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.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
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?
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