An exciting night in Scottish football, with the 2nd round of the CIS League Cup leading to plenty of goals. It seems that the players are still getting used to regular football, so mid-week fixtures are a treat rather than a chore. Well, a treat for most anyhow.
Most of the fixtures went according to the book, with the bigger club dominating - Dundee Utd beat Cowdenbeath 5-1, Falkirk beat Raith 3-1, and St Mirren put 7 (SEVEN) past Dumbarton. But Hibs hosted Morton and crashed out.
The home team was 2 nil down, pulled back to level terms, went ahead in extra time, and then conceded twice more. Not good, and you can't help but wonder if this might define Hibs' season.
The Edinburgh club had a terrible pre-season, but seemed to be knitting it together slowly this season. But they remain a fragile team, seemingly quick to lose confidence and with a shaky defence. They were missing captain Rob Jones at the back tonight, but it they really should have closed out this match in normal time, let alone concede the tie in extra time.
Motherwell await on Saturday, and it should be a fascinating game. It's still August, but both Hibs and Motherwell could do with a result.
As for the League Cup, let's hope there's as many goals in the second half of the draw on Wednesday night.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Murray comes out fighting
We all know Rangers have been in the spotlight once again this week, as their humiliating exit from Europe was followed by the sale of Carlos Cuellar to Aston Villa. Both events have caused enormous anger amongst "the people", but yesterday chairman David Murray came out fighting.
Blaming the internet for causing a culture of unfounded gossip which created "mayhem" around the club, Murray took time to remind everyone how much cash he has pumped into the club, much of which he has no hope of recouping.
This is at best disingenuous. The "unfounded gossip" held that, having failed to qualify for the Champions League, Cuellar would go before the end of August. And oh look what's happened. The allegations of asset-stripping are much less easy to justify, but Murray himself must take some responsibility for the disappointment being felt by fans now following the hyperbole that he himself created about the club in happier times. Never shy to boast when things are going well, he must now own up when things are not.
You would have thought he'd have learnt his lesson by now about making promises that he can't keep, but David Murray has now promised that Rangers will win the league this season. Ouch.
Still, the Cuellar money gives a handy boost to Walter Smith's transfer kitty, and if Celtic have beaten them to Glenn Loovens, the signing of Pedro Mendes would be a good one. Without any distractions, Rangers can concentrate on one goal alone this season, rather than stretching their resources across many different competitions.
Any early slip ups, though, and it will be meltdown at Ibrox
Blaming the internet for causing a culture of unfounded gossip which created "mayhem" around the club, Murray took time to remind everyone how much cash he has pumped into the club, much of which he has no hope of recouping.
This is at best disingenuous. The "unfounded gossip" held that, having failed to qualify for the Champions League, Cuellar would go before the end of August. And oh look what's happened. The allegations of asset-stripping are much less easy to justify, but Murray himself must take some responsibility for the disappointment being felt by fans now following the hyperbole that he himself created about the club in happier times. Never shy to boast when things are going well, he must now own up when things are not.
You would have thought he'd have learnt his lesson by now about making promises that he can't keep, but David Murray has now promised that Rangers will win the league this season. Ouch.
Still, the Cuellar money gives a handy boost to Walter Smith's transfer kitty, and if Celtic have beaten them to Glenn Loovens, the signing of Pedro Mendes would be a good one. Without any distractions, Rangers can concentrate on one goal alone this season, rather than stretching their resources across many different competitions.
Any early slip ups, though, and it will be meltdown at Ibrox
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Back to school craziness
1st week back for the SPL, and it's all a little crazy. New boys Hamilton, predicted by most (but not we love fitba) to be heading straight back down to Division 1 at the end of the season, are top of the league!
Alright, it won't last, but it's worth having a look anyhow. It's exactly the start they needed... nothing will ease those early nerves better than stringing a few results together.
Meanwhile, Walter Smith says he's "surprised and disappointed" after Carlos Cuellar transferred to Aston Villa.
Hmm, that statement is only half-true, isn't it Watty? No doubt you are disappointed to be losing your best player, but surprised? Speculation was rife that Cuellar would go after Rangers' humiliating exit from Europe in order to help balance the books. And that was before we found out about the release clause in his contract.
The "people" are not at all happy, with talk of demonstrations at the next home game. Possibly led by the you tube radge? (see previous post for link).
Finally, Celtic got another lucky win over St Mirren after JVH fouled his marker yet got awarded a penalty anyhow. The referees campaigned over the summer for better pay - fair enough, but do you think in return we might get them to do their jobs properly?
Alright, it won't last, but it's worth having a look anyhow. It's exactly the start they needed... nothing will ease those early nerves better than stringing a few results together.
Meanwhile, Walter Smith says he's "surprised and disappointed" after Carlos Cuellar transferred to Aston Villa.
Hmm, that statement is only half-true, isn't it Watty? No doubt you are disappointed to be losing your best player, but surprised? Speculation was rife that Cuellar would go after Rangers' humiliating exit from Europe in order to help balance the books. And that was before we found out about the release clause in his contract.
The "people" are not at all happy, with talk of demonstrations at the next home game. Possibly led by the you tube radge? (see previous post for link).
Finally, Celtic got another lucky win over St Mirren after JVH fouled his marker yet got awarded a penalty anyhow. The referees campaigned over the summer for better pay - fair enough, but do you think in return we might get them to do their jobs properly?
Friday, August 08, 2008
SPL predictions 08/09
The 08/09 SPL season starts tomorrow, so it's time for we love fitba to stick it's neck out again. No comprehensive preview here - just opinion - but if it's facts you're after, the Beeb have come up with a pretty comprehensive preview this time around
Alternatively, Inside Left have previewed all the weekend's games, and have got more predictions on their site too.
So here's how its' gonna pan out:
1. Celtic, obviously. 3 in a row, and although they were very, very lucky last time, they should have enough in the tank to make it 4. Strachan has won over more of the doubters with that last-gasp title clincher, by proving that even if some of the fans don't believe in him, his players surely do. Holding onto McGeady and Boruc will help, as will the form of Hartley and Robson at the end of last season. Surely Celtic will have a more coherent midfield this season?
The only doubts might arise if Celtic get into a European final, and become as distracted as Rangers did. But it's looking good for the team in green.
2. Rangers. What is Watty Smith up to? He had lots of strikers, so he's gone and bought 3 more, yet forgotten about his midfield entirely. Madjid Bougherra is presumably a replacement for Cuellar. It may all make sense come the end of August (will Real Madrid panic buy Lee McCulloch for £30m to get over being jilted by Ronaldo) but it doesn't right now.
3. Dundee Utd. Craig Levein is not just the manager at Tannadice, but he sits on the board too. The trust he enjoys there seems to be transmitted to his players, and he's done well in the transfer market, getting Willo Flood to return for another season's loan and strengthening upfront to make up for Noel Hunt's departure. Good work.
4. Hibs. Everyone's written off Hibs, who have had a shocking pre-season. Yet radgy manager Mixu Paatelainen has already shown he can mix it in the SPL, with decent results if not performances. Now he needs to step up, by proving he can beat the Old Firm occasionally as well, and get the team playing better football. He's not a great tactician, mind.
5. Motherwell. Did brilliantly by finishing 3rd last season, but the squad looks weaker without Ross McCormack, and manager Mark McGhee is not known for his consistency.
6. Falkirk. Slowly, slowly inching their way up the League, and play decent football too. This could be their season to break into the top 6. Their worry will be that another club finally realises what a fine job John Hughes is doing, and nicks the gaffer.
7. Aberdeen. Some characteristic wheeling and dealing from Jimmy Calderwood this season, but hard to say if the squad is any better. And the fans really don't like him at all, despite the UEFA Cup heroics last season. The wheels might be about to come off.
8. Hearts. They might have a manager at long last, but they've only made one signing so far, and that's just not enough. All the talk of unity and togetherness just rings a little hollow, too... this is Hearts we're talking about, after all. Expect the next crisis sometime before November, as Vlad re-asserts his authority and starts faxing through the team sheets again. Jambos believing that they are going to finish 3rd are living in dreamland.
9. Kilmarnock. Shocking last season, but the shock should jolt them into a (slight) improvement this time around.
10. St Mirren. Steady as she goes at Love St. Wait, not Love St, that'll be a building site come the end of the season.
11. Hamilton. They're young, untested at this level, and should go straight back down again. But that's no fun! Let's go crazy and predict a stirring start for the new boys, until reality and injuries kick in and they sink to a still-respectable finish.
12. Inverness Caley Thistle. Really not great last season, and with Niculae gone, it can only get worse. Will be hoping that Hamilton get put in their place early on.
Alternatively, Inside Left have previewed all the weekend's games, and have got more predictions on their site too.
So here's how its' gonna pan out:
1. Celtic, obviously. 3 in a row, and although they were very, very lucky last time, they should have enough in the tank to make it 4. Strachan has won over more of the doubters with that last-gasp title clincher, by proving that even if some of the fans don't believe in him, his players surely do. Holding onto McGeady and Boruc will help, as will the form of Hartley and Robson at the end of last season. Surely Celtic will have a more coherent midfield this season?
The only doubts might arise if Celtic get into a European final, and become as distracted as Rangers did. But it's looking good for the team in green.
2. Rangers. What is Watty Smith up to? He had lots of strikers, so he's gone and bought 3 more, yet forgotten about his midfield entirely. Madjid Bougherra is presumably a replacement for Cuellar. It may all make sense come the end of August (will Real Madrid panic buy Lee McCulloch for £30m to get over being jilted by Ronaldo) but it doesn't right now.
3. Dundee Utd. Craig Levein is not just the manager at Tannadice, but he sits on the board too. The trust he enjoys there seems to be transmitted to his players, and he's done well in the transfer market, getting Willo Flood to return for another season's loan and strengthening upfront to make up for Noel Hunt's departure. Good work.
4. Hibs. Everyone's written off Hibs, who have had a shocking pre-season. Yet radgy manager Mixu Paatelainen has already shown he can mix it in the SPL, with decent results if not performances. Now he needs to step up, by proving he can beat the Old Firm occasionally as well, and get the team playing better football. He's not a great tactician, mind.
5. Motherwell. Did brilliantly by finishing 3rd last season, but the squad looks weaker without Ross McCormack, and manager Mark McGhee is not known for his consistency.
6. Falkirk. Slowly, slowly inching their way up the League, and play decent football too. This could be their season to break into the top 6. Their worry will be that another club finally realises what a fine job John Hughes is doing, and nicks the gaffer.
7. Aberdeen. Some characteristic wheeling and dealing from Jimmy Calderwood this season, but hard to say if the squad is any better. And the fans really don't like him at all, despite the UEFA Cup heroics last season. The wheels might be about to come off.
8. Hearts. They might have a manager at long last, but they've only made one signing so far, and that's just not enough. All the talk of unity and togetherness just rings a little hollow, too... this is Hearts we're talking about, after all. Expect the next crisis sometime before November, as Vlad re-asserts his authority and starts faxing through the team sheets again. Jambos believing that they are going to finish 3rd are living in dreamland.
9. Kilmarnock. Shocking last season, but the shock should jolt them into a (slight) improvement this time around.
10. St Mirren. Steady as she goes at Love St. Wait, not Love St, that'll be a building site come the end of the season.
11. Hamilton. They're young, untested at this level, and should go straight back down again. But that's no fun! Let's go crazy and predict a stirring start for the new boys, until reality and injuries kick in and they sink to a still-respectable finish.
12. Inverness Caley Thistle. Really not great last season, and with Niculae gone, it can only get worse. Will be hoping that Hamilton get put in their place early on.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Here we go again!
Euro 2008 was entertaining, the summer holidays are fun... but what we've really been waiting for is back. Yup, Scottish football is back!
The SFL are already up and running, the SPL's new season starts on Saturday. Both will no doubt provide plenty of fun over the next 9 months, but we haven't had to wait long for the first big story of the season:
Rangers have embarassed themselves in Europe yet again!
This time, it was nothing to do with the behaviour of their fans, but a terrible performance against a frankly mediocre Kaunas team. You could spend a while analysing the reasons for the defeat - overly cautious tactics, strikers that can finish the job as well as the contractors who built the Scottish parliament, or a complacent attitude amongst the squad, but why bother when this loyal fan has already summed up the problem so eloquently
The cute twist to the story, of course, is that Kaunus are owned by Vladimir Romanov, and the Hearts owner gave a wide-ranging interview to the BBC after the game. Dear old Vlad is looking tanned and relaxed these days, and - apart from other things - now seems to have decided that Hearts will never win the SPL, apparently because Scottish football is run by the mafia. All the old promises about becoming champions have now been binned?
What does this mean for the SPL? Well, Rangers could justifiably argue that the UEFA Cup run derailed their title challenge last season, and so without the distraction this time around they should be better placed to win the championship.
On the other hand, Celtic could spend a bit more money between now and the end of the month to further strengthen their squad. Rangers have no more money to spend.
Expect to see some wheeler-dealing from Smith over the next few weeks, as he needs to sell before he can buy. Somehow, he needs to get Rangers' season back on track.
The SFL are already up and running, the SPL's new season starts on Saturday. Both will no doubt provide plenty of fun over the next 9 months, but we haven't had to wait long for the first big story of the season:
Rangers have embarassed themselves in Europe yet again!
This time, it was nothing to do with the behaviour of their fans, but a terrible performance against a frankly mediocre Kaunas team. You could spend a while analysing the reasons for the defeat - overly cautious tactics, strikers that can finish the job as well as the contractors who built the Scottish parliament, or a complacent attitude amongst the squad, but why bother when this loyal fan has already summed up the problem so eloquently
The cute twist to the story, of course, is that Kaunus are owned by Vladimir Romanov, and the Hearts owner gave a wide-ranging interview to the BBC after the game. Dear old Vlad is looking tanned and relaxed these days, and - apart from other things - now seems to have decided that Hearts will never win the SPL, apparently because Scottish football is run by the mafia. All the old promises about becoming champions have now been binned?
What does this mean for the SPL? Well, Rangers could justifiably argue that the UEFA Cup run derailed their title challenge last season, and so without the distraction this time around they should be better placed to win the championship.
On the other hand, Celtic could spend a bit more money between now and the end of the month to further strengthen their squad. Rangers have no more money to spend.
Expect to see some wheeler-dealing from Smith over the next few weeks, as he needs to sell before he can buy. Somehow, he needs to get Rangers' season back on track.
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