The SPL - A Sinking Ship?

So last night all Scottish clubs were emliminated from European competitions meaning we will see no one playing in Europe this season, What will become of this disaster?

Well for starters reaching the Champions League group stage is worth an estimated £10 million. This season we only had one participant in the Champions League qualifying, Rangers who were eliminated by Malmo. In the past Scotland has had two participants in it but due to years of failures in competitions the co-efficient has slipped meaning the loss of places.

The Europa league, The lesser of European competitions has also been a disaster for Scotland, First Dundee United went out, Followed by Hearts Rangers and Celtic last night.

The financial side isn't the only problem though, the loss of the attraction to come to Scotland and play against some of the best sides in Europe is often a big selling point, Well not anymore meaning it will be harder to attract players of higher quality.

This might have a nock on effect, Who wants to sponser a league that is continuing to fail? Current partners of the SPL include SKY ESPN, BBC, Clydesdale Bank, Mitre, Football gambling sites William Hill and The Football Pools, Gaming companies, EA Sports and Sega, UK travel company Thomas Cook and Coca Cola with various other media outlets also being partnered with the SPL.

So do all these companies wish to keep giving money to a league which is considered to be dropping in standard, Ticket price increases with living costs increasing meaning it is pricing some families out of going to games.

The SPL and SFA need to get together and develop plans to save the Scottish game before its too late. What they can do now when the damage has been done last night is unknown but by building for the future then they can help get the game on track and up to where it once was.

Weekend Results.

Just a quick post of this weekends results.

Aberdeen 2-1 Inverness
Dundee Utd 0-1 Dunfermline
Hibs 1-2 St Mirren
Motherwell 0-3 Rangers
Kilmarnock 0-0 Hearts
Celtic 0-1 St Johnstone

A European Disaster?

Three Scottish clubs were in Europa League action on Thursday with none of them picking up a win.

Hearts were hammered 5-0 by English,Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic were unable to break the deadlock at home against Sion but may go into the next round no matter the result in the second leg after Sion played inneligable players. Rangers suffered a late defeat to Maribor when they conceded in injury time after being 1-0 up at half time.

So all in a dissapointing midweek but hopefully the sides can get decent results in the second leg.

Hearts Tax Bill Situation.

Hearts have insisted that an outstanding tax bill will be paid in full on Tuesday after they were threatened with the club being put in administration.

The bill comes from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs the right to serve the order on the club who took action against the club on the 29th July after bills remained unpaid.

A hearts spokesman said, "The situation is under control.The amount will be paid in full tomorrow."

Hearts arent the only club in the SPL under investigation with Rangers still in discussions with HMRC over bills in the region of £2.8 million.

Hearts are still a club in debt but I dont think this latest tax bill has any threat to their future as a club after they posted a profit in last years annual figures.

Scottish Teams In Europa League Action.

Well this draw was made on Friday but I forgot all about it so I have posted it a bit late.

Rangers will face a tough trip to Slovenia to take on NK Maribor while rivals Celtic head to Switzerland to place Sion. Hearts got the toughest tie for Scottish clubs and will take on the English club Tottenham.

The fixtures will be played on the 18th and the second leg on the 25th August.

So all Scottish clubs will travel to tough opposition,Will they be able to progress?

Rangers Out Of The Champions League.

Rangers were dumped out of the Champions after finishing the game with 9 men in Sweden.

Steven Whittaker was the first to be sent off after he threw a ball at an opposition player.

10 men Rangers kicked on and got the opening goal after 23 minutes when Jelavic finished.

Malmo could have been reduced to 10 men when Durmaz kicked out at Lee Mcullouch but escaped punishment.

In the second half Bougherra was sent off for an elbow when challenging for a ball which could have been seen as harsh.

Malmo also saw a red card later on but it wasnt to matter as they scored a few minutes later to secure the tie 2-1 on aggregate.

So Rangers out of the Champions League but now go into the Europa League.

Whats Going On At Tynecastle?

I think I recently said that Hearts would challenge the Old Firm this season providing there is no managerial movement but unsuprisingly Jim Jefferies and his assistant Billy Brown have been removed of their duties at the club.

The surprise move came after the controversial Hearts owner, Vladimir Romanov arrived in Scotland after the Jambos defeat at home to Dundee United. On Monday Romanov met the management team of Jefferies and his assistant, Billy Brown, after training.

Jefferies has been offered a role as a director of football at the club but its understood he will turn it down as he seeks legal advice for his removal of position which could lead to compensation for the sacked pair.

Jefferies side made a decent start to the season with a draw at Rangers then drew 1-1 with Paks in the Europa league but Romanov is unimpressed.

Front runner for the job is ex Sporting Lisbon manager  Paulo Sergio and he is expected to be announced as manager in the next few days.


Theres never a lack of action when Hearts are involved, 

SPL Weekend Review.

 Scores of the weekends fixtures.

Inverness 0-1 Hibs.
Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell.
St Mirren 1-0 Aberdeen.
St Johnstone 0-2 Rangers.
Hearts 0-1 Dundee United.

Rangers On The Brink Of Early European Exit?

Rangers now need to go to Sweden and win on Wednesday night after failing to beat Malmo at Ibrox yesterday.

The Gers went down 1-0 as Daniel Larsson got the only goal of the game. Rangers should have got a few goals in the second half but Steven Naismith was unable to convert two different taps ins.

David Weir had to be subsituted and it looks like he might miss the second leg but new signing Dorin Goian might be able to play if his work permit comes through in time.

Both teams went on to create chances but were unable to score and it leaves Rangers with a lot of work to do if they want to progress to the next round.

Weekend Results.

Just a quick post getting back into the swing of things.

Weekends results:

Rangers 1-1 Hearts
Aberdeen 0-0 St Johnstone
Motherwell 3-0 Inverness
Dundee United 1-1 Kilmarnock
Hibernian 0-2 Celtic.

Lee Wallace Signs For Rangers.

Rangers have completed the signing of Hearts left-back Lee Wallace on a five year contract.

Gers had a £1.5million bid accepted earlier on Thursday and the Scottish champions acted swiftly to tie up the move to beat the European deadline of 11pm so he can play in the next round of the Champions league.

Rangers had been after Wallace for a few weeks and had 2 bids rejected but finally got an offer worth £1.5m accepted early on Thursday morning.

McCoist Gets His First Signing.

Juan Manuel Ortiz.

Juan Manuel Ortiz has become McCoist's first signing since he succeeded Walter Smith as manager joined up with his new team-mates before flying out from Glasgow Airport for their pre-season trip to Germany.

The Light Blues manager welcomed his new recruit who played for Almeria in La Liga for 4 years before they were relegated last season.

"We are delighted," said McCoist. "There were one or two little hiccups along the road, unfortunately, but it's done and dusted and we are all pleased.

"I think the fact that he can play a number of positions was a big thing. He probably runs Steven Whittaker close.

Rangers Duo Sign Long Term Contracts.

Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker have today put pen to paper in new deals that will see them tied up for the next six and five years respectively.

McGregor currently 29, came through the youth ranks at the club and now looks set to spend the rest of his career at the Gers.


Whittaker, who signed from Hibs in 2007 also put an end to speculation he would be leaving for Turkey with a five year deal.


Thats all for now guys.!

SPL Fixtures Released!

Who will emerge victorious this season?

Today the SPL fixtures for the new season have been released with the season to start on 23rd July.

These are the games to be played for the first 2 weeks.

Saturday July 23, 2011
Aberdeen v St Johnstone
Dunfermline v St Mirren
Hibernian v Celtic
Motherwell v Inverness CT
Rangers v Hearts

Sunday July 24, 2011
Dundee United v Kilmarnock

Saturday July 30, 2011
Celtic P-P Dunfermline
Inverness CT v Hibernian
Kilmarnock v Motherwell
St Johnstone v Rangers
St Mirren v Aberdeen

Sunday July 31, 2011
Hearts v Dundee United


Rangers kickoff their defence of the title with a game against Hearts who finished in 3rd last season so it will be interesting to see that game.

This was just a quick post and I will bring you more news later.!

Kyle Bartley To Return To Rangers?

Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley has revealed he would love the chance to return to Rangers after a successful loan spell in Glasgow.

“I’m a professional and Arsenal are my club,” he told the Scottish Sun.

“I’m under contract and it will be Arsene Wenger who decides what’s best for me.

“But it’s no secret that the idea of another loan spell at Rangers would be very attractive.”

“I was only at Rangers for a short while but I’ve got so many good memories,” he said.

Yesterday Arsenal confirmed the signing of defender Carl Jenkinson from Charlton which could spell the end of Bartley's career at the Emirates Stadium.

The Rangers Revolution.

New Rangers owner Craig Whyte has removed Alastair Johnston from the Rangers board. Johnston was supposed to step down on 16th May but didn't and was yesterday told to resign or be removed by Whyte.

Another member of the board, Paul Murray who tried to front a takeover as Whyte had almost completed his was removed also.

Martin Bain and Donald McIntyre have also been suspended while information regarding financial irregularities are sorted out.