The return of Scottish football
Yes, it isn’t even August and top flight Scottish football is already coming back into play. In fact, Dundee United have already been dumped out of the Europa League before the campaign has kicked off, which goes a long way to telling you of the current status of Scottish football. All those United fans who celebrated qualifying for Europe back in May will probably feel rather foolish as their team failed to make it past the first hurdle, losing on away goals. This is a common trait for Scottish teams with away goals rule being the undoing of many teams who are unable to keep the back door closed at home.
Where will Goodwillie be spending his season?
United are likely to push on in the league though and could wrestle 3rd place away from Hearts, although the future of David Goodwillie is still uncertain. Cardiff City, Rangers and the judicial system have all got plans for Goodwillie and it seems inconceivable that he will end the season in United colours. Such is the problem with SPL teams having a player who excels, someone will always want him. Hearts found this when they offloaded Lee Wallace to Rangers, in a deal that is reportedly worth £1.5m. Rangers are probably paying this at £2 per week given their laughable approach to transfers this season but regardless of that, the Scottish internationalist is likely to be a decent addition to the Ibrox side.
When will Whyte’s warchest kick in for Rangers?
Rangers have missed out on a number of signings this summer and it has made a mockery of the claims of a warchest that new owner Craig Whyte has promised to new boss Ally McCoist. With Rangers involved in European action next midweek, there is a need for the Ibrox side to hit the ground running immediately or face an embarrassing start to McCoist’s reign. Hearts at home in the SPL opener shouldn’t be too difficult but game against a Malmo side that are already underway in their domestic league may prove to be a trickier affair. Hearts have made a number of signings this summer but apart from John Sutton, they all appear to be middle of the road average SPL players. Some Jambos have been wetting themselves in excitement over the capture of Tahouil from Kilmarnock but he is frankly rubbish and will do well to make any sort of impact on the SPL this season.
Hearts fans have also been more vexed by the fact that half of their summer focus was placed on their own player Craig Thompson, who was placed on the sex offenders register after improper behaviour with minors. The player was being kept on at Hearts until sponsors started to kick up a fuss and he was told to leave the club. Just another normal summer for the Hearts supporters and their club but it is unlikely that the problems will stop there with new rumours surfacing about the players not being paid properly again.
In comparison to this, the rest of the clubs have had a quiet old summer but that all changes this weekend as the SPL comes back to life.