It has been another memorable pre-season in the SPL with both sets of the Old Firm making headlines for very different reasons at a time of the year dubbed ‘silly season' by Scottish football fans.
Rangers picked up two league titles in a row last term thanks to a disastrous campaign for old rivals Celtic which saw Englishman Tony Mowbray arrive as a saviour and leave with his tale between his legs, another casualty of the cut throat league which stands alone.
Walter Smith was awarded manager of the year, David Weir player of the year and Kris Boyd took charge of the top goalscorer award, demonstrating the Gers domestic dominance. Things have gone downhill at Ibrox since however as the debt ridden giants firstly went up for sale, only to pull the signs back down again after finding potential buyers hard to come by.
Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo, Kevin Thompson, Danny Wilson and De Marcus Beasley are just a few of the first team regulars to have departed in the summer, leaving Walter Smith seriously short of both players and transfer money. When you consider that Rangers hold the world record for winning more league titles than any other club, but have been unable to buy a player since Maurice Edu arrived in August 2008, you get the picture!
Boss Walter Smith is undoubtedly a miracle worker, successfully operating on a tight budget at both Rangers and Everton, but this is widely regarded as a bridge too far and bookmakers price the holders up as 6/5 (Stan James) second favourites.
It is a very different story on the other side of Glasgow as former player, and fans favourite, Neil Lennon takes charge and has been spending money like it is going out of fashion. The Bhoys have been linked with Sol Campbell, Jimmy Bullard and David James, dining on proverbial steak whilst their neighbours starve, but no one in a hooped jersey feels the least bit bad about it.
It isn't easy to get the big name players to come to Scotland but Lennon was well thought of in his playing days and will be able to call in a few favours. The Irishman is largely untested at this level however, this is his first managerial post after all, and he has been thrown well and truly into the deep end. Money or no money, come a bitter Scottish winter, and an injury list as long as your rearranged fixtures, will the boy have what it takes to become a man? What did I say about silly season? Odds compilers haven't played the game at the highest level but they believe money talks and have priced the Parkhead men up as 13/17 (Bwin) favourites.
Dundee United were impressive this year, finishing as the best of the rest whilst lifting the Scottish cup and start as 7/4 (Victor Chandler) to finish top without the Old Firm whilst Hibs, 7/2 (Stan James), and Motherwell, 8/1 (Victor Chandler), should go well.
For me St Mirren look a great bet to take the plunge after a difficult season. They have recently dumped a manager who had done no wrong to bring in former Cowdenbeath leader Danny Lennon and the Buddies are 3/1 (Victor Chandler) to finish bottom.
Teams to follow
Rangers - Outright
Dundee Utd - W/O Old Firm
St Mirren - Relegation
