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.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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.
Monday, November 09, 2009
SPL proves a draw
Six games over the weekend, and three of them finished all square.
The most anticipated, but ultimately most disappointing, was the Edinburgh derby on Saturday lunchtime. Both clubs will be reasonably happy with the 0-0 draw though - Hearts because they didn't get beat, and Hibs because they were missing a few players and clearly went to Tynecastle with containment in mind.
A disappointingly low crowd at the Lanarkshire derby, but a much more interesting match. Again, both sides should be happy - Hamilton because after going down to 10 men and conceding a penalty in the first half, a point has to be a decent result, and Motherwell because they fought back to draw the game late on.
Watch out for Billy Reid attacking his own dug out after their second goal as well - hilarious stuff.
Finally to Falkirk, where after a little Remembrance Day controversy involving some Celtic fans (what a shock eh?), an amazing 3-3 draw took place, with all the goals coming in the second half. All credit to the Bairns - down in last place in the table, they took the game to the leaders with some exciting attacking football.
Tony Mowbray can't be sleeping well at the moment, though.
All highlights on the BBC website, as always.
The most anticipated, but ultimately most disappointing, was the Edinburgh derby on Saturday lunchtime. Both clubs will be reasonably happy with the 0-0 draw though - Hearts because they didn't get beat, and Hibs because they were missing a few players and clearly went to Tynecastle with containment in mind.
A disappointingly low crowd at the Lanarkshire derby, but a much more interesting match. Again, both sides should be happy - Hamilton because after going down to 10 men and conceding a penalty in the first half, a point has to be a decent result, and Motherwell because they fought back to draw the game late on.
Watch out for Billy Reid attacking his own dug out after their second goal as well - hilarious stuff.
Finally to Falkirk, where after a little Remembrance Day controversy involving some Celtic fans (what a shock eh?), an amazing 3-3 draw took place, with all the goals coming in the second half. All credit to the Bairns - down in last place in the table, they took the game to the leaders with some exciting attacking football.
Tony Mowbray can't be sleeping well at the moment, though.
All highlights on the BBC website, as always.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Mark McGhee "clarifies" his stance
Previewing this weekend's tie against St Johnstone, Mark McGhee has had a go at explaining his complaints about the refereeing of the Hibs game.
No, he hasn't read the now infamous article on the Dons' website, accusing the ref of being the "12th" man.
No, he didn't think either sending off was wrong... just maybe a little harsh.
No, he didn't think Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie was illegal... just "over-robust".
Hmm. So the refereee got nothing wrong and McGhee had nothing to do with the offending article. Sounds like a man who realises he's been a bit foolish and is trying to talk his way out of trouble...
No, he hasn't read the now infamous article on the Dons' website, accusing the ref of being the "12th" man.
No, he didn't think either sending off was wrong... just maybe a little harsh.
No, he didn't think Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie was illegal... just "over-robust".
Hmm. So the refereee got nothing wrong and McGhee had nothing to do with the offending article. Sounds like a man who realises he's been a bit foolish and is trying to talk his way out of trouble...
Dundee - a tale of two halves
While one Dundee club are feeling the pinch, the other is spending money.
Craig Levein hinted last week that the Arabs are experiencing financial difficulties due to the collapse of Setanta, though the chairman Steven Thompson moved quickly to alleviate concerns. "We are not going into administration", he says, although it's safe to assume that belts are being tightened all around Tannadice.
One potential way to replace that lost TV funding could come from an unlikely source - near-neighbours Dundee FC. They have proposed offering £500,000 for Scott Robertson (who crossed the road to the Arabs under freedom of contract), although Levein is not happy about that idea.
Dundee, who spent spectacularly a few years ago before going into administration and getting relegated to Division 1, and who were supposedly in sever financial difficulties just a few months ago, are now talking themselves up again.
Director Calum Melville has bankrolled fresh investment in the squad and reckons that Dundee will be the 6th biggest club in Scotland once they re-establish themselves in the SPL.
Is this realistic? Fans still remember the crazy days of Claudio Caniggia and the White Feather, elite players tempted to Scotland's East Coast by wages that looked obscene at the time and proved to be the club's undoing. This time, the spending is more constrained, but six figure transfer fees are still way beyond a Division 1 club's earnings (they've already bought Leigh Griffiths for £125,000).
Melville, though, swears that the plan is for Dundee to become debt-free and self-financing, and reckons on a five year plan to get the club back to where it belongs.
What is he up to? Is the groundshare option going to be mentioned again? Either he has a rabbit up his sleeve, or is content to fritter away some of his fortune for fun.
Craig Levein hinted last week that the Arabs are experiencing financial difficulties due to the collapse of Setanta, though the chairman Steven Thompson moved quickly to alleviate concerns. "We are not going into administration", he says, although it's safe to assume that belts are being tightened all around Tannadice.
One potential way to replace that lost TV funding could come from an unlikely source - near-neighbours Dundee FC. They have proposed offering £500,000 for Scott Robertson (who crossed the road to the Arabs under freedom of contract), although Levein is not happy about that idea.
Dundee, who spent spectacularly a few years ago before going into administration and getting relegated to Division 1, and who were supposedly in sever financial difficulties just a few months ago, are now talking themselves up again.
Director Calum Melville has bankrolled fresh investment in the squad and reckons that Dundee will be the 6th biggest club in Scotland once they re-establish themselves in the SPL.
Is this realistic? Fans still remember the crazy days of Claudio Caniggia and the White Feather, elite players tempted to Scotland's East Coast by wages that looked obscene at the time and proved to be the club's undoing. This time, the spending is more constrained, but six figure transfer fees are still way beyond a Division 1 club's earnings (they've already bought Leigh Griffiths for £125,000).
Melville, though, swears that the plan is for Dundee to become debt-free and self-financing, and reckons on a five year plan to get the club back to where it belongs.
What is he up to? Is the groundshare option going to be mentioned again? Either he has a rabbit up his sleeve, or is content to fritter away some of his fortune for fun.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Rangers fans in trouble again
Don't worry though, it's all UEFA's fault, according to Martin Bain. Apparently, there weren't enough turnstiles open, so inevitably the supporters were compelled to rip out some seats and confront the stewards.
Is any club as unlucky as the lovable blue noses? Whenever they play a fixture away from Scotland, there seems to be some kind of controversy or other, and it's never, ever their fault. Trouble does seem to follow them round, and some might wonder if it's the Rangers fans themselves who are to blame... but, of course, that can't be right.
Oh, they drew 1-1 with Unirea Urziceni last night, so still have a slim chance of making the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
That's lucky, eh?
Is any club as unlucky as the lovable blue noses? Whenever they play a fixture away from Scotland, there seems to be some kind of controversy or other, and it's never, ever their fault. Trouble does seem to follow them round, and some might wonder if it's the Rangers fans themselves who are to blame... but, of course, that can't be right.
Oh, they drew 1-1 with Unirea Urziceni last night, so still have a slim chance of making the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
That's lucky, eh?
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Aberdeen moaning - Part 2
No chance of Aberdeen coming to their senses, unfortunately.
According to this article in the Press & Journal, Mark McGhee is "seething" at Ian Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie that has left the teenager with ankle knack.
Again, the response is easy - watch the incident again. Was it illegal? No. Did Murray win the ball? Emphatically. Did he touch Fyvie? No. How did Fyvie injure himself? By landing heavily - unlucky, but these things happen.
Ian Murray has defended himself in the Evening News, and is entitled to be seething himself for being criticised by an opposition manager for a tough but fair challenge.
As the fall out from the match continues, there is a general feeling in Leith that McGhee set his team up for a physical confrontation, hoping to find Hibs a soft touch. As the plan backfired, he has tried to deflect any potential criticism from the defeat by criticising the referee and Hibs themselves.
Perhaps he should choose his battles more carefully?
According to this article in the Press & Journal, Mark McGhee is "seething" at Ian Murray's tackle on Fraser Fyvie that has left the teenager with ankle knack.
Again, the response is easy - watch the incident again. Was it illegal? No. Did Murray win the ball? Emphatically. Did he touch Fyvie? No. How did Fyvie injure himself? By landing heavily - unlucky, but these things happen.
Ian Murray has defended himself in the Evening News, and is entitled to be seething himself for being criticised by an opposition manager for a tough but fair challenge.
As the fall out from the match continues, there is a general feeling in Leith that McGhee set his team up for a physical confrontation, hoping to find Hibs a soft touch. As the plan backfired, he has tried to deflect any potential criticism from the defeat by criticising the referee and Hibs themselves.
Perhaps he should choose his battles more carefully?
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Aberdeen lose their heads
Mark McGhee does seem to like a moan. He was complaining about a lack of resources almost as soon as he was in the door at Aberdeen, and he was moaning again following his side's 2-0 defeat against Hibs at the weekend.
Well, ok. Managers of the losing team often sound off after the final whistle, caught up in the frustration and disappointment of a poor result. McGhee felt that his club had been unfairly treated by the referee, who sent off both Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire while the game was still scoreless, handing a huge advantage to Hibs. Perhaps, once he had seen the game again, he might realise that he had got it wrong?
Nope. Instead of spending the weekend reflecting on things, Aberdeen FC instead released an unattributed but utterly idiotic statement on Monday, berating the referee for being "hell-bent" on sending players off, and "cheating the fans who pay good money to watch a competitive and balanced encounter".
Interesting, then, that the statement refuses to mention any specific incident in the game that treated Aberdeen unfairly. Why? Because they are plain wrong.
Maurice Ross was sent off for collecting two yellow cards for fouls on Ian Murray and Derek Riordan. The second was perhaps a little soft, but he undeniably had a swipe at Riordan, not the ball, and cannot have any complaint.
Chris Maguire's stamp on Kevin McBride, on the other hand, deserved the straight red he received. If you have any doubts about it, watch the incident again. McBride was lucky not to break a metatarsal or two.
No such luck for Fraser Fyvie, who's out for six weeks with ankle trouble - ironically, caused by a clean but strong tackle by Ian Murray, who had an eventful game, all told.
Well, ok. Managers of the losing team often sound off after the final whistle, caught up in the frustration and disappointment of a poor result. McGhee felt that his club had been unfairly treated by the referee, who sent off both Maurice Ross and Chris Maguire while the game was still scoreless, handing a huge advantage to Hibs. Perhaps, once he had seen the game again, he might realise that he had got it wrong?
Nope. Instead of spending the weekend reflecting on things, Aberdeen FC instead released an unattributed but utterly idiotic statement on Monday, berating the referee for being "hell-bent" on sending players off, and "cheating the fans who pay good money to watch a competitive and balanced encounter".
Interesting, then, that the statement refuses to mention any specific incident in the game that treated Aberdeen unfairly. Why? Because they are plain wrong.
Maurice Ross was sent off for collecting two yellow cards for fouls on Ian Murray and Derek Riordan. The second was perhaps a little soft, but he undeniably had a swipe at Riordan, not the ball, and cannot have any complaint.
Chris Maguire's stamp on Kevin McBride, on the other hand, deserved the straight red he received. If you have any doubts about it, watch the incident again. McBride was lucky not to break a metatarsal or two.
No such luck for Fraser Fyvie, who's out for six weeks with ankle trouble - ironically, caused by a clean but strong tackle by Ian Murray, who had an eventful game, all told.
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