Scottish Premier League - Half Season Recap

Scottish Premier League – Half Season Review

What an exciting first half of the SPL season. First it appeared as though Celtic were too good, then Rangers could not drop points, then they fell apart (ok, Naismith got injured).

Such a strong start to the season with many talking points. Let’s dive in…shall we?

Celtic

Definitely the team to stop. We said it in our pre-season review, this team is very good. No no no, not if you compare them to the great teams of years past but the early season injury suffered by Emilio Izaguirre definitely hampered their ambitions.

On 15 October 2011, Celtic headed into the half-time break at Kilmarnock, trailing 3-0. They also trailed Rangers by 10 points in the league. An absolutely incredible second half unfolded in which Celtic, somehow, responded with 3 goals and drawing the game. This point was without question the defining moment in Celtic’s season. There had been far too many issues with hot-head Neil Lennon calling out players prior to this that it seemed almost certain that he would lose his job. Not because he is a bad manager but because he seemingly had completely lost the plot with his team. Seemingly, they did not respond to his continual public beratings (Jose Mourinho anyone?).

Since this game, Celtic have won 12 and drawn 1 – including the all-important 3 points in their only Old Firm game in this time.

They have also overtaken Rangers, leading by 2 points.

Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes have been outstanding for Celtic up front, with Craig Forrest playing the creative midfield role outstandingly. Even Georgios Samaras seems to have a new lease on life since moving out wide. If only Celtic could do something about that abysmal defence (I think they have).

Projected Finish - Champions

Rangers

Unfortunately, I cannot see Rangers winning the title this year. I couldn’t see it at the start of the season, and I still can’t see it now. The injury to Scottish star Steven Naismith is too catastrophic to their chance. He is without question their most important player (again, I said this at the start of the year). His creativity, flair and aggression lifts his otherwise somewhat uninteresting side to incredible levels. He also had scored 9 SPL goals in 11 matches (not bad for an attacking midfielder). Nikica Jelavic is an outstanding forward but definitely cannot do it all himself.

Things went wrong for Rangers the instant Naismith was injured. They’ve fumbled their way through games, winning many they shouldn’t have, but also getting the results they deserve with losses at Kilmarnock and St Mirren, and a draw at home to St Johnstone.

The change of managers from Walter Smith to Ally McCoist was a big enough change, but add to that all the financial problems and this team hasn’t got a chance this season. As much as I don’t like to admit it (I am a Rangers fan after all!) Celtic has the title this year.

Projected Finish – 2nd

Hearts

Hearts have been all over the place this year. They started the season off strongly with a draw at Rangers (we tipped it too!) before losing to Dundee United. This team seemed to be doing okay after advancing in the Europa League and then, all of a sudden, decided to sack manager Jim Jefferies. Now, it wouldn’t be the first time that Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov sabotaged his own team, but his was kind of odd.

In any case, Hearts replaced Jefferies with a little known, barely reputable Portuguese manager in Paulo Sergio. The results since have been sometimes outstanding, sometimes crap. They have, however, put together a string of results that has seen them move into third place.

I do not expect it to last, though they definitely have the talent. Why? Well, at some point the players might like to get paid. Yes, there are more than just a few issues at Hearts (including the owner telling the world that every player at the club is up for sale). And the payment of wages in a timely manner is definitely one. And definitely in the forefront of the players’ minds.

I do expect that once the transfer window closes, the Hearts players will lose interest (given they are heading nowhere fast – without money) and the club will flop back into 5^th place.

Still, they do have some very good players like David Templeton and Rudi Skacel (this guy will be a star at one of the mid-table teams in the EPL).

Hearts definitely have the talent, just probably not the motivation.

Projected Finish – 4^th

Motherwell

Motherwell has been quite strange this season. They’ve been absolutely outstanding away from home (one of the best away records, yet quite shite at home. Below, I have listed their home record and their away record.

Home

Played	Won	Draw	Lost	For	Against	Points
10	3	3	4	7	10	12

Away

Played	Won	Draw	Lost	For	Against	Points
11	7	1	3	17	15	22

There is really no explanation for this incredibly difference. Yes the fans are somewhat more hostile toward them at home, piling on the pressure, but surely this is just because they’ve been performing so poorly?

In any case, I do like the squad. Their away record is their truest form. They’re an outstanding side with very strong players across the park.

Nicky Law, Tom Hately, Keith Lasley, Omar Daley and Jamie Murphy have all shared time in the limelight for this very talented squad. Check out the wonderful Jamie Murphy article here à LINK

Motherwell just need to perform at home as they do away and they will definitely finish way clear of the chasing pack.

Projected Finish – 3^rd

This is where things start to get tricky. There are a number of teams that could finish in positions 5 or 6. For those that know the SPL, know that being in 5 or 6 is very good prior to the splitting off of the league.

The SPL is a strange competition that after everyone has played each other 3 times, the league splits off into a top 6 and bottom 6 to finish the season off (ie. 5 more games).

Therefore, teams that are in the 5 or 6 would benefit greatly by either:

a)      Moving up the table with a good win or two against a strong side; or

b)      At the very least gain extra revenue from extra Old Firm games and games against other top sides.

It is odd.

In no particular order, I have St Johnstone, Dundee United and St Mirren as teams that could finish in the top 6 (sorry Killie!)

St Johnstone

The Saints are far exceeding their pre-season expectations - mainly because of the outstanding (and completely unforseen) striking duo of Francisco Sandaza and Cillian Sheridan. These two attackers have been, without question, the best striking duo in the SPL. They have combined for 19 of St Johnstone’s 27 goals (and set up more!).

The Saints do have other top players including Liam Craig, Murray Davidson and Peter Enckelman but it is Sandaza and Sheridan who have St Johnstone in the position they are.

Projected finish – 7^th

Dundee United

This team has upset me. Filled with so much potential, so many young Scottish stars, yet they fumble their way through the season. Is it the manager? Is it the hot-head of Johnny Russell? Is it the loss of David Goodwille? (how’s England going for you?) Completely unsure.

To me, they have definitely a top four team, yet they’ve put in some completely disgraceful performances that have seen them slip to 7^th. They’re definitely better than that.

Russell seems to have found form and despite the loss of Scott Allan, this team still has top 6 written all over them!

Projected finish – 6^th

St Mirren

Another team that, at times, I cannot figure out. This team is very good, and somewhat underrated. A fair amount of talent in this team, maybe it is just that I overrate them. Who knows?

In any case, they currently reside 8^th in the SPL. Their biggest win came on Christmas Eve at home to Rangers, topping the champions 2-1.

I still have them rated well, with such players as Craig Samson, Jeroen Tesselaar, Paul McGowan and, my personal favourite, Nigel Hasselbaink. If they could find more consistency, there is no reason they could not finish 5^th in the SPL.

Projected finish – 5^th

Kilmarnock

Not a huge fan of Killie. They definitely have some talent with Craig Heffernan and James Dayton but overall, they don’t excited me greatly.

Currently 6^th in the SPL, but will fall a touch as the season progresses.

Projected finish – 8^th

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

My favourite team outside of Rangers (until Ross County join the SPL next year). So very well managed by former Rangers star Terry Butcher, this side has had the worst luck of a team that I can ever remember. Injuries and incredibly unlucky refereeing decisions have cost this side more than a handful of games. Led by young stars Jonathan Hayes, Andrew Shinnie and Nick Ross, this team has a very bright future – assuming they can hang onto their stars.

Inverness will not get relegated. They are too good. If they had luck this season, I would project a 7^th place finish. Alas, it was not to be (yes I know the season’s not over yet!). Think they could push for 7^th, but 9^th might be more realistic given the way it has gone so far.

Always underrated, don’t lose faith!

Projected finish – 9^th

Aberdeen

Craig Brown is their current manager. He was Scotland’s manager once, and a very good one. I have no idea what he has done at Aberdeen. He certainly hasn’t improved them one iota since taking charge last season.

Aberdeen lack wingers and any form of creativity. This makes it very hard for their forwards. I don’t like watching their games. Do you?

Projected finish – 10^th

Hibs/Dunfermline

You may recall a few months back, we at @AusSportsGuys took a huge plunge on Hibs to get relegated. This was paying $11 at the time. Now they definitely have not improved since that time (despite hiring a new manager – thank Christ!), but fortunately for them, Dunfermline have done everything in their power to ruin any chance our bet had of getting up.

Both teams are completely horrid. I do not wish to discuss them (unless begged).

Projected 11^th – Hibs

Projected 12^th – Dunfermline