Scott McDonald - has he got what it takes?
Rational Celtic Fan's View
Although the dates between one season finishing and another beginning are getting shorter and shorter, the close-season seems to have dragged on forever this year. Maybe it was because the league as a competition was effectively over by Christmas, but I can't wait for the real thing to start again. I just hope it's more competitive than the last couple, though maybe not quite as dramatic as "helicopter Sunday".
As a Celtic fan the pre-season signs and signings would point to a strengthening of the team and an encouraging upping of the pace and tempo within the squad. The departure of Neil Lennon has been more than compensated for by the capture of Scott Brown and the addition of Donati, giving the midfield a much more energetic and purposeful look than last season.
A vocal minority of fans who have yet to take to the managerial style of WGS will be perversely pleased to see a sterner test being compiled by Rangers. While he may not have millions to spend this time around, Walter Smith knows Scottish football inside out and is aware of the mentality needed to win the title. The Old Firm games will take care of themselves, but Rangers appear to be assembling a workman-like side, difficult to beat and will not lose as many "silly" points as last year.
All in all it promises to be a much more interesting race than in recent years, though the depth of Celtic's squad (assuming no-one is moved on) should ensure that Strachan, despite the doubters will win a third consecutive title for Celtic for the first time in over 30 years.
An ideal scenario will be the retention of the league, (with some more fluid football being played along the way) and some further headway in Europe, the stage that all Celtic fans believe the club should be performing well on regularly.
Rabid View
Although it may be closer, Celtic look to have far too much in the tank for a poverty-stricken Rangers team to deal with. the return of Uncle Watty raised spectres of bad times past but the dream team of Walter and Ally is like Celtic appointing Billy McNeil and Frank MacAvennie to save the club. For Murray, desperate to sell up and move on, Rangers are working on much reduced funds and being out-bid for the signature of Scott Brown, a "certain" Rangers capture will rankle the man who once promised a fiver for every tenner. Now he deals in Moonbeams.
Sad to see a Celtic legend like Neil Lennon bow out but Skoosh and Donati look like being a central midfield pairing with much more in the tank. Some full-back cover and a proven striker to partner VoH would be nice but Killen and MacDonald are enough to cope with the trials of the SPL.
The Champions League qualifier is the real test and nothing less than the last 16 will be enough to keep the anti-Strachan brigade quiet. It's all down to the luck of the draw but a decent group and some luck should see the current group of players through. We just need to get that elusive away win.
Personally I would be happy to send the Cardigan back into retirement and move a third of the way to another NIAR.
24th July 2007
