That's how Walter Smith described retaining the SPL title, after a 1-0 win at Hibs.
To make it all the more satisfying for the old man, the goal came from Kyle Lafferty, Smith's most criticised signing, who has rarely looked worth the £3.5m the club paid for him.
So credit where it's due - Rangers might have flopped badly in the Champions League group stage (again, though Walter Smith is used to that), they might have surrended the Scottish Cup too easily, and Celtic might have shot themselves in both feet this season, but they kept their eyes on the prize in the league, and came through with three games to spare.
Despite his achievements, there's no guarantee Smith or his management team will stay on next season. Off the field, Rangers are in a real mess - in debt by at least £30m, with a tough austerity plan imposed by their bank to try and reduce the debt.
The Glasgow Herald laid out the problems in excrutiating detail - suffice to say, unless a new buyer can be found soon (and that looks very unlikely), there will be no spending spree on the squad this summer.
Any potential buyers have been put off by a tax claim from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, which seems to believe that Rangers have been avoiding paying tax on payments to players by shuffling money through off-shore accounts. Despite Rangers being Her Maj's most loyal club, the Revenue seem unwilling to overlook this small matter.
So, despite their triumph, the future isn't looking all that rosy for Rangers. Their predicament does, however, might make the club more willing to listen to ideas to change Scottish football. And this can only be a good thing.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Good bye Neil Lennon
Well, the man who wants the Celtic job has ensured that the club won't win a trophy this season, after being beaten 2-0 by Ross County in the Scottish Cup semi final.
Apart from saying how much he wanted to stay in post, Neil Lennon also found time in the build-up to the game to say that he was asking Robbie Keane to consider extending his stay past the end of the season. Which perhaps gives an explanation as to why Celtic weren't firing on all cylinders at Hampden - insufficient focus on the game in hand.
Still, Hibs' John Hughes must feel vindicated, as Ross County have proved that they aren't a bad side at all. Well, he would do, if Hibs hadn't been gubbed 4-1 by Hamilton at the weekend, which makes you wonder - can anyone get the Hibees to turn into a consistent team?
Incidentally, Celtic's last league match was at Easter Road, and though records show that Robbie Keane won the game with the only goal, he was in fact pretty useless all match (the goal was a penalty, by the way).
Just a thought, but perhaps Celtic would be better off ignoring the "box office", and employing a squad of lower-profile grafters who are committed to the club?
Little more than a year ago, Celtic looked unassailable, with Rangers in meltdown and a decent if unspectacular team. Two managers on, they are a mess - and management failings at the very top should take the blame.
Walter Smith, cruising to his second SPL title in a row and now not having to worry about the neighbours having a grand day out at Hampden in May, must be chuckling into his boots.
Apart from saying how much he wanted to stay in post, Neil Lennon also found time in the build-up to the game to say that he was asking Robbie Keane to consider extending his stay past the end of the season. Which perhaps gives an explanation as to why Celtic weren't firing on all cylinders at Hampden - insufficient focus on the game in hand.
Still, Hibs' John Hughes must feel vindicated, as Ross County have proved that they aren't a bad side at all. Well, he would do, if Hibs hadn't been gubbed 4-1 by Hamilton at the weekend, which makes you wonder - can anyone get the Hibees to turn into a consistent team?
Incidentally, Celtic's last league match was at Easter Road, and though records show that Robbie Keane won the game with the only goal, he was in fact pretty useless all match (the goal was a penalty, by the way).
Just a thought, but perhaps Celtic would be better off ignoring the "box office", and employing a squad of lower-profile grafters who are committed to the club?
Little more than a year ago, Celtic looked unassailable, with Rangers in meltdown and a decent if unspectacular team. Two managers on, they are a mess - and management failings at the very top should take the blame.
Walter Smith, cruising to his second SPL title in a row and now not having to worry about the neighbours having a grand day out at Hampden in May, must be chuckling into his boots.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saints deliver another home thrashing
When St Johnstone beat Hibs 5-1 in mid-February, it was the Hibees' John Hughes who came under pressure. After a promising start to the season, the wheels had come off and they had been hammered by a newly promoted team who many had expected to be fighting for SPL survival this season.
What to say now, after the Perth side beat Rangers 4-1 last night?
Well, firstly, credit where it's due. Let's not talk about Rangers, but rather how the home team once again turned in an energetic and astute performance, and thoroughly deserved their win.
They were helped on their way by an outrageous strike from on-loan Cillian Sheridan (who has generally disappointed) and a deflected shot that wrong-footed Alan MacGregor. But Rangers got a goal back to make the scoreline 2-1 after just 16 minutes. Surely enough time for the Champions Elect to mount a comeback? Clearly not.
But we also have to mention that, as with his predecessor Owen Coyle, manager Derek McInnes will be attracting a lot of interest from other clubs now. Saints have probably managed to fend off any would-be new employers until the summer, but may struggle to hold on to their gaffer for next season.
Mind you, if they can keep finding people like him and Coyle to run the club, there won't be much to worry about.
What to say now, after the Perth side beat Rangers 4-1 last night?
Well, firstly, credit where it's due. Let's not talk about Rangers, but rather how the home team once again turned in an energetic and astute performance, and thoroughly deserved their win.
They were helped on their way by an outrageous strike from on-loan Cillian Sheridan (who has generally disappointed) and a deflected shot that wrong-footed Alan MacGregor. But Rangers got a goal back to make the scoreline 2-1 after just 16 minutes. Surely enough time for the Champions Elect to mount a comeback? Clearly not.
But we also have to mention that, as with his predecessor Owen Coyle, manager Derek McInnes will be attracting a lot of interest from other clubs now. Saints have probably managed to fend off any would-be new employers until the summer, but may struggle to hold on to their gaffer for next season.
Mind you, if they can keep finding people like him and Coyle to run the club, there won't be much to worry about.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mowbray loses job he never understood
When we posted yesterday about this lacklustre Scottish football season, it was assuming there were few surprises left to maintain interest this season.
But St Mirren thumping Celtic 4-0 is one of the biggest surprises you could hope for. Especially when the Buddies were supposedly licking their wounds after blowing a great chance to win the League Cup, while Celtic were supposedly in fighting form.
St Mirren were slick and incisive last night, but the best footage came from off the field. Tony Mowbray held his head in his hands, while Sellick chief Peter Lawwell thought about which plate he'd use to serve the gaffer's head on.
So that's it - the inventor of the Celtic huddle and man to bring expansive, attacking football back to Parkhead is gone, along with his backroom team, with Neil Lennon appointed caretaker.
The fresh, enthusiastic young coach who had got his first management job at Hibs had never returned to Scotland. Instead, the Tony Mowbray who came back to Celtic was surly and defensive in public, and seemed to lack authority.
His final comments as Celtic manager were as mealy-mouthed as many of his press conferences: "Maybe it isn't a league for trying to force the game and being expansive - maybe it's a league for playing defensive, negative football, and having the quality upfront to counter-attack."
Hmm, Tony. Maybe, if one of your players earns more than your opponent's entire squad, then the onus is on you to try and break them down. And maybe, just maybe, good managers rebuild their team while still getting results on the field, rather than rip up the entire backline mid-season and then wonder why you are leaking goals.
Walter Smith - a man with his own problems - has made Mowbray look like a rookie this season, not a man with two previous jobs in his cv and a supposedly strong conviction about how the game should be played.
Ultimately, Mowbray looked out of his depth, unable to handle the expectations that go with the job.
But St Mirren thumping Celtic 4-0 is one of the biggest surprises you could hope for. Especially when the Buddies were supposedly licking their wounds after blowing a great chance to win the League Cup, while Celtic were supposedly in fighting form.
St Mirren were slick and incisive last night, but the best footage came from off the field. Tony Mowbray held his head in his hands, while Sellick chief Peter Lawwell thought about which plate he'd use to serve the gaffer's head on.
So that's it - the inventor of the Celtic huddle and man to bring expansive, attacking football back to Parkhead is gone, along with his backroom team, with Neil Lennon appointed caretaker.
The fresh, enthusiastic young coach who had got his first management job at Hibs had never returned to Scotland. Instead, the Tony Mowbray who came back to Celtic was surly and defensive in public, and seemed to lack authority.
His final comments as Celtic manager were as mealy-mouthed as many of his press conferences: "Maybe it isn't a league for trying to force the game and being expansive - maybe it's a league for playing defensive, negative football, and having the quality upfront to counter-attack."
Hmm, Tony. Maybe, if one of your players earns more than your opponent's entire squad, then the onus is on you to try and break them down. And maybe, just maybe, good managers rebuild their team while still getting results on the field, rather than rip up the entire backline mid-season and then wonder why you are leaking goals.
Walter Smith - a man with his own problems - has made Mowbray look like a rookie this season, not a man with two previous jobs in his cv and a supposedly strong conviction about how the game should be played.
Ultimately, Mowbray looked out of his depth, unable to handle the expectations that go with the job.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Hopes rest on Ross County
Not been a vintage season, has it?
It started with Livingston's demotion to Division Three, and the usual rank rotten contributions by Scottish clubs in Europe. And now, for many fans, it's over before the end of March.
The SPL title race has been run, and only protocol prevents the handing of the trophy to Rangers now. Discounting the Scottish Cup, the Old Firm have little left to play for this season.
Hibs' season finished last night, when they were dumped out of that competition by Ross County. It's amazing to think that in late January, with Sol Bamba returning from the African Cup of Nations, many commentators were suggesting Hibs could finish above Celtic in the league and maybe - just maybe - end their 108 year hurt in the Cup.
Instead, after making hard work of the easiest possible draw all the way through, they are licking their wounds again, and wondering where the next win might come from. Hibs' traditional post-New Year slump has been more brutal than usual this year.
Dundee Utd and Motherwell may well be duking it out from 3rd spot til the last game of the season, but given our nation's woeful record in Europe, will it really matter?
And Hearts, having all but secured the top six and won a derby, will probably consider their business done for the season. They've nothing else to play for.
Falkirk, meanwhile, ain't dead and buried yet, but they still look odds-on for relegation. Unless they actually haul themselves off the bottom of the table, we'll struggle to get interested in this one too.
So well done to Ross County. Their victory over Hibs in the Scottish Cup has been described as the biggest result in the club's history, and was celebrated with a proper old-fashioned pitch invasion. Their prize is a semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.
Please, oh please, let them win that one as well.
It started with Livingston's demotion to Division Three, and the usual rank rotten contributions by Scottish clubs in Europe. And now, for many fans, it's over before the end of March.
The SPL title race has been run, and only protocol prevents the handing of the trophy to Rangers now. Discounting the Scottish Cup, the Old Firm have little left to play for this season.
Hibs' season finished last night, when they were dumped out of that competition by Ross County. It's amazing to think that in late January, with Sol Bamba returning from the African Cup of Nations, many commentators were suggesting Hibs could finish above Celtic in the league and maybe - just maybe - end their 108 year hurt in the Cup.
Instead, after making hard work of the easiest possible draw all the way through, they are licking their wounds again, and wondering where the next win might come from. Hibs' traditional post-New Year slump has been more brutal than usual this year.
Dundee Utd and Motherwell may well be duking it out from 3rd spot til the last game of the season, but given our nation's woeful record in Europe, will it really matter?
And Hearts, having all but secured the top six and won a derby, will probably consider their business done for the season. They've nothing else to play for.
Falkirk, meanwhile, ain't dead and buried yet, but they still look odds-on for relegation. Unless they actually haul themselves off the bottom of the table, we'll struggle to get interested in this one too.
So well done to Ross County. Their victory over Hibs in the Scottish Cup has been described as the biggest result in the club's history, and was celebrated with a proper old-fashioned pitch invasion. Their prize is a semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.
Please, oh please, let them win that one as well.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Stumbles of the also-rans
The SPL split has not been universally liked since its introduction, but it does add interest as the clubs move towards the end of the season.
If the first half of this campaign was all about the narrowing of the gap between the Old Firm and the rest, the second half has asked some serious questions about those pretenders to the crown. And in most cases, they are falling flat.
Hibs boss John Hughes made 3rd place an explicit target - and they are now in 5th.
Aberdeen have been inconsistent all season, so it was no surprise that just as Mark McGhee expressed the opinion that the top six was still possible, they lost to St Johnstone to make that target look very remote.
And Hearts continue in the same vein - returning Jambo Jim Jefferies was bold enough to tell us all that Mister Romanov was very happy with progress so far... and his club celebrated by capitulating to Motherwell.
Ah, Motherwell, who are now fourth, on the back of an impressive run masterminded by wily pensioner Craig Brown. Unlikely as it seemed a few months ago, you can't now rule them out for third spot.
That depends on Dundee Utd, of course, who alone amongst this gang have shown consistency all season - all the more impressive given that Craig Levein left half way through.
To really shake up the SPL, it needs not only the Old Firm to reign in their previous excesses, but at least a couple of the others to shake off previous bad habits and put a sustained challenge together. If Motherwell and the Arabs are fighting for third, then you have to say that better-resourced clubs like Hibs and Aberdeen are falling short.
If the first half of this campaign was all about the narrowing of the gap between the Old Firm and the rest, the second half has asked some serious questions about those pretenders to the crown. And in most cases, they are falling flat.
Hibs boss John Hughes made 3rd place an explicit target - and they are now in 5th.
Aberdeen have been inconsistent all season, so it was no surprise that just as Mark McGhee expressed the opinion that the top six was still possible, they lost to St Johnstone to make that target look very remote.
And Hearts continue in the same vein - returning Jambo Jim Jefferies was bold enough to tell us all that Mister Romanov was very happy with progress so far... and his club celebrated by capitulating to Motherwell.
Ah, Motherwell, who are now fourth, on the back of an impressive run masterminded by wily pensioner Craig Brown. Unlikely as it seemed a few months ago, you can't now rule them out for third spot.
That depends on Dundee Utd, of course, who alone amongst this gang have shown consistency all season - all the more impressive given that Craig Levein left half way through.
To really shake up the SPL, it needs not only the Old Firm to reign in their previous excesses, but at least a couple of the others to shake off previous bad habits and put a sustained challenge together. If Motherwell and the Arabs are fighting for third, then you have to say that better-resourced clubs like Hibs and Aberdeen are falling short.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Levein hopes for a fresh start
Scotland kick off under another new manager tonight, as Craig Levein appears in the dug out for the first time for the friendly against the Czech Republic.
As the Czech Republic are also in Scotland's qualifying group for Euro 2012, both sides will put a little more importance on this knock about than usual.
The build up has, of course, been all about Levein's willingness to invite the Rangers bad boys back into the fold. He's extended invites to all of them, but only Kris Boyd will be involved this evening - Barry Ferguson apparently has a bye until next season, Lee McCulloch is injured, and Alan McGregor is helping the police with their inquiries / injured too.
And Boyd will be starting on the bench, both because Kenny Miller is the designated man for the "run about on your own up front and see if anything happens" role, and probably because there's a little public penance he has to pay before being inevitably summoned to take to the field.
We're pretty pragmatic about all this - it's true that Scotland have a limited pool of talent to choose from, so can't afford to exclude people for past misdemeanours.
But we'd distinguish between these four. Ferguson has been in fine form for Birmingham this season, and if he was as willing to play the holding midfield role for Scotland - rather than start strutting around the park like a cockerel - then he could definitely play a role. Boyd, meanwhile, is Scotland's best finisher, and has shown a little more to his game this season.
But McCulloch and MacGregor are both liabilities, and there are better players in their positions. Levein should move on.
As the Czech Republic are also in Scotland's qualifying group for Euro 2012, both sides will put a little more importance on this knock about than usual.
The build up has, of course, been all about Levein's willingness to invite the Rangers bad boys back into the fold. He's extended invites to all of them, but only Kris Boyd will be involved this evening - Barry Ferguson apparently has a bye until next season, Lee McCulloch is injured, and Alan McGregor is helping the police with their inquiries / injured too.
And Boyd will be starting on the bench, both because Kenny Miller is the designated man for the "run about on your own up front and see if anything happens" role, and probably because there's a little public penance he has to pay before being inevitably summoned to take to the field.
We're pretty pragmatic about all this - it's true that Scotland have a limited pool of talent to choose from, so can't afford to exclude people for past misdemeanours.
But we'd distinguish between these four. Ferguson has been in fine form for Birmingham this season, and if he was as willing to play the holding midfield role for Scotland - rather than start strutting around the park like a cockerel - then he could definitely play a role. Boyd, meanwhile, is Scotland's best finisher, and has shown a little more to his game this season.
But McCulloch and MacGregor are both liabilities, and there are better players in their positions. Levein should move on.
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