breaking through into the first team. He looked a bright player for the Easter Road side, too, but when Tony Mowbray took over, it was clear he had no future at the club. He went on loan to Boston, but returned to Scotland before gaining a free transfer to Dundee.
Their subsequent relegation to Division One necessitated strigent cost-cutting, and McManus was eventually moved on, this time to Falkirk. That didn't work out, and he was released in January. A trial at Hibs didn't result in an offer of a return to his first club, and so, as a free agent, he pitched up at Dunfermline.
After such a stop-start career over the past few seasons, it's no surprise that McManus was desperate to resume playing regularly. But he was in for a shock. Despite his lack of appearances for Falkirk, the fact that he was an unused substitute in an earlier round of the Scottish Cup meant that he was cup-tied for the rest of the competition. With Dunfermline heading to Hampden to play Hibernian in the semi-finals, McManus would have to watch from the stands. Of course, he's going to miss the final now, too.
Perhaps that was why he played with such vigour last night. Dunfermline travelled to Love St knowing that only a victory would give them any chance of avoiding the drop into Division One. A predictably tense relegation six-pointer, the game was very low on quality in the first half. After the break, though, Dunfermline started to get the upper hand. Perhaps inspired by the perpetual motion of their striker, they realised that if they started to actually pass a bit and play some football, the game was there for the taking. McManus was always going to be the one to profit: he had one effort blocked and another ruled out for offside before finally netting the only goal of the game.
The Pars are now just a point off St. Mirren at the bottom, and in a much better run of form. For all their Scottish Cup heroics, manager Stephen Kenny always stressed that staying in the SPL was his over-riding priority. If they do survive, McManus will feel a great sense of satisfaction at the way his season ended, even if he misses out on a Cup final appearance.
Their subsequent relegation to Division One necessitated strigent cost-cutting, and McManus was eventually moved on, this time to Falkirk. That didn't work out, and he was released in January. A trial at Hibs didn't result in an offer of a return to his first club, and so, as a free agent, he pitched up at Dunfermline.
After such a stop-start career over the past few seasons, it's no surprise that McManus was desperate to resume playing regularly. But he was in for a shock. Despite his lack of appearances for Falkirk, the fact that he was an unused substitute in an earlier round of the Scottish Cup meant that he was cup-tied for the rest of the competition. With Dunfermline heading to Hampden to play Hibernian in the semi-finals, McManus would have to watch from the stands. Of course, he's going to miss the final now, too.
Perhaps that was why he played with such vigour last night. Dunfermline travelled to Love St knowing that only a victory would give them any chance of avoiding the drop into Division One. A predictably tense relegation six-pointer, the game was very low on quality in the first half. After the break, though, Dunfermline started to get the upper hand. Perhaps inspired by the perpetual motion of their striker, they realised that if they started to actually pass a bit and play some football, the game was there for the taking. McManus was always going to be the one to profit: he had one effort blocked and another ruled out for offside before finally netting the only goal of the game.
The Pars are now just a point off St. Mirren at the bottom, and in a much better run of form. For all their Scottish Cup heroics, manager Stephen Kenny always stressed that staying in the SPL was his over-riding priority. If they do survive, McManus will feel a great sense of satisfaction at the way his season ended, even if he misses out on a Cup final appearance.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Gretna are promoted, but is it good news for the SPL?
As with the top flight, the Scottish Football League Division One took a surprisingly long time to declare a winner this season. Twelve points clear at the top at the turn of the year, and scoring for fun, Gretna looked a shoe-in for the title and their third successive promotion. But their subsequent wobble, coupled with St. Johnstone's great run of form (they were fighting in both cup competitions, too, remember) made for a thrilling last day of the season.
It's heart-breaking for the Perth team, who have ended up with nothing after a season that promised so much. They got to the semi-finals of both the League and Scottish Cups, and pushed Hibernian and Celtic hard in both games, but eventually the better resourced teams came through. On Saturday, they got even closer - they beat Hamilton 4-3 in a pulsating game, and for 5 minutes were Division One Champions as it stood. But then the news came through from Dingwall - Gretna had scored again to go 3-2 up against Ross County, and back above the Saints in the table. They held on and took the title by a single point.
Gretna's rise has been meteoric. The former English non-League team have risen from Division Three to the SPL inside 5 seasons, and became the darlings of many last season when the got to the Scottish Cup Final, and only lost out to Hearts on penalties. Those same observers will now be hailing the romance of this small-town club earning its chance to play against the giants of the Scottish game next season. Eccentric owner Brooks Mileson has promised he will invest more of his fortune to ensure that Gretna will be able to hold their own in the SPL.
And yet... while the management team obviously deserve credit for organising things on the park, Gretna's turbocharged ascent has been entirely down to Mileson's cash. In Division Two, they assembled a squad more costly than many SPL clubs' wage bills. Their crowds at Raydale Park have hovered around 2,000, and while they can expect their SPL status to attract more fans, the fact that they will be playing their "home" games at Fir Park next season (Raydale Park doesn't meet the SPL's minimum criteria) means a 250 mile round trip will probably dissuade many of them from travelling. And the SPL needs more empty seats like the Scottish Labour Party needs the Iraq issue.
Given the limited catchment area, it's genuinely hard to see how the support can grow significantly in the longer term. Gretna are a small town club, propped up by a wealthy benefactor, not a genuine new force in Scottish football. If Mileson ever turns off the taps, it's hard to see how they can sustain their position.
Compare this with St. Johnstone. While Gretna took 500 fans to Dingwall on Saturday (admittedly, a tough journey), the Saints took 3,000 to Hamilton. They have built a team under an astute young manager, Owen Coyle, with the experience of players such as Derick McInnes and Jason Scotland, who desperately wanted to test themselves in the SPL again, week in, week out. McDiarmid Park would love to welcome the Perthshire crowds back to watch the big boys come to town, and dream of the days when their club took on SV Hamburg or Monaco in European competition. At the end of the day, they couldn't quite do enough to get promotion, but romance is not the preserve of the wedding specialists from near the Border.
As it is, they will have to bide their time. Gretna are up, and time will tell how much further they can go.
It's heart-breaking for the Perth team, who have ended up with nothing after a season that promised so much. They got to the semi-finals of both the League and Scottish Cups, and pushed Hibernian and Celtic hard in both games, but eventually the better resourced teams came through. On Saturday, they got even closer - they beat Hamilton 4-3 in a pulsating game, and for 5 minutes were Division One Champions as it stood. But then the news came through from Dingwall - Gretna had scored again to go 3-2 up against Ross County, and back above the Saints in the table. They held on and took the title by a single point.
Gretna's rise has been meteoric. The former English non-League team have risen from Division Three to the SPL inside 5 seasons, and became the darlings of many last season when the got to the Scottish Cup Final, and only lost out to Hearts on penalties. Those same observers will now be hailing the romance of this small-town club earning its chance to play against the giants of the Scottish game next season. Eccentric owner Brooks Mileson has promised he will invest more of his fortune to ensure that Gretna will be able to hold their own in the SPL.
And yet... while the management team obviously deserve credit for organising things on the park, Gretna's turbocharged ascent has been entirely down to Mileson's cash. In Division Two, they assembled a squad more costly than many SPL clubs' wage bills. Their crowds at Raydale Park have hovered around 2,000, and while they can expect their SPL status to attract more fans, the fact that they will be playing their "home" games at Fir Park next season (Raydale Park doesn't meet the SPL's minimum criteria) means a 250 mile round trip will probably dissuade many of them from travelling. And the SPL needs more empty seats like the Scottish Labour Party needs the Iraq issue.
Given the limited catchment area, it's genuinely hard to see how the support can grow significantly in the longer term. Gretna are a small town club, propped up by a wealthy benefactor, not a genuine new force in Scottish football. If Mileson ever turns off the taps, it's hard to see how they can sustain their position.
Compare this with St. Johnstone. While Gretna took 500 fans to Dingwall on Saturday (admittedly, a tough journey), the Saints took 3,000 to Hamilton. They have built a team under an astute young manager, Owen Coyle, with the experience of players such as Derick McInnes and Jason Scotland, who desperately wanted to test themselves in the SPL again, week in, week out. McDiarmid Park would love to welcome the Perthshire crowds back to watch the big boys come to town, and dream of the days when their club took on SV Hamburg or Monaco in European competition. At the end of the day, they couldn't quite do enough to get promotion, but romance is not the preserve of the wedding specialists from near the Border.
As it is, they will have to bide their time. Gretna are up, and time will tell how much further they can go.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Dunfermline daring to dream as Hibs blow it again...
Celtic are on for the double this season. Having secured the SPL title last Sunday, they now look forward to the Scottish Cup Final on 26 May. If they lift the trophy, it will be a dream ending to the season, particularly for captain Neil Lennon who will be playing his last game for the club.
But if you think that would taste sweet, just think what the double would mean to your average Pars fan. Not winning the League and Cup, of course, but winning the Cup and avoiding relegation. They are already in Europe next season, thanks to Celtic qualifying for the Champions League and thus offering up the UEFA Cup place that comes with the Scottish Cup. To go into that competition as an SPL team, rather than one in Division One, would not just be good for Dunfermline, it would be good for Scottish football as a whole. After all, a club living on even further reduced means will probably find Continental competition even more of a stretch.
Of course, Celtic are overwhelming favourites to lift the Cup, and, 4 points adrift at the bottom of the SPL with just 4 games to play, avoiding relegation doesn't look all that likely either. But it's worthwhile remembering what Dunfermline have already achieved this season. When Stephen Kenny came in as manager in November, Dunfermline were simply hopeless, miles adrift at the bottom of the League and unable to score goals.
That haven't scored many goals since, to be fair, but what Kenny did was work on the things he could improve. He tightened up the system, getting Dunfermline to play in a tight, compact formation that's hard to break down, and he instilled belief in his players. They might still be bottom of the SPL, but the players work for each other, and their manager. Finally, he did what he could to augment the squad, bringing in Adam Hammill on loan from Liverpool and Stephen Glass on loan from Hibs in January, and signing Tam McManus as a free agent. All players that could give either creativity or an attacking outlet to the side.
They were outplayed for long periods of Tuesday night's replay, but they are no longer easy to score against, and when they won a penalty in the 85th minute Jim McIntyre grabbed the opportunity to take the lead. They have now knocked Rangers, Hearts and Hibs out of the Cup.
Where now for Hibs? This was the 3rd Semi-Final in a row for them in the competition they haven't won for 105 years, and the curse remains for another year at least. They haven't been the same side since the CIS Cup Final, and the dressing-room bust up / player revolt that followed has clearly damaged them. For a club that doesn't win silverware very often, they took very little time in taking the shine off the trophy. The manager's job is safe, though, despite the stories of unrest, and he will look to rebuild his squad in the summer and see what he can do with his own team next season. The remaining league games this term are of little consequence now.
Meanwhile, Dunfermline have an absolutely crucial game against St Mirren this weekend. Mathematically, Motherwell aren't quite safe yet either, but the reality of the situation is that only St Mirren or Dunfermline can go down this season. So Saturday's game is the classic six-pointer.
If Stephen Kenny does pull this off, he deserves to be hailed as Manager of the Season, without doubt. And remember, he has some European pedigree too - it was his Derry team who gubbed Gretna in the UEFA Cup at the beginning of the season, before drawing 0-0 with PSG.
And he's still someway off his 40th birthday. He really could become some manager.
But if you think that would taste sweet, just think what the double would mean to your average Pars fan. Not winning the League and Cup, of course, but winning the Cup and avoiding relegation. They are already in Europe next season, thanks to Celtic qualifying for the Champions League and thus offering up the UEFA Cup place that comes with the Scottish Cup. To go into that competition as an SPL team, rather than one in Division One, would not just be good for Dunfermline, it would be good for Scottish football as a whole. After all, a club living on even further reduced means will probably find Continental competition even more of a stretch.
Of course, Celtic are overwhelming favourites to lift the Cup, and, 4 points adrift at the bottom of the SPL with just 4 games to play, avoiding relegation doesn't look all that likely either. But it's worthwhile remembering what Dunfermline have already achieved this season. When Stephen Kenny came in as manager in November, Dunfermline were simply hopeless, miles adrift at the bottom of the League and unable to score goals.
That haven't scored many goals since, to be fair, but what Kenny did was work on the things he could improve. He tightened up the system, getting Dunfermline to play in a tight, compact formation that's hard to break down, and he instilled belief in his players. They might still be bottom of the SPL, but the players work for each other, and their manager. Finally, he did what he could to augment the squad, bringing in Adam Hammill on loan from Liverpool and Stephen Glass on loan from Hibs in January, and signing Tam McManus as a free agent. All players that could give either creativity or an attacking outlet to the side.
They were outplayed for long periods of Tuesday night's replay, but they are no longer easy to score against, and when they won a penalty in the 85th minute Jim McIntyre grabbed the opportunity to take the lead. They have now knocked Rangers, Hearts and Hibs out of the Cup.
Where now for Hibs? This was the 3rd Semi-Final in a row for them in the competition they haven't won for 105 years, and the curse remains for another year at least. They haven't been the same side since the CIS Cup Final, and the dressing-room bust up / player revolt that followed has clearly damaged them. For a club that doesn't win silverware very often, they took very little time in taking the shine off the trophy. The manager's job is safe, though, despite the stories of unrest, and he will look to rebuild his squad in the summer and see what he can do with his own team next season. The remaining league games this term are of little consequence now.
Meanwhile, Dunfermline have an absolutely crucial game against St Mirren this weekend. Mathematically, Motherwell aren't quite safe yet either, but the reality of the situation is that only St Mirren or Dunfermline can go down this season. So Saturday's game is the classic six-pointer.
If Stephen Kenny does pull this off, he deserves to be hailed as Manager of the Season, without doubt. And remember, he has some European pedigree too - it was his Derry team who gubbed Gretna in the UEFA Cup at the beginning of the season, before drawing 0-0 with PSG.
And he's still someway off his 40th birthday. He really could become some manager.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Celtic finally stumble over the line after a lacklustre race
So Celtic have finally won the SPL 2006/07, after a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Gordon Strachan has emulated the feat of his predecessor, Martin O'Neill, and won back-to-back titles in his first two seasons at the club. His award as Scottish Players' Association Manager of the Year later on Sunday night was recognition for the fine job he has done rebuilding the Celtic squad while maintaining a dominance over the rest of Scottish football. It was his best signing, Shunsuke Nakamura, who secured the win with a trademark freekick right at the end of the game (he also won the player of the year award, too).
Yet clearly all is not well with Scottish football. Celtic's hold on the title was practically complete by Christmas, and it was only their recent poor form that kept Rangers in with a mathematical chance of snatching the championship until the split. Of Hearts, last season's pretenders to the crown, there was no sign. It is impossible not to let the paucity of competition take some of the shine off Celtic's latest trophy.
There were 8,000 Celtic fans down in Ayrshire to celebrate with the team on Sunday, limited by Kilmarnock's decision not to turn even more of their ground over to the visitors and annoy their season ticket holders, rather than a lack of seats. Kilmarnock really don't have anything more to play for this season - but, as Jim Jefferies sighed, this lack of revenue will hurt his plans for rebuilding his squad over the summer.
Even more depressing was the pitiful crowd at Pittodrie. They weren't helped by a tiny travelling support from Hibs, but less than 10,000 people turned up to watch Aberdeen try and secure European football for next season. Aberdeen have improved markedly in recent years, and yet their supporters just don't seem interested. It's true that they aren't the prettiest team to watch, but without more punters coming back and putting more money into the club, the chances of them attracting better players in the summer remain remote.
Something, it's clear, has got to change.
Yet clearly all is not well with Scottish football. Celtic's hold on the title was practically complete by Christmas, and it was only their recent poor form that kept Rangers in with a mathematical chance of snatching the championship until the split. Of Hearts, last season's pretenders to the crown, there was no sign. It is impossible not to let the paucity of competition take some of the shine off Celtic's latest trophy.
There were 8,000 Celtic fans down in Ayrshire to celebrate with the team on Sunday, limited by Kilmarnock's decision not to turn even more of their ground over to the visitors and annoy their season ticket holders, rather than a lack of seats. Kilmarnock really don't have anything more to play for this season - but, as Jim Jefferies sighed, this lack of revenue will hurt his plans for rebuilding his squad over the summer.
Even more depressing was the pitiful crowd at Pittodrie. They weren't helped by a tiny travelling support from Hibs, but less than 10,000 people turned up to watch Aberdeen try and secure European football for next season. Aberdeen have improved markedly in recent years, and yet their supporters just don't seem interested. It's true that they aren't the prettiest team to watch, but without more punters coming back and putting more money into the club, the chances of them attracting better players in the summer remain remote.
Something, it's clear, has got to change.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
No repeats, please
It's still possible that the green halves of both Glasgow and Edinburgh will meet in the Scottish Cup Final on 26th May. Celtic came through 2-1 winners over a spirited St. Johnstone performance on Saturday, while Hibs are still in the competition after their 0-0 draw with Dunfermline.
But that's not the only symmetry in Scottish football right now. Earlier in the season, it was Rangers and then boss Paul Le Guen who were getting it in the neck from their supporters. Now it's Gordon Strachan's turn to feel the hot breath of disappointment on his neck. While a probable league and cup double will cheer the Celtic support eventually, at the moment they are restless and spiky, and for some reason: Celtic have not been playing well recently. The title should have been wrapped up weeks ago, but because of their poor form (1 win in 5 before Saturday) the SPL goes into the split next weekend with Rangers still mathematically in with a chance.
On Saturday, too, they were far from the free-scoring, easy on the eye outfit they sometimes showed themselves to be in the autumn. Derek Riordan, after a season sitting first in the stands, then on the bench, has finally got his chance upfront, but when he was replaced by Kenny Miller near the hour mark, boos rang out around Hampden. For a team on the verge of getting to the Scottish Cup final, that was a slightly surreal response from the fans.
For all his achievements so far, Gordon Strachan has found it difficult to win a place in the hearts of the Celtic fans, and he's not been helped this season by an almost non-existent challenge from Rangers in the SPL. His team selections have frequently infuriated the support, who have wanted to see more of Riordan and Thomas Gravesen. There are rumours circling about his future at the club... at the moment they remain just that, because he seems in no mood to walk out, and the board love him for slashing the wage bill. Yet he perhaps feels entitled to a little more respect after all his achievements so far.
Across in Edinburgh, of course, it was Hearts who were the crisis club, with dressing room splits and players being emptied for questioning the regime. But clearly Hibs felt left out, and so went nuclear with a dressing room crisis of their own last week which dominated the papers and increased the pressure on John Collins especially ahead of their semi-final tie.
Ahead of the game, Collins had appeared flustered in the press conference, and flashes of anger crossed his face in interviews with the media, but he resolutely refused to answer any questions about the rumours that a delegation of players has demanded a meeting with the chairman to voice criticism of him. After the game itself, he was a little more forthcoming with the BBC's Chick Young, agreeing that it had been "a week he wouldn't want to repeat".
As for the game itself, Hibs were really, really poor in the first half, but improved in the second, without doing enough to win the game. It was the same team that won the CIS Cup Final just 3 weeks ago, but nowhere near the same intensity or movement. After a traumatic week, that perhaps is no surprise. Dunfermline had a couple of chances themselves, and defended solidly, but can't have any complaints at the result.
The real question is why on earth this game goes to a replay, instead of being settled with extra time and penalties if necessary. It's a ridiculous arrangement, and devalues the prestige of a "day out at Hampden" even more. So they'll be back here again in 10 days time.
No repeats, please, said John Collins. Couldn't agree more.
But that's not the only symmetry in Scottish football right now. Earlier in the season, it was Rangers and then boss Paul Le Guen who were getting it in the neck from their supporters. Now it's Gordon Strachan's turn to feel the hot breath of disappointment on his neck. While a probable league and cup double will cheer the Celtic support eventually, at the moment they are restless and spiky, and for some reason: Celtic have not been playing well recently. The title should have been wrapped up weeks ago, but because of their poor form (1 win in 5 before Saturday) the SPL goes into the split next weekend with Rangers still mathematically in with a chance.
On Saturday, too, they were far from the free-scoring, easy on the eye outfit they sometimes showed themselves to be in the autumn. Derek Riordan, after a season sitting first in the stands, then on the bench, has finally got his chance upfront, but when he was replaced by Kenny Miller near the hour mark, boos rang out around Hampden. For a team on the verge of getting to the Scottish Cup final, that was a slightly surreal response from the fans.
For all his achievements so far, Gordon Strachan has found it difficult to win a place in the hearts of the Celtic fans, and he's not been helped this season by an almost non-existent challenge from Rangers in the SPL. His team selections have frequently infuriated the support, who have wanted to see more of Riordan and Thomas Gravesen. There are rumours circling about his future at the club... at the moment they remain just that, because he seems in no mood to walk out, and the board love him for slashing the wage bill. Yet he perhaps feels entitled to a little more respect after all his achievements so far.
Across in Edinburgh, of course, it was Hearts who were the crisis club, with dressing room splits and players being emptied for questioning the regime. But clearly Hibs felt left out, and so went nuclear with a dressing room crisis of their own last week which dominated the papers and increased the pressure on John Collins especially ahead of their semi-final tie.
Ahead of the game, Collins had appeared flustered in the press conference, and flashes of anger crossed his face in interviews with the media, but he resolutely refused to answer any questions about the rumours that a delegation of players has demanded a meeting with the chairman to voice criticism of him. After the game itself, he was a little more forthcoming with the BBC's Chick Young, agreeing that it had been "a week he wouldn't want to repeat".
As for the game itself, Hibs were really, really poor in the first half, but improved in the second, without doing enough to win the game. It was the same team that won the CIS Cup Final just 3 weeks ago, but nowhere near the same intensity or movement. After a traumatic week, that perhaps is no surprise. Dunfermline had a couple of chances themselves, and defended solidly, but can't have any complaints at the result.
The real question is why on earth this game goes to a replay, instead of being settled with extra time and penalties if necessary. It's a ridiculous arrangement, and devalues the prestige of a "day out at Hampden" even more. So they'll be back here again in 10 days time.
No repeats, please, said John Collins. Couldn't agree more.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Hearts give Hibs a hangover
The script was written, all it needed was an unlikely hero to make it complete. A weary and, it seemed, demoralised team in maroon, who were spanked 4-0 in their last game, travel to the home of their city neighbours and hated rivals, missing several players through injury or suspension. Their hosts, meanwhile, have just won a trophy in devastating style, are full of confidence, and are the bookies clear favourites. Guess what happens.
If nothing else, Hearts' unlikely victory on Sunday meant that the old footballing chestnut about derbies, form books and windows could be given another airing. They never looked like scoring all afternoon, but another blunder by a Hibs goalkeeper (clearly the yellow jersey is cursed, because they are on their 3rd keeper of the season now and they all seem a bit error-prone) allowed Marius Zaliukas to score the only goal of the match. It was an eventful afternoon for the Lithuanian defender, who also got booked and lived dangerously at times with some very hands-on defending in his own box.
Hearts celebrated like champions, and a large section of their supporters amusingly stayed behind in the away stand after the match. Hibs were due to parade the League Cup trophy straight after the game, but the Jambos made them wait and wait and wait, as the stewards failed to clear the South Stand. Stephen Frail, the Hearts' assistant coach, spoke at length about the importance of team spirit afterwards, and it was clear he and Craig Gordon have done much since the debacle against Dundee Utd to try and get some unity in the dressing room. This was a hard-won victory, and for that they deserved it.
Yet there was something depressing about it all. Here was a team that had come to Easter Road to defend and frustrate, with the clear aim of getting a point. The win was an unexpected bonus. It was the way Falkirk had played when they came to Easter Road in September, and left with the same result. It did the job against a strangely flat Hibernian, who couldn't impose themselves on the game as they would like. Yet this was not Falkirk, but the "mighty" Hearts, who were supposed to be challenging for the league this season. All the swagger and verve has gone, and in its place is a fundamentally limited team. If you wanted evidence of just how badly wrong the Romanov project has gone, Sunday was - despite the win - pretty damning.
It's hard, too, not to come to a similar verdict about the SPL 06/07. Celtic have been within sight of the winning post for so long that their eventual triumph is going to feel more and more like an anti-climax the longer the wait goes on. Gordon Strachan has built a decent team, but they are making a meal of wrapping up the title.
There were some who hoped Paul Le Guen would have the same effect on Rangers as Arsene Wenger had on Arsenal. Instead, he destroyed their title ambitions by Christmas and was off soon after, leaving a wounded club in his wake. Walter Smith has tightened up the defence and generally improved things since his return, but - as the UEFA Cup tie against Osasuna showed - they really aren't all that good.
Aberdeen are 5 points adrift of Rangers and could still get second, but holding off Hearts to claim third and the UEFA place looks more likely. Based on their performances this season, though, neither the Dons nor the Jambos would be a good advertisement for Scottish football in Europe next season.
And down at the bottom, Dunfermline, who have looked stuck-on for relegation since August, still have hope mostly thanks to the atrocious form of St Mirren. If there was a God, he'd relegate both of them.
Hibs 0-1 Hearts
Dundee Utd 1-1 Celtic
Rangers 1-1 ICT
Falkirk 2-0 St Mirren
Kilmarnock 1-2 Aberdeen
Motherwell 2-0 Dunfermline
If nothing else, Hearts' unlikely victory on Sunday meant that the old footballing chestnut about derbies, form books and windows could be given another airing. They never looked like scoring all afternoon, but another blunder by a Hibs goalkeeper (clearly the yellow jersey is cursed, because they are on their 3rd keeper of the season now and they all seem a bit error-prone) allowed Marius Zaliukas to score the only goal of the match. It was an eventful afternoon for the Lithuanian defender, who also got booked and lived dangerously at times with some very hands-on defending in his own box.
Hearts celebrated like champions, and a large section of their supporters amusingly stayed behind in the away stand after the match. Hibs were due to parade the League Cup trophy straight after the game, but the Jambos made them wait and wait and wait, as the stewards failed to clear the South Stand. Stephen Frail, the Hearts' assistant coach, spoke at length about the importance of team spirit afterwards, and it was clear he and Craig Gordon have done much since the debacle against Dundee Utd to try and get some unity in the dressing room. This was a hard-won victory, and for that they deserved it.
Yet there was something depressing about it all. Here was a team that had come to Easter Road to defend and frustrate, with the clear aim of getting a point. The win was an unexpected bonus. It was the way Falkirk had played when they came to Easter Road in September, and left with the same result. It did the job against a strangely flat Hibernian, who couldn't impose themselves on the game as they would like. Yet this was not Falkirk, but the "mighty" Hearts, who were supposed to be challenging for the league this season. All the swagger and verve has gone, and in its place is a fundamentally limited team. If you wanted evidence of just how badly wrong the Romanov project has gone, Sunday was - despite the win - pretty damning.
It's hard, too, not to come to a similar verdict about the SPL 06/07. Celtic have been within sight of the winning post for so long that their eventual triumph is going to feel more and more like an anti-climax the longer the wait goes on. Gordon Strachan has built a decent team, but they are making a meal of wrapping up the title.
There were some who hoped Paul Le Guen would have the same effect on Rangers as Arsene Wenger had on Arsenal. Instead, he destroyed their title ambitions by Christmas and was off soon after, leaving a wounded club in his wake. Walter Smith has tightened up the defence and generally improved things since his return, but - as the UEFA Cup tie against Osasuna showed - they really aren't all that good.
Aberdeen are 5 points adrift of Rangers and could still get second, but holding off Hearts to claim third and the UEFA place looks more likely. Based on their performances this season, though, neither the Dons nor the Jambos would be a good advertisement for Scottish football in Europe next season.
And down at the bottom, Dunfermline, who have looked stuck-on for relegation since August, still have hope mostly thanks to the atrocious form of St Mirren. If there was a God, he'd relegate both of them.
Hibs 0-1 Hearts
Dundee Utd 1-1 Celtic
Rangers 1-1 ICT
Falkirk 2-0 St Mirren
Kilmarnock 1-2 Aberdeen
Motherwell 2-0 Dunfermline
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Greedy Scotland in danger of getting swallowed up by the pack
Alex McLeish spoke repeatedly after the Georgia game about being "greedy" - about Scotland raising their aspirations and really wanting that place at Euro 2008. It's refreshing to hear such positive words from the new manager, because Scotland are going to need all the desire and belief they've got if they are really going to make it to the Alps next summer. Last night's game against the world champions showed exactly what they are up against.
Scotland have improved markedly in the past 3 years, but they remain a work in progress. McLeish was right to retain Stephen McManus at centre back after his strong performance against Georgia, but it was the Celtic player who conceded the free kick from which Luca Toni scored the first of his goals. It was a pretty soft decision, but hardly a surprise that the Italians would play for any advantage they could get. As McLeish said, maybe his team had to be a little "cuter".
Having conceded that early goal, Scotland were chasing the game against the undisputed masters in holding onto a narrow lead. In the circumstances any attack force in the world would have their work cut out, and Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch and Gary Teale aren't the world's most feared attack. Luca Toni then doubled his tally to seal the match with 15 minutes to go.
There were plenty of positives in all this. Scotland certainly did not disgrace themselves, Scott Brown did well in his first start for his country, and Craig Gordon remains a reassuring presence, despite the chaos at his club. But a look at the table demonstrates just how tough this qualifying campaign is going to be. Ukraine and France are both on 12 points with Scotland, Italy are just 2 points behind, and all these teams have played a game less.
But we're in the mix, long after many expected Scotland's challenge to have faded to nothing by now. McLeish believes Scotland can still qualify, and he's right.
Scotland have improved markedly in the past 3 years, but they remain a work in progress. McLeish was right to retain Stephen McManus at centre back after his strong performance against Georgia, but it was the Celtic player who conceded the free kick from which Luca Toni scored the first of his goals. It was a pretty soft decision, but hardly a surprise that the Italians would play for any advantage they could get. As McLeish said, maybe his team had to be a little "cuter".
Having conceded that early goal, Scotland were chasing the game against the undisputed masters in holding onto a narrow lead. In the circumstances any attack force in the world would have their work cut out, and Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch and Gary Teale aren't the world's most feared attack. Luca Toni then doubled his tally to seal the match with 15 minutes to go.
There were plenty of positives in all this. Scotland certainly did not disgrace themselves, Scott Brown did well in his first start for his country, and Craig Gordon remains a reassuring presence, despite the chaos at his club. But a look at the table demonstrates just how tough this qualifying campaign is going to be. Ukraine and France are both on 12 points with Scotland, Italy are just 2 points behind, and all these teams have played a game less.
But we're in the mix, long after many expected Scotland's challenge to have faded to nothing by now. McLeish believes Scotland can still qualify, and he's right.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Hibs party after finally bringing a trophy home
Hibs have won the CIS League Cup, after a thrilling final at Hampden. After years of heartache and disappointment, they have at last won a tangible reward for their efforts. Fittingly, they won the trophy with the brand of passing football that has become their trademark.
The club last won a trophy in 1991 - that was the League Cup too, although it was sponsored by Skol lager back then. Since then, they and every other club in Scottish football have watched as Rangers and Celtic have hoovered up every championship between them, and most of the other silverware on offer as well. But Hibs failed to pick up any of the occasional scraps that were thrown from the Old Firm table.
To be fair, for much of that period they had other things to worry about, such as crippling debt, relegation battles, or managers that had lost their way. Most cup runs had ended prematurely, but in recent years they had got tantalisingly close, before failing once again. It was no great surprise that they were beaten by Celtic in the 2001 Scottish Cup final, but losing the League Cup final to Livingston in 2004 was a real shock. In 2005 and 2006 they were defeated in Scottish Cup semi finals, the latter a traumatic spanking by Hearts. But not this time. Hibernian are the Cinderella of Scottish football no more.
Sunday's 5-1 scoreline was a bit harsh on Kilmarnock, in the sense that history will record this match as a one-sided thrashing, which it wasn't. The first half was fairly even, as predicted by most pundits, with the atrocious weather making conditions difficult and both sides keeping the opposition's strikers quiet and patiently looking for an opening. If Steven Naismith's 20th minute effort hadn't gone just wide of the Hibs goal, the game would have been very different. But Kilmarnock did less well 7 minutes later, when they allowed Rob Jones to get a run at a Hibs corner and bullet the header into the net.
Kilmarnock probably felt aggrieved to go into the break a goal down, but already there were cracks appearing that would become chasms in the 2nd half. The key to the match was that Hibernian used the width of the Hampden pitch much more effectively. While Naismith swapped flanks trying to get on the ball, Ivan Sproule was always available on the Hibs right to receive the ball and run at the opponents. Killie doubled up on him to negate the threat, but this left yawning gaps on the other side of the park. With Hibs' two fullbacks always bright and looking to get forward, they started to dominate possession.
As well as pretty football, Hibs have also developed a reputation for trusting in youth, and they were true to their philosophy here. As well as a 19 year old, Andy McNeil, in goal, they had another teenager, Lewis Stevenson, in midfield. The precocious young scamp even had the cheek to collect the Man of the Match award.
From the sidelines, John Collins was constantly driving his team on. There was no question Hibs were going to try and sit on a one goal lead - they wanted to win in emphatic style. The strikers started coming into the game more as Hibs went for the kill, and Steven Fletcher and Abdessalam Benjelloun got a goal each before Killie scored themselves from a corner. 3-1 down, with 15 minutes to go, Killie had no choice but to attack, but it left them exposed at the back, and they conceded the final 2 goals in the last 5 minutes. It was only then that their loyal fans started leaving in numbers, as the Hibs supporters danced and sang in delight.
If 30,000 supporters belting out "Sunshine on Leith" at Hampden wasn't enough to convince onlookers of how much this meant to the club, the scenes back in Edinburgh made it abudantly clear. As the open top bus carried the trophy and the team through Leith to the stadium, tens of thousands lined the streets to applaud their heroes, and then stormed the stadium to see the cup being brought home. There were chaotic scenes as some fans invaded the pitch and ruined the planned presentation, but this was a spontaneous outpouring of joy. The pubs around the stadium then heaved with punters drinking to their success late into the night.
That's what happens when a club that has been starved of success finally has something to celebrate.
The club last won a trophy in 1991 - that was the League Cup too, although it was sponsored by Skol lager back then. Since then, they and every other club in Scottish football have watched as Rangers and Celtic have hoovered up every championship between them, and most of the other silverware on offer as well. But Hibs failed to pick up any of the occasional scraps that were thrown from the Old Firm table.
To be fair, for much of that period they had other things to worry about, such as crippling debt, relegation battles, or managers that had lost their way. Most cup runs had ended prematurely, but in recent years they had got tantalisingly close, before failing once again. It was no great surprise that they were beaten by Celtic in the 2001 Scottish Cup final, but losing the League Cup final to Livingston in 2004 was a real shock. In 2005 and 2006 they were defeated in Scottish Cup semi finals, the latter a traumatic spanking by Hearts. But not this time. Hibernian are the Cinderella of Scottish football no more.
Sunday's 5-1 scoreline was a bit harsh on Kilmarnock, in the sense that history will record this match as a one-sided thrashing, which it wasn't. The first half was fairly even, as predicted by most pundits, with the atrocious weather making conditions difficult and both sides keeping the opposition's strikers quiet and patiently looking for an opening. If Steven Naismith's 20th minute effort hadn't gone just wide of the Hibs goal, the game would have been very different. But Kilmarnock did less well 7 minutes later, when they allowed Rob Jones to get a run at a Hibs corner and bullet the header into the net.
Kilmarnock probably felt aggrieved to go into the break a goal down, but already there were cracks appearing that would become chasms in the 2nd half. The key to the match was that Hibernian used the width of the Hampden pitch much more effectively. While Naismith swapped flanks trying to get on the ball, Ivan Sproule was always available on the Hibs right to receive the ball and run at the opponents. Killie doubled up on him to negate the threat, but this left yawning gaps on the other side of the park. With Hibs' two fullbacks always bright and looking to get forward, they started to dominate possession.
As well as pretty football, Hibs have also developed a reputation for trusting in youth, and they were true to their philosophy here. As well as a 19 year old, Andy McNeil, in goal, they had another teenager, Lewis Stevenson, in midfield. The precocious young scamp even had the cheek to collect the Man of the Match award.
From the sidelines, John Collins was constantly driving his team on. There was no question Hibs were going to try and sit on a one goal lead - they wanted to win in emphatic style. The strikers started coming into the game more as Hibs went for the kill, and Steven Fletcher and Abdessalam Benjelloun got a goal each before Killie scored themselves from a corner. 3-1 down, with 15 minutes to go, Killie had no choice but to attack, but it left them exposed at the back, and they conceded the final 2 goals in the last 5 minutes. It was only then that their loyal fans started leaving in numbers, as the Hibs supporters danced and sang in delight.
If 30,000 supporters belting out "Sunshine on Leith" at Hampden wasn't enough to convince onlookers of how much this meant to the club, the scenes back in Edinburgh made it abudantly clear. As the open top bus carried the trophy and the team through Leith to the stadium, tens of thousands lined the streets to applaud their heroes, and then stormed the stadium to see the cup being brought home. There were chaotic scenes as some fans invaded the pitch and ruined the planned presentation, but this was a spontaneous outpouring of joy. The pubs around the stadium then heaved with punters drinking to their success late into the night.
That's what happens when a club that has been starved of success finally has something to celebrate.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
CIS League Cup Final preview
With Rangers predictably coming unstuck against Osasuna last night (the crowd trouble was – sadly – predictable as well), Scottish football clubs are now entirely concentrated on domestic matters. Handy, then, that the first trophy of the season is up for grabs on Sunday.
Refreshingly, given Celtic's runaway lead in the league, neither side of the Old Firm is involved in the CIS League Cup Final. In fact, this is the first year since 1979 that neither Celtic nor Rangers made it to the semi-final stage of the League Cup. Disgraceful and myopic scheduling means that Celtic are playing an SPL fixture on Sunday (was there really no other date available?), but thanks to their loss against Rangers last week, they will not win the title for another week at least. Hopefully, this means the winner of the Cup should enjoy a moment in the spotlight, before being obscured by the Old Firm shadow again.
Least important of the big three domestic competitions it might be, but a League Cup trophy would mean a huge amount to either Hibernian or Kilmarnock. Hampden Park’s 50,000 seats were sold out as soon as they went on sale, a measure of the anticipation from both sets of fans. The Killie boss, Jim Jefferies, has said that winning this one would be even more important than the Scottish Cup he won as Hearts boss in 1998, while Hibs have waited 16 years since their last piece of silverware (Division One trophy excepted).
Finals are often disappointing games, as the tension of the occasion feeds into a cagey approach on the pitch, but this one could be a classic. Hibs and Killie are very evenly matched: they are currently locked together on 43 points in the league. Killie were arguably more impressive on route to the final, especially in the Semi Final where they dismantled Falkirk, but then Hibs overcame an impressively combative St Johnstone. The bookies agree – Hibs are marginal favourites, but there is very little in it.
Both are tidy footballing sides, too, who will want to exploit the wide open spaces of Hampden park. There's a little added spice, too, with Jefferies’ past as Hearts manager – he makes no secret of the joy he takes in getting one over the Jambo’s bitter rivals. As an ex-Hibs player, John Collins needs no lectures in his club’s trophy-starved past.
It would be unfair to characterise Kilmarnock as a one-man team, but their hopes for success probably do rest on the slender shoulders of Steven Naismith. Still young enough not to have worked out yet whether he is a winger or a striker, Naismith’s goals did for Falkirk, and Killie will be looking to get him on the ball at every opportunity. For Hibs, it’s a little more complex – they are a pretty but fragile footballing side, who score lots of goals but have regular defensive jitters. Scott Brown is a certain starter and will be his usual industrious self, but will need the rest of the midfield to click if he isn’t to be chasing down blind alleys all afternoon.
Whatever the result, season 2006/7 will see a club outside the usual hegemony win something worthwhile. And that has to be good for Scottish football as a whole.
Refreshingly, given Celtic's runaway lead in the league, neither side of the Old Firm is involved in the CIS League Cup Final. In fact, this is the first year since 1979 that neither Celtic nor Rangers made it to the semi-final stage of the League Cup. Disgraceful and myopic scheduling means that Celtic are playing an SPL fixture on Sunday (was there really no other date available?), but thanks to their loss against Rangers last week, they will not win the title for another week at least. Hopefully, this means the winner of the Cup should enjoy a moment in the spotlight, before being obscured by the Old Firm shadow again.
Least important of the big three domestic competitions it might be, but a League Cup trophy would mean a huge amount to either Hibernian or Kilmarnock. Hampden Park’s 50,000 seats were sold out as soon as they went on sale, a measure of the anticipation from both sets of fans. The Killie boss, Jim Jefferies, has said that winning this one would be even more important than the Scottish Cup he won as Hearts boss in 1998, while Hibs have waited 16 years since their last piece of silverware (Division One trophy excepted).
Finals are often disappointing games, as the tension of the occasion feeds into a cagey approach on the pitch, but this one could be a classic. Hibs and Killie are very evenly matched: they are currently locked together on 43 points in the league. Killie were arguably more impressive on route to the final, especially in the Semi Final where they dismantled Falkirk, but then Hibs overcame an impressively combative St Johnstone. The bookies agree – Hibs are marginal favourites, but there is very little in it.
Both are tidy footballing sides, too, who will want to exploit the wide open spaces of Hampden park. There's a little added spice, too, with Jefferies’ past as Hearts manager – he makes no secret of the joy he takes in getting one over the Jambo’s bitter rivals. As an ex-Hibs player, John Collins needs no lectures in his club’s trophy-starved past.
It would be unfair to characterise Kilmarnock as a one-man team, but their hopes for success probably do rest on the slender shoulders of Steven Naismith. Still young enough not to have worked out yet whether he is a winger or a striker, Naismith’s goals did for Falkirk, and Killie will be looking to get him on the ball at every opportunity. For Hibs, it’s a little more complex – they are a pretty but fragile footballing side, who score lots of goals but have regular defensive jitters. Scott Brown is a certain starter and will be his usual industrious self, but will need the rest of the midfield to click if he isn’t to be chasing down blind alleys all afternoon.
Whatever the result, season 2006/7 will see a club outside the usual hegemony win something worthwhile. And that has to be good for Scottish football as a whole.
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