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.
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