SPL Weekend Preview

The second set of fixtures in the SPL season are set to be played, however, with Celtic on friendly duty their match against Dunfermline has been postponed, while Hearts’ fixture against Dundee United is being played on the Sunday due to the Jambos European exploits in midweek.

Saturday Fixtures:

St. Johnstone vs. Rangers - 12:00

Stupid time for a kick-off, with even the half twelve kick off being at a better time than this. Both teams will be looking for wins to really get them started in the league, after both could only gain a point in their first fixtures. Gers boss Ally McCoist will be looking to ease the tension within the Ibrox support with a comfortable win in his first away fixture, while Derek McInnes will be hoping his Saints side can pile more pressure on the rookie manager. Rangers should get the points, however I did say the same last week.

St. Johnstone 0 - 2 Rangers

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Inverness vs. Hibs - 15:00

Caley looked very toothless against Motherwell in their opening fixture, going down 3-0 at Fir Park, while Hibs were beaten by a very good side in Celtic. With these two teams being the only sides without a point already, they will both be looking for that victory to get them off the mark. I firmly believe that this will be a battle, and while Hibs may look the better prospect on paper, their record at Caley is horrendous and I can see a scoring draw being the most likely of results.

Inverness 1 - 1 Hibs

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Kilmarnock vs. Motherwell - 15:00

Complete opposite to the previous fixture as both these teams got very decent starts to their campaign, Motherwell defeating Inverness convincingly and Killie gaining a point in a very entertaining match against Dundee United. Kenny Shiels will be looking to get his first win as Killie manager and get the monkey off his back of not having won, while Motherwell look to continue their 100% start to the season. Both teams are likely to be disappointed as again a draw looks like the best option.

Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Motherwell

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St. Mirren vs. Aberdeen - 15:00

Both of these teams will probably have felt they could have done better in their first fixture, St. Mirren controlling their game against Dunfermline, missing a penalty as well, while Aberdeen did everything but score against St. Johnstone. Aberdeen with Craig Brown in charge should be able to keep a solid back line against keep Steven Thompson at bay, while their decent attacking options should give them their first win of the season.

St. Mirren 1 - 2 Aberdeen

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The Next Generation Of Young SPL Stars

With David Goodwillie looking like he may be on the move from Dundee United, with a 2million pound price being talked about, another top talent looks set to leave the SPL, or at the very least join one of the Old Firm.  This is an all too common scenario with the ten SPL clubs outside of the SPL, and this is how business works in the Scottish game.  Youngsters are brought through the ranks to be sold at a later date.  So, in this editorial, TheFullTenYards will look at 5 other youngsters that are coming through at clubs throughout Scotland, that are likely to join Goodwillie in making a big money move very soon.

1:  Jamie Murphy (Striker) - Motherwell - 21 Years Old - 147 Games (27 Goals)

A product of the fabled Motherwell youth system, famous for bringing through players such as James McFadden and Mark Reynolds, the next star to come through is Jamie Murphy.  The young Scotsman made his debut in 2007 as a substitute against Celtic.  This was to be his only appearance of that season, however, the following season he made 17 appearances, albeit with all of them coming from the bench, scoring his first goal for the club against Hibs.  From that, Murphy has developed into a better player every season, making more appearances and scoring more goals each season.  Moreover, from what was seen of him at the weekend against Inverness, that trend is not likely to stop.

A striker who is also able to play on the wings, Murphy is a star that is currently being watched by many clubs throughout England.  Motherwell fans though are hopeful that Murphy decides to continue to develop at the Steelmen for one more season, before making his big money move.

2: David Templeton (Winger) - Hearts - 22 Years Old - 54 Games (9 Goals)

The young Hearts winger lit up the SPL in the final few months of the previous season, having been described by Hearts manager as being 15 million pounds worth of talent.  Having been nabbed at a young age while playing Third Division football at Stenhousemuir for £20,000, this shows how much the youngster has came on under the guide of Csaba Laszlo and Jim Jefferies.  He continued to dazzle at a loan spell with Raith Rovers in 2008, and was eventually brought into the Hearts first team in 2009 making 17 first team appearances.

His stock continued to rise throughout last season , with two young player of the month awards for his performances in November and December.  He also started to add goals to his game, culminating in a cracking solo effort in the first Edinburgh derby last season.  Templeton was also recognised by both fans and players as he was nominated for both the PFA Young Player of the Year and the Hearts Fans Young Player Of The Year, the latter of which he won.

If Templeton does continue to play the way he is, then a big money move is surely inevitable.

3: Paul Hanlon (Centre Back) - Hibs - 21 Years Old - 65 Games (3 Goals)

Hanlon used to be an attacking midfielder while playing for youth sides in Edinburgh, however, having been converted to a centre back when joining Hibs, he has became a solid defensive minded player, excelling at both left back and centre back.  Having came up through the youth side, Hanlon has used the previous two seasons to really assert himself as a fixture in the first team, either at left back or centre half.  Hibs have been his only team throughout the last four years, apart from a short loan spell at St. Johnstone.

Having captained Scotland’s Under 19 and Under 21 sides, Hanlon finally became club captain of Hibs in the second half of last season, and enjoyed his most fruitful season, making a total of 33 games and scoring 2 goals.  Furtermore he also won Hibs Player Of The Year last season and his future looks bright in the game, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing in the Premiership in the next few seasons. 


4: Liam Kelly (Central Midfielder) - Kilmarnock - 21 Years Old - 47 Games (8 Goals)

Kelly was a number of youngsters who were released by MK Dons in 2008 as the club could no longer afford to keep him on.  The young Englishman found himself out of the game for a few months before he eventually joined Kilmarnock in 2009.  The youngster had to wait until the second half of the 2010/11 season before being given a start by Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl, after the sacking of Jim Jefferies.  Grabbing this chance he took full advantage and ended up being a regular under the two Jimmy’s, scoring his first goal for the club in a Scottish cup tie against Inverness.

After Mixu Paatelainen took the reigns at Killie, Kelly continued to hold down a first team position, playing alongside Alexei Eremenko and Craig Bryson in a strong Killie midfield.  He also made his first Scotland Under 21 appearance (being eligible through both his parents being Scottish) in a match against Belgium last season.  The midfielder continued to prove himself and has the talent and tenacity to go far in the game, and follow both Bryson and Eremenko to better things in the future.

5: Fraser Fyvie (Attacking Midfielder) - Aberdeen - 18 Years Old - 32 Games (1 Goal)

One of the most highly rated youngsters in Scotland at this point, Fyvie looks to make this season his breakthrough season at Aberdeen, having had last season be a write off after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the early part of last season.  However, Fyvie has had a promising start to his career before the injury, having made his debut at the tender age of 16, where he was also awarded the man of the match for his performance.  He also scored his first goal for the Dons in January 2010, the goal seeing him become the youngest ever player to score in the SPL, beating the record set by David Goodwillie.

At 18, and having missed most of last season with injury, Fyvie has already made an astonishing 32 appearances for the club, which shows the faith they have in the youngster, and I will be very surprised if he is not plying his trade at a higher level within the next five years.

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SFA's New Cash For Kids Incentive Hits A Dull Note

David Goodwillie of Dundee United a young Scottish player brought up through the ranks at United

The governing body of Scottish football recently announced a new cash incentive for Premier League clubs to play Scottish players who are under the age of 21, offering a cash sum of £750 a game for any team featuring two Scottish player who meet the required age limit in their first eleven, while offering a maximum £1000 if a team featured three or more players who meet the criteria. Sounds a simple plan to help aid the development of young talent in Scotland, offer the cash strapped teams money to play Scottish youngsters in their first team. But is it the right thing to do, or is this just another nonsensical idea that the SFA have thought up just to look as if they are doing something?

Firstly I have to state that I firmly agree with the SFA in their bid to improve the level of youngster being brought through in the country, and I’m sure fellow Scottish football fans would say the same. We all want to see the next generation being nurtured and brought into the first teams of teams throughout the country, it is the only way that we can move forward.

However, the first problem with the idea is the ridiculous pay structure which separates the SPL and the SFL. SPL teams will be due £750-£1000 if they can meet the standards set by the SFA, however, SFL will only receive 10% of this, meaning they will only get £100 a game for playing three Scottish youngsters in their first eleven. This means that if a club in the SFL plays three Scottish youngsters for the full season in every game, they will receive a total of £3600 from the SFA, while SPL clubs doing the same will get £38000! I would rather see the funding more evenly split between all forty two teams, even going as far as offering the lower leagues more money than their SPL counterparts, in a bid to have them focus on youth development, bring through kids into their teams, let them develop their game at a lower level and then be purchased by a top level club when they are at a suitable level to go on and progress more. This would mean the lower league clubs would bring through the players, have them for a few years, give them first team football, have an SPL club buy them if they are good enough, and then put the money they receive into bringing through more youth players. It’s a perfect circle of continuous development throughout the four Scottish leagues.

With this strategy though, we are going to throw the youngsters in at the deep end, give them first team football at a level they may not be good enough for, and then probably replace them after a year or two finally throwing them on the scrapheap.

Secondly, I do not think such an amount of money is going to change the way clubs bring through their youth players. It should be a case of, if they are good enough then give them a chance. Don’t just throw them in at the first chance because you want a cash bonus for your team. It may also cause trouble between chairmen and managers, with tension occurring if the chairmen want to see the money, while managers believe that the players aren’t good enough. Chairmen should not meddle in first team affairs, as it only leads to confrontation between managers and those in charge, as fans of Hearts and Kilmarnock could attest to.

I also think that the rule should not only be set for Scottish youngsters, and believe that we should be handing benefits out for teams that play Under 21’s of all nationalities. It is not fair on youngsters that may not be from Scotland who see their careers being hampered because they are not from a certain country. Furthermore, it is also not fair to the fans, who may not be able to see the best youngsters that their team is developing because they are not of a Scottish descent. From a better quality of player in the league, comes a higher standard of football, which brings players up to that level and it would bring better Scottish players through as well. As the saying goes, quality before quantity.

Finally I believe that we need to develop a way for these young players to take the step in between Under19’s and the first team. Whether this be creating a new reserve league in the SPL, which would allow the youngsters to develop competitively without being under the pressures of first team football. Or if we were to go the Spanish way and allow a B team to play in the lower divisions. Either way, a continuing development of players is needed up until they are good enough for first team football.

Scotland does need to nurture its young players, and bring them through with the technique that their European counterparts have, however, this should not be in sacrifice of the quality of game being played.

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Dull Affair As Pars Return To Top Flight

Dunfermline 0 - 0 St. Mirren

Dunfermline unfurled the first division champions flag in front of just over five thousand fans in a lacklustre game against a St. Mirren side looking to put their newly signed players to use. Nigel Hasselbaink and Gary Teale provided the early opportunities for an opener, with the former going close after being put through by Jerome Tesselaar. St. Mirren continued to have most of the game and the Pars looked very overwhelmed by the occasion. A curling Martin Hardie free kick being the closest the Pars fans got to seeing a home goal on the night. Things began to heat up near the end of the first half, when ex Buddies captain John Potter was penalised for what looked like a soft push on new signing Steven Thompson, but the new recruit from Burnley could only watch as his penalty was saved by another ex Buddie in Paul Gallacher in the Pars goal. The second half continued to produce not a lot, with Teale and Thompson both going close for St. Mirren while Hardie had another free kick that went close.

Not the fairytale return to the SPL that Pars fans may have wanted, however, a draw against a strong looking St. Mirren side is not as bad as it could have been.

Man of the Match - Jim Goodwin (St. Mirren): The new St. Mirren captain looked very assured in the middle of the park, his strength and passing set him a class apart from the rest of the players on show. St. Mirren fans will be hoping that his standards don’t fall throughout the season.

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Weekend Review

With the Scottish season now up and running, with only one game left to be played in the opening set of fixtures (Dunfermline vs. St. Mirren) which shall be looked at tomorrow, it is now time to review the opening set of games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, starting with the Saturday fixtures.

Rangers 1 - 1 Hearts

Ally’s McCoist’s first game in charge of the Glasgow giants ended in disappointment as they could only salvage a draw against a good Hearts side. Ryan McGowan’s pressure and good ball skills led to a corner being conceded by new Rangers signing Juanma. The resultant corner was floated in by Hearts new signing Danny Grainger and was powered home by the leaping David Obua for an unlikely lead for the team from Gorgie. Two claims for penalties were then turned down, as first Jelavic took a tumble under pressure from the Hearts defence, and then Stevie Naismith went down on the edge of the box. Both decisions were rightfully played on, much to the disgust of the home fans. Naismith should have equalised early in the second half, after a lovely dummy by Jelavic left him one on one, but his shot went well over the bar. Rangers eventual equaliser came more from a mistake by Hearts than anything else, as Ryan McGowan was robbed of possession on the half way line, and the marauding Sasa Papac made him pay, swinging in a cross for Naismith to comfortably head home. Both Obua (denied by a superb save by McGregor) and Papac could have won the game for their teams, but in the end a draw was a fair result.

Man Of The Match - Marius Zaliukas (Hearts): Showed why he is considered one of the best defenders in the SPL with a stand out performance. Marshalled his defence well, and continues to look a class act.

Aberdeen 0 - 0 St. Johnstone

A very windy game at Aberdeen produced a rather dire game of football, with few decent talking points. Ricky Foster thankfully not getting booed by his own fans after his experience with Rangers last season, creating the two best Aberdeen chances in the first half with long range efforts which were comfortably dealt with by Peter Enckleman. The excellent Fraser Fyvie played a delightful through ball to Darren Mackie early in the second half, but the Dons were stopped again by Enckleman. The wind nearly became the most talked about moment in the game, as a high corner from the Dons was caught in it and a scrambling Enckleman had to deal with a ball at his near posts which a few seconds ago was heading deep for his back post. Fyvie came the closest to opening the scoring as his cross hit the inside of the post after looping over Enckleman, before bouncing harmlessly back to a Saints player. The major talking point of the game occurred when a loose pass by Ryan Jack was picked up by Murray Davidson, with the former coming in with a late studs up tackle onto the ankle of the Saints midfielder. A red card was produced by referee Conroy and upon looking at it, it was a very late challenge and probably justified the sending off.

Man of the Match - Fraser Fyvie (Aberdeen): The youngster looks like he could have a very big future in the game, and performances like this will continue to enhance his reputation.

Motherwell 3 - 0 Inverness

Jamie Murphy heightened his growing reputation within the game, and sent the watching scouts home with a glowing report. Michael Higdon also looked like he could be a decent signing for the steel men looking very good in the air. Richie Foran for Inverness came closest to opening the scoring, hitting the post with a curling shot from twenty yards. The opening goal came at the other side though, with an unlikely source in Stevie Hammell getting the goal in a fortunate manner, his volley hitting the post and then cannoning off the head of Ryan Esson and back into the net. Murphy got his goal after good work from Jennings and Law, which seen the new signing Law send the striker through on goal, and he showed the composure to side foot the ball past Esson to double Well’s lead. Inverness could have been back in the game though, but Greg Tansey seen his effort beat Randolph but come back off the post. Randolph then denied Tansey with a cracking point blank save, which was more a reflex than anything else. The third Well goal came from a superb shot from Keith Lasley, the ball dropping to him just outside the box and he powered it into the top corner, leaving Esson with no chance.

Man of the Match - Jamie Murphy (Motherwell): The young striker showed that he may be ready for a step up in class very soon, Motherwell will do very well to hold onto him during this transfer window.

Hibs 0 - 2 Celtic

Celtic get a good first win under their belts with a comfortable win against Hibs, however, the result was marred by the fact they were playing in the horrific “bumblebee” strip, which was a constant eyesore when watching the game. Anthony Stokes opened the scoring for the Hoops after a calamity from Hibs keeper Graham Stack who overstretched for the Celtic free kick and could only fumble the ball to the ex Hibs striker, who calmly placed the ball high into the net. The Hibs goalkeeper curse looks set to continue for a while yet it would seem. Marc Wilson then had a goal disallowed for offside and on further inspection it looked very tight, with the full back looking to be in line with the final Hibs defender. Claims for a Hibs penalty after Sproule fell under the challenge by Kelvin Wilson were rightfully turned away, the Hibs winger already falling before any contact was made. Ki Sung Yueng wrapped up the points for Celtic and completed an excellent display by the Korean, with a cracking strike that fizzed into bottom corner past the outstretched arm of Stack. Celtic were then awarded a penalty after Izaguirre was brought down by Sproule, however the resulting Hooper penalty was saved by Stack who palmed it onto the post.

Man of the Match - Ki Sung Yueng (Celtic): The Korean looked very assured in the middle of the park, did well in replacing Scott Brown and was at the heart of everything Celtic did.


Dundee United 1 - 1 Kilmarnock

Both teams fought out an even contest, with both teams trying to adjust to life after some of their star players had departed. New signing for United, John Rankin sending a shot flying past Cammy Bell’s goal. James Dayton will look to come on this year after missing seven months for Killie last season, and he was next to take a shot after a direct run from the half way line, however, his shot missed the target. David Goodwillie should have opened the scoring after a cracking cross from Paul Dixon was met only six yards out by Goodwillie, however the Scottish young player of the year missed when it looked easier to score. Cammy Bell then had to be alert in the Killie goal to stop a deflected cross sneaking into his bottom corner, while Harkins missed at the other end after hitting his own player with the ball. Killie new boy Rory McKeon then lit up the game in the second half, as he brought down a clearance twenty five yards out, before thumping the ball past the stretching Pernis and sending it crashing into the roof of the net, for a debut to remember. Dundee United soon equalised though, through a free kick that was struck against the wall only for it to fall to Danny Swanson, who then powered the ball into the bottom corner leaving Bell with no chance. It fell to Goodwillie though who had the opportunity to wrap up the three points for United in the last minute, however, he tried to take the ball by Bell and the Killie keeper managed to grab the ball, much to the relief of the Killie fans in attendance.

Man of the Match - Patrick Ada (Kilmarnock): The new recruit from Crewe looked very assured at the back, strong in the challenge and looks to have already set up a decent partnership with other new signing Zdenek Kroca in the backline.

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First Game Fixtures

The SPL season starts off with a bang with a new season which is sure to promise to be as exciting as previous seasons, with many teams strengthening, many preparing for the earliest start to a league season in many years, while Rangers and Celtic will fight it out for the title, the remaining ten will fight it out for the rest of the places and the honour of being the best of the rest or have the disaster of being relegated. This weekend a full set of fixtures kicks us off with a 12.30 Saturday start for Hearts and champions Rangers. Without further ado, here is my look at this weekend’s fixtures:

Saturday fixtures

Rangers vs. Hearts - 12.30

Rangers kick off their season with the tough visit of Hearts who will be looking to continue their season promise and look to challenge the Old Firm as much as possible. Several new players may make debuts for both sides. I am not going to announce something as spectacular as an away win at Ibrox as my first prediction, but I do foresee Hearts given Rangers, under new boss, Ally McCoist, a bit of a challenge.

Verdict: 3 - 1

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Aberdeen vs. St. Johnstone - 3.00

Craig Brown’s first full season in charge of Aberdeen promises so much, with a new team shaping up and a different outlook from different seasons. A nice home win for the Dons is predicted, and St. Johnstone will be lucky to look past this game and move forward at their first home match.

Verdict: 2 -0

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Motherwell vs. Inverness - 3.00

The start of the season is always a tough one to predict, especially with two teams so closely talented. If Terry Butcher can continue the Inverness away results feat, then they should do ok, Motherwell as well, will look to start the season at home with a bang.

Verdict: 1 - 1

...

Sunday Fixtures

Hibs vs. Celtic - 12.30

Even at this early stage in the season Celtic will be looking to capitalise on any mistakes that Rangers may make, and an away game at Easter Road may prove to be quite a decent opportunity for a good start to the season. Hibs will probably take time to gel and Colin Calderwood will probably be looking towards the next fixture for their first chance at points. Celtic should get the win and start their season perfectly, before they go on their start of season, pre season fixture!

Verdict: Hibs 0 - 2 Celtic

...

Dundee United vs. Kilmarnock - 3.00

Dundee United disappointed their fans on Thursday after getting eliminated from the Europa League at the first hurdle, getting put out by Polish side Slask Warclaw. They will look to put that behind them against the team they beat for the European slot last season. United won this fixture 4-2 last time, and both teams have lost near enough their full midfield during the pre season, Bauben and Gomis leaving United, with Bryson and Eremenko departing from Killie. Killie will be looking for a decent start to the season, and prove some of their doubters wrong. Therefore a close struggle should ensue.

Verdict: Dundee United 1 - 1 Kilmarnock

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Pre Season Predictions

The Scottish Football Season kicks off in a few hours, much to the disgust of many Scottish football figures including Inverness manager Terry Butcher, who declared it a farce, and I have to agree with him. Being three weeks early of the English Premiership starting, and allowing for pre season friendly’s to occur after the season has started is taking the biscuit quite clearly. The Scottish football season put bluntly should start at the same time as its English counterparts, be it either the Championship or the Premiership.

However, with it starting tomorrow, it is time for the annual pre season predictions, which is a reason to look back in ten months time and laugh at how hopelessly I get it wrong. So here goes:

1st - Rangers: Should make it four in a row in a tightly contested competition with Celtic. The only reason for having Rangers ahead of Celtic is due to the managers at both clubs. While Neil Lennon at Celtic is likely to continue hogging all the spotlight, Ally McCoist will be happy to leave him to it, and will instill his players with the confidence to take the top position.

Key Player: Nikica Jelavic

2nd - Celtic: See above.

Key Player: Kris Commons

3rd - Hearts: Not a shock to many, as Hearts ran away with third position last season and I presume they will do the same this season. Some assured signings from Jim Jefferies in Mehdi Taouil, Jamie Hamill and John Sutton are likely to see Hearts continue cementing third position as their own. They may not push the Old Firm as much as many would like, but they should confirm third place and keep the status quo going in Scotland.

Key Player: Andrew Driver

4th - Aberdeen: Did not have the season they were expecting last season, with Mark McGhee not having the return to Aberdeen that he was expecting, culminating in some shocking defeats and an embarrassing exit for the former Don great. However, with Craig Brown now at the helm, he is likely to do the same as he did at Motherwell and continue to prove that he grows better with age. They should make sure of 4th quite comfortably if Brown gets his team gelling together in the manner he usually does.

Key Player: Scott Vernon

5th - Dundee United: After Aberdeen it comes down to a straight fight between roughly everyone else to fill the remaining two positions in the top six. Dundee United have been gutted of a few strong players over the pre season weeks, and will be weakened for it, however, if they continue to keep David Goodwillie at the head of their attack then he should get the goals to keep them strong in the top six. If they do fail to keep him though, they could struggle for a top six position.

Key Player: David Goodwillie

6th - Kilmarnock: Alexei Eremenko has now left them, after being the star of the league last season, and along with Bryson, Hamill and Taouil they may struggle over the first few weeks with a new team trying to work together. However, if Kenny Shiels continues to keep the Mixu way of playing then they should be comfortably safe, maybe even sneaking a top six position. Paul Heffernan and Gary Harkins should get a few goals between them and that should get the Killie into the top six.

Key Player: Liam Kelly

7th - Motherwell: Rookie manager in Stuart McCall could give them a bit of a problem, and their first full season without Craig Brown may prove that the old manager made the team, especially with what I predict him to do at Aberdeen. They have enough quality about their team though to make sure they are comfortably clear of relegation and should fight both Dundee United and Kilmarnock, alongside Hibs and St. Mirren for a top six position.

Key Player: Jamie Murphy

8th - Hibs: The speculation over the future of Colin Calderwood has finally went away, with the ex Newcastle assistant finally confirming that his future lies with the Edinburgh side. Shrewd signings in both O’Connor and Sproule returning to the Hibees has led many to believe that Hibs could push into the top six this season. I however, look at the record of Calderwood at Hibs, and still believe that he may struggle this season with greater expectations on his shoulders.

Key Player: Garry O’Connor

9th - St. Mirren: Steven Thompson will prove to be a very good signing I feel and I am quite confident in predicting that he will get over a double figure total scores for this season. Gary Teale can provide him with the deliveries the big man needs to score goals. However, it is at the back that the Buddies will once again come unstuck, cracks will open and inconsistency will appear. A season of some cracking and some weird results will occur, but St. Mirren should be safe and have the nack of fighting off relegation that should see them clear by the start of the split.

Key Player: Steven Thompson

10th - Inverness: Losing Adam Rooney was a bitter blow for Terry Butcher, and the second season curse should strike in, after losing that “new kid in town” effect they may struggle. A lack of firepower and a touch of inconsistency will see them in a three team battle for the relegation spot, but they should succeed in avoiding such a fate, if not for their team, but for the fear of God, Butcher will put into them.

Key Player: Richie Foran

11th - Dunfermline: The difference between previous seasons and this season is that a lot of teams that would usually be fighting relegation season after season have got a hell of a lot stronger. Kilmarnock and St. Mirren should easily clear the relegation battle, and that only leaves a few teams. Jim McIntyre is currently trying to build a team worthy of a position in the SPL, but his team is littered with those only good enough for the 1st division and I can only envisage a struggle in their, and McIntyre’s first season in the big league.

Key Player: Paul Burns

12th - St. Johnstone: It just sometimes happens that a manager finally reaches a period where he can’t take a team any further, it happened with Jim Jefferies at Kilmarnock, Gus MacPherson at St. Mirren and it may now happen with Derek McInnes at St. Johnstone. There was a period of struggle last season with the Saints and McInnes managed to navigate that period, just. This season though is a different matter and with a load of better teams, the Saints are my pick for the drop. The quicker that McInnes gets his deserved move down south, the better for St. Johnstone, or he could just become another manager who should have moved on to better things, but instead held on to long and everything ended in disaster.

Key Player: Murray Davidson

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Kick Off

Welcome to the blog that discusses Scottish Football outside the Old Firm and its majority of supporters. I apologise to any Rangers or Celtic fans who have arrived at this site thinking they were going to get an in depth look at the top two in Scottish football, because, well they aren’t. However, if you are a fan of any of the ten SPL clubs outside of the two Glasgow giants, or any of the thirty clubs in the Scottish Football League then I am trying to aim this blog at you lot. The fans of the clubs not on the backpages, the fans of the clubs not mentioned when talking about Scottish football to a foreigner and the fans of the clubs who are continually asked, “no really, who do you support, Rangers or Celtic?”!

Scottish football is currently in a decline, long gone are the days of television money flooding in, where European football was a thing that lasted more than just one home leg and one away leg. These days Scottish football is seen as a joke, a laughing stock of European football, be it Deportivo fans poking fun at the game in Scotland, declaring that they didn’t want to be involved in a two team league as well, or having to draft referees in from around the continent in a bid to make sure top flight games are played, the game is currently in the doldrums.

Every player, team, manager, fan, has to work together in order to try and bring us out of this descent and bring us into an era where we are not laughed at, and where clubs can actually challenge the top two.

So basically, what I want to achieve from this blog is to have a list of entries that fans can look through and see items ranging from Hearts and Dundee United editorials, to East Stirling and Forfar news. I want to try and avoid as much Old Firm items as I can and try to discuss the Scottish Footballing world outside of Rangers and Celtic.

I look forward to writing for you, and hope that you can take the time to read some posts and hopefully leave a comment or two. I am all for reasonable debates with fellow fans, and will enjoy getting involved in some light hearted banter with as many people as I can.

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