It's being reported today that Lee Wallace got a serious knee injury in the Liechtenstein game, with reports that he could be out for six months or even the entire season.
If so it's a big blow for a squad without much depth in many key positions and gives manager Craig Levein yet another headache.
It doesn't do anything for Hearts' season either, of course, who lack proper cover at left back.
Showing newest posts with label hearts. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label hearts. Show older posts
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Farewell Christian Nade: our man of the season
We've seen the last of Christian Nade in a Hearts shirt, and while the Jambos are by and large glad to get rid, boy are we gonna miss him.
Nade spent three years in Scottish football, and was laughed at by fans and derided in the press for much of that time. But in so many ways, the big man sums up the current state of Scottish football in 2010.
His arrival from Sheffield United in summer 2007 was yet another example of the insanity of the Hearts regime. Vladimir Romanov sanctioned a transfee fee of £500,000 and a weekly wage of around £10k a week - and it quickly transpired that, yet again, another big-money signing had gone badly wrong.
(If you think only Hearts are prone to this kind of folly, just remember the £2m Celtic blew on Robbie Keane this season to achieve absolutely sweet fuck all.)
Frequently injured, when Nade did play he looked desperately unfit - he may be French, but he's the very embodiment of Scotland's attitude towards exercise.
According to Sky, his manager at the Blades, Neil Warnock, expressed an interest in taking him back to Crystal Palace in 2008 - but for whatever reason, that transfer didn't happen, and Nade stayed at Tynecastle for the duration of his contract.
Unsettled and unhappy (and rumoured to be seeking solace in online, er, chat), Nade entered this season a mess, but at a press conference in October claimed to be putting his problems behind him.
Note that even the BBC can't resist a pun about the man's weight. And note also that Nade comes across as a genuinely open and likeable guy.
There was even, despite his miserable lack of goals (he scored 10 in total for Hearts in three years), talk of a new contract.
Because here's the other thing about Christian Nade - out-of-shape and unfashionable he may be, but, like Scottish football itself, he's nowhere near as bad as his biggest critics make out. He's got genuine technical ability, and a game awareness that enables him to hold the ball up and bring team mates into play. There were some signs that, after Csaba Laszlo's deathly dull rigidity, more positive tactics might bring the best out of him.
Sadly, though, those personality frailities caught up with him once again. Getting sent off against Rangers on 23 January didn't help his cause, but then after playing Celtic, he got into an argument with Ian Black and did what many right-thinking people would do - he punched the little tosser.
The Hearts hierachy then suspended him, and then told him he had no future at the club.
He provided more copy for the papers a few days later, after arranging to play a five-a-side match with some random punters through Facebook. It seemed he was just lonely and wanted some company.
Nade claims that he did in fact sign a new contract before the argument with Ian Black, but the fact that he does not have a signed copy is unlikely to help his case. However, he has certainly helped to shine a little more light on the bizarre way Hearts is run. Although initially reluctant to sign, he claims he didn't want to say so because the club would just drop him, as they did Jose Goncalves.
So what next for our hero? He's still only in his mid-20s, so should have many more years ahead of him as a professional player. But he would need to sort his head out, and become a dedicated athlete - and Scotland probably isn't the place to do that. He also seems to be someone who needs an arm put around him, so he can feel secure and confident. At Hearts the players simply don't get that.
Whatever happens, we wish him all the best. Scottish football is going to be a slightly duller place without him
Nade spent three years in Scottish football, and was laughed at by fans and derided in the press for much of that time. But in so many ways, the big man sums up the current state of Scottish football in 2010.
His arrival from Sheffield United in summer 2007 was yet another example of the insanity of the Hearts regime. Vladimir Romanov sanctioned a transfee fee of £500,000 and a weekly wage of around £10k a week - and it quickly transpired that, yet again, another big-money signing had gone badly wrong.
(If you think only Hearts are prone to this kind of folly, just remember the £2m Celtic blew on Robbie Keane this season to achieve absolutely sweet fuck all.)
Frequently injured, when Nade did play he looked desperately unfit - he may be French, but he's the very embodiment of Scotland's attitude towards exercise.
According to Sky, his manager at the Blades, Neil Warnock, expressed an interest in taking him back to Crystal Palace in 2008 - but for whatever reason, that transfer didn't happen, and Nade stayed at Tynecastle for the duration of his contract.
Unsettled and unhappy (and rumoured to be seeking solace in online, er, chat), Nade entered this season a mess, but at a press conference in October claimed to be putting his problems behind him.
Note that even the BBC can't resist a pun about the man's weight. And note also that Nade comes across as a genuinely open and likeable guy.
There was even, despite his miserable lack of goals (he scored 10 in total for Hearts in three years), talk of a new contract.
Because here's the other thing about Christian Nade - out-of-shape and unfashionable he may be, but, like Scottish football itself, he's nowhere near as bad as his biggest critics make out. He's got genuine technical ability, and a game awareness that enables him to hold the ball up and bring team mates into play. There were some signs that, after Csaba Laszlo's deathly dull rigidity, more positive tactics might bring the best out of him.
Sadly, though, those personality frailities caught up with him once again. Getting sent off against Rangers on 23 January didn't help his cause, but then after playing Celtic, he got into an argument with Ian Black and did what many right-thinking people would do - he punched the little tosser.
The Hearts hierachy then suspended him, and then told him he had no future at the club.
He provided more copy for the papers a few days later, after arranging to play a five-a-side match with some random punters through Facebook. It seemed he was just lonely and wanted some company.
Nade claims that he did in fact sign a new contract before the argument with Ian Black, but the fact that he does not have a signed copy is unlikely to help his case. However, he has certainly helped to shine a little more light on the bizarre way Hearts is run. Although initially reluctant to sign, he claims he didn't want to say so because the club would just drop him, as they did Jose Goncalves.
So what next for our hero? He's still only in his mid-20s, so should have many more years ahead of him as a professional player. But he would need to sort his head out, and become a dedicated athlete - and Scotland probably isn't the place to do that. He also seems to be someone who needs an arm put around him, so he can feel secure and confident. At Hearts the players simply don't get that.
Whatever happens, we wish him all the best. Scottish football is going to be a slightly duller place without him
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.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Dons adrift
If it's now a certainty that Celtic have blown the SPL this season, it's almost as certain that Aberdeen won't even make the top six. Mark McGhee has said as much himself. They are now eight points adrift of sixth place Hearts, and surely won't make up that deficit before the split.
The Dons were simply awful on Saturday. For periods of the game their players were absolutely static, neither closing down Hearts when defending, or showing any invention or energy when in possession.
The goal that decided the match - an overhead effort from Eggert Jonsson - really had no place in such a drab encounter, but then Aberdeen can have no complaints. And considering that Hearts weren't all that good, and had Larry Kingston sent off after an hour, that is a damning verdict on their performance.
Where do Aberdeen go from here? Fewer than 9,000 bothered turning up for this one, and the gate will probably drop even further for the rest of the season. Yet the support's indifference is more than matched by the club - they have a manager who openly covets the Celtic job, and an owner who won't or can't outline a plan to take Aberdeen forward.
Instead, they just drift, like a supply ship that's run out of diesel on the North Sea. It's not doing Aberdeen, or Scottish football, any favours at all.
The Dons were simply awful on Saturday. For periods of the game their players were absolutely static, neither closing down Hearts when defending, or showing any invention or energy when in possession.
The goal that decided the match - an overhead effort from Eggert Jonsson - really had no place in such a drab encounter, but then Aberdeen can have no complaints. And considering that Hearts weren't all that good, and had Larry Kingston sent off after an hour, that is a damning verdict on their performance.
Where do Aberdeen go from here? Fewer than 9,000 bothered turning up for this one, and the gate will probably drop even further for the rest of the season. Yet the support's indifference is more than matched by the club - they have a manager who openly covets the Celtic job, and an owner who won't or can't outline a plan to take Aberdeen forward.
Instead, they just drift, like a supply ship that's run out of diesel on the North Sea. It's not doing Aberdeen, or Scottish football, any favours at all.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Hearts all at sea
Now that Jim Jefferies, at the fourth time of asking, has a victory under his belt, perhaps now is the time to ask some gentle questions about his return to Hearts.
Such as... having failed to sign a striker in January, can he really afford to leave Nade out in the cold for the rest of the season? Following alleged changing-room fisticuffs between the burly striker and Ian Black, the word is that he's been fined and kicked out of the first team picture. With his contract up at the end of the season, we could have seen the last of the big guy.
Meanwhile, the Jose Goncalves stand off continues: the "fantastic" offer is still on the table, but unless Jose signs an extension to his current deal (which also runs out in the summer), he's not going to get a game either.
Having been forced into adopting this decision by his paymaster, Jefferies has since been tying himself in knots trying to justify it. Which he can't, of course, because it makes no sense.
Hearts lost the League Cup semi-final without their best defender, and are now paying north of £10,000 a week for Goncalves not to play. A bit like Nade, then.
The new offer - rumoured to be worth even more money - also makes no sense for a club which is supposed to be following a new, more prudent strategy. It takes them right back to the maddest days, when Vladimir Romanov was signing supposedly coveted players on huge contracts over his manager's head, and then watching as they failed to recoup that "investment".
Meanwhile, the club bobs between the top and bottom half of the table, never sure if this is merely a very disappointing season or a disastrous one.
Hearts are the laughing stock of Scottish football (as Scotsman writer Tom English pointed out in this tongue-in-cheek piece) but the Jambos don't find it very funny.
You suspect that, in his quieter moments, Jefferies looks even grumpier than he does when facing the media.
Such as... having failed to sign a striker in January, can he really afford to leave Nade out in the cold for the rest of the season? Following alleged changing-room fisticuffs between the burly striker and Ian Black, the word is that he's been fined and kicked out of the first team picture. With his contract up at the end of the season, we could have seen the last of the big guy.
Meanwhile, the Jose Goncalves stand off continues: the "fantastic" offer is still on the table, but unless Jose signs an extension to his current deal (which also runs out in the summer), he's not going to get a game either.
Having been forced into adopting this decision by his paymaster, Jefferies has since been tying himself in knots trying to justify it. Which he can't, of course, because it makes no sense.
Hearts lost the League Cup semi-final without their best defender, and are now paying north of £10,000 a week for Goncalves not to play. A bit like Nade, then.
The new offer - rumoured to be worth even more money - also makes no sense for a club which is supposed to be following a new, more prudent strategy. It takes them right back to the maddest days, when Vladimir Romanov was signing supposedly coveted players on huge contracts over his manager's head, and then watching as they failed to recoup that "investment".
Meanwhile, the club bobs between the top and bottom half of the table, never sure if this is merely a very disappointing season or a disastrous one.
Hearts are the laughing stock of Scottish football (as Scotsman writer Tom English pointed out in this tongue-in-cheek piece) but the Jambos don't find it very funny.
You suspect that, in his quieter moments, Jefferies looks even grumpier than he does when facing the media.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How's Robbie Keane settling in?
He scored his first goal in Scottish football at the weekend, but it was a penalty and he's still drawing a blank in the league. He got plenty of chances last night against Hearts, but couldn't put one away.
There's two ways of looking at this.
Plenty of rival fans are taking great joy in the fact that the £65 grand a week man can't get going in the SPL. And fair enough, too.
But it has to be said that Hearts keeper Marian Kello played a blinder, and on another night Keane could have got a hat trick. More often than not, his team mates gave him the ball, and you get the sense they are a little starstruck by him. At the same time, Keane needs to develop an understanding with them, and realise when there might be another option rather than just taking a shot.
He still looks dangerous, mind, and will no doubt get going soon. He's certainly a dangerous prospect in the SPL.
Whether he's worth the money, of course, is another subject altogether.
There's two ways of looking at this.
Plenty of rival fans are taking great joy in the fact that the £65 grand a week man can't get going in the SPL. And fair enough, too.
But it has to be said that Hearts keeper Marian Kello played a blinder, and on another night Keane could have got a hat trick. More often than not, his team mates gave him the ball, and you get the sense they are a little starstruck by him. At the same time, Keane needs to develop an understanding with them, and realise when there might be another option rather than just taking a shot.
He still looks dangerous, mind, and will no doubt get going soon. He's certainly a dangerous prospect in the SPL.
Whether he's worth the money, of course, is another subject altogether.
Elvis gets his way
Falkirk manager Eddie May was many people's bet to be the first SPL boss to get the sack this season. Jim Jefferies and Csaba Laszlo got the chop before him, but after last night's loss to Kilmarnock that sunk the Bairns back to the bottom of the table, May got the chop. He had a little moan about the lack of money he's had on the way out, too.
So now Stephen Pressley gets the chance to be his own boss. He's still only 36, but he has made it clear for ages that he wants a crack at management. Elvis certainly said some stirring stuff at his press conference, but his languid body language and the uncomfortable silence after he finished speaking suggests that he might find instilling that belief into his players a little more difficult.
Wouldn't you know it, his first match in charge will be against Hearts, so that's set up to be a spicy affair. Some of the more sane Jambos still have a soft spot for their ex-captain, but they're in a minority - the rest are relishing the chance to shout "Judas" at the man who lifted the lid on the madness of the Romanov regime and subsequently got moved out to Celtic.
If their current form continues for much longer, there's still a chance that Hearts could get dragged back into the relegation battle. The battle for survival in the SPL has a few more twists and turns left in yet.
So now Stephen Pressley gets the chance to be his own boss. He's still only 36, but he has made it clear for ages that he wants a crack at management. Elvis certainly said some stirring stuff at his press conference, but his languid body language and the uncomfortable silence after he finished speaking suggests that he might find instilling that belief into his players a little more difficult.
Wouldn't you know it, his first match in charge will be against Hearts, so that's set up to be a spicy affair. Some of the more sane Jambos still have a soft spot for their ex-captain, but they're in a minority - the rest are relishing the chance to shout "Judas" at the man who lifted the lid on the madness of the Romanov regime and subsequently got moved out to Celtic.
If their current form continues for much longer, there's still a chance that Hearts could get dragged back into the relegation battle. The battle for survival in the SPL has a few more twists and turns left in yet.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Any regrets yet Jim?
A week into his second stint as Hearts' boss, how do you think Jim Jefferies feels?
Two matches so far, lost both, and a weekend off because Hearts are already out of the Scottish Cup. Finishing as high as possible in the SPL is now the only prize left.
At his first press conference, faced with questions about the unseemly haste of his appointment just a couple of hours after Csaba Laszlo's sacking, Jefferies decided to claim that he was only phoned by Hearts once the Hungarian had left the building - an absurd story that's already been rubbished as a lie.
Then he decided to adopt the decision to drop Jose Goncalves, one of his best players, as his own, despite the fact that the player is clearly the latest victim of Vlad Flu (a curious condition where a player who refuses to sign a new contract is deemed unfit to play).
And he's also claimed that the decision not to sign a striker in the January window was because the right player wasn't available - despite Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hibs all signing forwards on loan til the end of the season.
So that's three major untruths for the supporters already.
Oh, and he still doesn't have his assistant Billy Brown and coach Gary Locke on the payroll.
Was it really the best decision to go back, Jim?
Two matches so far, lost both, and a weekend off because Hearts are already out of the Scottish Cup. Finishing as high as possible in the SPL is now the only prize left.
At his first press conference, faced with questions about the unseemly haste of his appointment just a couple of hours after Csaba Laszlo's sacking, Jefferies decided to claim that he was only phoned by Hearts once the Hungarian had left the building - an absurd story that's already been rubbished as a lie.
Then he decided to adopt the decision to drop Jose Goncalves, one of his best players, as his own, despite the fact that the player is clearly the latest victim of Vlad Flu (a curious condition where a player who refuses to sign a new contract is deemed unfit to play).
And he's also claimed that the decision not to sign a striker in the January window was because the right player wasn't available - despite Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hibs all signing forwards on loan til the end of the season.
So that's three major untruths for the supporters already.
Oh, and he still doesn't have his assistant Billy Brown and coach Gary Locke on the payroll.
Was it really the best decision to go back, Jim?
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The script goes wrong
Chief Executive Peter Lawwell likes to talk about "telling the Celtic story", and in his head tonight would have seen the triumphant debut of his expensive new No.7, Robbie Keane. Went a bit wrong, though, didn't it?
Instead Jimmy Calderwood got his first win as Kilmarnock boss, thanks to a goal from another debutant, Chris Maguire, in his first match on loan from Aberdeen. With Falkirk also beating Aberdeen tonight, it was a vital win to keep Killie away from the bottom of the table.
Of course, Henrik Larrson's first match for the Hoops ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hibs, so maybe the omens for the new man are pretty good after all. But one thing is clear - Keane might not have been Tony Mowbray's signing, but making the team work with him in it is his problem. If Celtic don't start chipping away at Rangers' 10 point lead soon, the manager could be on his way out.
As We Love Fitba have said before, plenty of Celtic's longer-standing fans are still pretty pleased with Mowbray, and can see the rebuilding job he is attempting to do. But the best managers rebuild squads while still winning on the park (insert obligatory Alex Ferguson reference).
As it is, the "give him time" punters are being drowned out by the impatient "get tae fuck" merchants.
-
In the other big match tonight, St Mirren beat Hearts 1-0 in the CIS League Cup Semi Final, thus ruining Jim Jefferies' return to the Jambos. As St Mirren beat Killie earlier in the competition, this means that Jumbo's been knocked out of the competition by the same club twice in one season - that is bad luck!
Instead Jimmy Calderwood got his first win as Kilmarnock boss, thanks to a goal from another debutant, Chris Maguire, in his first match on loan from Aberdeen. With Falkirk also beating Aberdeen tonight, it was a vital win to keep Killie away from the bottom of the table.
Of course, Henrik Larrson's first match for the Hoops ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hibs, so maybe the omens for the new man are pretty good after all. But one thing is clear - Keane might not have been Tony Mowbray's signing, but making the team work with him in it is his problem. If Celtic don't start chipping away at Rangers' 10 point lead soon, the manager could be on his way out.
As We Love Fitba have said before, plenty of Celtic's longer-standing fans are still pretty pleased with Mowbray, and can see the rebuilding job he is attempting to do. But the best managers rebuild squads while still winning on the park (insert obligatory Alex Ferguson reference).
As it is, the "give him time" punters are being drowned out by the impatient "get tae fuck" merchants.
-
In the other big match tonight, St Mirren beat Hearts 1-0 in the CIS League Cup Semi Final, thus ruining Jim Jefferies' return to the Jambos. As St Mirren beat Killie earlier in the competition, this means that Jumbo's been knocked out of the competition by the same club twice in one season - that is bad luck!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
"Walter went back..."
And so Jim Jefferies (plus loyal sidekick Billy Brown, of course) is back at Tynecastle, citing Walter Smith's successful second stint at Rangers as reason enough to go back to Hearts for a second time.
It's no great surprise that Csaba Laszlo has gone: he's been acting like he wanted the sack for months. He might have talked himself out of compensation, though.
The club itself was typically overblown about Jefferies' return (the official confirmation of a new manager is not a "world exclusive", you pretentious morons, it's an announcement), probably guessing that it will appease the fans, reminding them of happier times.
The fans do seem appeased. Bored with Csaba Laszlo's boring tactics and public moaning, the appointment of Jefferies has been met largely positively. If they are hoping for a return to 1998, though, the Jambos are living in dreamland.
For one thing, Hearts don't spend money the way they used to. And secondly, Jefferies won't have complete control over the squad - for the same reason that none of his recent predecessors have done. Whatever Romanov is up to, it doesn't include allowing his first team coach total authority over the budget.
So, Jefferies will be required to do the best out of the resources given to him - which will probably be a mix of SPL pros plus young players from the academy. There's speculation that Romanov may sanction a move for Kevin Kyle, to give a Scottish spine to the team. His first job will be to try and win Tuesday's semi-final against St Mirren to get through to the League Cup Final.
Meanwhile the club itself will continue in its zombie existence. Eventually, Jefferies will fall out with Romanov and be removed, and the club will be back in the same position - burdened by huge debts, with an uncertain future ahead of it.
If Jefferies thinks his time at the helm will be any different, he's deluding himself. We've had several years to get used to Vladimir Romanov, and we all know the story by now.
It's no great surprise that Csaba Laszlo has gone: he's been acting like he wanted the sack for months. He might have talked himself out of compensation, though.
The club itself was typically overblown about Jefferies' return (the official confirmation of a new manager is not a "world exclusive", you pretentious morons, it's an announcement), probably guessing that it will appease the fans, reminding them of happier times.
The fans do seem appeased. Bored with Csaba Laszlo's boring tactics and public moaning, the appointment of Jefferies has been met largely positively. If they are hoping for a return to 1998, though, the Jambos are living in dreamland.
For one thing, Hearts don't spend money the way they used to. And secondly, Jefferies won't have complete control over the squad - for the same reason that none of his recent predecessors have done. Whatever Romanov is up to, it doesn't include allowing his first team coach total authority over the budget.
So, Jefferies will be required to do the best out of the resources given to him - which will probably be a mix of SPL pros plus young players from the academy. There's speculation that Romanov may sanction a move for Kevin Kyle, to give a Scottish spine to the team. His first job will be to try and win Tuesday's semi-final against St Mirren to get through to the League Cup Final.
Meanwhile the club itself will continue in its zombie existence. Eventually, Jefferies will fall out with Romanov and be removed, and the club will be back in the same position - burdened by huge debts, with an uncertain future ahead of it.
If Jefferies thinks his time at the helm will be any different, he's deluding himself. We've had several years to get used to Vladimir Romanov, and we all know the story by now.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Hearts bag Barr
It's customary to describe any competition between clubs to sign a player as a "race", and Hearts have won the race to sign Darren Barr on a pre-contract for next season, ahead of Aberdeen, Hibs and perhaps one or other Dundee club.
Well, they are the nearest to Falkirk after all.
Barr will be joining a squad that will be significantly overhauled in the summer. Apparently, he has been assured of his first team place - well, if everyone else leaves, he won't need to worry about that.
Hearts may have beaten their City rivals and others to the defender's signature, but this is a club with serious money problems. Csaba Laszlo said, after Christian Nade's sending off against Rangers triggered a £10,000 fine from the SFA, that "we have a problem paying the money".
With Ian Black signing last summer, and now Barr, Hearts' strategy seems to be a core of decent Scottish SPL Pros supporting a young team picked from the academy.
Needless to say, this is not a formula to dominate the SPL, let alone make an impression in Europe, but then those days are long gone.
Well, they are the nearest to Falkirk after all.
Barr will be joining a squad that will be significantly overhauled in the summer. Apparently, he has been assured of his first team place - well, if everyone else leaves, he won't need to worry about that.
Hearts may have beaten their City rivals and others to the defender's signature, but this is a club with serious money problems. Csaba Laszlo said, after Christian Nade's sending off against Rangers triggered a £10,000 fine from the SFA, that "we have a problem paying the money".
With Ian Black signing last summer, and now Barr, Hearts' strategy seems to be a core of decent Scottish SPL Pros supporting a young team picked from the academy.
Needless to say, this is not a formula to dominate the SPL, let alone make an impression in Europe, but then those days are long gone.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Derby draws
Sunday saw the Old Firm and the two Edinburgh clubs square up for their New Year derbies - and in the end, both matches finished all square. It was a missed opportunity for the green halves of both cities.
At least Celtic played well. Tony Mowbray has been asking for patience from the supporters for months, as he gets his team to play the way he wants them to, and yesterday Celtic looked like a cohesive team. With better finishing, they would have buried Rangers - even Walter Smith conceded that his side were lucky to earn a draw.
Mowbray has also been dropping heavy hints that players will move on this month - but unlike Smith, he will have money to reinvest in his squad. The Rangers boss is hoping no bids come in, because he can't be sure that the bank will let him spend any of the proceeds. January could be a pivotal month for the SPL title race.
It's a race that Hibs won't be involved in. Getting a draw in the first Edinburgh Derby of the season at Tynecastle was a creditable result, but at home they really should have imposed themselves more on the game. As it was, a poor first half ended with a goal for Hearts. Hibs then equalised early in the second half, but couldn't get another.
In other respects, it was a fiery encounter, with Darren McCormack and Ruben Palazuelos sent off for head-butting eachother, robust tackles aplenty, and a smoke canister thrown from the Hearts support as well. All good stuff, but sadly there was little quality football.
Still, Hibs remain fairly comfortable in third, a good place to be going into the second half of the season. Hearts have surged up the table in recent weeks, but with the usual off-the-field chaos don't expect it to last.
At least Celtic played well. Tony Mowbray has been asking for patience from the supporters for months, as he gets his team to play the way he wants them to, and yesterday Celtic looked like a cohesive team. With better finishing, they would have buried Rangers - even Walter Smith conceded that his side were lucky to earn a draw.
Mowbray has also been dropping heavy hints that players will move on this month - but unlike Smith, he will have money to reinvest in his squad. The Rangers boss is hoping no bids come in, because he can't be sure that the bank will let him spend any of the proceeds. January could be a pivotal month for the SPL title race.
It's a race that Hibs won't be involved in. Getting a draw in the first Edinburgh Derby of the season at Tynecastle was a creditable result, but at home they really should have imposed themselves more on the game. As it was, a poor first half ended with a goal for Hearts. Hibs then equalised early in the second half, but couldn't get another.
In other respects, it was a fiery encounter, with Darren McCormack and Ruben Palazuelos sent off for head-butting eachother, robust tackles aplenty, and a smoke canister thrown from the Hearts support as well. All good stuff, but sadly there was little quality football.
Still, Hibs remain fairly comfortable in third, a good place to be going into the second half of the season. Hearts have surged up the table in recent weeks, but with the usual off-the-field chaos don't expect it to last.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Will the Jambos stand up and be counted this weekend?
Apparently, Hearts' Supreme Leader is in town this weekend for their match against Dundee Utd (a match, remember, that Csaba Laszlo has described as a "must win" fixture).
Given how irregularly Vladimir Romanov bothers to turn up in Edinburgh these days, his appearance offers a rare opportunity to the supporters to vent their frustrations. There are more questions than answers at Hearts, with millions having disappeared into dubious player acquisitions, the stadium rebuilding project now derailed, and the club being buffeted by rumours of financial problems.
Will the supporters take this chance to protest? It could be a very interesting afternoon.
EDIT (Saturday): Ouch, did we scare him off?
Mister Romanov didn't show up at Hearts v Arabs (decent point for the Jambos, by the way). Apparently, he was never going to. Instead, he was taking an "opportunity to find out how the "stukachi" on me in Scotland operate"... "stukachi" meaning secret informer.
The man is mental.
Given how irregularly Vladimir Romanov bothers to turn up in Edinburgh these days, his appearance offers a rare opportunity to the supporters to vent their frustrations. There are more questions than answers at Hearts, with millions having disappeared into dubious player acquisitions, the stadium rebuilding project now derailed, and the club being buffeted by rumours of financial problems.
Will the supporters take this chance to protest? It could be a very interesting afternoon.
EDIT (Saturday): Ouch, did we scare him off?
Mister Romanov didn't show up at Hearts v Arabs (decent point for the Jambos, by the way). Apparently, he was never going to. Instead, he was taking an "opportunity to find out how the "stukachi" on me in Scotland operate"... "stukachi" meaning secret informer.
The man is mental.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Hearts hog the headlines, but Hibs might be the season's real story
After last week's (lucky) win over Kilmarnock, Hearts had a chance to get their season up and running away at Hamilton on Sunday. It didn't go well.
Highlights of the match show that, even though Hearts should have been awarded a late penalty, they did not deserve anything from the game. Silly Mikey Stewart lost the plot again, and a post-match fracas in the tunnel led to two more red cards for Ian Black and Suso Santana.
It's all symptomatic of a club lacking direction and leadership, with rumours swirling about financial problems for months (bright spark Gary Mackay has only just found out, however). Vladimir Romanov's regime has been an unmitigated disaster, but as long as the fans continue to be so apathetic in response, nothing will change. (Here's a neat summary of the myriad broken promises so far).
Manager Csaba Laszlo is now banking on six points in their next two games against Dundee Utd and Celtic... we'll let you know when we stop laughing. The truth is, Hearts are now condemned to a season bumping around in the bottom six, with a possible relegation battle ahead if they don't fix things pronto. And they won't... there's no money for new players in January, and - not for the first time - Laszlo is being found out. In truth, he's a fairly limited coach, with a very high opinion of himself.
Meanwhile...
As Hearts hogged the headlines from the weekend, Hibs recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Motherwell that extends their unbeaten run to 10 matches. At the moment, they and Dundee Utd look favourites for the "best of the rest" title, which is all anyone could reasonably ask of them.
This is not an unusual situation. Hibs have finished third twice in the past decade, while two years ago they had a great start to the season under John Collins before falling away badly. Yet, there is a feeling this time that Hibs could be able to build a more sustained challenge.
Hibs are no longer the debt-laden club they once were. While players seem to move around a lot more these days, Hibs can now be much more selective about which offers they accept. The days of having to sell a player for the first decent offer that comes in are long gone. (Dundee Utd, on the other hand, have already admitted to some financial difficulties.)
John Hughes has made an impressive start as manager, made some eye-catching signings, and his face just seems to fit. He says that he is in his dream job and plans to stay around for several years, and there are few reasons to doubt him. Along with the club's sound finances, this brings stability, and the chance to build a squad over several seasons.
And, of course, the Old Firm just aren't the powerhouses they once were in the Scottish game. Hibs are currently just two points behind Celtic, with a third of the season gone. Celtic and Rangers just can't bank on an easy three points most weekends, as they used to - they have both dropped a fair few points already this season, with both Tony Mowbray and Walter Smith having their fair share of problems to deal with.
There is a long, long way to go still, and realistically even finishing in second place this season would be a huge achievement, never mind first. But there is the feeling of something special starting to happen down at Easter Road.
Highlights of the match show that, even though Hearts should have been awarded a late penalty, they did not deserve anything from the game. Silly Mikey Stewart lost the plot again, and a post-match fracas in the tunnel led to two more red cards for Ian Black and Suso Santana.
It's all symptomatic of a club lacking direction and leadership, with rumours swirling about financial problems for months (bright spark Gary Mackay has only just found out, however). Vladimir Romanov's regime has been an unmitigated disaster, but as long as the fans continue to be so apathetic in response, nothing will change. (Here's a neat summary of the myriad broken promises so far).
Manager Csaba Laszlo is now banking on six points in their next two games against Dundee Utd and Celtic... we'll let you know when we stop laughing. The truth is, Hearts are now condemned to a season bumping around in the bottom six, with a possible relegation battle ahead if they don't fix things pronto. And they won't... there's no money for new players in January, and - not for the first time - Laszlo is being found out. In truth, he's a fairly limited coach, with a very high opinion of himself.
Meanwhile...
As Hearts hogged the headlines from the weekend, Hibs recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Motherwell that extends their unbeaten run to 10 matches. At the moment, they and Dundee Utd look favourites for the "best of the rest" title, which is all anyone could reasonably ask of them.
This is not an unusual situation. Hibs have finished third twice in the past decade, while two years ago they had a great start to the season under John Collins before falling away badly. Yet, there is a feeling this time that Hibs could be able to build a more sustained challenge.
Hibs are no longer the debt-laden club they once were. While players seem to move around a lot more these days, Hibs can now be much more selective about which offers they accept. The days of having to sell a player for the first decent offer that comes in are long gone. (Dundee Utd, on the other hand, have already admitted to some financial difficulties.)
John Hughes has made an impressive start as manager, made some eye-catching signings, and his face just seems to fit. He says that he is in his dream job and plans to stay around for several years, and there are few reasons to doubt him. Along with the club's sound finances, this brings stability, and the chance to build a squad over several seasons.
And, of course, the Old Firm just aren't the powerhouses they once were in the Scottish game. Hibs are currently just two points behind Celtic, with a third of the season gone. Celtic and Rangers just can't bank on an easy three points most weekends, as they used to - they have both dropped a fair few points already this season, with both Tony Mowbray and Walter Smith having their fair share of problems to deal with.
There is a long, long way to go still, and realistically even finishing in second place this season would be a huge achievement, never mind first. But there is the feeling of something special starting to happen down at Easter Road.
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.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Celtic 0 - 1 Hearts
So much to talk about following Celtc's defeat to ha-ha-Hearts in the CIS League Cup last night, but let's ignore the Old Firm angle for a moment - they've had plenty coverage, no? - and think about Hearts for a moment.
In the build-up to the game, manager Csaba Laszlo gave a frankly hilarious press conference in which he expressed his anger at the current situation at the club, beset by problems and lacking a clear structure.
Hardly helping to bring clarity to the situation, owner Vladimir Romanov jetted into Edinburgh ahead of the match, and apparently introduced the club's new sporting director to the players, but not the manager. All nice and straightforward, then.
And so to the game, which Hearts won after Christian Nade - a player who admitted this week to personal problems affecting his game, but didn't elaborate on them - was brought down in the box, and Michael Stewart - who was booed by his own fans in Hearts' last game against Falkirk - converted the penalty. Unsurprisingly, he passed up the opportunity to celebrate with the Jambo support.
Celtic were unlucky last night, but that didn't prevent the 18,000 or so that turned up from venting their fury at Tony Mowbray at the final whistle. Georgie Samaras once again showed that he is far from a lethal finisher, while captain McManus committed probably the most cynical and reckless tackle you'll see all season. If you haven't already seen it, you really should - it's a shocker.
Is Mowbray's job on the line, just 3 months into the season? The board won't pull the trigger yet, but the faithful are getting madder and madder and things might come to a head if the results don't improve soon.
Scottish football's pretty exciting at the moment. Who'd want to leave it?
In the build-up to the game, manager Csaba Laszlo gave a frankly hilarious press conference in which he expressed his anger at the current situation at the club, beset by problems and lacking a clear structure.
Hardly helping to bring clarity to the situation, owner Vladimir Romanov jetted into Edinburgh ahead of the match, and apparently introduced the club's new sporting director to the players, but not the manager. All nice and straightforward, then.
And so to the game, which Hearts won after Christian Nade - a player who admitted this week to personal problems affecting his game, but didn't elaborate on them - was brought down in the box, and Michael Stewart - who was booed by his own fans in Hearts' last game against Falkirk - converted the penalty. Unsurprisingly, he passed up the opportunity to celebrate with the Jambo support.
Celtic were unlucky last night, but that didn't prevent the 18,000 or so that turned up from venting their fury at Tony Mowbray at the final whistle. Georgie Samaras once again showed that he is far from a lethal finisher, while captain McManus committed probably the most cynical and reckless tackle you'll see all season. If you haven't already seen it, you really should - it's a shocker.
Is Mowbray's job on the line, just 3 months into the season? The board won't pull the trigger yet, but the faithful are getting madder and madder and things might come to a head if the results don't improve soon.
Scottish football's pretty exciting at the moment. Who'd want to leave it?
Friday, September 11, 2009
Winners and losers so far in the SPL
So... the transfer window has shut, we're three games in... who's hot and who's not in the SPL this term?
Looking Good...
Neither wonderful nor woeful, St Mirren and Kilmarnock have both made respectable starts, and have legitimate reasons for optimism. As both clubs are vulnerable to being dragged into a relegation scrap, any early points are a bonus.
Early signs of shakiness...
After being dumped out of the Champions League, there were rumours that a few Celtic players might be on their way, but in the end they've all stayed. Things should be pretty peachy at Parkhead, yet somehow problems seem to be surfacing early in Tony Mowbray's tenure. The bad natured and narrow win at Hibs looked ugly, with Mowbray first orchestrating a "huddle" at the end of the game and then refusing to accept that McGeady dived (he did, and everyone knows it). A siege mentality at the end of August - is that really healthy?
Still, at least they are winning games, which is more than can be said for Hearts. Manager Csaba Laszlo has been spilling the beans about his difficult relationship with Vladimir, and we all know that Mr Romanov does not tolerate insubordination. Is his employee asking to get sacked? Hearts had a woeful summer, the new signings (much hyped by some supporters) have looked substandard so far, and Larry Kingston is stirring the pot, too. Oh dear.
Looking Good...
Rangers have avoided any more departures, and that's a good thing for them. The income from the Champions League (they don't have to share any of it with Celtic now) will help with the cash flow at least, and the arrival of Jerome Rothen on loan from PSG adds experience and guile for those ties too.
Given that they are not even offering new contracts to anyone currently on the payroll (Kris Boyd is now in his final year), don't expect much business in January either, unless they sell first. They remain dependent on a few key players staying fit - otherwise, that title looks very vulnerable. For now, though, the Champions have made an impressive start.
A year ago, Derek Riordan returned to Hibs from Celtic for a rumoured £400,000 (big money these days for a non-OF outfit), and the Edinburgh club's chief executive described the deal as a "statement of intent". This summer, they've invested a similar sum in Anthony Stokes. Hibs now have lots of options up front and John Hughes has done some fairly radical reshaping of the rest of the squad, with Liam Miller the latest to join. It might take time to gel, but Hibs are looking promising.
So are the Arabs, with Craig Levein again pulling a rabbit out of the hat with Danny Cadamateri. Who knows how, but the well-travelled and wayward striker has hit the ground running. Dundee Utd have started well and still have a number of injured players to come back into the team. These two clubs are surely favourites for third place.
Motherwell will be pretty happy with a top six finish, but that looks on the cards following a decent start. Jim Gannon is living up to his reputation, and he's been given some money to bring in much needed strength in depth.
St. Johnstone, meanwhile, managed well-earned draws against Motherwell and Hearts, but got thumped by Celtic. That's a tough start for a promoted team, even if Hearts aren't anywhere near as good as they'd like to be, so probably a job well done. And they are scoring goals, which is crucial for the confidence.
Steady as she goes...Neither wonderful nor woeful, St Mirren and Kilmarnock have both made respectable starts, and have legitimate reasons for optimism. As both clubs are vulnerable to being dragged into a relegation scrap, any early points are a bonus.
Early signs of shakiness...
After being dumped out of the Champions League, there were rumours that a few Celtic players might be on their way, but in the end they've all stayed. Things should be pretty peachy at Parkhead, yet somehow problems seem to be surfacing early in Tony Mowbray's tenure. The bad natured and narrow win at Hibs looked ugly, with Mowbray first orchestrating a "huddle" at the end of the game and then refusing to accept that McGeady dived (he did, and everyone knows it). A siege mentality at the end of August - is that really healthy?
Still, at least they are winning games, which is more than can be said for Hearts. Manager Csaba Laszlo has been spilling the beans about his difficult relationship with Vladimir, and we all know that Mr Romanov does not tolerate insubordination. Is his employee asking to get sacked? Hearts had a woeful summer, the new signings (much hyped by some supporters) have looked substandard so far, and Larry Kingston is stirring the pot, too. Oh dear.
Things aren't much happier at Aberdeen, where the manager also seems content to moan about his squad in public. Best get your excuses in now, Mark McGhee, because those fans who were so excited about your arrival in the summer might just be having second thoughts.
And so to Hamilton and Falkirk. Both managers were sounding very optimistic during the summer, but that optimism has looked seriously misplaced so far. Falkirk have, at least, held on to Darren Barr and Scott Arfield, two vital players. They are going to need them, while Hamilton look well short of the required standard.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fortune favours the brave
After a depressing summer, ending with a disaster of a match against Norway which ended any realistic hope of Scotland appearing in next year's World Cup, the opening weekend of the SPL at least provided lots of goals and excitement.
Of course, the first round of the season is always exciting - the sun's shining, the terraces are busy, and everyone is full of optimism. We all know that the pitches and the players will look a lot less lively in January. But it was still fun to forget all the problems and revel in Scotland's top domestic competition.
Strikers were given the limelight - the rejuvenated Danny Cadamateri at Tannadice, the returning Benji at Easter Road, and of course the biggest signing of the summer, Marc-Antoine Fortune at Celtic.
As Pat Nevin pointed out in Sportscene, Fortune has been playing more like a winger than a centre forward so far for Celtic - but this may well be the secret weapon Tony Mowbray plans to use against Arsenal tonight. With Fortune buzzing betweeen the touch lines, it gives Aiden McGeady and others the chance to go narrow and lose their marker. Still, it will be very hard for Celtic to get through this tie.
The other European tie this week involves Hearts against Dinamo Zagreb. Having played on Monday night, and due to play Rangers on Sunday, the fixture list is certainly not doing the Jambos any favours.
Of course, the first round of the season is always exciting - the sun's shining, the terraces are busy, and everyone is full of optimism. We all know that the pitches and the players will look a lot less lively in January. But it was still fun to forget all the problems and revel in Scotland's top domestic competition.
Strikers were given the limelight - the rejuvenated Danny Cadamateri at Tannadice, the returning Benji at Easter Road, and of course the biggest signing of the summer, Marc-Antoine Fortune at Celtic.
As Pat Nevin pointed out in Sportscene, Fortune has been playing more like a winger than a centre forward so far for Celtic - but this may well be the secret weapon Tony Mowbray plans to use against Arsenal tonight. With Fortune buzzing betweeen the touch lines, it gives Aiden McGeady and others the chance to go narrow and lose their marker. Still, it will be very hard for Celtic to get through this tie.
The other European tie this week involves Hearts against Dinamo Zagreb. Having played on Monday night, and due to play Rangers on Sunday, the fixture list is certainly not doing the Jambos any favours.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
SPL 2009/10 - how's it's going to pan out
The new SPL season is about to kick off, so it's time to put our money where our mouth is and predict who's going to win it... and where everyone else will finish too. Firstly, a health warning: with the transfer window still open until the end of August, there's still time for players to come and go. If Rangers, for example, decide to spend a little of their Champions League windfall (unlikely, we know), then they could still improve their chances of retaining the title.
But this is We Love Fitba's season preview:
But this is We Love Fitba's season preview:
- Celtic will be champions. We might have got it wrong in backing them last season, but we'll do it again this time around. A new management team, new players and the breaking of their European away day hoodoo have all brought optimism to Parkhead this summer. That victory over Dinamo Moscow reinforced the feeling that Tony Mowbray is the right man at the right time, able to inject some verve and flair into the side. With Nakamura and JVH gone and a few new faces, Celtic have refreshed a decent squad and will play with more pace this term.
Key man: Aiden McGeady. Looked like he was on the verge of leaving the club in January, the girl-faced Irishman is an unquestioned talent. If Mowbray can get him back to his best, Celtic will be too strong for everyone else. - Rangers. Celtic might have thrown away a position of strength last season but Rangers deserve credit for winning the title. Walter Smith has helped to keep the wolf from the door, but there are still clear financial problems at Ibrox. So far this summer, players have gone but none has arrived. Fans can reassure themselves that their club has probably got the best years out of Barry Ferguson, and Birmingham have done them a favour (cheers, Alex McLeish), while Charlie Adam and Alan Gow weren't involved last season anyhow. But Celtic have got stronger while Rangers have stagnated. The squad is looking too thin to defend their crown.
Key man: Kevin Thomson. Talented but fragile, the oft-injured midfielder has a vital role to play this season. With Ferguson gone, Rangers need someone to anchor the midfield and control games. It's telling, though, that Thomson has barely played for Scotland, despite his talent - he needs a solid, uninterrupted season to make his mark. - Hearts. On the basis that they finished 3rd last time, and no one else looks better placed to challenge them, the "Best of the Rest" title is theirs by default. They have steadily improved throughout pre-season and they seem to have brought in some decent replacements to cover departures. But Bruno Aiguar will be a big loss, and they still need a decent striker. And of course, the swirling rumours about financial problems and Vladimir Romanov's crazy unpredictability threaten to capsize the boat at any moment. Hearts better hope that Lithuanian bank holds out, because it's the only thing stopping them from following Livingston into crisis.
Key man: Andy Driver. If Hearts continue to play with a fence post upfront, then the winger's attacking threat will be even more vital. An injury during the summer probably rules out his transfer this summer, a boost for the team if not the bank balance back in Vilnius. He could well go in January, though. - Hibernian. Another new manager for Hibs, and one that Falkirk fans weren't exactly sorry to see go. John Hughes certainly likes his teams to play well, but his results at Falkirk, plus the sales of Rob Jones and Steven Fletcher, suggest little more than top-6 anonymity this time around. However, there is a feeling, just like Mowbray at Celtic, that Hughes is the right man for the job, and that this appointment could work out very well indeed. After all, it was Hughes who got Falkirk to the SPL and kept them there, and got them to the Scottish Cup Final in May as well. He seems to know what's doing, and his roots with the club are doing him no harm at all. And, of course, the Hibs academy just keeps on churning out promising looking players, seven of whom have been promoted to the senior squad.
Key man: Merouane Zemmama. Hibs will still rely on prodigal son Derek Riordan to score the goals, but it's the little Morrocan who Hughes will build his team around. If it works, Hibs could be looking to take 3rd from Hearts. - Dundee Utd. As Director of Football, Craig Levein has been busy restructuring the club's academy, admitting that it was not fulfilling its function. A smart move, but not one that's going to have an immediate impact on the first team. As manager, Levein once again traded to try and replace decent players who have gone. The Arabs will be tough competitors but it's hard to see them improve much on last season.
Key man: Morgaro Gomis. That Levein signed the Senegalese midfielder from Cowbenbeath shows the global reach of the game these days. That Roy Keane has offered £800,000 for him shows yet again Levein's eye for a player. With money tight, though, can they hold on to him? - Motherwell. New man, fresh ideas, and a few new faces from the English lower leagues for fans to get used to as well. Jim Gannon is by all accounts a talented manager, and - crucially - used to operating at the "value" end of the transfer market. Motherwell have sold most of their assets and need a manager who can spot a bargain, but Gannon also likes his teams to pass the ball, which the Well fans will lap up. This just could be an inspired appointment.
Key man: Stephen Craigan. With all the youthful enthusiasm ahead of him, the Well skipper could do with a nice, consistent, mistake-free season to show leadership to the young charges and keep the goals against tally respectable. - Aberdeen. The Dons were delighted to get Mark McGhee, who of course was part of the increasingly distant mid-80s glory years, after becoming so exasperated with the two Jimmys. But they've lost Scott Severin and Jamie Smith, the squad looks thin, and pre-season has not gone well. Without more investment, Aberdeen have to be realistic about their prospects. And could it be that Messrs Calderwood and Nicholl actually knew what they were doing? This season may be one to forget for the Dons, while inertia elsewhere leaves the club in seemingly perpetual limbo, wondering whether they are going to leave Pittodrie or not.
Key man: Zander Diamond. Without a prolific striker, Aberdeen need to be tight at the back. Diamond's progress has been erratic but he's shown signs of maturing into a consistent centre-half. - Kilmarnock. Everyone knows that Killie don't have a pot to piss in, and the last couple of seasons have had fans biting fingernails at some point as relegation fears bubble up again at Rugby Park. But Jim Jefferies knows what he's doing and Killie also have the habit of stringing a set of results together when needed. Given the circumstances, they've done well to keep the squad more or less together and - you never know - Mark Burchill might announce his return to Scottish football with goals aplenty. Or not.
Key man: Mehdi Taouil. The Morocco midfielder has tricks and talent, and is just plain good. He should be the difference between Kilmarnock and the teams below them. - St Johnstone. Gretna apart, the promoted club has tended to survive their first season in the SPL, and St Johnstone should do at least that. A well-run club with a solid support, the Saints have been waiting to get back to the top flight for a long time, and finally have their chance. Manager Derek McInnes is both realistic and ambitious, a nice combination to have. They've added a bit of depth to a squad that already looked pretty solid.
Key man: Paul Sheerin. Craft and invention in Perth. - St Mirren. They've not been in the SPL long enough to feel completely secure, but the Buddies should be ok in their first full season in their new home. Gus MacPherson seems to have strengthened the squad, with Michael Higdon from Falkirk earmarked as the man to help score more goals than last season.
Key man: Andy Dorman. Struggled last term, but if he returns to his best then he will make the Buddies tick. - Hamilton. Second Season Syndrome might hit hard at Hamilton, especially having seen James McCarthy and Brian Easton go for big money down South. But Billy Reid has been given some of that cash to rebuild the squad, and has made some big changes to freshen things up. More youthful exuberance/naivety this time around, but it should still be enough.
Key man: Tomas Cerny. To balance out all that youthful inconsistently, an experienced pro between the sticks. A good keeper makes the difference, you know. - Falkirk. Apologies to the Bairns, but their time might be up. Escaped relegation on the last day of last season, and while Eddie May talks a good game (and has the odd pop at previous gaffer John Hughes while he's at it), he also lacks experience. The fans seem optimistic, though, so they won't be bothered by others backing them for the drop.
Key man: Danijel Marceta. The striker has been signed on loan from FK Partizan's academy, which sounds like plenty enough pedigree for the SPL. If he's another Anthony Stokes, then Falkirk may well be laughing in the face of relegation threats.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Deal making goes to the wire
The game of call my bluff is nearly at an end. As usual, most of the exciting business in the transfer window is waiting until the final minutes before the deadline. Seeing as the deadline keeps moving back - the January transfer window doesn't shut until 5pm February 2, it seems - we're being made to wait longer and longer.
And so to the motivated sellers, as estate agents call them. It might not be a great market, but some clubs need some cash regardless.
Chris Porter may well go South to, as Mark McGhee said on Friday, "ensure there is a Motherwell football club next season". Rather sharpens the mind, doesn't it? Fee expected to be about 400 grand.
Rangers still need to sell, but nobody's buying. (Bolton have made an approach for Pedro Mendes, but Walter Smith really doesn't want to sell him and anyhow there's some debate about whether he's allowed to return to England this season, having played in the Community Shield). Kevin Nolan's move to Newcastle surely ends the unlikely prospect of Barry Ferguson going there. And Kris Boyd still doesn't fancy a move.
Problems with the wage bill and an alleged long list of grumpy creditors suggest Hearts will be very pleased with the sale of Christophe Berra to Wolves. This might be worth £2.5m, but as always things at Hearts are murky. Will this be the last sale?
And so to Hibs. Celtc are making eyes at Stephen Fletcher, and think he's worth about £3m. There's no doubt the Champions could do with a spark up front, but Hibs don't seem to want to sell. With the player on a long contract and their fabled tip-top finances, they don't have to, but Hibs have flogged a barrel load of talent in recent seasons and Fletcher will get extremely aggrieved if he's denied a move. This one seems more likely in the summer, however.
And so to the motivated sellers, as estate agents call them. It might not be a great market, but some clubs need some cash regardless.
Chris Porter may well go South to, as Mark McGhee said on Friday, "ensure there is a Motherwell football club next season". Rather sharpens the mind, doesn't it? Fee expected to be about 400 grand.
Rangers still need to sell, but nobody's buying. (Bolton have made an approach for Pedro Mendes, but Walter Smith really doesn't want to sell him and anyhow there's some debate about whether he's allowed to return to England this season, having played in the Community Shield). Kevin Nolan's move to Newcastle surely ends the unlikely prospect of Barry Ferguson going there. And Kris Boyd still doesn't fancy a move.
Problems with the wage bill and an alleged long list of grumpy creditors suggest Hearts will be very pleased with the sale of Christophe Berra to Wolves. This might be worth £2.5m, but as always things at Hearts are murky. Will this be the last sale?
And so to Hibs. Celtc are making eyes at Stephen Fletcher, and think he's worth about £3m. There's no doubt the Champions could do with a spark up front, but Hibs don't seem to want to sell. With the player on a long contract and their fabled tip-top finances, they don't have to, but Hibs have flogged a barrel load of talent in recent seasons and Fletcher will get extremely aggrieved if he's denied a move. This one seems more likely in the summer, however.
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