Scottish Football in 2015

Where to begin on the topic of the state of Scottish football? Lets take the neutral route, lets go for
the national team first. So, Gordon Strachan has come in and seems to have restored the pride and
passion for the beautiful game which boils inside every Scottish football fan. Theres nothing quite
like the butterflies in the stomach, the nerves, the will they, wont they? frame of mind as the
international matches beckon. Even more so now that there is a very good chance that we will go out
there and get the win that we all crave. The blend of creativity and solid defensive work is a credit to
the staff. They have created the team spirit which seems to be carried on into the way the team play.
So all in all I would say things are moving in the right direction for qualification to France Euro 2016.
This moves us on to domestic football. I think I should start with the elephant in the room. This is of
course Rangers or The Rangers depending on who you speak to. From my point of view its now
passed embarrassing for their fans and I just feel sorry for them. A club with no transparency what so
ever. No one has a clue whats going on behind the scenes and the fans have every right to boycott the
games and protest until their club can show them some positive steps, because at this moment in time
there is only one way that it seems to be going and you dont need me to point it out. To get back on
to the football side of things but sticking with Rangers. Having watched several of their recent games
even their future on the pitch looks grim. Obviously what is happening behind the scenes is having an
effect on the players. They have lost the last 3 in a row and now have slipped to 3 rd in the table and
dropping out of the play-off spot. The players do not seem to be playing with any confidence what so
ever. Their play is flat and generally all round boring. They need a major kick up the backside or their
on field fortunes are going to be as bad as their boardroom ones.
A success story post administration would have to be Hearts. Last season when in the top flight I
genuinely enjoyed watching them. They were put under transfer bans and had no choice but to play
the young boys. This has been the reason for the success this season. They have bound together as a
team and under Robbie Neilson have managed to walk the Championship so far. I cant see them
losing the lead at the top, in fact they will extend it in 2015 and soar in to the SPFL with ease.
Whether they can keep the same kind of performances up we will have to see come the end of the
year.
Scotland always has been a stepping stone for players and managers getting into the big jobs and
clubs in England as at the end of the day, thats where the money is so who can blame them? This
January saw the departure of Alex Neil to Norwich City. The best part of this story was the way that
Hamilton dealt with the departure. The chairman of the club congratulated his ex-gaffer on the move
and thanked him for the service he had given the club. From being a player, captain, player manager
and leading his side into the top flight this was some job. The scenario as a whole was dealt with in
good taste. Well played by the Accies.
There have been ins and outs and ups and downs and were only half way through the season. With
Aberdeen running Celtic close at the top of the table it could just be the fright that Celtic need to start
turning their average performances to those of the champions that they are. Having said that they are
on for the quadruple but the month of February may change that.
I dont think that there is any doubt that Scottish football is on the rise. There is quality out there. It
may not be up to the standard of the early 00s but just like the rest of the world we were hit by the
recession. Stay positive, things are looking not too bad for us. As the song goes Those days are
passed now, and in the past they must remain. But we can still rise now, and be the nation again

Saor Alba.