Jim Gannon's only been in Scottish football since June, but he's managed to generate more than his fair share of headlines in that time. And now here's the latest - a genuine festive shocker.
According to the BBC, he's been sacked because he refused to sign a contract, suggesting that he has been working without a proper agreement in place since joining Motherwell. The club have explained their decision by saying that Gannon "lacked commitment to the club".
Certainly, Gannon has proved himself a spiky and devisive character, having dropped captain Stephen Craigan (having publicly criticised him), boycotted the media for a brief time, and got involved in a number of other arguments. Rumours circulated that he was unpopular with some of the players and hierachy at Motherwell.
Yet his team played some nice stuff (not easy, given the budget he had) and were on course for a top six finish - the target given by the chairman.
No doubt the truth about what happened behind closed doors will emerge in time.
Derek McInnes has been mentioned in connection with the vacancy at Dundee Uts and must be a candidate here too, but will Motherwell turn to Craigan himself? The skipper was put in temporary charge of the team before Gannon's appointment, and is supposedly keen on a coaching career.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Pretenders to the crown
Just as soon as people started talking up a serious challenge to the Old Firm in the SPL this season, events conspired to put a stop to such rash chat.
Firstly, Dundee Utd lost their manager, with Craig Levein deciding that he rather fancied a tilt at the Scotland job after all. It's hard to see how this won't derail the Arabs' strong start to the season - Levein was not just first team coach, but influential at all levels of the club.
And now Hibs have been thoroughly beaten by Rangers, to put a little perspective on the Edinburgh club's true quality. Too open and too mistake-prone, they were undone by a team who - European failings apart - know how to get a result in Scotland.
What does all this tell us? Well, Rangers still have their problems, but these will be lessened if Celtic can't keep them from top spot this season, and they get back into the Champions League group stages next autumn. Both outcomes would bring much-needed additional money into the club, helping to appease the bank, and lessen the pressure to spend money they don't have on new players.
Hibs still look to be the strongest of the chasing pack, despite ending their unbeaten run. What they need is consistency - a third place finish this term, with positive signs of development, would give the club a better platform to try and push on again next season.
Firstly, Dundee Utd lost their manager, with Craig Levein deciding that he rather fancied a tilt at the Scotland job after all. It's hard to see how this won't derail the Arabs' strong start to the season - Levein was not just first team coach, but influential at all levels of the club.
And now Hibs have been thoroughly beaten by Rangers, to put a little perspective on the Edinburgh club's true quality. Too open and too mistake-prone, they were undone by a team who - European failings apart - know how to get a result in Scotland.
What does all this tell us? Well, Rangers still have their problems, but these will be lessened if Celtic can't keep them from top spot this season, and they get back into the Champions League group stages next autumn. Both outcomes would bring much-needed additional money into the club, helping to appease the bank, and lessen the pressure to spend money they don't have on new players.
Hibs still look to be the strongest of the chasing pack, despite ending their unbeaten run. What they need is consistency - a third place finish this term, with positive signs of development, would give the club a better platform to try and push on again next season.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Will the Jambos stand up and be counted this weekend?
Apparently, Hearts' Supreme Leader is in town this weekend for their match against Dundee Utd (a match, remember, that Csaba Laszlo has described as a "must win" fixture).
Given how irregularly Vladimir Romanov bothers to turn up in Edinburgh these days, his appearance offers a rare opportunity to the supporters to vent their frustrations. There are more questions than answers at Hearts, with millions having disappeared into dubious player acquisitions, the stadium rebuilding project now derailed, and the club being buffeted by rumours of financial problems.
Will the supporters take this chance to protest? It could be a very interesting afternoon.
EDIT (Saturday): Ouch, did we scare him off?
Mister Romanov didn't show up at Hearts v Arabs (decent point for the Jambos, by the way). Apparently, he was never going to. Instead, he was taking an "opportunity to find out how the "stukachi" on me in Scotland operate"... "stukachi" meaning secret informer.
The man is mental.
Given how irregularly Vladimir Romanov bothers to turn up in Edinburgh these days, his appearance offers a rare opportunity to the supporters to vent their frustrations. There are more questions than answers at Hearts, with millions having disappeared into dubious player acquisitions, the stadium rebuilding project now derailed, and the club being buffeted by rumours of financial problems.
Will the supporters take this chance to protest? It could be a very interesting afternoon.
EDIT (Saturday): Ouch, did we scare him off?
Mister Romanov didn't show up at Hearts v Arabs (decent point for the Jambos, by the way). Apparently, he was never going to. Instead, he was taking an "opportunity to find out how the "stukachi" on me in Scotland operate"... "stukachi" meaning secret informer.
The man is mental.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Hearts hog the headlines, but Hibs might be the season's real story
After last week's (lucky) win over Kilmarnock, Hearts had a chance to get their season up and running away at Hamilton on Sunday. It didn't go well.
Highlights of the match show that, even though Hearts should have been awarded a late penalty, they did not deserve anything from the game. Silly Mikey Stewart lost the plot again, and a post-match fracas in the tunnel led to two more red cards for Ian Black and Suso Santana.
It's all symptomatic of a club lacking direction and leadership, with rumours swirling about financial problems for months (bright spark Gary Mackay has only just found out, however). Vladimir Romanov's regime has been an unmitigated disaster, but as long as the fans continue to be so apathetic in response, nothing will change. (Here's a neat summary of the myriad broken promises so far).
Manager Csaba Laszlo is now banking on six points in their next two games against Dundee Utd and Celtic... we'll let you know when we stop laughing. The truth is, Hearts are now condemned to a season bumping around in the bottom six, with a possible relegation battle ahead if they don't fix things pronto. And they won't... there's no money for new players in January, and - not for the first time - Laszlo is being found out. In truth, he's a fairly limited coach, with a very high opinion of himself.
Meanwhile...
As Hearts hogged the headlines from the weekend, Hibs recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Motherwell that extends their unbeaten run to 10 matches. At the moment, they and Dundee Utd look favourites for the "best of the rest" title, which is all anyone could reasonably ask of them.
This is not an unusual situation. Hibs have finished third twice in the past decade, while two years ago they had a great start to the season under John Collins before falling away badly. Yet, there is a feeling this time that Hibs could be able to build a more sustained challenge.
Hibs are no longer the debt-laden club they once were. While players seem to move around a lot more these days, Hibs can now be much more selective about which offers they accept. The days of having to sell a player for the first decent offer that comes in are long gone. (Dundee Utd, on the other hand, have already admitted to some financial difficulties.)
John Hughes has made an impressive start as manager, made some eye-catching signings, and his face just seems to fit. He says that he is in his dream job and plans to stay around for several years, and there are few reasons to doubt him. Along with the club's sound finances, this brings stability, and the chance to build a squad over several seasons.
And, of course, the Old Firm just aren't the powerhouses they once were in the Scottish game. Hibs are currently just two points behind Celtic, with a third of the season gone. Celtic and Rangers just can't bank on an easy three points most weekends, as they used to - they have both dropped a fair few points already this season, with both Tony Mowbray and Walter Smith having their fair share of problems to deal with.
There is a long, long way to go still, and realistically even finishing in second place this season would be a huge achievement, never mind first. But there is the feeling of something special starting to happen down at Easter Road.
Highlights of the match show that, even though Hearts should have been awarded a late penalty, they did not deserve anything from the game. Silly Mikey Stewart lost the plot again, and a post-match fracas in the tunnel led to two more red cards for Ian Black and Suso Santana.
It's all symptomatic of a club lacking direction and leadership, with rumours swirling about financial problems for months (bright spark Gary Mackay has only just found out, however). Vladimir Romanov's regime has been an unmitigated disaster, but as long as the fans continue to be so apathetic in response, nothing will change. (Here's a neat summary of the myriad broken promises so far).
Manager Csaba Laszlo is now banking on six points in their next two games against Dundee Utd and Celtic... we'll let you know when we stop laughing. The truth is, Hearts are now condemned to a season bumping around in the bottom six, with a possible relegation battle ahead if they don't fix things pronto. And they won't... there's no money for new players in January, and - not for the first time - Laszlo is being found out. In truth, he's a fairly limited coach, with a very high opinion of himself.
Meanwhile...
As Hearts hogged the headlines from the weekend, Hibs recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Motherwell that extends their unbeaten run to 10 matches. At the moment, they and Dundee Utd look favourites for the "best of the rest" title, which is all anyone could reasonably ask of them.
This is not an unusual situation. Hibs have finished third twice in the past decade, while two years ago they had a great start to the season under John Collins before falling away badly. Yet, there is a feeling this time that Hibs could be able to build a more sustained challenge.
Hibs are no longer the debt-laden club they once were. While players seem to move around a lot more these days, Hibs can now be much more selective about which offers they accept. The days of having to sell a player for the first decent offer that comes in are long gone. (Dundee Utd, on the other hand, have already admitted to some financial difficulties.)
John Hughes has made an impressive start as manager, made some eye-catching signings, and his face just seems to fit. He says that he is in his dream job and plans to stay around for several years, and there are few reasons to doubt him. Along with the club's sound finances, this brings stability, and the chance to build a squad over several seasons.
And, of course, the Old Firm just aren't the powerhouses they once were in the Scottish game. Hibs are currently just two points behind Celtic, with a third of the season gone. Celtic and Rangers just can't bank on an easy three points most weekends, as they used to - they have both dropped a fair few points already this season, with both Tony Mowbray and Walter Smith having their fair share of problems to deal with.
There is a long, long way to go still, and realistically even finishing in second place this season would be a huge achievement, never mind first. But there is the feeling of something special starting to happen down at Easter Road.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Rangers are the runts of the "easy" group
When the draw for this season's Champions League group stages were announced, the Daily Record pronounced Group G - which Rangers were in - as the "Group of Dull".
Yep, Sevilla, Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni were all boring, you see, so Rangers would qualify from the group. New chairman Alistair Johnston said as much:
"We go into this campaign feeling, quite rightly, as if we have a realistic chance of making the last 16."
Rangers have fallen so far short that it's barely worth asking where it went wrong. Conceding 10 goals at home - while only scoring 2 - is not down to poor tactics or choosing the wrong personnel, but rather a team hopelessly ill-equipped for the competition.
Having missed out on the Europa League, too, Rangers can now stop heaping further embarassment on Scottish football in Europe and "concentrate on domestic duties", as the old saying goes.
Good. This has been a miserable adventure. The sooner it is forgotten by everyone, the better.
Yep, Sevilla, Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni were all boring, you see, so Rangers would qualify from the group. New chairman Alistair Johnston said as much:
"We go into this campaign feeling, quite rightly, as if we have a realistic chance of making the last 16."
Rangers have fallen so far short that it's barely worth asking where it went wrong. Conceding 10 goals at home - while only scoring 2 - is not down to poor tactics or choosing the wrong personnel, but rather a team hopelessly ill-equipped for the competition.
Having missed out on the Europa League, too, Rangers can now stop heaping further embarassment on Scottish football in Europe and "concentrate on domestic duties", as the old saying goes.
Good. This has been a miserable adventure. The sooner it is forgotten by everyone, the better.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Laszlo and Mowbray move closer to the exit
Another thrilling weekend in the SPL, with much to discuss.
Let's start in Edinburgh, where a seismic event - a goal from Christian Nade (a belter it was too) - couldn't prevent Hearts slumping to defeat against St Johnstone.
After the match, Csaba Laszlo once again seemed to be asking for the sack, although his long-winded manner can disguise criticism under a barrage of chatter. But he wants to "talk to the board", and is clearly complaining about the lack of quality in the squad. Will he walk if he doesn't get support in January?
Hibs were away in Paisley at the weekend, and came back with a point they probably didn't deserve. Is this a team capable of getting results even when playing poorly, or a team that just isn't anywhere near consistent enough to make either of the Old Firm look over their shoulders? Holding onto third is probably the extent of Hibs' league ambition this season.
Motherwell and Aberdeen played out an entertaining, admirably footballing draw, the match given added spice by McGhee's public courting of Jim O'Brien.
Rangers dismissed Kilmarnock and Falkirk got their first win of the season against Hamilton, compressing the bottom of the table even further. With Hearts and Killie both right in it, things could get very tasty indeed down there.
And finally to Tannadice, where Tony Mowbray's grip on the Celtic job seems to be getting more and more tenuous by the week. He's tried criticising his defence, he's dropped different centre-backs to the bench, and nothing's worked. Now, he has tried to defend his team by claiming that, despite losing to the Arabs, there was a "gulf in quality".
Fine, but defending like that will not win the title. Celtic handed Utd the equaliser on a plate, by failing to mark Jon Daly, and the marking was poor for the winner, too.
Unless Mowbray understands that he has to address basics like this, the supporters will become ever more restless over the coming months.
Highlights, as always, on the BBC.
Let's start in Edinburgh, where a seismic event - a goal from Christian Nade (a belter it was too) - couldn't prevent Hearts slumping to defeat against St Johnstone.
After the match, Csaba Laszlo once again seemed to be asking for the sack, although his long-winded manner can disguise criticism under a barrage of chatter. But he wants to "talk to the board", and is clearly complaining about the lack of quality in the squad. Will he walk if he doesn't get support in January?
Hibs were away in Paisley at the weekend, and came back with a point they probably didn't deserve. Is this a team capable of getting results even when playing poorly, or a team that just isn't anywhere near consistent enough to make either of the Old Firm look over their shoulders? Holding onto third is probably the extent of Hibs' league ambition this season.
Motherwell and Aberdeen played out an entertaining, admirably footballing draw, the match given added spice by McGhee's public courting of Jim O'Brien.
Rangers dismissed Kilmarnock and Falkirk got their first win of the season against Hamilton, compressing the bottom of the table even further. With Hearts and Killie both right in it, things could get very tasty indeed down there.
And finally to Tannadice, where Tony Mowbray's grip on the Celtic job seems to be getting more and more tenuous by the week. He's tried criticising his defence, he's dropped different centre-backs to the bench, and nothing's worked. Now, he has tried to defend his team by claiming that, despite losing to the Arabs, there was a "gulf in quality".
Fine, but defending like that will not win the title. Celtic handed Utd the equaliser on a plate, by failing to mark Jon Daly, and the marking was poor for the winner, too.
Unless Mowbray understands that he has to address basics like this, the supporters will become ever more restless over the coming months.
Highlights, as always, on the BBC.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Burley goes...
He's staying, then he's going, then he's... nah he's gone.
We're all now agreed that Burley was shite as Scotland gaffer. He may have been unlucky, but his plan to add more attacking flair to the rigid platform built by Smith and McLeish failed, and his man-management was as bad as his media performances. Good-bye.
Who's next? The BBC has dutifully covered the early candidates (watch this spectacularly amateurish video, where poor Craig Brown tries to finish his latte while assessing the options, and then offers himself for any work going).
Fuck Walter Smith.
Jimmy Calderwood would be "honoured" to get the job, and we like Jimmy. But his cup record with Aberdeen was woeful, so that rules him out.
Craig Levein looks too embedded with Dundee Utd to move, and anyway he's too spiky for the SFA.
Jim Jefferies is "flattered" by the link, and he's a viable candidate. A grumpy candidate, but viable.
John Collins would be a good choice, if his media savvy was as sharp as his tactical brain, and he would commit Scotland to at least trying to pass the ball. But mud still sticks from his fall-outs with players and directors at Hibs.
Billy Stark from the u21s? Low media profile, knows the set-up, it's a promotion that's worked in the past.
Gary McAllister? Poor coaching record so far, but surely he's going to prove himself as a manager somewhere?
There's no obvious choice, because it's not a hugely inspiring list so far. At least Graeme Souness has ruled himself out.
We're all now agreed that Burley was shite as Scotland gaffer. He may have been unlucky, but his plan to add more attacking flair to the rigid platform built by Smith and McLeish failed, and his man-management was as bad as his media performances. Good-bye.
Who's next? The BBC has dutifully covered the early candidates (watch this spectacularly amateurish video, where poor Craig Brown tries to finish his latte while assessing the options, and then offers himself for any work going).
Fuck Walter Smith.
Jimmy Calderwood would be "honoured" to get the job, and we like Jimmy. But his cup record with Aberdeen was woeful, so that rules him out.
Craig Levein looks too embedded with Dundee Utd to move, and anyway he's too spiky for the SFA.
Jim Jefferies is "flattered" by the link, and he's a viable candidate. A grumpy candidate, but viable.
John Collins would be a good choice, if his media savvy was as sharp as his tactical brain, and he would commit Scotland to at least trying to pass the ball. But mud still sticks from his fall-outs with players and directors at Hibs.
Billy Stark from the u21s? Low media profile, knows the set-up, it's a promotion that's worked in the past.
Gary McAllister? Poor coaching record so far, but surely he's going to prove himself as a manager somewhere?
There's no obvious choice, because it's not a hugely inspiring list so far. At least Graeme Souness has ruled himself out.
Monday, November 09, 2009
SPL proves a draw
Six games over the weekend, and three of them finished all square.
The most anticipated, but ultimately most disappointing, was the Edinburgh derby on Saturday lunchtime. Both clubs will be reasonably happy with the 0-0 draw though - Hearts because they didn't get beat, and Hibs because they were missing a few players and clearly went to Tynecastle with containment in mind.
A disappointingly low crowd at the Lanarkshire derby, but a much more interesting match. Again, both sides should be happy - Hamilton because after going down to 10 men and conceding a penalty in the first half, a point has to be a decent result, and Motherwell because they fought back to draw the game late on.
Watch out for Billy Reid attacking his own dug out after their second goal as well - hilarious stuff.
Finally to Falkirk, where after a little Remembrance Day controversy involving some Celtic fans (what a shock eh?), an amazing 3-3 draw took place, with all the goals coming in the second half. All credit to the Bairns - down in last place in the table, they took the game to the leaders with some exciting attacking football.
Tony Mowbray can't be sleeping well at the moment, though.
All highlights on the BBC website, as always.
The most anticipated, but ultimately most disappointing, was the Edinburgh derby on Saturday lunchtime. Both clubs will be reasonably happy with the 0-0 draw though - Hearts because they didn't get beat, and Hibs because they were missing a few players and clearly went to Tynecastle with containment in mind.
A disappointingly low crowd at the Lanarkshire derby, but a much more interesting match. Again, both sides should be happy - Hamilton because after going down to 10 men and conceding a penalty in the first half, a point has to be a decent result, and Motherwell because they fought back to draw the game late on.
Watch out for Billy Reid attacking his own dug out after their second goal as well - hilarious stuff.
Finally to Falkirk, where after a little Remembrance Day controversy involving some Celtic fans (what a shock eh?), an amazing 3-3 draw took place, with all the goals coming in the second half. All credit to the Bairns - down in last place in the table, they took the game to the leaders with some exciting attacking football.
Tony Mowbray can't be sleeping well at the moment, though.
All highlights on the BBC website, as always.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Mark McGhee "clarifies" his stance
Previewing this weekend's tie against St Johnstone, Mark McGhee has had a go at explaining his complaints about the refereeing of the Hibs game.
No, he hasn't read the now infamous article on the Dons' website, accusing the ref of being the "12th" man.
No, he didn't think either sending off was wrong... just maybe a little harsh.
No, he didn't think Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie was illegal... just "over-robust".
Hmm. So the refereee got nothing wrong and McGhee had nothing to do with the offending article. Sounds like a man who realises he's been a bit foolish and is trying to talk his way out of trouble...
No, he hasn't read the now infamous article on the Dons' website, accusing the ref of being the "12th" man.
No, he didn't think either sending off was wrong... just maybe a little harsh.
No, he didn't think Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie was illegal... just "over-robust".
Hmm. So the refereee got nothing wrong and McGhee had nothing to do with the offending article. Sounds like a man who realises he's been a bit foolish and is trying to talk his way out of trouble...
Dundee - a tale of two halves
While one Dundee club are feeling the pinch, the other is spending money.
Craig Levein hinted last week that the Arabs are experiencing financial difficulties due to the collapse of Setanta, though the chairman Steven Thompson moved quickly to alleviate concerns. "We are not going into administration", he says, although it's safe to assume that belts are being tightened all around Tannadice.
One potential way to replace that lost TV funding could come from an unlikely source - near-neighbours Dundee FC. They have proposed offering £500,000 for Scott Robertson (who crossed the road to the Arabs under freedom of contract), although Levein is not happy about that idea.
Dundee, who spent spectacularly a few years ago before going into administration and getting relegated to Division 1, and who were supposedly in sever financial difficulties just a few months ago, are now talking themselves up again.
Director Calum Melville has bankrolled fresh investment in the squad and reckons that Dundee will be the 6th biggest club in Scotland once they re-establish themselves in the SPL.
Is this realistic? Fans still remember the crazy days of Claudio Caniggia and the White Feather, elite players tempted to Scotland's East Coast by wages that looked obscene at the time and proved to be the club's undoing. This time, the spending is more constrained, but six figure transfer fees are still way beyond a Division 1 club's earnings (they've already bought Leigh Griffiths for £125,000).
Melville, though, swears that the plan is for Dundee to become debt-free and self-financing, and reckons on a five year plan to get the club back to where it belongs.
What is he up to? Is the groundshare option going to be mentioned again? Either he has a rabbit up his sleeve, or is content to fritter away some of his fortune for fun.
Craig Levein hinted last week that the Arabs are experiencing financial difficulties due to the collapse of Setanta, though the chairman Steven Thompson moved quickly to alleviate concerns. "We are not going into administration", he says, although it's safe to assume that belts are being tightened all around Tannadice.
One potential way to replace that lost TV funding could come from an unlikely source - near-neighbours Dundee FC. They have proposed offering £500,000 for Scott Robertson (who crossed the road to the Arabs under freedom of contract), although Levein is not happy about that idea.
Dundee, who spent spectacularly a few years ago before going into administration and getting relegated to Division 1, and who were supposedly in sever financial difficulties just a few months ago, are now talking themselves up again.
Director Calum Melville has bankrolled fresh investment in the squad and reckons that Dundee will be the 6th biggest club in Scotland once they re-establish themselves in the SPL.
Is this realistic? Fans still remember the crazy days of Claudio Caniggia and the White Feather, elite players tempted to Scotland's East Coast by wages that looked obscene at the time and proved to be the club's undoing. This time, the spending is more constrained, but six figure transfer fees are still way beyond a Division 1 club's earnings (they've already bought Leigh Griffiths for £125,000).
Melville, though, swears that the plan is for Dundee to become debt-free and self-financing, and reckons on a five year plan to get the club back to where it belongs.
What is he up to? Is the groundshare option going to be mentioned again? Either he has a rabbit up his sleeve, or is content to fritter away some of his fortune for fun.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Rangers fans in trouble again
Don't worry though, it's all UEFA's fault, according to Martin Bain. Apparently, there weren't enough turnstiles open, so inevitably the supporters were compelled to rip out some seats and confront the stewards.
Is any club as unlucky as the lovable blue noses? Whenever they play a fixture away from Scotland, there seems to be some kind of controversy or other, and it's never, ever their fault. Trouble does seem to follow them round, and some might wonder if it's the Rangers fans themselves who are to blame... but, of course, that can't be right.
Oh, they drew 1-1 with Unirea Urziceni last night, so still have a slim chance of making the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
That's lucky, eh?
Is any club as unlucky as the lovable blue noses? Whenever they play a fixture away from Scotland, there seems to be some kind of controversy or other, and it's never, ever their fault. Trouble does seem to follow them round, and some might wonder if it's the Rangers fans themselves who are to blame... but, of course, that can't be right.
Oh, they drew 1-1 with Unirea Urziceni last night, so still have a slim chance of making the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
That's lucky, eh?
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Aberdeen moaning - Part 2
No chance of Aberdeen coming to their senses, unfortunately.
According to this article in the Press & Journal, Mark McGhee is "seething" at Ian Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie that has left the teenager with ankle knack.
Again, the response is easy - watch the incident again. Was it illegal? No. Did Murray win the ball? Emphatically. Did he touch Fyvie? No. How did Fyvie injure himself? By landing heavily - unlucky, but these things happen.
Ian Murray has defended himself in the Evening News, and is entitled to be seething himself for being criticised by an opposition manager for a tough but fair challenge.
As the fall out from the match continues, there is a general feeling in Leith that McGhee set his team up for a physical confrontation, hoping to find Hibs a soft touch. As the plan backfired, he has tried to deflect any potential criticism from the defeat by criticising the referee and Hibs themselves.
Perhaps he should choose his battles more carefully?
According to this article in the Press & Journal, Mark McGhee is "seething" at Ian Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie that has left the teenager with ankle knack.
Again, the response is easy - watch the incident again. Was it illegal? No. Did Murray win the ball? Emphatically. Did he touch Fyvie? No. How did Fyvie injure himself? By landing heavily - unlucky, but these things happen.
Ian Murray has defended himself in the Evening News, and is entitled to be seething himself for being criticised by an opposition manager for a tough but fair challenge.
As the fall out from the match continues, there is a general feeling in Leith that McGhee set his team up for a physical confrontation, hoping to find Hibs a soft touch. As the plan backfired, he has tried to deflect any potential criticism from the defeat by criticising the referee and Hibs themselves.
Perhaps he should choose his battles more carefully?
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Aberdeen lose their heads
Mark McGhee does seem to like a moan. He was complaining about a lack of resources almost as soon as he was in the door at Aberdeen, and he was moaning again following his side's 2-0 defeat against Hibs at the weekend.
Well, ok. Managers of the losing team often sound off after the final whistle, caught up in the frustration and disappointment of a poor result. McGhee felt that his club had been unfairly treated by the referee, who sent off both Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire while the game was still scoreless, handing a huge advantage to Hibs. Perhaps, once he had seen the game again, he might realise that he had got it wrong?
Nope. Instead of spending the weekend reflecting on things, Aberdeen FC instead released an unattributed but utterly idiotic statement on Monday, berating the referee for being "hell-bent" on sending players off, and "cheating the fans who pay good money to watch a competitive and balanced encounter".
Interesting, then, that the statement refuses to mention any specific incident in the game that treated Aberdeen unfairly. Why? Because they are plain wrong.
Maurice Ross was sent off for collecting two yellow cards for fouls on Ian Murray and Derek Riordan. The second was perhaps a little soft, but he undeniably had a swipe at Riordan, not the ball, and cannot have any complaint.
Chris Maguire's stamp on Kevin McBride, on the other hand, deserved the straight red he received. If you have any doubts about it, watch the incident again. McBride was lucky not to break a metatarsal or two.
No such luck for Fraser Fyvie, who's out for six weeks with ankle trouble - ironically, caused by a clean but strong tackle by Ian Murray, who had an eventful game, all told.
Well, ok. Managers of the losing team often sound off after the final whistle, caught up in the frustration and disappointment of a poor result. McGhee felt that his club had been unfairly treated by the referee, who sent off both Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire while the game was still scoreless, handing a huge advantage to Hibs. Perhaps, once he had seen the game again, he might realise that he had got it wrong?
Nope. Instead of spending the weekend reflecting on things, Aberdeen FC instead released an unattributed but utterly idiotic statement on Monday, berating the referee for being "hell-bent" on sending players off, and "cheating the fans who pay good money to watch a competitive and balanced encounter".
Interesting, then, that the statement refuses to mention any specific incident in the game that treated Aberdeen unfairly. Why? Because they are plain wrong.
Maurice Ross was sent off for collecting two yellow cards for fouls on Ian Murray and Derek Riordan. The second was perhaps a little soft, but he undeniably had a swipe at Riordan, not the ball, and cannot have any complaint.
Chris Maguire's stamp on Kevin McBride, on the other hand, deserved the straight red he received. If you have any doubts about it, watch the incident again. McBride was lucky not to break a metatarsal or two.
No such luck for Fraser Fyvie, who's out for six weeks with ankle trouble - ironically, caused by a clean but strong tackle by Ian Murray, who had an eventful game, all told.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Now Rangers fans threaten the bank
In a scarcely believable twist to an already extraordinary plot line, a consortium of Rangers supporters organisations have decided to threaten Lloyds Banking Group with a boycott if the "club's current situation is worsened by their actions".
If any fans are stupid enough to believe that boycotting Rangers' bank is an appropriate response to the "current situation", then Lloyds will no doubt be delighted to get the sub-prime eejits off their books. They've got a credit rating to worry about, after all.
Hubris aside, it's quite breathtaking how a group of supporters can so spectacularly vent their spleen at the wrong target. Let's be clear - Rangers have got themselves into a pickle entirely of their own making, and the bank, owed £30m, is in no position to do them a favour.
But with David Murray in hiding, the new chairman operating from safe distance (about 4,000 miles away from Glasgow), and Walter Smith and Martin Bain seemingly untouchable, perhaps the bank is the only target left.
The statement goes on to call for a swift sale of the club - but to who? It's been for sale for years, with no takers, and as Murray's other businesses continue to tank, who would front up with cash now?
One of the groups behind the statement, the Rangers Supporters Trust, has a dream of owning the club one day. Has that day not arrived?
If any fans are stupid enough to believe that boycotting Rangers' bank is an appropriate response to the "current situation", then Lloyds will no doubt be delighted to get the sub-prime eejits off their books. They've got a credit rating to worry about, after all.
Hubris aside, it's quite breathtaking how a group of supporters can so spectacularly vent their spleen at the wrong target. Let's be clear - Rangers have got themselves into a pickle entirely of their own making, and the bank, owed £30m, is in no position to do them a favour.
But with David Murray in hiding, the new chairman operating from safe distance (about 4,000 miles away from Glasgow), and Walter Smith and Martin Bain seemingly untouchable, perhaps the bank is the only target left.
The statement goes on to call for a swift sale of the club - but to who? It's been for sale for years, with no takers, and as Murray's other businesses continue to tank, who would front up with cash now?
One of the groups behind the statement, the Rangers Supporters Trust, has a dream of owning the club one day. Has that day not arrived?
Celtic 0 - 1 Hearts
So much to talk about following Celtc's defeat to ha-ha-Hearts in the CIS League Cup last night, but let's ignore the Old Firm angle for a moment - they've had plenty coverage, no? - and think about Hearts for a moment.
In the build-up to the game, manager Csaba Laszlo gave a frankly hilarious press conference in which he expressed his anger at the current situation at the club, beset by problems and lacking a clear structure.
Hardly helping to bring clarity to the situation, owner Vladimir Romanov jetted into Edinburgh ahead of the match, and apparently introduced the club's new sporting director to the players, but not the manager. All nice and straightforward, then.
And so to the game, which Hearts won after Christian Nade - a player who admitted this week to personal problems affecting his game, but didn't elaborate on them - was brought down in the box, and Michael Stewart - who was booed by his own fans in Hearts' last game against Falkirk - converted the penalty. Unsurprisingly, he passed up the opportunity to celebrate with the Jambo support.
Celtic were unlucky last night, but that didn't prevent the 18,000 or so that turned up from venting their fury at Tony Mowbray at the final whistle. Georgie Samaras once again showed that he is far from a lethal finisher, while captain McManus committed probably the most cynical and reckless tackle you'll see all season. If you haven't already seen it, you really should - it's a shocker.
Is Mowbray's job on the line, just 3 months into the season? The board won't pull the trigger yet, but the faithful are getting madder and madder and things might come to a head if the results don't improve soon.
Scottish football's pretty exciting at the moment. Who'd want to leave it?
In the build-up to the game, manager Csaba Laszlo gave a frankly hilarious press conference in which he expressed his anger at the current situation at the club, beset by problems and lacking a clear structure.
Hardly helping to bring clarity to the situation, owner Vladimir Romanov jetted into Edinburgh ahead of the match, and apparently introduced the club's new sporting director to the players, but not the manager. All nice and straightforward, then.
And so to the game, which Hearts won after Christian Nade - a player who admitted this week to personal problems affecting his game, but didn't elaborate on them - was brought down in the box, and Michael Stewart - who was booed by his own fans in Hearts' last game against Falkirk - converted the penalty. Unsurprisingly, he passed up the opportunity to celebrate with the Jambo support.
Celtic were unlucky last night, but that didn't prevent the 18,000 or so that turned up from venting their fury at Tony Mowbray at the final whistle. Georgie Samaras once again showed that he is far from a lethal finisher, while captain McManus committed probably the most cynical and reckless tackle you'll see all season. If you haven't already seen it, you really should - it's a shocker.
Is Mowbray's job on the line, just 3 months into the season? The board won't pull the trigger yet, but the faithful are getting madder and madder and things might come to a head if the results don't improve soon.
Scottish football's pretty exciting at the moment. Who'd want to leave it?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rangers cut their own throat
Walter Smith says that Scottish football is "in danger of dying".
Well, we're certainly losing the will to live, Watty, if that's what you mean, with the incessant bleating coming from the Old Firm - as this rather fine article by Bob Brannan, Chairman of Dundee FC, makes clear.
Ronnie Esplin picks up the same theme in this piece for STV. No one is denying that Scottish football has problems (this isn't strictly true - we'll return to the head-in-the-sand merchants in a minute), but it's also clear that the stance of the ugly sisters is making things worse. By constantly moaning, they are attacking the morale of a league already suffering from the collapse of their media partner and a general drop in attendances.
Anyhow, judging by last night's performance, Rangers are not dying slowly, but are trying to kill themselves as quickly as possible. Unless they are allowed to join the Romanian League next season, of course. After all, it must be awash with money if their clubs can beat the mighty Gers so easily.
Well, we're certainly losing the will to live, Watty, if that's what you mean, with the incessant bleating coming from the Old Firm - as this rather fine article by Bob Brannan, Chairman of Dundee FC, makes clear.
Ronnie Esplin picks up the same theme in this piece for STV. No one is denying that Scottish football has problems (this isn't strictly true - we'll return to the head-in-the-sand merchants in a minute), but it's also clear that the stance of the ugly sisters is making things worse. By constantly moaning, they are attacking the morale of a league already suffering from the collapse of their media partner and a general drop in attendances.
Anyhow, judging by last night's performance, Rangers are not dying slowly, but are trying to kill themselves as quickly as possible. Unless they are allowed to join the Romanian League next season, of course. After all, it must be awash with money if their clubs can beat the mighty Gers so easily.
Monday, October 12, 2009
A fresh round of Old Firm bleating
Surprise, surprise. Rangers appoint a new chairman who's a director of IMG, the global marketing company that believes heritage and tradition are only useful if they can be exploited for their own profit, and the prospect of the Old Firm leaving the SPL is back in the media again.
We all know the routine by now. Rangers use what residual power they believe they have to make threatening noises about "needing to leave" Scottish domestic football, presumably in the hope that the authorities will bow to the pressure and cut them a deal.
Celtic, meanwhile, play the humble card, with Chief Exec Peter Lawwell this week saying that the club would only leave the SPL if they were invited to join somewhere else, and only in the interests of "telling the Celtic story". This being a euphemism, of course, for "hoping to make even more money".
Dutifully, though, the media have once again been sucked in, with even Jim Spence on the BBC (normally a journalist who speaks a lot of sense) blogging about the chances of the Old Firm leaving.
Others in the Weegie mafia, meanwhile, breathlessly reported the news that FIFA have said that a move is "possible", as if this has any real value. It's "possible" that George Foulkes could become Scotland's next First Minister, but that doesn't make it any more likely.
At least Rangers are being honest about their intentions, while Celtic are becoming increasingly devious. Lawwell's latest reasoning is that the English Premiership might invite the Old Firm in order to increase the competitiveness of the league, ignoring the fact that such a move would destroy the competitive integrity of the league system - namely, that any club can go up or down.
As Mark McGhee said, who shouldn't Aberdeen (incidentally, the last non-OF team to win the championship, not Dundee Utd, Mr Lawwell) apply to join the Premiership? Or what would happen if Celtic or Rangers, having joined the English top flight, got relegated? Could another Scottish team replace them?
So many questions, so few answers - but then, Celtic and Rangers have never been interested in anything other than themselves. Hence the creation of an SPL rigged to favour the top two teams, which they then point to and say - look at how uncompetitive this league is; we have to leave.
Who knows where this story will end. The only certainty is, we have a lot more of this bleating to come, unfortunately.
We all know the routine by now. Rangers use what residual power they believe they have to make threatening noises about "needing to leave" Scottish domestic football, presumably in the hope that the authorities will bow to the pressure and cut them a deal.
Celtic, meanwhile, play the humble card, with Chief Exec Peter Lawwell this week saying that the club would only leave the SPL if they were invited to join somewhere else, and only in the interests of "telling the Celtic story". This being a euphemism, of course, for "hoping to make even more money".
Dutifully, though, the media have once again been sucked in, with even Jim Spence on the BBC (normally a journalist who speaks a lot of sense) blogging about the chances of the Old Firm leaving.
Others in the Weegie mafia, meanwhile, breathlessly reported the news that FIFA have said that a move is "possible", as if this has any real value. It's "possible" that George Foulkes could become Scotland's next First Minister, but that doesn't make it any more likely.
At least Rangers are being honest about their intentions, while Celtic are becoming increasingly devious. Lawwell's latest reasoning is that the English Premiership might invite the Old Firm in order to increase the competitiveness of the league, ignoring the fact that such a move would destroy the competitive integrity of the league system - namely, that any club can go up or down.
As Mark McGhee said, who shouldn't Aberdeen (incidentally, the last non-OF team to win the championship, not Dundee Utd, Mr Lawwell) apply to join the Premiership? Or what would happen if Celtic or Rangers, having joined the English top flight, got relegated? Could another Scottish team replace them?
So many questions, so few answers - but then, Celtic and Rangers have never been interested in anything other than themselves. Hence the creation of an SPL rigged to favour the top two teams, which they then point to and say - look at how uncompetitive this league is; we have to leave.
Who knows where this story will end. The only certainty is, we have a lot more of this bleating to come, unfortunately.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Celtic rue defensive mistakes
You get the impression that Tony Mowbray is not enjoying life at Celtic as much as he hoped. Instead of a team gelling under fresh leadership, Celtic seem to get rattled more and more easily as the weeks go by. This has not been a dream start for the ex-West Brom and Hibs manager.
Of course, the aftermath of an Old Firm derby defeat is always depressing for the losing party, but Mowbray - who normally defends his players in public - was uncharacteristically scathing about them after the match. He didn't mention him by name, but he was clearly seething at Glenn Loovens' performance, especially for letting the ball bounce in the area for Kenny Miller's second goal.
Sunday's first Old Firm meeting of the season exposed Celtic's problems at both ends of the park. Defensively they were a shambles, while upfront they failed to make an impact, despite enjoying lots of possession and facing a patched-up Rangers back line.
With all due credit to Rangers (and Kenny Miller, who once again excelled in this fixture), Celtic really failed to put their stamp on this game. Yes, Shaun Maloney was denied at least one clear penalty, but that doesn't excuse their myriad failings.
Of course, Celtic are also experiencing difficulties in Europe. Getting into the Champions League would always have been a tall order, especially once Celtic were drawn against Arsenal in their second qualifying tie. But the Europa League should be a rather more comfortable environment - instead, Celtic are struggling with just a point from their first two games.
The Celtic board gave Mowbray £4m to sign Marc Fortune over the summer, and N'Guemo has been a fine addition in midfield (albeit on loan), but was that enough? He was willing to listen to offers for Stephen McManus, and probably wanted to reshape the squad more than he was able to.
With their rivals in such dissarray, now would seem an ideal time for Celtic to invest in building a team that could really achieve something under the new management team. Yet again, by not spending money, Celtic seem determined to let Rangers off the hook. They have only themselves to blame.
Of course, the aftermath of an Old Firm derby defeat is always depressing for the losing party, but Mowbray - who normally defends his players in public - was uncharacteristically scathing about them after the match. He didn't mention him by name, but he was clearly seething at Glenn Loovens' performance, especially for letting the ball bounce in the area for Kenny Miller's second goal.
Sunday's first Old Firm meeting of the season exposed Celtic's problems at both ends of the park. Defensively they were a shambles, while upfront they failed to make an impact, despite enjoying lots of possession and facing a patched-up Rangers back line.
With all due credit to Rangers (and Kenny Miller, who once again excelled in this fixture), Celtic really failed to put their stamp on this game. Yes, Shaun Maloney was denied at least one clear penalty, but that doesn't excuse their myriad failings.
Of course, Celtic are also experiencing difficulties in Europe. Getting into the Champions League would always have been a tall order, especially once Celtic were drawn against Arsenal in their second qualifying tie. But the Europa League should be a rather more comfortable environment - instead, Celtic are struggling with just a point from their first two games.
The Celtic board gave Mowbray £4m to sign Marc Fortune over the summer, and N'Guemo has been a fine addition in midfield (albeit on loan), but was that enough? He was willing to listen to offers for Stephen McManus, and probably wanted to reshape the squad more than he was able to.
With their rivals in such dissarray, now would seem an ideal time for Celtic to invest in building a team that could really achieve something under the new management team. Yet again, by not spending money, Celtic seem determined to let Rangers off the hook. They have only themselves to blame.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Won't somebody please buy Rangers?
"Before accepting the role of chairman, I wanted to speak to three constituencies - the board, the management team, and the bank."
So began Alastair Johnston, in his first press conference after succeeding David Murray as Chairman of Rangers Football Club. In case anyone missed the point, he then went on to mention Rangers' reliance on "external funding" several times, leaving no doubt as to the club's biggest problem - the debt owed to the bank, which is estimated at around £25-30m. RFC are skint.
Johnston's plan to alleviate this debt burden is to renergise attempts to find a buyer for the club. How does he plan to achieve this, given that the club has been for sale for years without any serious bidders becoming public? Well, he thinks that the football landscape is changing, and he intends for Rangers to be at the forefront of that change. Given his involvement with IMG, the global marketing company, you can bet that Johnston will be pushing hard for new media-driven opportunities that will somehow include Rangers at the top table.
The press conference is well worth a watch. Downbeat and matter-of-fact, Johnston only becomes passionate later on (around the 16 minute mark on the BBC clip) when discussing potential new opportunities from media companies - ie TV. Rangers seem to be betting that they can escape the "modest revenues" of the SPL and join some sort of pan-European elite. In Johnston's words, "money talks".
Last night's game against Sevilla showed how far the present team is away from the current top European teams, while in the SPL Rangers have just stopped scoring goals. Not only is the squad in poor shape, Johnston can't promise any reinforcements in January, and Walter Smith's contract (which is also up in the new year) is still unresolved.
So even if he is right about a new, TV-driven structure for football that will enable Rangers to achieve parity with the wealthiest clubs in Europe, Johnston has short term issues to address. Unless some generous benefactor appears out of nowhere soon, expect a lot more pain at Ibrox in the coming months.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Burley stays on
So, after leading us up the hill, Gordon Smith and George Peat take us back down again with the same man in charge, having assured us that the summit was very professional and all that.
It's hard to work out if the Scottish Football Association is naive, indecisive, or stupid - or a mixture of all three. By announcing a "review" of George Burley's position (despite the fact his contract still had two years to run) before the recent do-or-die qualifiers, the inference was clear - failure to reach the play-offs would result in his removal from the post.
Yet, apparently satisfied by the performances against Macedonia and the Netherlands, they've decided to leave George Burley in charge. He wants the job, which is at least something, and it appears that his recent comments about a lack of support from the SFA have been heeded - though whether they will result in any change for the better is a moot point.
At least the Rangers Rebels have not got their way... and Bazza, Boyd and the rest can reflect at their leisure on their inability to put the country ahead of their own egos.
Knowing Burley's luck, we'll get a terrifying qualifying group for the European Championships, and any faint glimmer of hope will be extinguished by more baffling team selections and subsitutions. We can't be going into the next campaign with a huge amount of hope.
Still, good luck Scotland. One of these days, we might actually qualify for a major tournament, despite ourselves. Even better, we might finally address the underlying problems in our game that seem to hold the Scotland team back.
It's hard to work out if the Scottish Football Association is naive, indecisive, or stupid - or a mixture of all three. By announcing a "review" of George Burley's position (despite the fact his contract still had two years to run) before the recent do-or-die qualifiers, the inference was clear - failure to reach the play-offs would result in his removal from the post.
Yet, apparently satisfied by the performances against Macedonia and the Netherlands, they've decided to leave George Burley in charge. He wants the job, which is at least something, and it appears that his recent comments about a lack of support from the SFA have been heeded - though whether they will result in any change for the better is a moot point.
At least the Rangers Rebels have not got their way... and Bazza, Boyd and the rest can reflect at their leisure on their inability to put the country ahead of their own egos.
Knowing Burley's luck, we'll get a terrifying qualifying group for the European Championships, and any faint glimmer of hope will be extinguished by more baffling team selections and subsitutions. We can't be going into the next campaign with a huge amount of hope.
Still, good luck Scotland. One of these days, we might actually qualify for a major tournament, despite ourselves. Even better, we might finally address the underlying problems in our game that seem to hold the Scotland team back.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Winners and losers so far in the SPL
So... the transfer window has shut, we're three games in... who's hot and who's not in the SPL this term?
Looking Good...
Neither wonderful nor woeful, St Mirren and Kilmarnock have both made respectable starts, and have legitimate reasons for optimism. As both clubs are vulnerable to being dragged into a relegation scrap, any early points are a bonus.
Early signs of shakiness...
After being dumped out of the Champions League, there were rumours that a few Celtic players might be on their way, but in the end they've all stayed. Things should be pretty peachy at Parkhead, yet somehow problems seem to be surfacing early in Tony Mowbray's tenure. The bad natured and narrow win at Hibs looked ugly, with Mowbray first orchestrating a "huddle" at the end of the game and then refusing to accept that McGeady dived (he did, and everyone knows it). A siege mentality at the end of August - is that really healthy?
Still, at least they are winning games, which is more than can be said for Hearts. Manager Csaba Laszlo has been spilling the beans about his difficult relationship with Vladimir, and we all know that Mr Romanov does not tolerate insubordination. Is his employee asking to get sacked? Hearts had a woeful summer, the new signings (much hyped by some supporters) have looked substandard so far, and Larry Kingston is stirring the pot, too. Oh dear.
Looking Good...
Rangers have avoided any more departures, and that's a good thing for them. The income from the Champions League (they don't have to share any of it with Celtic now) will help with the cash flow at least, and the arrival of Jerome Rothen on loan from PSG adds experience and guile for those ties too.
Given that they are not even offering new contracts to anyone currently on the payroll (Kris Boyd is now in his final year), don't expect much business in January either, unless they sell first. They remain dependent on a few key players staying fit - otherwise, that title looks very vulnerable. For now, though, the Champions have made an impressive start.
A year ago, Derek Riordan returned to Hibs from Celtic for a rumoured £400,000 (big money these days for a non-OF outfit), and the Edinburgh club's chief executive described the deal as a "statement of intent". This summer, they've invested a similar sum in Anthony Stokes. Hibs now have lots of options up front and John Hughes has done some fairly radical reshaping of the rest of the squad, with Liam Miller the latest to join. It might take time to gel, but Hibs are looking promising.
So are the Arabs, with Craig Levein again pulling a rabbit out of the hat with Danny Cadamateri. Who knows how, but the well-travelled and wayward striker has hit the ground running. Dundee Utd have started well and still have a number of injured players to come back into the team. These two clubs are surely favourites for third place.
Motherwell will be pretty happy with a top six finish, but that looks on the cards following a decent start. Jim Gannon is living up to his reputation, and he's been given some money to bring in much needed strength in depth.
St. Johnstone, meanwhile, managed well-earned draws against Motherwell and Hearts, but got thumped by Celtic. That's a tough start for a promoted team, even if Hearts aren't anywhere near as good as they'd like to be, so probably a job well done. And they are scoring goals, which is crucial for the confidence.
Steady as she goes...Neither wonderful nor woeful, St Mirren and Kilmarnock have both made respectable starts, and have legitimate reasons for optimism. As both clubs are vulnerable to being dragged into a relegation scrap, any early points are a bonus.
Early signs of shakiness...
After being dumped out of the Champions League, there were rumours that a few Celtic players might be on their way, but in the end they've all stayed. Things should be pretty peachy at Parkhead, yet somehow problems seem to be surfacing early in Tony Mowbray's tenure. The bad natured and narrow win at Hibs looked ugly, with Mowbray first orchestrating a "huddle" at the end of the game and then refusing to accept that McGeady dived (he did, and everyone knows it). A siege mentality at the end of August - is that really healthy?
Still, at least they are winning games, which is more than can be said for Hearts. Manager Csaba Laszlo has been spilling the beans about his difficult relationship with Vladimir, and we all know that Mr Romanov does not tolerate insubordination. Is his employee asking to get sacked? Hearts had a woeful summer, the new signings (much hyped by some supporters) have looked substandard so far, and Larry Kingston is stirring the pot, too. Oh dear.
Things aren't much happier at Aberdeen, where the manager also seems content to moan about his squad in public. Best get your excuses in now, Mark McGhee, because those fans who were so excited about your arrival in the summer might just be having second thoughts.
And so to Hamilton and Falkirk. Both managers were sounding very optimistic during the summer, but that optimism has looked seriously misplaced so far. Falkirk have, at least, held on to Darren Barr and Scott Arfield, two vital players. They are going to need them, while Hamilton look well short of the required standard.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time to go, George...
Despite what George Burley thinks, this was not a "tough" qualifying group. To finish third behind a mediocre Norway side really isn't good enough - and has come at a high price, with arguments and recriminations throughout a fraught campaign.
There really doesn't seem much to build on - Burley's idea to turn the Scotland team into one that was more progressive and comfortable in possession was a good one, but he hasn't really managed to make it happen. And the continuing fall-out from the Rangers quartet means that a section of the media will always be against him.
So Burley should go. But who would replace him? Strachan surely won't take the job, and unless Craig Levein can be persuaded to take it on (possibly on a part-time basis), there are few other obvious candidates.
There really doesn't seem much to build on - Burley's idea to turn the Scotland team into one that was more progressive and comfortable in possession was a good one, but he hasn't really managed to make it happen. And the continuing fall-out from the Rangers quartet means that a section of the media will always be against him.
So Burley should go. But who would replace him? Strachan surely won't take the job, and unless Craig Levein can be persuaded to take it on (possibly on a part-time basis), there are few other obvious candidates.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
What to do about Burley?
So, crunch time in the World Cup qualifying campaign, with a must-win game against the Netherlands at Hampden this evening. A tall order, but then Berti Vogts (!) managed a 1-0 against the Dutch in Glasgow, so anything is possible.
Scotland may well end up runners-up in this qualifying group, and George Burley would be justified in claiming that this is all he could be reasonably be expected to achieve. But, of course, it's been a harrowing journey at times, not helped by an unkind schedule that has seen us wilt in a Macedonian heat wave and play a crucial tie in Norway during pre-season.
Burley's attempts to reshape the team as a more fluid unit have been laudable but ham-fisted. Along the way he has chopped David Weir in and out of the side and pissed off that Rangers quartet - Lee McCulloch, Bazza, Alan McGregor and Kris Boyd. And that has given the tabloids plenty of ammunition to kick him when things have gone wrong.
The Scottish Football Association will soon have a decision to make. If they sack Burley, they need to appoint yet another new man, and cross their fingers that it works out. This isn't the way to run a football team in an ideal world.
On the other hand, Burley has made a number of costly mistakes, and has failed to get the media on side. The job is about politics as well as football, but either he hasn't grasped this truth, or he's too stubborn to change his ways.
Not everything that has been thrown at Burley has been fair, but the results just haven't been good enough. Tonight's match may help answer whether or not he should stay at the helm.
Scotland may well end up runners-up in this qualifying group, and George Burley would be justified in claiming that this is all he could be reasonably be expected to achieve. But, of course, it's been a harrowing journey at times, not helped by an unkind schedule that has seen us wilt in a Macedonian heat wave and play a crucial tie in Norway during pre-season.
Burley's attempts to reshape the team as a more fluid unit have been laudable but ham-fisted. Along the way he has chopped David Weir in and out of the side and pissed off that Rangers quartet - Lee McCulloch, Bazza, Alan McGregor and Kris Boyd. And that has given the tabloids plenty of ammunition to kick him when things have gone wrong.
The Scottish Football Association will soon have a decision to make. If they sack Burley, they need to appoint yet another new man, and cross their fingers that it works out. This isn't the way to run a football team in an ideal world.
On the other hand, Burley has made a number of costly mistakes, and has failed to get the media on side. The job is about politics as well as football, but either he hasn't grasped this truth, or he's too stubborn to change his ways.
Not everything that has been thrown at Burley has been fair, but the results just haven't been good enough. Tonight's match may help answer whether or not he should stay at the helm.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Arsenal boss the 1st leg
So, that went pretty much as expected. Celtic needed a massive performance to get some change out of Arsenal tonight, and Tony Mowbray's optimism was once again unable to get the better of the London club. Gary Caldwell's had a really bad seven days, hasn't he?
Let's hope the representatives of Celtic show some class, though, and pass up the opportunity to bleat about their lack of wealth. Of course they've got less money than Arsenal!
Arsenal are not only amongst the elite in the wealthiest league in the world, they are also a North London money-making machine. Rebranded "Celtic Park" might be a decent stadium, but its East Glasgow location means a much less wealthy local support base.
Rather than see themselves as a poor relation, Celtic and Rangers could see their proximity to the globally-marketed Premier League as an opportunity - and work out how Scottish football could exploit this more fully.
Or maybe this would take more maturity and professionalism than currently exists in Scottish football right now?
Let's hope the representatives of Celtic show some class, though, and pass up the opportunity to bleat about their lack of wealth. Of course they've got less money than Arsenal!
Arsenal are not only amongst the elite in the wealthiest league in the world, they are also a North London money-making machine. Rebranded "Celtic Park" might be a decent stadium, but its East Glasgow location means a much less wealthy local support base.
Rather than see themselves as a poor relation, Celtic and Rangers could see their proximity to the globally-marketed Premier League as an opportunity - and work out how Scottish football could exploit this more fully.
Or maybe this would take more maturity and professionalism than currently exists in Scottish football right now?
Fortune favours the brave
After a depressing summer, ending with a disaster of a match against Norway which ended any realistic hope of Scotland appearing in next year's World Cup, the opening weekend of the SPL at least provided lots of goals and excitement.
Of course, the first round of the season is always exciting - the sun's shining, the terraces are busy, and everyone is full of optimism. We all know that the pitches and the players will look a lot less lively in January. But it was still fun to forget all the problems and revel in Scotland's top domestic competition.
Strikers were given the limelight - the rejuvenated Danny Cadamateri at Tannadice, the returning Benji at Easter Road, and of course the biggest signing of the summer, Marc-Antoine Fortune at Celtic.
As Pat Nevin pointed out in Sportscene, Fortune has been playing more like a winger than a centre forward so far for Celtic - but this may well be the secret weapon Tony Mowbray plans to use against Arsenal tonight. With Fortune buzzing betweeen the touch lines, it gives Aiden McGeady and others the chance to go narrow and lose their marker. Still, it will be very hard for Celtic to get through this tie.
The other European tie this week involves Hearts against Dinamo Zagreb. Having played on Monday night, and due to play Rangers on Sunday, the fixture list is certainly not doing the Jambos any favours.
Of course, the first round of the season is always exciting - the sun's shining, the terraces are busy, and everyone is full of optimism. We all know that the pitches and the players will look a lot less lively in January. But it was still fun to forget all the problems and revel in Scotland's top domestic competition.
Strikers were given the limelight - the rejuvenated Danny Cadamateri at Tannadice, the returning Benji at Easter Road, and of course the biggest signing of the summer, Marc-Antoine Fortune at Celtic.
As Pat Nevin pointed out in Sportscene, Fortune has been playing more like a winger than a centre forward so far for Celtic - but this may well be the secret weapon Tony Mowbray plans to use against Arsenal tonight. With Fortune buzzing betweeen the touch lines, it gives Aiden McGeady and others the chance to go narrow and lose their marker. Still, it will be very hard for Celtic to get through this tie.
The other European tie this week involves Hearts against Dinamo Zagreb. Having played on Monday night, and due to play Rangers on Sunday, the fixture list is certainly not doing the Jambos any favours.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Scotland have thrown it away, again
Is their anything left to say about Wednesday's shambles? Be in no doubt, this was Scotland's chance... and having blown it, there goes another chance to take part in a World Cup. Mathematically there's still a chance of making runner-up spot in this group, but the dream of South Africa is over.
George Burley will probably stay on to try and prove otherwise, but we'll be looking for a new manager next year. Unless a great candidate for the job put themselves forward now, why bother - who is going to want to take on the job at this futile stage?
Burley has given the appearance of being the unluckiest man in the world, but he made mistakes too - dropping David Weir being just the latest one. He wants to prove he's "his own man", but allowed this to cloud his judgement. Too big selection errors against Norway in successive games (not bringing on Kris Boyd was the big mistake at Hampden) have scuppered his campaign.
Collapsed media deals, clubs being demoted after going into administration, humiliation on the European stage... the season's off to a flier, eh?
George Burley will probably stay on to try and prove otherwise, but we'll be looking for a new manager next year. Unless a great candidate for the job put themselves forward now, why bother - who is going to want to take on the job at this futile stage?
Burley has given the appearance of being the unluckiest man in the world, but he made mistakes too - dropping David Weir being just the latest one. He wants to prove he's "his own man", but allowed this to cloud his judgement. Too big selection errors against Norway in successive games (not bringing on Kris Boyd was the big mistake at Hampden) have scuppered his campaign.
Collapsed media deals, clubs being demoted after going into administration, humiliation on the European stage... the season's off to a flier, eh?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
SPL 2009/10 - how's it's going to pan out
The new SPL season is about to kick off, so it's time to put our money where our mouth is and predict who's going to win it... and where everyone else will finish too. Firstly, a health warning: with the transfer window still open until the end of August, there's still time for players to come and go. If Rangers, for example, decide to spend a little of their Champions League windfall (unlikely, we know), then they could still improve their chances of retaining the title.
But this is We Love Fitba's season preview:
But this is We Love Fitba's season preview:
- Celtic will be champions. We might have got it wrong in backing them last season, but we'll do it again this time around. A new management team, new players and the breaking of their European away day hoodoo have all brought optimism to Parkhead this summer. That victory over Dinamo Moscow reinforced the feeling that Tony Mowbray is the right man at the right time, able to inject some verve and flair into the side. With Nakamura and JVH gone and a few new faces, Celtic have refreshed a decent squad and will play with more pace this term.
Key man: Aiden McGeady. Looked like he was on the verge of leaving the club in January, the girl-faced Irishman is an unquestioned talent. If Mowbray can get him back to his best, Celtic will be too strong for everyone else. - Rangers. Celtic might have thrown away a position of strength last season but Rangers deserve credit for winning the title. Walter Smith has helped to keep the wolf from the door, but there are still clear financial problems at Ibrox. So far this summer, players have gone but none has arrived. Fans can reassure themselves that their club has probably got the best years out of Barry Ferguson, and Birmingham have done them a favour (cheers, Alex McLeish), while Charlie Adam and Alan Gow weren't involved last season anyhow. But Celtic have got stronger while Rangers have stagnated. The squad is looking too thin to defend their crown.
Key man: Kevin Thomson. Talented but fragile, the oft-injured midfielder has a vital role to play this season. With Ferguson gone, Rangers need someone to anchor the midfield and control games. It's telling, though, that Thomson has barely played for Scotland, despite his talent - he needs a solid, uninterrupted season to make his mark. - Hearts. On the basis that they finished 3rd last time, and no one else looks better placed to challenge them, the "Best of the Rest" title is theirs by default. They have steadily improved throughout pre-season and they seem to have brought in some decent replacements to cover departures. But Bruno Aiguar will be a big loss, and they still need a decent striker. And of course, the swirling rumours about financial problems and Vladimir Romanov's crazy unpredictability threaten to capsize the boat at any moment. Hearts better hope that Lithuanian bank holds out, because it's the only thing stopping them from following Livingston into crisis.
Key man: Andy Driver. If Hearts continue to play with a fence post upfront, then the winger's attacking threat will be even more vital. An injury during the summer probably rules out his transfer this summer, a boost for the team if not the bank balance back in Vilnius. He could well go in January, though. - Hibernian. Another new manager for Hibs, and one that Falkirk fans weren't exactly sorry to see go. John Hughes certainly likes his teams to play well, but his results at Falkirk, plus the sales of Rob Jones and Steven Fletcher, suggest little more than top-6 anonymity this time around. However, there is a feeling, just like Mowbray at Celtic, that Hughes is the right man for the job, and that this appointment could work out very well indeed. After all, it was Hughes who got Falkirk to the SPL and kept them there, and got them to the Scottish Cup Final in May as well. He seems to know what's doing, and his roots with the club are doing him no harm at all. And, of course, the Hibs academy just keeps on churning out promising looking players, seven of whom have been promoted to the senior squad.
Key man: Merouane Zemmama. Hibs will still rely on prodigal son Derek Riordan to score the goals, but it's the little Morrocan who Hughes will build his team around. If it works, Hibs could be looking to take 3rd from Hearts. - Dundee Utd. As Director of Football, Craig Levein has been busy restructuring the club's academy, admitting that it was not fulfilling its function. A smart move, but not one that's going to have an immediate impact on the first team. As manager, Levein once again traded to try and replace decent players who have gone. The Arabs will be tough competitors but it's hard to see them improve much on last season.
Key man: Morgaro Gomis. That Levein signed the Senegalese midfielder from Cowbenbeath shows the global reach of the game these days. That Roy Keane has offered £800,000 for him shows yet again Levein's eye for a player. With money tight, though, can they hold on to him? - Motherwell. New man, fresh ideas, and a few new faces from the English lower leagues for fans to get used to as well. Jim Gannon is by all accounts a talented manager, and - crucially - used to operating at the "value" end of the transfer market. Motherwell have sold most of their assets and need a manager who can spot a bargain, but Gannon also likes his teams to pass the ball, which the Well fans will lap up. This just could be an inspired appointment.
Key man: Stephen Craigan. With all the youthful enthusiasm ahead of him, the Well skipper could do with a nice, consistent, mistake-free season to show leadership to the young charges and keep the goals against tally respectable. - Aberdeen. The Dons were delighted to get Mark McGhee, who of course was part of the increasingly distant mid-80s glory years, after becoming so exasperated with the two Jimmys. But they've lost Scott Severin and Jamie Smith, the squad looks thin, and pre-season has not gone well. Without more investment, Aberdeen have to be realistic about their prospects. And could it be that Messrs Calderwood and Nicholl actually knew what they were doing? This season may be one to forget for the Dons, while inertia elsewhere leaves the club in seemingly perpetual limbo, wondering whether they are going to leave Pittodrie or not.
Key man: Zander Diamond. Without a prolific striker, Aberdeen need to be tight at the back. Diamond's progress has been erratic but he's shown signs of maturing into a consistent centre-half. - Kilmarnock. Everyone knows that Killie don't have a pot to piss in, and the last couple of seasons have had fans biting fingernails at some point as relegation fears bubble up again at Rugby Park. But Jim Jefferies knows what he's doing and Killie also have the habit of stringing a set of results together when needed. Given the circumstances, they've done well to keep the squad more or less together and - you never know - Mark Burchill might announce his return to Scottish football with goals aplenty. Or not.
Key man: Mehdi Taouil. The Morocco midfielder has tricks and talent, and is just plain good. He should be the difference between Kilmarnock and the teams below them. - St Johnstone. Gretna apart, the promoted club has tended to survive their first season in the SPL, and St Johnstone should do at least that. A well-run club with a solid support, the Saints have been waiting to get back to the top flight for a long time, and finally have their chance. Manager Derek McInnes is both realistic and ambitious, a nice combination to have. They've added a bit of depth to a squad that already looked pretty solid.
Key man: Paul Sheerin. Craft and invention in Perth. - St Mirren. They've not been in the SPL long enough to feel completely secure, but the Buddies should be ok in their first full season in their new home. Gus MacPherson seems to have strengthened the squad, with Michael Higdon from Falkirk earmarked as the man to help score more goals than last season.
Key man: Andy Dorman. Struggled last term, but if he returns to his best then he will make the Buddies tick. - Hamilton. Second Season Syndrome might hit hard at Hamilton, especially having seen James McCarthy and Brian Easton go for big money down South. But Billy Reid has been given some of that cash to rebuild the squad, and has made some big changes to freshen things up. More youthful exuberance/naivety this time around, but it should still be enough.
Key man: Tomas Cerny. To balance out all that youthful inconsistently, an experienced pro between the sticks. A good keeper makes the difference, you know. - Falkirk. Apologies to the Bairns, but their time might be up. Escaped relegation on the last day of last season, and while Eddie May talks a good game (and has the odd pop at previous gaffer John Hughes while he's at it), he also lacks experience. The fans seem optimistic, though, so they won't be bothered by others backing them for the drop.
Key man: Danijel Marceta. The striker has been signed on loan from FK Partizan's academy, which sounds like plenty enough pedigree for the SPL. If he's another Anthony Stokes, then Falkirk may well be laughing in the face of relegation threats.
Mon Scotland!
August is the wrong time to be playing crucial World Cup qualifying matches, as George Burley knows. Still, now's not the time to discuss how we got into this - instead, all the focus needs to be on beating Norway this afternoon.
Scotland seem to have enough up front to cause Norway problems, and surely between Ross McCormack, James McFadden, even Kenny Miller or Steven Fletcher, we can get a goal. The real test will be at the back: if the Caldwell brothers play together as expected, let's hope they use some brotherly understanding to form a tight grip on the game, especially if Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker are the two full backs.
They are both decent footballers, but they are not the most defensively-minded.
Scotland seem to have enough up front to cause Norway problems, and surely between Ross McCormack, James McFadden, even Kenny Miller or Steven Fletcher, we can get a goal. The real test will be at the back: if the Caldwell brothers play together as expected, let's hope they use some brotherly understanding to form a tight grip on the game, especially if Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker are the two full backs.
They are both decent footballers, but they are not the most defensively-minded.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Celtic's season starts tonight
We love fitba will hold its hands up and admit that it didn't get everything right when predicting what would happen last season. In fact, aside from forseeing Inverness Caley Thistle's relegation, much went wrong.
Mind you, this blog was not alone in being unable to predict Celtic's implosion as they chased a 4th title in a row. It was all looking peachy during the first half of the season, with Rangers clearly in trouble and Celtic looking pretty comfortable at the top.
But, with the chance to land a mortal blow to their rivals in their hands, Celtic failed to strengthen the squad in January (they merely signed Willo Flood to weaken Dundee Utd's instead) and Rangers, despite their own desperate problems, sensed a chance of salvation.
As SPL Champions, Rangers now have some guaranteed Champions League income to help with the overdraft, and while they still cleared out Barry Ferguson, don't seem to have the same need to sell their players to balance the books.
Celtic, meanwhile, have a very tricky-looking qualifier against Dinamo Moscow to contend with. The Russians are no mugs, and as they are half way through their season they should be much sharper than the Celtic squad.
If new boss Tony Mowbray could have chosen his first competitive fixture, you can bet that this wouldn't be it. If Celtic do come through, they will carry momentum and confidence from a promising pre-season into the SPL and look odds-on to regain the title. Miss out, and they will also have to reassess how much money they can spend on overhauling the squad.
There are uncomfortable echoes with the infamous defeat to Artmedia Bratislava, which started Gordon Strachan's tenure on the wrong foot and made some fans suspicious of him from day one. Losing to Dinamo will be no disgrace, but Mowbray will be desperate to get off to a positive start.
Mind you, this blog was not alone in being unable to predict Celtic's implosion as they chased a 4th title in a row. It was all looking peachy during the first half of the season, with Rangers clearly in trouble and Celtic looking pretty comfortable at the top.
But, with the chance to land a mortal blow to their rivals in their hands, Celtic failed to strengthen the squad in January (they merely signed Willo Flood to weaken Dundee Utd's instead) and Rangers, despite their own desperate problems, sensed a chance of salvation.
As SPL Champions, Rangers now have some guaranteed Champions League income to help with the overdraft, and while they still cleared out Barry Ferguson, don't seem to have the same need to sell their players to balance the books.
Celtic, meanwhile, have a very tricky-looking qualifier against Dinamo Moscow to contend with. The Russians are no mugs, and as they are half way through their season they should be much sharper than the Celtic squad.
If new boss Tony Mowbray could have chosen his first competitive fixture, you can bet that this wouldn't be it. If Celtic do come through, they will carry momentum and confidence from a promising pre-season into the SPL and look odds-on to regain the title. Miss out, and they will also have to reassess how much money they can spend on overhauling the squad.
There are uncomfortable echoes with the infamous defeat to Artmedia Bratislava, which started Gordon Strachan's tenure on the wrong foot and made some fans suspicious of him from day one. Losing to Dinamo will be no disgrace, but Mowbray will be desperate to get off to a positive start.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Burley's big decision pays off
If the result is the "only thing that matters", as everyone agreed was the case prior to the Iceland game, then there is no point moaning about the performance. Scotland won 2-1, and while they will need to improve if they are still to get to the World Cup next summer, at least that is still a possibility. Anything other than a victory on Wednesday would have been a disaster.
Scotland rode their luck at times, but every team needs luck on their side - something that George Burley has seemed to lack so far in the job. Having dropped Bazza and Alan MacGregor for going drinking after the Holland game - and got away with it - hopefully the manager will now feel vindicated, and exude more confidence next time out.
Dropping the two Rangers players was the correct decision from a discipline point of view, but it was also the correct footballing decision as well. Craig Gordon is clearly a better keeper than MacGregor, whether playing for his club or not, while dropping Bazza is a decision that should have been made years ago.
Scotland rode their luck at times, but every team needs luck on their side - something that George Burley has seemed to lack so far in the job. Having dropped Bazza and Alan MacGregor for going drinking after the Holland game - and got away with it - hopefully the manager will now feel vindicated, and exude more confidence next time out.
Dropping the two Rangers players was the correct decision from a discipline point of view, but it was also the correct footballing decision as well. Craig Gordon is clearly a better keeper than MacGregor, whether playing for his club or not, while dropping Bazza is a decision that should have been made years ago.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Rangers favourites for the Cup but problems mount
On the face of it, it was a great weekend for Rangers. They beat Hamilton 5-2, and are now clear favourites to go back to Hampden in May and hold on to their trophy. It could be seen as another step in the development of Ally McCoist, who takes charge of the Cup competitions these days. Meanwhile, Celtic inexplicably got knocked out 1-0 by St Mirren, who they thrashed 7-0 in the SPL a week ago.
This is certainly Ewan Murray's take on things, who reckons that the pressure is now all on Gordon Strachan from now until the next Old Firm encounter, the League Cup Final next Sunday. Absolute shit. Rangers are sinking deeper into the mire, as their problems just keep on getting bigger.
Another Scottish Cup will do little to appease the masses if a 4th straight League title goes across the City. The "peepl" are restless and angry at Rangers continued inability to win the SPL - but that doesn't look like changing anytime soon. Celtic have a 3 point advantage, and after Rangers' failure to take the last derby, confidence that they can repeat last season's late charge to the flag.
Meanwhile, with that £25m overdraft with the bank, Rangers this week asked their staff to consider voluntary redundancy. Busines as usual, according to the club, but everyone else recognises this as yet another sign of money problems at the club.
The only thing likely to keep the fans from baying for blood is winning the SPL. Arguably, Rangers would have been better served by being dumped out of the Cup to conserve resources for the only prize that matters.
This is certainly Ewan Murray's take on things, who reckons that the pressure is now all on Gordon Strachan from now until the next Old Firm encounter, the League Cup Final next Sunday. Absolute shit. Rangers are sinking deeper into the mire, as their problems just keep on getting bigger.
Another Scottish Cup will do little to appease the masses if a 4th straight League title goes across the City. The "peepl" are restless and angry at Rangers continued inability to win the SPL - but that doesn't look like changing anytime soon. Celtic have a 3 point advantage, and after Rangers' failure to take the last derby, confidence that they can repeat last season's late charge to the flag.
Meanwhile, with that £25m overdraft with the bank, Rangers this week asked their staff to consider voluntary redundancy. Busines as usual, according to the club, but everyone else recognises this as yet another sign of money problems at the club.
The only thing likely to keep the fans from baying for blood is winning the SPL. Arguably, Rangers would have been better served by being dumped out of the Cup to conserve resources for the only prize that matters.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Caley shock Gers
A rare midweek night of fixtures in the SPL, and it didn't disappoint. After withstanding the expected Rangers barrage for 90 minutes, David Weir of all people conceded a penalty, got himself sent off, and Ian Black put the chance away to give Inverness Caledonian Thistle a highly unlikely win at Ibrox.
As well as handing advantage back to Celtic at the top it's also made things much more interesting at the bottom of the table. ICT are now above Falkirk, who are in terrible form at the moment. Terry Butcher looks to be desperate to upset we love fitba's prediction that the Highlanders would be relegated this season.
Falkirk say they won't countenance getting rid of John Hughes - but must feel less loyalty to their man after he expressed ambitions of managing in England. Hamstrung by a cautious club who - rightly in the current climate - will not agree new deals for any players until they know what division they'll be in - Hughes' managerial stock is dropping by the week.
As well as handing advantage back to Celtic at the top it's also made things much more interesting at the bottom of the table. ICT are now above Falkirk, who are in terrible form at the moment. Terry Butcher looks to be desperate to upset we love fitba's prediction that the Highlanders would be relegated this season.
Falkirk say they won't countenance getting rid of John Hughes - but must feel less loyalty to their man after he expressed ambitions of managing in England. Hamstrung by a cautious club who - rightly in the current climate - will not agree new deals for any players until they know what division they'll be in - Hughes' managerial stock is dropping by the week.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mixu on the brink
While Celtic gave way at the top of the SPL table to Rangers at the weekend, the other green team slipped up too. Hibs are now out of the top six, and manager Mixu Paatelainen's position is now looking extremely shaky.
It doesn't matter that Hibs always do badly in Inverness (in fact, they have never won there in the SPL). It doesn't matter that Hibs have not finished strongly in the league for a few seasons, and so are hardly miles away from their usual finish of 6th. Nor that the Hibs board have a history of showing loyalty to their managers, and will be very reluctant to sack him.
What does matter is that the majority of fans have now lost faith in the manager. The Hibs board can no longer be accused of parsimony, and have backed big Mixu in the transfer market (all things are relative, but the Hibs boss has one of the bigger budgets in Scottish football to play with, though obviously not on the scale of the Old Firm). The team has been playing poorly pretty much all season, and has now stopped winning even the occasional game.
Without a doubt, Hibs are under-performing. Mixu desperately needs a result against Falkirk next weekend, another struggling team. He may not get that chance, however.
It doesn't matter that Hibs always do badly in Inverness (in fact, they have never won there in the SPL). It doesn't matter that Hibs have not finished strongly in the league for a few seasons, and so are hardly miles away from their usual finish of 6th. Nor that the Hibs board have a history of showing loyalty to their managers, and will be very reluctant to sack him.
What does matter is that the majority of fans have now lost faith in the manager. The Hibs board can no longer be accused of parsimony, and have backed big Mixu in the transfer market (all things are relative, but the Hibs boss has one of the bigger budgets in Scottish football to play with, though obviously not on the scale of the Old Firm). The team has been playing poorly pretty much all season, and has now stopped winning even the occasional game.
Without a doubt, Hibs are under-performing. Mixu desperately needs a result against Falkirk next weekend, another struggling team. He may not get that chance, however.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Celtic fluff their chance
While Rangers are paying for a date with AC Milan to try and get some cash into the club, Celtic have a night off to think about whether they've done enough in the transfer window.
They might be leading the SPL, but only by two points, and their manager described them as one dimensional in their 0-0 draw with Inverness last weekend. Maybe, you'd think, Strachan might use the transfer market to freshen up his team. He has brought in Willo Flood from the Arabs, but is it enough?
Meanwhile, Rangers have lost a few squad players like Chris Burke and Darcheville, but failure to sell any of the big names means the squad is pretty much the same. It seemed improbable that they could win the SPL a couple of months ago, but since then Celtic have been dropping points all over the place.
Apparently, they wanted Steven Fletcher from Hibs, but didn't come up with enough money. Celtic certainly have the cash, so you can only assume they didn't want him enough. Hibs might have said he wasn't for sale, but an offer of, say, £5m would have got their attention.
Is he worth that much? Fletcher's had a poor season, but then Hibs are having a poor season. If Scott Brown is worth £4.5m, and more and more Celtic supporters would agree that he is, Fletcher is worth at least that much.
They might be leading the SPL, but only by two points, and their manager described them as one dimensional in their 0-0 draw with Inverness last weekend. Maybe, you'd think, Strachan might use the transfer market to freshen up his team. He has brought in Willo Flood from the Arabs, but is it enough?
Meanwhile, Rangers have lost a few squad players like Chris Burke and Darcheville, but failure to sell any of the big names means the squad is pretty much the same. It seemed improbable that they could win the SPL a couple of months ago, but since then Celtic have been dropping points all over the place.
Apparently, they wanted Steven Fletcher from Hibs, but didn't come up with enough money. Celtic certainly have the cash, so you can only assume they didn't want him enough. Hibs might have said he wasn't for sale, but an offer of, say, £5m would have got their attention.
Is he worth that much? Fletcher's had a poor season, but then Hibs are having a poor season. If Scott Brown is worth £4.5m, and more and more Celtic supporters would agree that he is, Fletcher is worth at least that much.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Deal making goes to the wire
The game of call my bluff is nearly at an end. As usual, most of the exciting business in the transfer window is waiting until the final minutes before the deadline. Seeing as the deadline keeps moving back - the January transfer window doesn't shut until 5pm February 2, it seems - we're being made to wait longer and longer.
And so to the motivated sellers, as estate agents call them. It might not be a great market, but some clubs need some cash regardless.
Chris Porter may well go South to, as Mark McGhee said on Friday, "ensure there is a Motherwell football club next season". Rather sharpens the mind, doesn't it? Fee expected to be about 400 grand.
Rangers still need to sell, but nobody's buying. (Bolton have made an approach for Pedro Mendes, but Walter Smith really doesn't want to sell him and anyhow there's some debate about whether he's allowed to return to England this season, having played in the Community Shield). Kevin Nolan's move to Newcastle surely ends the unlikely prospect of Barry Ferguson going there. And Kris Boyd still doesn't fancy a move.
Problems with the wage bill and an alleged long list of grumpy creditors suggest Hearts will be very pleased with the sale of Christophe Berra to Wolves. This might be worth £2.5m, but as always things at Hearts are murky. Will this be the last sale?
And so to Hibs. Celtc are making eyes at Stephen Fletcher, and think he's worth about £3m. There's no doubt the Champions could do with a spark up front, but Hibs don't seem to want to sell. With the player on a long contract and their fabled tip-top finances, they don't have to, but Hibs have flogged a barrel load of talent in recent seasons and Fletcher will get extremely aggrieved if he's denied a move. This one seems more likely in the summer, however.
And so to the motivated sellers, as estate agents call them. It might not be a great market, but some clubs need some cash regardless.
Chris Porter may well go South to, as Mark McGhee said on Friday, "ensure there is a Motherwell football club next season". Rather sharpens the mind, doesn't it? Fee expected to be about 400 grand.
Rangers still need to sell, but nobody's buying. (Bolton have made an approach for Pedro Mendes, but Walter Smith really doesn't want to sell him and anyhow there's some debate about whether he's allowed to return to England this season, having played in the Community Shield). Kevin Nolan's move to Newcastle surely ends the unlikely prospect of Barry Ferguson going there. And Kris Boyd still doesn't fancy a move.
Problems with the wage bill and an alleged long list of grumpy creditors suggest Hearts will be very pleased with the sale of Christophe Berra to Wolves. This might be worth £2.5m, but as always things at Hearts are murky. Will this be the last sale?
And so to Hibs. Celtc are making eyes at Stephen Fletcher, and think he's worth about £3m. There's no doubt the Champions could do with a spark up front, but Hibs don't seem to want to sell. With the player on a long contract and their fabled tip-top finances, they don't have to, but Hibs have flogged a barrel load of talent in recent seasons and Fletcher will get extremely aggrieved if he's denied a move. This one seems more likely in the summer, however.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Does Mixu have a plan?
When you're struggling, nothing matters more than a result. With last week dominated by stories of supporter disquiet at both Rangers and Hibs, both clubs badly needed a win this weekend.
Rangers got a nervy win over Falkirk (and their mood was further improved by Aberdeen's victory over Celtic), helping the fans to forget for a moment that someone needs to be sold by the end of the month - possibly still Saturday's match winner, Kris Boyd.
And Hibs beat St Mirren 2-0 at Easter Road, keeping them in touch with the usual suspects for 3rd place. Skipper Rob Jones had by all accounts a perfect afternoon, with a commanding performance in defence and the opening goal, while Hibee enigma Derek Riordan scored the second with a trademark finish from the edge of the box.
A much needed 3 points then, but this has been a pretty gloomy season for Hibs so far. Yes there in the top 6 but so they damn well should be, given their financial advantage over St Mirren, Falkirk and the rest. Memories of disappointments - like the toothless defeat against Hearts in the Scottish Cup - linger long.
Hibs simply can't put a decent run together, and although they have enough front to score goals, they rarely dominate games.
Mixu Paatelainen has been in the job a year now, and although he claims to have a clear plan about the team he's trying to build, it's not always obvious. He doesn't so much chop and change formations as pick one for a few games, then swap it for another for a while.
He's a former player and Hibs fan, which does endear him to the support, but unfortunately during matchdays he often behaves like a fan rather than a manager. Jumping around, shouting and jabbing his finger, he looks as if he'd be more at home on the East terracing than in the dug out.
Hibs are on their 6th manager since 2000, but they tend to leave rather than get sacked and there's little appetite for another change now. The board won't sack him so long as results don't dive. But now would be a good time to show what he's all about.
Plenty of fans just don't think he's up to the job.
Rangers got a nervy win over Falkirk (and their mood was further improved by Aberdeen's victory over Celtic), helping the fans to forget for a moment that someone needs to be sold by the end of the month - possibly still Saturday's match winner, Kris Boyd.
And Hibs beat St Mirren 2-0 at Easter Road, keeping them in touch with the usual suspects for 3rd place. Skipper Rob Jones had by all accounts a perfect afternoon, with a commanding performance in defence and the opening goal, while Hibee enigma Derek Riordan scored the second with a trademark finish from the edge of the box.
A much needed 3 points then, but this has been a pretty gloomy season for Hibs so far. Yes there in the top 6 but so they damn well should be, given their financial advantage over St Mirren, Falkirk and the rest. Memories of disappointments - like the toothless defeat against Hearts in the Scottish Cup - linger long.
Hibs simply can't put a decent run together, and although they have enough front to score goals, they rarely dominate games.
Mixu Paatelainen has been in the job a year now, and although he claims to have a clear plan about the team he's trying to build, it's not always obvious. He doesn't so much chop and change formations as pick one for a few games, then swap it for another for a while.
He's a former player and Hibs fan, which does endear him to the support, but unfortunately during matchdays he often behaves like a fan rather than a manager. Jumping around, shouting and jabbing his finger, he looks as if he'd be more at home on the East terracing than in the dug out.
Hibs are on their 6th manager since 2000, but they tend to leave rather than get sacked and there's little appetite for another change now. The board won't sack him so long as results don't dive. But now would be a good time to show what he's all about.
Plenty of fans just don't think he's up to the job.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Rangers fans want better, but Murray ain't listening
If you're a club running 2nd in the race for a title you've craved for years, what's worse than selling your leading striker? How about trying to sell your striker and failing - leaving you with one potentially grumpy player, the same pressing debts that obliged you to accept a bid in the first place, and exposing a massive rift between the club and its fans?
David Murray doesn't have his problems to seek at the moment, but he's coming out fighting. After the launch of a Rangers Supporters Trust campaign called "We deserve better", Murray dismissed them as "not exactly captains of industry".
Yup, the faithful ain't happy, but their chairman isn't listening. Unless Murray manages to sell the club (which looks less and less likely by the day), Rangers are stuck with him, and he'll run the club as he sees fit, thanks very much. After all, he's a successful businessman, while they... are not.
Fine, but there's a couple of flaws in this argument. Firstly, it's not hard to pick holes in the way Rangers have been managed by Murray, not least the disastruous spending spree under Dick Advocaat that saddled the club with debt it just can't shake off.
Then there's his other businesses. Murray International Holdings is held up in the Scottish press as one of the country's most successful private companies, but increasingly, questions are being asked about just how successful it is. It's main areas of operation apart from Rangers are commodities and property development - neither of which look sound investments right now. Because it's private, of course, it's impossible to get a really accurate idea of the company's state of health. One thing for sure is that things will only get tougher in the year ahead.
It's fair to say that not all Rangers fans are behind the "We deserve better" campaign, perhaps in part because they realise there is no new investor waiting to pour money into the club. But at a time when a sizeable proportion of the support are demanding more, Murray is trying to lessen Rangers' dependence on him.
If Kris Boyd keeps digging his heels in over a move, someone else will have to go. It could get fraught.
David Murray doesn't have his problems to seek at the moment, but he's coming out fighting. After the launch of a Rangers Supporters Trust campaign called "We deserve better", Murray dismissed them as "not exactly captains of industry".
Yup, the faithful ain't happy, but their chairman isn't listening. Unless Murray manages to sell the club (which looks less and less likely by the day), Rangers are stuck with him, and he'll run the club as he sees fit, thanks very much. After all, he's a successful businessman, while they... are not.
Fine, but there's a couple of flaws in this argument. Firstly, it's not hard to pick holes in the way Rangers have been managed by Murray, not least the disastruous spending spree under Dick Advocaat that saddled the club with debt it just can't shake off.
Then there's his other businesses. Murray International Holdings is held up in the Scottish press as one of the country's most successful private companies, but increasingly, questions are being asked about just how successful it is. It's main areas of operation apart from Rangers are commodities and property development - neither of which look sound investments right now. Because it's private, of course, it's impossible to get a really accurate idea of the company's state of health. One thing for sure is that things will only get tougher in the year ahead.
It's fair to say that not all Rangers fans are behind the "We deserve better" campaign, perhaps in part because they realise there is no new investor waiting to pour money into the club. But at a time when a sizeable proportion of the support are demanding more, Murray is trying to lessen Rangers' dependence on him.
If Kris Boyd keeps digging his heels in over a move, someone else will have to go. It could get fraught.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hearts deflect the flak by smashing Hibs
They say the sign of a good manager is pulling results out of the bag when it really matters, and Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo certainly pulled one out of the bag on Sunday by beating Hibs 2-0 in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup.
His team hadn't scored a goal since sometime last year, rumours are growing about imminent sales of players, and they performed miserably against Motherwell on Wednesday. Yet Hibs proved the perfect hosts, giving their opponents a much-needed victory.
The match turned just after the half hour mark, when Steven Fletcher got sent off for a dangerous foul, Hibs lost the plot, and Christian Nade scored. After that, there was only going to be one winner of this tie.
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen felt the sending off was wrong (he had a point) and that it changed the game. He was right here, too, because nothing he did after this moment had any impact. Down to 10 men, Hibs could not find a way back into the game. Derek Riordan - the player whose return from Celtic last August was described as a "statement of intent" by the club - was utterly anonymous right up until his substitution on the 65th minute, when he made an abusive guesture towards the Hearts fans and got booked for his trouble.
Forced to throw caution to the wind, defender Rob Jones went up front, leaving Hibs open to the counter attack which was smartly finished by Gary Glen.
Hearts have now won a 5th round tie at home to Falkirk, which is at least another matchday to bring in some cash.
As for Hibs, it's hard to see where they can go from here. They really need to finish 3rd if this season is not to be seen as a failure. That looks like a very slim hope.
More 4th round results here.
His team hadn't scored a goal since sometime last year, rumours are growing about imminent sales of players, and they performed miserably against Motherwell on Wednesday. Yet Hibs proved the perfect hosts, giving their opponents a much-needed victory.
The match turned just after the half hour mark, when Steven Fletcher got sent off for a dangerous foul, Hibs lost the plot, and Christian Nade scored. After that, there was only going to be one winner of this tie.
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen felt the sending off was wrong (he had a point) and that it changed the game. He was right here, too, because nothing he did after this moment had any impact. Down to 10 men, Hibs could not find a way back into the game. Derek Riordan - the player whose return from Celtic last August was described as a "statement of intent" by the club - was utterly anonymous right up until his substitution on the 65th minute, when he made an abusive guesture towards the Hearts fans and got booked for his trouble.
Forced to throw caution to the wind, defender Rob Jones went up front, leaving Hibs open to the counter attack which was smartly finished by Gary Glen.
Hearts have now won a 5th round tie at home to Falkirk, which is at least another matchday to bring in some cash.
As for Hibs, it's hard to see where they can go from here. They really need to finish 3rd if this season is not to be seen as a failure. That looks like a very slim hope.
More 4th round results here.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Hearts crisis overdue but still forecast
Csaba Laszlo has been one of the surprises of the SPL season. The man currently known as "Hearts manager" picked up a squad who had played miserably all of last season, and managed to at least get them back towards the top end of the table. In fact, in the run up to Christmas, the Jambos were starting to threaten a sustained push for 3rd.
Since then, though, the wheels have come off a bit. Hearts haven't scored a goal in around 5 hours of playing time, and there are signs that Laszlo has rinsed the maximum out of his squad already. His rigid 4-5-1 is hard to beat but hardly the most creative formation, and they created practically nothing against Motherwell on Wednesday.
It wasn't primarily the tactics that let them down, however, but the players' work rate, and Laszlo teared into them after the match. At least we think he did - the man likes to talk so much that it's quite easy to get bored long before he's done talking.
Hearts desperately need a striker, as big-boned Nade clearly doesn't cut it, Tulberg is perma-knacked, and the kids aren't considered good enough. Will Vlad cough up for one? Not if the persistent bad news about his business interests in accurate. They have signed Ian Black from Inverness on a pre-contract for next season, but he's the only addition so far.
It's very likely that Hearts will finish January with a weaker squad rather than a stronger one, as the club tries to get some big earners off the unreliable wage bill and cash in on any saleable assets.
Then we will really see what Laszlo is made of. In many ways, he seems similar to Valdas Ivanauskas - a decent coach, but who became more and more visibly stressed by the week and eventually had to be removed from his duties by Vlad for his own health.
Things have been unusually calm at Hearts for months, now, and this simply won't do while Romanov is still in control. Another meltdown is long overdue.
Since then, though, the wheels have come off a bit. Hearts haven't scored a goal in around 5 hours of playing time, and there are signs that Laszlo has rinsed the maximum out of his squad already. His rigid 4-5-1 is hard to beat but hardly the most creative formation, and they created practically nothing against Motherwell on Wednesday.
It wasn't primarily the tactics that let them down, however, but the players' work rate, and Laszlo teared into them after the match. At least we think he did - the man likes to talk so much that it's quite easy to get bored long before he's done talking.
Hearts desperately need a striker, as big-boned Nade clearly doesn't cut it, Tulberg is perma-knacked, and the kids aren't considered good enough. Will Vlad cough up for one? Not if the persistent bad news about his business interests in accurate. They have signed Ian Black from Inverness on a pre-contract for next season, but he's the only addition so far.
It's very likely that Hearts will finish January with a weaker squad rather than a stronger one, as the club tries to get some big earners off the unreliable wage bill and cash in on any saleable assets.
Then we will really see what Laszlo is made of. In many ways, he seems similar to Valdas Ivanauskas - a decent coach, but who became more and more visibly stressed by the week and eventually had to be removed from his duties by Vlad for his own health.
Things have been unusually calm at Hearts for months, now, and this simply won't do while Romanov is still in control. Another meltdown is long overdue.
Transfer windae update
It seems Kris Boyd's move to Birmingham is off, after failure to agree personal terms. This means one of two things - either Boyd is a greedy bastard who simply asked for too much money; or Boyd doesn't want to leave Rangers, and so set his wage demands unreasonably high so that Birmingham were compelled to reject them.
Alan Hutton was similarly reluctant to move to Spurs last January, until Rangers sweetened the deal to encourage him on his way. With a total of £4m on the table from the Midlands, though, and Killie due a reputed 15% of any transfer due to a selling-on clause, Rangers have much less cash to play with this time around.
Chairman Murray was on the offensive yesterday, saying it was "ridiculous" to suggest Rangers were a selling club. Well, obviously they are (Hutton and Carlos Cuellar being 2 sales in the past 12 months from the first team) and we're about to find out just how much they need some money this month. Chris Burke has gone on a free to Cardiff, but Alan Gow's £250,000 move to Wolves has broken down after he failed a medical. All this after Murray claimed that no one else would be sold apart from Boyd.
Rangers: skint, and looking increasingly desperate.
Alan Hutton was similarly reluctant to move to Spurs last January, until Rangers sweetened the deal to encourage him on his way. With a total of £4m on the table from the Midlands, though, and Killie due a reputed 15% of any transfer due to a selling-on clause, Rangers have much less cash to play with this time around.
Chairman Murray was on the offensive yesterday, saying it was "ridiculous" to suggest Rangers were a selling club. Well, obviously they are (Hutton and Carlos Cuellar being 2 sales in the past 12 months from the first team) and we're about to find out just how much they need some money this month. Chris Burke has gone on a free to Cardiff, but Alan Gow's £250,000 move to Wolves has broken down after he failed a medical. All this after Murray claimed that no one else would be sold apart from Boyd.
Rangers: skint, and looking increasingly desperate.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
2009 explodes into life
Aside from the falling-out between Gordon Strachan and Aiden McGeady, 2008 ended a little flat for Scottish football. With no clubs left in Europe, domestic competition is all the clubs have, but the SPL title race is more of a procession this season, and the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup isn't going all that well.
But the opening of the transfer window has thrown some much needed chaos into the mix. Suddenly, it seems there's no hiding place for clubs with debts to pay.
Extraordinarily for a club chasing in the championship race, Rangers have accepted a bid from Birmingham for top scorer Kris Boyd, and seem determined to get him off their books. Extraordinary, that is, unless you remember the transfer of Alan Hutton this time last year, when Rangers practically bribed their full-back to reluctantly accept a transfer to Spurs.
Boyd doesn't seem to want to go either, and the BBC is reporting that talks on personal terms have broken down. It does look as if this transfer has gone too far to fall down now, however.
It's clear that Rangers are skint and need the money... but still not at all clear as to why Walter Smith bought all those forwards in the summer - Kyle Lafferty, Kenny Miller and Andy Velicka - only to now sell Boyd. The lack of Champions League income is really hurting Rangers this season, and another trophy-light season is going to empty the coffers even more. If Ferguson is sold as well, expect the supporters to well and truly lose it.
It's possible that McGeady and Strachan may still kiss and make up, but there's a good chance the winger might still leave by the end of the month. With Rangers imploding and no European football til next season, Strachan will probably calculate that he can sell his most valued asset - and probably Boruc as well, if he wants - and still wrap up 4 in a row.
Meanwhile, tonight Motherwell beat Hearts 1-0, thanks to a goal from Chris Porter - the striker Hearts' boss Csaba Laszlo identified as a signing target. Sod's law, eh? Might teach him not to engage in grubby attempts to unsettle players before playing against them... it's not an attractive trait.
But the opening of the transfer window has thrown some much needed chaos into the mix. Suddenly, it seems there's no hiding place for clubs with debts to pay.
Extraordinarily for a club chasing in the championship race, Rangers have accepted a bid from Birmingham for top scorer Kris Boyd, and seem determined to get him off their books. Extraordinary, that is, unless you remember the transfer of Alan Hutton this time last year, when Rangers practically bribed their full-back to reluctantly accept a transfer to Spurs.
Boyd doesn't seem to want to go either, and the BBC is reporting that talks on personal terms have broken down. It does look as if this transfer has gone too far to fall down now, however.
It's clear that Rangers are skint and need the money... but still not at all clear as to why Walter Smith bought all those forwards in the summer - Kyle Lafferty, Kenny Miller and Andy Velicka - only to now sell Boyd. The lack of Champions League income is really hurting Rangers this season, and another trophy-light season is going to empty the coffers even more. If Ferguson is sold as well, expect the supporters to well and truly lose it.
It's possible that McGeady and Strachan may still kiss and make up, but there's a good chance the winger might still leave by the end of the month. With Rangers imploding and no European football til next season, Strachan will probably calculate that he can sell his most valued asset - and probably Boruc as well, if he wants - and still wrap up 4 in a row.
Meanwhile, tonight Motherwell beat Hearts 1-0, thanks to a goal from Chris Porter - the striker Hearts' boss Csaba Laszlo identified as a signing target. Sod's law, eh? Might teach him not to engage in grubby attempts to unsettle players before playing against them... it's not an attractive trait.
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