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?