SPL Preview

The emergence of Hearts as a genuine threat to the Old Firm last season was the best thing to happen to the Scottish game in more than 20 years. The Jambos became the first team in a decade to split the Glasgow giants and this time round they will be looking at going one better by clinching the SPL crown. And the way things are going you just never know. Celtic start the season following an awful pre-season without the experience of Hartson, Sutton and Keane, and how Paul Le Guen and his merry bunch of signings will cope at Ibrox is a bit of a mystery.

But this campaign will not just be all about them. Jimmy Calderwood’s Aberdeen will be desperate to prove that they are still a major force in Scottish football, Tony Mowbray’s Hibs will be wanting to add some silverware to the long list of plaudits, and will this be the year that Dundee United finally give their long-suffering fans something to cheer about? Not to mention the fight to avoid the drop.

I’m no Mystic Meg but below is how I think the SPL will look come the end of May.

1. Celtic
2. Hearts
3. Rangers
4. Aberdeen
5. Hibernian
6. Inverness Caledonian Thistle
7. Kilmarnock
8. Motherwell
9. Dundee United
10.Falkirk
11.St Mirren
12.Dunfermline

Celtic – Some people seem to believe that Celtic are going to struggle this year but I don’t really understand where this comes from. Sure they’ve won just once during their pre-season but when it comes to the crunch they’ll turn on the style. They’ve lost Hartson and Roy Keane but they’ve brought in Caldwell, Riordan, Jarosik and Sno, and Lennon is still in the heart of midfield to marshal the troops. They could be in trouble if Petrov leaves but I’m sticking my neck by saying that he will stay and help the Bhoys retain their title.

Hearts – They were the surprise package last season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them beat Rangers to the second Champions League spot again and push Celtic all the way for the title. This could be a great opportunity to actually give the SPL title a new home. They may be braced to lose Webster and Skacel but there’s enough skill and fight in the squad to continue their title assault.

Rangers – Former Lyon boss Paul Le Guen is a respected coach and a born winner and has made some sweeping changes at Ibrox but how will the new boys fair in the SPL? Kris Boyd is a phenomenal scorer who will find them goals but with so many new players in the squad I fear it may take a while to get to know each other and for Le Guen’s ideas to sink in.

Aberdeen – The Dons were disappointing for most of the season but came good in the last third to secure a top six finish. They’ve had a good pre-season and if they can continue where they left off at the end of last season there is no reason why they can’t challenge for a top three spot, providing key players stay injury free.

Hibernian – Tony Mowbray’s men have won more plaudits than trophies for their attacking brand of football and I feel that that will remain the case. The loss of Riordan and Caldwell is a massive blow and youngsters like Sproule and Killen will have to shoulder the responsibility to fire the Easter Road club up the table. Hibs play without fear and can beat anyone on their day but I feel that the lack of strength in depth will ultimately see them slip to fifth.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Charlie Christie’s Caley are not a team to mess with. They won more games on the road than any other SPL side last season bar the champions Celtic and only narrowly missed out on a top six finish. They are hard to break down and the return of former striker Dennis Wyness will add an extra threat in front of goal for the highlanders. Anything else other than a top six finish would be seen as a disappointment.

Kilmarnock – Jim Jefferies is a no-nonsense manager who knows how to get the best out of his players. The former Hearts boss guided Killie to fifth last season but with only one new face at Rugby Park I think Jefferies would do well to claim a top six place. They missed Kris Boyd’s goals in the second half of last season and he has yet to be suitably replaced. Jefferies needs to find an ace marksman to have any chance of continuing his fine form

Motherwell – Terry Butcher may be on the other side of the world now but he will still be keeping an eye out for his former club. He transformed the club into a hard-to-beat side and his number two Maurice Malpas has now been given the task of continuing what he started. The former Dundee United defender has a wealth of experience following his time at Dundee United and should cope with the pressure of being a manager. Scott McDonald needs to find his scoring boots and the loss of Stevie Hammell will be a blow but a satisfactory season lies ahead for the ‘Well.

Dundee United – In Craig Brewster the Terrors have one of the best young managers in the game and after years of disappointment this could be the time to reward the loyal, suffering fans. Noel Hunt’s arrival could signal a turn around but I think it’s going to be a case of Groundhog Day for the boys at Tannadice. United won’t be consistent enough to make a sustained bid for a top six place but they could enjoy a good cup run.

Falkirk – John Hughes worked wonders last season but the acid test of any manager is always the second season and with so many players shown the door during the summer his tactics will be severely tested. He has one of the lightest squads in the SPL at his disposal and the Bairns will need a strong spirit to retain their SPL status. Home fans witnessed just two league victories last season and that will need to be addressed if Yogi wants to remain in the top flight. Russell Latapy maybe nearing his 40s but he can still run the show effectively and is vital to their campaign.

St Mirren – The Buddies marched into the SPL by storming to the First Division title based on a solid defence. They conceded just 28 goals in 36 games but scoring them was a bigger problem. Gus MacPherson will be under no illusion that survival is the main goal and if it means closing up shop and trying to catch teams on the break then so be it. It’s been seven years since a promoted club has gone straight back down and fans of the Buddies won’t need any reminding who that was!

Dunfermline – The Pars really struggled last season and it looks like time may run out for Jim Leishman’s men this time. Only a poor Livingston side saved them from the drop last season but without the likes of Noel Hunt, Simon Donnelly, Lee Makel and Derek Young it could be curtains for the East End Park club. Leishman has signed Phil McGuire, Jim McIntyre and Roddy McKenzie but if he was offered 11th place now he’d snap your hands off. A vast improvement is required if they are to beat the drop.

Colin Illingworth
28 July 2006