Big(ish) Question: Who Will Win The SPL?
The Scottish Premier League got underway today, and it promises to be the closest for a while. For the first time in years, it’s looking like a three-way fight as opposed to the usual two-horse race. Continuing that mixed metaphor, which horse will win the SPL fight; Rangers, Celtic or Hearts?
Celtic: Last year’s champions have lost important, experienced players in Roy Keane, Dion Dublin and John Hartson, while influential midfielder Stilian Petrov may or may not be on the way out. Gordon Strachan has made several new signings (Gary Caldwell, Derek Riordan, Jiri Jarosik, Kenny Miller, Evander Sno) and it remains to be seen how they settle in.
Rangers: Finished outside the top two for the first time in 18 years last season, and will be desperate to bounce back. Quite literally under new management, with former Lyon chief Paul Le Guen taking over from Alex McLeish. He has a reputation for nurturing young talent and was quick to bring in promising youngsters like Karl Svensson and Jérémy Clément. It all depends how fast Le Guen’s new players and new philosophy take effect, and (as always) how Dado Pršo’s famous knees hold up.
Hearts: Financed by Vladimir Romanov (the poor man’s Roman Abramovich) nouveau riche Hearts finished ahead of Rangers to take second place last year, and are hoping to go one better this season. Romanov did a lot of meddling in 2005/6; George Burley coached the team into an early first place lead, but resigned after Romanov signed players over his head. His replacement Graham Rix didn’t last much longer, even suggesting Romanov was picking the team. Romanov’s fellow Lithuanian Valdas Ivanauskas is the new coach. Hearts recently lost Czech winger Rudolf Skacel to Burley’s new club Southampton, while contract rebel Andy Webster will soon become the first player to cancel his contract under new FIFA laws. Depending on what Romanov does in the transfer market (let’s not pretend Ivanauskas is in charge), Hearts could either implode or go all the way this season. Whatever happens it will be worth watching.
Celtic beat Kilarnock 4-1 in the season opener, while Hearts claimed a late 2-1 win over Dunfermline. Rangers play Motherwell tomorrow (Sunday). For a round-up of the first day’s action, click here.
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Comments
By Cajun Nick | July 30th, 2006 at 3:00 pm 
Hail! Hail! The Celts are here.
The cheers go up ’cause we know the Scottish Cup’s coming home to rest at Paradise!
Celtic, Celtic, Celtic!
Go Bhoys!
Posted from 
United States
By Eido | July 31st, 2006 at 2:35 am Rangers: Finished outside the top two for the first time in a decade last year, and will be desperate to bounce back. Quite literally under new management, with former Lyon chief Paul Le Guen taking over from Alex McLeish. He has a reputation for nurtuting young talent and was quick to bring in talented youngsters like Karl Svensson and Jérémy Clément. It all depends how quickly Le Guen’s new players and new philosophy take effect, and (as always) how Dado Pršo’s famous knees hold up.
OK where do I start?
Firstly it was the first time in 20 years. At least tell a true story rather than the interesting one that all hacks make up!
And P.S.
Do you ignorant feckers know that Glasgow Rangers have won more Domestic trophies than any other football team in the world?………………………Thought not!
One day you shower of condescending illiterate bawbags will learn to do your jobs right.
And guess what……….. we will still welcome the chase!
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By Eido | July 31st, 2006 at 2:36 am Ignorance is no excuse.
P.S.
BJK
Posted from United Kingdom
By Cajun Nick | July 31st, 2006 at 3:56 am Daryl,
I think that you’ve worked Eido up into a lather with your “hack” job.
There’s a word for his condition with all that foam around his mouth…rabid.
Which is a good thing, by the way. We could all do with a little more enthusiasm for our clubs.
Posted from United States
By Cajun Nick | July 31st, 2006 at 4:03 am Eido,
Well, the chase is on. Except, of course, Celtic are the team being chased.
But, the Hoops and…the team you support…both got good wins today.
We’ll see what happens on Sept. 23.
Posted from United States
By daryl | July 31st, 2006 at 4:42 am Eido,
It’s 18 years (87/88 season) and it’s been corrected.
Posted from United States
By nicko | July 31st, 2006 at 6:48 am Aberdeen!
well, ok in the derby games I’m a Celtic fan, but in reality despite Hearts’ luck last year, do the non Celtic v. Rangers games actually count for anything anymore?
Posted from 
Australia
By Galactico | July 31st, 2006 at 7:59 am Who cares?
Really.
Who gives a shite?
No, really.
SPL? What? Just merge with EPL, already. Would make it much more competitive and profitable.
It’s the 21st century. They should’ve said “It’s been over a 100 years since football became what it is today, so let’s create a Great Britain team and move forward. Why not? 100 years before that, there was nothing, that’s why not.”
Posted from United States
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