It's all hands to the gunwales now.
We've got the McGeady £ - an advantage over Rangers - and we were better-off anyway. But Rangers have the momentum and are champions.
This season will be very telling, probably a 'make or break' for both clubs (with regards to their reputation outside of Scotland and financial security).
What with the Lenny & Johan vs Smith & Ally situation ? - Lenny has his first full season as boss (maybe the only season?) and Smith is (probably) handing-over to McCoist next year. Big ins and outs at Celtic and Rangers.
Major changes for both us & Rangers, in 2011 (or even before!).
A lack of success for both Celtic and Rangers in Europe (which will IMO continue for a while) has left us with a straight scrap for the SPL title, the best that the OF can hope for, realistically. Domestic dominance is one thing, but prevailing outside of Scotland is another. Obviously, winning the Scottish Cup or League Cup is a great achievement -
- can't deny that, so congrats to the winners.
Celtic & Rangers are
huge clubs, with vast support and great history. Obviously, you all know which side of the divide I'm on, but I appreciate that both clubs are massive and you get good and bad eggs in every basket. I've met some Celtic fans that I didn't like, and Rangers fans that I did like (though not many!).
There was a time when OF league matches were live on the BBC in England (I loved watching those!) - as they should be - but even that has gone now. Why has the BBC lost interest in the biggest derby in the world* ?
I've been to two OF games (at home - I've never been to Ibrox) and there is nothing better ... and I've been to Champions League games at Paradise ... I'm sure that Rangers fans will agree that they love going to Ibrox for C.L. / OF matches too.
What I'm getting at is, there is so much pride, passion, effort (many OF fans pay hundreds or thousands of pounds to get to matches) but we've recently got little reward.
Celtic and Rangers need to give something back to the fans.
I'm aware that Rangers are (deservedly) current champions and Celtic have been working hard to get new faces in, but both clubs have massive work to do, aside from beating each other.
Lawwell and Bain have much pressure on their shoulders.
I don't think that there's huge pressure on Lenny, Mjallby, Smith or McCoist; but the players need to play better and all fans of Celtic and Rangers will be expecting improvement.
<---- Here's me being neutral !
* And it is.
