FITBA Issue Two

INSIDE CELEBRATING THE BEAUTIFUL GAME IN SCOTLAND

SIR ALEX FERGUSON A TRIBUTE

SPFL news & previews » SEASON PREVIEWS » Q&A: Danni Pagliarulo » Goal line technology in Scotland » Scots in Exile

ISSUE 02 » £1

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CONTENTS » FIRST HALF 4 5 6

The Dugout The Post: Letters and Tweets FEATURE Sir Alex Ferguson Tribute – Looking back on his career at Aberdeen FC and Manchester United FC 12 SCOTLAND

Auld Enemy – Should the oldest international derby make a return?

14 SPFL SPFL: A bright new dawn?

16 The Saga Continues: Neil Lennon’s Celtic manager’s career 24 Great Expectations: Aberdeen under Derek McInnes 25 SPFL Season Previews 30 Who, you gonnae call for lower league success?

» HALF TIME

P40: Danni Pagliarulo

P24: Aberdeen under Derek McInnes

P16: Neil Lennon’s Management Career

32 FEATURE

Goal line technology in Scotland: An essential luxury 34 HFL

Interview with Steve Paterson 35 HFL Season Previews 36 GRASSROOTS

Forget about our professional game & let’s get back to basics

by Nathan MacKenzie

» SECOND HALF

38 Women’s Football

Better not eat that: Danni Pagliarulo and her battle with anorexia 40 Q&A with Danni Pagliarulo 41 FEATURE

Scots in Exile

Editor Andy Muirhead Contributors Alan Rennie, Donald C. Stewart, Bill McMurdo, Danni Pagliarulo, Nathan MacKenzie, Andy Skinner, Patrick Conway, Sean Graham, Marc McArdle, Ian Thomson, Thomas Payne and Bob Smith Walker. Photographers Phil McCloy and Actionplus. co.uk Copyright All work in this magazine is copyright FITBA and Scotzine. All usage of material within these pages is forbidden without prior consent. Design GAAP Design Studio Publisher Scotzine Sports Limited in conjunction with GAAPStudio.com With thanks Pie & Bovril and Yorkhill Children’s Hospital Disclaimer FITBA is not affiliated with any club or governing body. All views expressed within these pages are that of the author and do not always represent the views of FITBA magazine or Scotzine Sports Limited. Advertising For all enquiries please email us at editor@scotzine.com

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FITBA ISSUE 02

The dugout EDITOR»ANDY MUIRHEAD

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elcome to Issue Two of Fitba, after an enforced break since our first issue we are now back on the scene – thankfully.

There has been a lot of chopping and changing in the Scottish game over the summer months, with the SPL and the SFL merging to create a new fandangled organisation the SPFL, run by the same folk. Sounds ominously like a dodgy builder changing his name to create a new and attractive persona. Rangers blogger Bill McMurdo looks at the SPFL and gives us his views.

We have also seen our clubs battling in Europe once more, with Celtic overcoming Cliftonville and Elfsborg with relative ease and face a daunting trip to Kazakhstan for a place in the coveted group stages of the Champions League.

We then had to watch Hibs humiliated at the hands of Malmo defeated 9-0 on aggregate, the worst ever result by a Scottish club in Europe.

But, while Hibs fans were in a sorry state with plenty drinking to forget their woes, jubilant St.Johnstone fans celebrated beating regular European competitors Rosenborg, before finally succumbing to FC Minsk in the next round.

Finally, we have to pay tribute to Scottish women’s side Glasgow City who secured their place in the last 32 of the Women’s Champions League for the third successive year.

Except for the ongoing financial issues at Dunfermline and Hearts, the rest of Scottish football can get back to matters on the field, hopefully. So with the new season upon us, FITBA has looked at the leagues from the Scottish Premiership down to League Two and into the Highland Football League, as our writers preview the chances of all the sides taking part.

We also saw the retirement of arguably the greatest ever manager in world football at the end of last season, Sir Alex Ferguson. So we pay tribute to the great man during his Aberdeen years and then his years at Old Trafford.

Later this month, Scotland face the Auld Enemy at Wembley to celebrate the English FA’s 150th anniversary and yours truly takes a look at the fixture. Hopefully Scotland under Strachan can put the disappointing World Cup campaign behind them to beat England and rub it in a little as we did with the last game between the two sides, thanks to a solitary Don Hutchison goal in 1999.

If that was not enough we talk to Glasgow City defender Danni Pagliarulo on her battle with an eating disorder and US-based Ian Thomson takes a look at Kenny Miller in a special MLS edition of Scots in Exile.

There is one piece of additional news that I would like to add and that is FITBA’s latest signing, GAAP Studio. Scott McPhee (Managing Director) has kindly taken on the job of design and layout of FITBA, relieving myself of the burden that I endured in the first issue.

FITBA will, therefore, be offering our readers quality and original content not published elsewhere in an online magazine that is professionally designed.

As with every issue, we hope that you enjoy reading it and if you want to send any comments or opinions in yourself please check out our Letters & Tweets section for more details.

Until the next issue, Andy Muirhead, Editor

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THE POST

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Each month we will showcase the best facebook and twitter comments we receive for this letters page. Each month a free copy of the magazine is up for grabs, so get involved by email, by twitter, by facebook or by carrier pigeons, if necessary.

This month we asked three questions of our readers and twitter followers.

What is your take on the offensive behaviour bill: one year on, hearts in administration and scotland v england: auld enemy clash?

OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR BILL: ONE YEAR ON?

Fields of Athenry - Police are not using the bill correctly! It’s to stop bigotry at games! Police using it as an excuse to harass fans!

Jas Cameron - Shambles. A licence to harass and intimidate football supporters. Does not seem to have any effect on Sectarianism at all.

Eddie Keane - Rushed legislation is rarely good and this bill pretty much proves that. Now appears to be a quest to get arrests up to justify it

William Insch - it’s been a waste of time. I don’t think it’s made any difference; there might have been 1 or 2 arrests but is that not normal?

St.Miley - police action under the bill are more akin to anti terrorism

Steve Montgomerie - brought in for the wrong reason and aimed at the wrong people.

Only there to ensure the numbers are evened up.

Darren Deas - joke piece of legislation that’s muddied the waters and labelled people bigots who aren’t...

Sean Harkin - Utter garbage. SNP’s way of diverting attention from their many other failings.

FMG65 - there was sufficient power in existing legislation. Only rqd police/ftbll authorities 2 impose it. Knee jerk reaction by executive John Nisbet - A wholly unnecessary and rushed piece of legislation. It would have been better to get fans round the table and fund education Keith S - IMO The Offensive Behaviour bill isn’t working. Its a culture thing in the west of Scotland. Prob take a generation to sort out.

Henry Clarson - Fail and fail. Needs to be repealed. Was unnecessary in first place, rode roughshod over valid objections, ignored consultation results and was imposed by fiat.

Repeal

Stevie F - my first thought is how many financially ruined clubs does Campbell Ogilvie need to be involved with before people see a theme??

Derek A Lawler - no surprise really, hopefully this will galvanize alleged bidders to get the finger out #saveourhearts #hmfc Eddie Keane - As has been proved, in Scotland it’s by far the easiest way to ditch your debts and carry on.

HEARTS IN ADMINISTRATION?

Bruce Shepherd - We will come back bigger better and stronger and still the big team!!! #since1902

@Danboo67 - I say they brought it on themselves.Dont feel sorry for them after what their fans did to Lenny. First rangers now hearts.

Justice

Angela Smith - been a long time coming, it’s what happens next that is of more concern

Neil McWhirter said - very sad over 100 employees will now pay for mad vlad the dictators actions another club in the shit killie next????

SCOTLAND V ENGLAND AULD ENEMY CLASH?

Jinxy1888 - do you think an HFF will be set up, then a cva, then a march on Hampden, when it’s shut of course #hahasevco

Darryl Urquhart - would like to see it every couple of years. Could play for a trophy aswell

Alex Hamilton - not good news for the SPL which is in danger of being seen as a mickey mouse league in Europe. Not a good place for Celtic to be

Aidan McManus – memories of clash - The Tartan Army marching up the Harrow Rd, they shut down all transport to Wembley to put them off attending

Billy Doyle - Serves them right. Been cheating for years #jambogeddon

Rafael McBhoona - hopefully the Croatia win has given us some confidence and we can compete with the over paid prima donnas

Davie Miller - Doesn’t really matter does it, they’ll eventually reform as new/same club, no one will blink and that will be that

Gaz - great memory of this fixture is Scotland fans on the pitch at Wembley and on the goal.

Should be a good game, though

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A TRIBUTE TO

SIR ALEX FERGUSON WORDS»ALAN RENNIE & SEAN GRAHAM

FITBA ISSUE 02

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Photograph Š Actionplus.co.uk

Photograph © Actionplus.co.uk

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SIR ALEX FERGUSON: the MANCHESTER UNITED YEARS WORDS»ALAN RENNIE

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here was an Alex Ferguson interview I have never forgotten. The words have stayed with me over the years. It was after a defeat at The Dell, away to Southampton – a ground incidentally where Ferguson’s Manchester United teams struggled more than once – with Rob Palmer, challenged with the unenviable task of asking the defeated Sir Alex some questions.

“Statistics will tell you that’s four defeats in five,” said the young reporter, bravely.

There was a typically bullish response.

“Statistics can tell you lots of things and at the end of the season they’ll tell you another,” replied Ferguson, as if he was prepared for the question.

The year was 1996. By the following May 1997, at the end of the season the statistics told us that Manchester United were champions of England... again. The club were celebrating their fourth Premier League title out of the last five years.

Ferguson was never in any doubt.

Few other managers can speak publicly with such conviction. Ferguson’s unique way he used the media was a vital part of his unprecedented success at Manchester United. He used it as a weapon to challenge his players, as he had after defeat at Southampton in 1996. Kevin Keegan and Rafa Benitez will testify; Ferguson mastered the psychological off-field battle using the media to antagonise fellow managers when the pressure was on in the title race.

Following his appointment in 1986, the challenge that Ferguson set himself was to knock high-flying Liverpool, the most successful club in England, off their perch. The drive and determination Ferguson had to achieve this goal is one of the reasons that he remained at the club for so long.

He made sure his players were aware of the standards required to dominate the top of the English game. His first ‘superstar’ player purchase was the erratic, but brilliantly eccentric, Eric Cantona. He joined from league-winners Leeds United in 1992 and added some much-needed technique and flair to the squad that had the industry of players like Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and Bryan Robson.

A more rounded team was expertly created in an attempt to win the biggest prize in European football, the Champions League trophy. It was a competition that Ferguson became obsessed with.

Cantona was the catalyst for Manchester United winning their first two titles under Ferguson. As well as strengthening his own squad, the departure of Cantona from Leeds left a void in their team that they struggled to fill. Ferguson would repeat this tactic of weakening his challengers in later years with the signings of Andy Cole (from Newcastle) and Robin van Persie (from Arsenal).

The Cantona-led United dominated the domestic league throughout most of the 1990s, but struggled to make any impact at all in the Champions League. Most of the players from this squad were out of the club by 1998 and a new, better balanced, more rounded team was expertly created in an attempt to win the biggest prize in European football, the Champions League trophy. It was a competition that Ferguson became obsessed with.

The team of 1999 is one of the first great teams I watched. Peter Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Ronny Johnsen, Jaap Stam, Denis Irwin, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Andy Cole and Dwight York. It had every attribute you would want in a team.

These players were the established regulars of the team that achieved an amazing treble in 1999.

Their brand of swashbuckling, counter-attacking, fast paced football had not really been seen before in the English game.

However, for all the talent and ability in the team, without the right mental strength and character, history could tell a different story of the 1999 season.

Losing 1-0 to Bayern with a couple of minutes to go, everyone remembers how that ended. The Champions League final was not the only game where United needed to dig-deep to find a result.

In the semi-final of the FA Cup, United only beat a strong Arsenal team after a wonderful, solo effort from Ryan Giggs in the dying minutes of extra-time. Their league title that season was only wrapped up on the last day of the season as Arsenal challenged them to within a point.

The mental attributes required to come out on top each time that season can only come from one man: The Boss.

More domestic success followed over the next nine years, success almost taken for granted. Sir Alex will perhaps see it as a failing that the team of 1999 couldn’t build a legacy in Europe and build upon their success. From 1999 to his retirement, Ferguson only managed one further Champions League title with victory against Avram Grant’s Chelsea in Moscow, May 2008.

Comparing Champions League success in 1999 and 2008 is interesting in terms of the different qualities of each team. They share the traditional Ferguson qualities, but it also highlights how Ferguson evolved his teams over the years to move with the times.

In goal, there were few more experienced than Edwin van der Sar, who was the Peter Schmichael of 2008. In Jaap Stam and Nemanja Vidic, both teams were led superbly from defence from players that had been bought from foreign teams. Both had learned the standards Ferguson expected and both stepped up to the challenge.

Gary Neville played both seasons, as did Paul Scholes.

Alongside Scholes, both teams shared a natural holding ‘sitting’ midfield player. Roy Keane – who famously did not play the final of 1999 – and Owen Hargreaves had contrasting styles but at the time, both were excellent ball-winners who would kick-start their teams attack.

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Photograph © Actionplus.co.uk

Photograph © Actionplus.co.uk

Alex Ferguson during his Scotland managerial days following death of mentor Jock Stein

The attacking players in 2008 were exceptional.

Yorke and Cole, flanked by wide-players Giggs and Beckham, were good. Very good! However, the2008 front-three of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo were devastating. No Manchester United time before or since has had as good an attack as good as this. Pace, skill, determination, quality of finishing, aerial threat (Ronaldo) and movement, they had it all. All three could play up-front as the central main goal threat. Alternatively, all three would do a great job with runs from outside before cutting in.

Ferguson’s tactical evolution took time but in 2008 he reaped the rewards. His 4-4-2 that brought success to him in 1999 was too easy to play against and European opposition chose to play with a midfield three in an attempt to dominate the middle of the park. The team of 2008 had an expertly balanced midfield three of Hargreaves, Carrick and Scholes to supplement the brilliant attacking options. It was an exciting, raw and energetic 4-3-3.

As good as the team was in terms of quality, they still required a penalty shoot-out to beat Chelsea.

Proof, if need, that despite the quality of his team, the belief and character that Ferguson instilled in his players was required to get them over the line.

In the five years since Moscow, United have

Crucially, you knew who the strongest midfield players were and they played... fallen short each time in bringing Ferguson that elusive third Champions League title. Three titles would have been significant to Ferguson as it would have matched Bob Paisley’s tally of three European Cups with Liverpool in the 70s and 80s.

When analyzing the short-comings in Europe since 2008, many have pointed the finger at Ferguson’s tactical nous not being strong enough in the 2009 and 2011 finals against Barcelona.

Michael Carrick tried his best, but ultimately those around him in the centre of the park meant the team was beatable.

Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Anderson, an ageing Paul Scholes, Phil Jones, Park Ji-Sung, Wayne Rooney (on occasions) and the unfortunate Darren Fletcher have been the options in recent seasons. There is a real lack of quality to compete

against players that have the quality of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andreas Iniestia, Xavi and Xabi Alonso.

In 1999 (Keane and Scholes) and 2008 (Hargreaves, Carrick and Scholes), the team was built around the strength they had in the centre of midfield. Crucially, you knew who the strongest midfield players were and they played.

In recent seasons, United’s midfield has lacked the quality and consistency of performance to achieve another Champions League trophy. As each transfer window passed, the world was waiting on a classy, established central midfield partner for Michael Carrick. Nothing happened.

In the interest of fairness and balance – and because he will personally find his lack of Champions League trophies frustrating – it was only right that some of Ferguson’s failings and shortcomings as a manager were highlighted.

As he pointed out himself, “statistics can tell you lots of things”. At the end of a phenomenal career, they inform that Sir Alex Chapman Ferguson has won 37 major honours in his 27 year spell in Manchester; a total that includes 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups.

Whether you love him or hate him, you have to respect a man who quite simply, is the greatest British football manager of all time.

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Sir Alex - King of the North TRIBUTE»SEAN GRAHAM

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he day was 31st December 1941, the place was Glasgow. Proud parents Alexander and Elizabeth have a baby boy who comes into the world destined to become the greatest football manager the world has ever seen, his name Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson was born for the game of football.

As a player, he would have a career which would start in 1957 to 1974, with Queen’s Park (1957-60), St. Johnstone (1960-64), Dunfermline Athletic (1964-67), Rangers (196769), Falkirk (1969-73) and Ayr United (197374).

He helped St.Johnstone to win the Scottish First Division in 1962-63 and Falkirk to secure the Scottish First Division in 1969-70.

He started his career as a manager at the age of only 32, with a part-time job in June 1974 with the East Stirlingshire.It was only when he moved to the St.Mirren that he started his full-time management career.

With him as the manager, St.Mirren won the Scottish First Division in 1976-77. During his stay at Love Street, he spotted young talents like Billy Stark, Tony Fitzpatrick, Lex Richardson, Frank McGarvey, Bobby Reid and Peter Weir. He would also be seen and heard with a loud speaker going round the streets of Paisley trying to drum up a crowd for the match on the Saturday.

He led the Buddies to the First Division title in 1977, was sacked by the club a year later, St Mirren’s loss would be someone else’s gain.

In June 1978, when he joined Aberdeen Football Club, he was younger than a few senior players of the team.

After a sticky start with some of them in the dressing room, players like Willie Miller thinking that he was still doing things the St.Mirren way, but that soon changed as did some of the attitudes at Pittodrie.

Coming to Aberdeen, he found that some of the players were happy to get a point on their visits to Glasgow, this would soon change.

The Aberdeen players would soon realise that their new manager would not except anything less than a win against the Old Firm and more often than not they would get it!

Fergie was a winner and he wanted his players to be winners too and with experienced guys like captain Willie Miller, Alex McLeish, Stuart Kennedy and big Doug Rougvie around, nothing less than perfection would do.

Aberdeen under Fergie, would be a different proposition altogether.

He led the Dons to their first title since 1955 when they beat Hibernian 5-0 at Easter Road, with players like Bobby Clark, Steve Archibald, Drew Jarvie and Ian Scanlon in the side. Even as he won the title he knew that some of these players would need replaced, this has been one of Fergie’s strengths all through his career, being able to change a team and knowing when a player has to move on for a new fresh face to be brought in.

He was never scared to give youth a chance and at Aberdeen he had guys like Bryan Gunn, Eric Black, Neale Cooper and Neil Simpson who would simply fit into the side like a hand would fit a glove, alongside the experienced players.

If you watched the great Dons side of 1983, that was evidence of how good the mix in that squad was.

Jim Leighton, Stuart Kennedy, Doug Rougvie, Alex McLeish, Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, Neil Simpson, Neale Cooper, Dougie Bell, Mark McGhee, Eric Black, Peter Weir, John Hewitt and Bryan Gunn But when he needed to replace departing or injured members of the team, he always looked to bring in quality players to replace them and guys like Stewart McKimmie, Tommy McQueen, Billy Stark and Frank McDougall all came in to do fantastic jobs for the club, along with the latest up and coming players from the reserves.

He would be the first to acknowledge the part that his back-room staff played in any success that he achieved during his time at Pittodrie.

He held Teddy Scott , a legend at the club in very high esteem just as he did with Archie Knox and Willie Garner as they both filled the roles as his trusty assistant managers with the club, any success the club managed to achieve was shared by the whole club.

He has always been seen as a strict disciplinarian with brilliant managerial skills, he helped the Dons’ to become the best side not only in Scotland, but in Europe.

Anyone who watched his after match interview after the 1983 Scottish Cup final v Rangers, a game the club won 1-0 with a goal in extra-time

by Eric Black, to secure the Scottish Cup adding that to the Cup Winners Cup they had already won against Real Madrid, would see just what a perfectionist this man was. Aberdeen had fallen short of the standards set by Fergie that day and he let them know it.

This team were winners under Fergie, long gone were the days of being runners-up of the Scottish League Cup in both 1978/1980 and he wanted to make sure it stayed that way.

At Aberdeen his legacy has been a tough act to follow, 3 Premier League titles, 4 Scottish Cups, 1 League Cup, 1 UEFA Cup Winners Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup. The most successful spell in the club’s history under Alex Ferguson, will never be repeated but he can be proud of what he achieved with the Dons and he put Aberdeen as a club and as a city on the map during his tenureship.

He also had a huge influence on the careers of those players from Pittodrie and beyond who followed him into management and everyone who worked under him at Aberdeen, has nothing but praise for “the gaffer”, even if they got the hairdryer treatment.

He won everything that the game in Scotland had to offer and it was no surprise that the eyes of the football world were on him.

On November 6th 1986, Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United and after a wee sticky spell, the rest as they say is history.

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Auld Enemy: Should the oldest international derby make a return?

WORDSÂťANDY MUIRHEAD

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fter a 14 year hiatus, the Auld Enemy clash, the oldest international derby made a return. In the build up to the game, some argued that it was a welcome return, while others really couldn’t be bothered with it. Personally, I was caught between the two, I remember the clashes against England during the 1980s and the 90s with passionate recollection but the 14 year gap dampened my enthusiasm for the game – that was until the anthems played.

As the Scotland national anthem was being sung with much vigour and gusto by the Scotland fans, the English decided to noise their northern brethren up a tad by booing it. How that backfired. For when the English national anthem was played 20,000 Scotland fans drowned out the tame efforts to sing the national anthem by the England fans with those shown on television getting the words wrong – a bit Amy McDonald-esque.

From that moment onwards I was transfixed to the television, thankfully as the whistle blew for the start of the match my 20 month old son had just fallen asleep, so I could focus squarely on the game.

I had looked at Strachan’s starting eleven before the game and though that Miller up front on his own along with Whittaker at left back were poor decisions – I was to be proved wrong on one and correct with the other.

It only took 11 minutes to prove the doubters wrong, including myself a little bit, as they took the lead amazingly. From a corner kick the ball was cleared as far as West Brom midfielder James Morrison who dispatched his shot into the back of the England goal – helped by Joe Hart having a mare between the sticks, giving Hodgson more reasons to replace him for Fraser Forster.

The goal also proved how quiet I could celebrate as I didn’t want to wake my son up as he lay beside me.

On the stroke of half time, with Scotland

down to ten men as Grant Hanley was getting treatment on the sidelines, England scored. Walcott’s first touch was horrendous, but Whittaker’s defending was equally bad as he failed to put in any form of a challenge, before the Arsenal man fired past McGregor from close range.

The rest of the half was checking my twitter timeline commenting with fellow Scotland supporters and laughing at the bitterness of the guy doing the official FA twitter updates.

Someone was really hurting.

So at half time both sides went in allsquare, the obvious time for my missus to shout upstairs that she wants me to go to the shops for her.

While on this reluctant errand this is when it struck me, despite the 14 year gap Scotland was interested in the tie. Every house on the street from what I could see – around 30 in total – had their televisions tuned into the game. Even my wife, who hates football given my passion for it, had the game on the box.

And that is the beauty of the ScotlandEngland game, it can turn the most ardent haters of football into supporters of one side or another.

Getting back in time for the second half, we then saw a further three goals scored, with Scotland taking the lead once more this time through Kenny Miller. Many fans in the build-up to the game had questioned his inclusion in the squad let alone the starting line-up, he proved his all wrong, as he led the line well and took his goal superbly. It doesn’t mean he should continue though – the England game should be Miller’s final swansong in a Scotland jersey – let the young pretenders take over the mantle now.

Sadly Miller’s goal and celebrations on 49 minutes was shortlived as England once more equalised through Danny Wellbeck – again through some slack defending at the back for Scotland.

Then a moment of controversy, Kyle Walker already booked should have seen red for a second bookable offence seconds before Lampard was booked for a late tackle.

The referee, who had a stinker over a few decisions in the first half gave England a get out of jail free card with another poor decision.

If that wasn’t bad enough, after more poor defending from Scotland particularly Scott Brown, Rickie Lambert making his debut for England headed home from a corner, a goal that ultimately sealed victory.

A cruel blow to the Scots as they certainly deserved more out of the game rather than a 3-2 defeat, but ultimately that is how the game ended. But that performance showed that Scotland can play well, unlike the performances they had put on when Craig Levein was in charge. And gives more credence to question marks over the Scottish FA and why they didn’t sack Levein before the World Cup qualifiers began – maybe just maybe we could have still been in the running.

Tonight, can be labelled another glorious failure, but performance wise Scotland proved they can do it against the big boys of world football. While England continued to prove to their critics how overhyped their players really are.

When discussing the game and if it should return as a regular fixture in the international calendar, there was an overwhelming show of hands in favour of the tie coming back albeit every two years or every four years.

For this sceptic pre-match, post- match I was a firm believer that tie should be reinstated. It gives the fans an outlet for their passion and their patriotic gusto. It also gives the football in this country a big derby game that is full of incidents, goals, the banter and above all the rivalry.

London will return to normal in a day or so, the bubbles in the Trafalgar Square fountain will have dissipated, the cans and bottles of booze will be off to the recycling plants, but the atmosphere, the passion and the memories will live on for years to come – just as 1967, just as 1977 and just as 1999 does in the memory of those Scots who witnessed those games.

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A Bright New Dawn?

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ith one decisive vote the 29 member clubs of the Scottish Football League wiped out 123 years of history and chose to enter a bright new dawn under a new governing body.

The official word was that the SFL had “merged” with the Scottish Premier League, but this was a merger the way crumbs merge with vacuum cleaners. As SFL President Jim Ballantyne said: “This is a takeover and not a merger. The SPL has swallowed us up. They can use nice words about it – but it’s a takeover.”

As someone who is known to support Rangers, I had my issues with the way the SPL have gone about swallowing up the SFL over the past year or so. Part of that came from a conviction that the SPL was and is dominated at the moment

by Celtic, particularly the Celtic CEO, Peter Lawwell. If I can say in my defence, I would be equally hostile to a Rangers-dominated governing body so it’s not just down to my blue-tinted specs.

I accept that Rangers and Celtic as the giants in our game are expected to provide leadership. I also accept that in the absence of Rangers from the top flight, it naturally falls on Celtic to provide that leadership. I just didn’t like the way the SPL put pressure on SFL teams and manipulated them into accepting the merger.

To be honest, everybody knows that change had to happen. And the governance of the game had to be streamlined as part of that necessary change.

For me, the changes should have been much more radical. Teams should have been encouraged to merge so that we could reduce the leagues down to a maximum of three. For me, realistically, Scotland is too small to support a senior game of 42 clubs.

But we have the new SPFL now. Why it couldn’t just be called the Scottish Football League, I don’t know. It’s time to be real and accept we have what we have and we should just get on with it. My misgivings as a bluenose are offset by this reality that we must all work together to save our game which is critically ill at the moment.

The need for constant re-invention of our game may be just a fact of life and an aspect of shifting sociological and economic forces...

Sporting integrity, respect and honour have all been trampled upon in recent times. Scottish football is crippled by bitter feuds and vendettas and this is paralysing the game in our country from going forward.

But go forward it must if there are to be generations in the future watching a standard of football in this country that is credibly competitive on a larger stage.

Celtic’s performance in Europe last past season was undermined by the fact that they had no real competition domestically due to Rangers’ absence from the top flight.

My own view is that Scottish football simply doesn’t work without the Old Firm being in their traditional roles, duking it out for the right to claim top spot. Season 2012-203 proved this.

But it also proved something else. More than ever before the other teams must do all they can to shorten the gap between themselves and the Old Firm. They can never compete crowds-wise with the Glasgow giants (although merging could help).

This will curtail them financially so will put the onus even more on managers to be better tactically and buy wisely.

The good news is that on their day any team in the top flight can skelp either of the Old Firm. This has been proved a great deal in recent years. The newly merged body must really be about helping these other teams become more competitive.

Although I hate saying it, it looks like it is designed to do just that. Rangers and Celtic will never thrive without fierce competition and so it is in both teams’ interests to foster a healthy environment for that competition to develop.

Ross County are the perfect example of how a so-called “diddy” team can go from being that to becoming a powerful force at the top level of our game. The new system would do well to make County a team to emulate as a model for aspiring clubs.

I would have liked Rangers to have been more involved in the talks that led to the new body being formed but am confident that the club will have an increasing say in years to come, particularly once top flight status has been recaptured.

One aspect of the new set-up which does cause me concern is something I am well aware also annoys and worries fans from all backgrounds.

That is the continued involvement in Scottish football of Neil Doncaster and Stewart Regan.

In my opinion the SPFL, if indeed that is to be what the new merged body is to be called, would have a far better chance of success if taxis could be dispatched to Hampden Park for the duo.

The most critical aspect of the SPFL’s ability to reinvigorate our game is the need to treat fans as consumers and adopt a mindset that the customer is king. Ignoring the wishes of fans has become a traditional pastime of football officials in this country. And one that has cost them dear.

The need for constant re-invention of our game may be just a fact of life and an aspect of shifting sociological and economic forces i.e. things evolve because we want them to and expect them to. And staleness and stagnancy force these changes.

But it might just be that we have to keep tweaking our football set-up because we constantly apply a sticking plaster to a wound that requires surgery.

Sadly, the SPFL looks like such a move. Let’s hope I’m wrong about that.

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WORDS»BILL MCMURDO

FITBA ISSUE 02

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: n o n n e L l i Ne a g a s e . h . .

T s e u n i t n co off g n i k ger n kic a n aso se ic ma w t l e e n C at e. the t h t da i W looks eer to e n y r a Tam P nnon’s ca e Neil L

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FITBA ISSUE 02

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Photograph © Actionplus.co.uk

Lennon celebrates Celtic’s second successive SPL title

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THE SAGA CONTINUES...

N

eil Lennon has had a lot to endure in his short time as Celtic manager.

Lennon’s opportunity to take over at Celtic first came as a result of the spectacularly failed Mowbray experiment.

Since taking over Lennon has seen everything from the Champions League to the death threats, nail bombs, assaults and safe houses which scarred his first full year as Celtic manager.

It is safe to say that other football managers may have had a mess to deal with on the pitch and some managers have had trouble to contend with off the pitch, no manager in club football history has had the perfect fusion of both.

Analysing what makes Lennon the manager must start with analysis of what has shaped Neil Lennon the man.

Neil Lennon took over from the unfortunate Tony Mowbray and inherited a frankenstein’s monster of a footballing squad. The majority of Mowbray’s signings were of a poor quality both in footballing terms and in attitude terms.

When Lennon took over, the league was all but over and Celtic remained in only one cup competition. Lennon’s first objective was to prevent further drifting and humiliation in the SPL and secondly to attempt to win the Scottish Cup. He achieved his first objective by managing a remarkable turnaround in Celtic’s league performances leading the poor squad he inherited to eight straight league wins including the first of many Old Firm wins against Walter Smith’s Scottish champions. But the damage had been done and it was too late to salvage the domestic league campaign. Attention then fell to the Scottish Cup semi-final against Ross County.

Celtic were expected to see off Derek Adams’ improving Ross County side with ease. The media were reporting it as an easy tie for Lennon. Winning silverwear with this Mowbrayassembled gaggle of misfits could be seen as a genuine achievement and nobody could see Celtic slipping up. The game underway, there

He made the type of signings that would illustrate the identity his team would go on to carve for themselves

was to be one last major calamity from this squad and Lennon’s inexperience in how to deal with the collapse that was unfolding before him was there for all to see. Celtic sank 2-0 to the SFL side and the media – along with a sizable portion of the Celtic fans - rounded on Neil Lennon.

This result may be looked at the final, horrific, exorcism of the abomination that Mowbray had created.

The season ended with a level of respectability restored to the league challenge and Lennon having his nose bloodied for the first -but what would not be the last - time. The Celtic board announced that Lennon would take over the role as permanent manager and funds would be released to finance a rebuilding job.

The departures of Aiden McGeady and Artur Boruc freed up the funds which allowed squad reconstruction to take place. Lennon set about building his squad.

He brought in proven goalscorers Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes. He made the type of signings that would illustrate the identity his team would go on to carve for themselves in players such as Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal.

Lennon had signed young,dynamic, intelligent and hard tackling footballers who could not only scrap....but who could also pick a pass. With his rebuilding job complete the season got underway.

Neil Lennon’s new look Celtic side - a side that Lennon had created - had it’s first competitive

test in the ultimate arena.....the UEFA Champions League. Celtic were drawn in the qualifying round against Braga from Portugal and despite Celtic winning the home tie 2-1, the damage was done in the away leg that Celtic had lost 3-0. In hindsight, perhaps knocking out an experienced Portuguese team was too much to ask of a newly assembled team of youngsters who hadn’t even had the chance to play a run of games together yet. This didn’t stop the jackals in the mainstream media from picking over the bones of the carcass and Lennon was subject to a tidal wave of scrutiny and criticism. A common theme would emerge in this regard.

Out of the Champions League there now remained one last hope for European football at Celtic Park.....the Europa League.

Often viewed as the runtish brother to the Champions League the reality is that any European football is better than none.

Celtic were drawn against Utrecht from the Netherlands and the task became clear.

Lennon’s bhoys maintained Celtic’s impressive European home record with a comfortable 2-0 win at home but once again, a spectacular away collapse saw Celtic lose 4-0 in the Netherlands and Celtic crashed out 4-2 on aggregate to the Dutch side. In hindsight, two wins out of four for a rookie manager with a newly assembled young team can be regarded as a good omen for the future but future possibilities did not lead to European qualification. Celtic were out of Europe and another tsunami of criticism made its way in Lennon’s direction.

With no European football to look forward to, attention fell solely on Celtic’s SPL challenge. Celtic were up against an almost mechanically efficient Rangers side that had been assembled with a high level of investment and had just won two championships in a row.

Lennon would now pit his wits against Scottish football’s elder statesman, Rangers legendary

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WORDS»THOMAS PAYNE

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Celtic were now champions. Neil Lennon had won his first championship as manager and his name would now forever be engrained in Celtic history.

FITBA ISSUE 02 manager Walter Smith. The size of the task at hand was extraordinary. A rookie manager in his first full year in management was to take a young, newly assembled team and take on an experienced side that had just won two titles and led by an experienced manager of 20 years in the game.

Celtic got off to a good start in the league and went into the first Old Firm game with a 100% winning record in the league. Despite a Gary Hooper goal Walter Smith’s Rangers side went on to win the Parkhead clash 1-3 and took control of the league.

Celtic’s form was inconsistent in the league coming into January. Off-the-field distractions which included a terror campaign that saw bullets sent to Celtic players, nail bombs sent to notable Celtic fans and Neil Lennon and the young manager’s family being forced to move from one safe-house to another. This coupled with the referee strike, the “dougie-dougie” incident and the Hugh Dallas scandal threatened to distract the Celtic manager and his team from matters on the pitch.

However, an injury ravaged Celtic team had to travel to Ibrox and keep their narrow title hopes alive. The bookies made Rangers overwhelming favourites and the media soon followed suit. Talk of 3 and 4 nil to Rangers was the order of the day.

However, setting out with a counter-attacking 4-5-1 to be led up-front by the maligned and misfiring Georgios Samaras, Celtic pulled off a remarkable 2-0 win at the home of their historic rivals.

The result at Ibrox breathed new life into Celtic’s league campaign and a brilliant run of form was to follow. Neil Lennon strengthened in January and brought in Kris Commons from Derby who hit the ground running.

The resurgence in Celtic’s performance levels manifested themselves in not only decent league form but also a decent run of results in both cup competitions. A record seven Old Firm games that season offered Neil Lennon the opportunity to finish the season with a better Old Firm head to head than the “Old Fox” Walter Smith. A 2-2 draw with ten men at Ibrox followed by a 1-0 win in the replay at Hampden led Celtic into the Scottish Cup final where Celtic comfortably dispatched Stuart McCall’s Motherwell to win the trophy and Lennon’s first silverware as a football manager.

Celtic’s superior record in Old Firm head to heads was rendered redundant as the rest of the SPL “gang” were wimply unable to hault Walyer Smith’s blue and white mechanoids and the league championship had already found its way to Ibrox. A complacent performance in the highlands to Inverness Caledonian Thistle saw Celtic lose the SPL by a solitary point. It was credit to Walter Smith and his battle-hardened blue dogs of war that they were able to retain their third title win in a row despite revitalised challenge from their great rivals.

The new season started again with a European qualification attempt for Neil Lennon’s bhoys.

This time, the reduction in Scotland’s UEFA coefficient ranking meant that Champions League football was a pleasure denied to Celtic and they would have to settle for an attempt to qualify for the Europa League. Celtic were drawn against Swiss cracks Sion. Celtic were held 0-0 at Celtic Park before being beaten 3-1 in Switzerland.

Things then took a surreal turn as Sion were booted out of European competition for fielding players who were ineligible to play. Celtic were awarded a 3-0 win in both games and qualified in place of Sion. Celtic found themselves in a group with Atletico Madrid, Udinese and Rennes.

Celtic lost both games to Atletico Madrid as expected but the blow was softened by very positive Celtic performances. In the remaining games Lennon used a different approach to the attacking team selections and top-heavy formations that he had utilised in his previous European games. Lennon applied a much more defensive approach to the remaining games. Lining up in a counter-attacking 4-5-1, which could easily switch to 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 when Celtic were in possession and using this they were to prove themselves no pretenders in the group.

Celtic remained undefeated against Rennes and Udinese. Drawing both away games, drawing at home to Udinese and an excellent 3-1 home win against the resurgent Rennes was an indication that Lennon had learned from his previous nights of suffering and had corrected his formula. Neil Lennon was no longer a “mug” in Europe.

Domestic football was a different matter all together. Celtic had been stuttering and stumbling around the SPL throwing away points like wedding confetti. After being destroyed in an Old Firm game to Rangers, now led by the sorceror’s apprentice and Rangers legend Alistair Murdoch McCoist, the bhoys went on to have the October from hell. Injuries, poor performances and general bad luck had even the most ardent Neil Lennon fan questioning if he had somehow gone backwards as a domestic manager.

Lennon and his team however, would remind us all of how far they had come. Trailing by 15 points in November, Celtic then embarked on a spectacular run of form and clawed back into contention which culminated in a 1-0 win over Ally McCoist’s men in December to go top of the SPL. Rangers entered administration in February and were deducted 10 points but this proved to be irrelevant though as Celtic, who were not only four points clear at that stage, won the league by 20 points to nulify the importance of any deduction for Rangers.

Celtic were now champions. Neil Lennon had won his first championship as manager and his name would now forever be ingrained in Celtic history.

With the championship back at Celtic Park attentions then turned to what matters most in

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the hearts in the Celtic fans.........the Champions League. Neil Lennon’s next challenge was to end a four year exile and qualify for the top club competition in Europe. Due to the poor European results of Celtic, Rangers and the provincial clubs in the previous years it meant that Celtic had to negotiate through two qualifying rounds. The first qualifying game drew Celtic against HJK Helsinki. The Celtic fans gathered at Celtic Park and witnessed their team win 2-1 while coming back from a goal behind.

Would conceding an away goal come back to haunt Lennon’s men?

The second leg passed without any problem. A 2-0 away win and a 4-1 aggregate win gave Celtic a place in the play-offs. Celtic were drawn against Helsingborgs, the boyhood team of club legend Henrik Larsson. Celtic won the away leg 2-0, with a great performance from the reanimated Georgios Samaras, making it two away wins stretching Neil Lennon’s unbeaten away record in Europe to four games. Celtic had also qualified for the Champions League for the first time in four years.

With the successful qualification campaign heartening to see, with Celtic failing to qualify against Arsenal and Rangers failing to qualify against Kaunas in recent times, it was time for the draw.

Celtic were drawn against Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow. It was incredible to see how far Celtic had come. From 4-0 hammerings coming from Utrecht.....to four wins in qualifying and facing Barcelona.

Neil Lennon deserved immense credit for taking Celtic through two high-pressure qualifiers and into the big league. With the transfer window now closed Neil Lennon had strengthened his team with the acquisition of highly rated centre-half Efe Ambrose, taking La Liga striker Nicolas Fedor in for a year long loan and keeping his star players including rejecting a bid for Victor Wanyama to maintain and enhance his Champions League ready side.

Celtic fans and the mainstream media placed no real pressure on Lennon’s bhoys. It was a privilege to simply be at the party. There was no “minimum” expectation on Celtic with most fans accepting the financial handicap between Celtic and the continental clubs would be too much to overcome.

Securing third place and the Europa League would be viewed as a huge achievement. Progress into the last 16 of the Champions League was pretty much written off by most. Such is the rarity of clubs from the smaller nations making the last 16 phase of Europe’s elite club competition.

The group that Celtic faced was definitely a tough proposition, but Celtic did not need to fear any of these teams. They had in fact, played all three clubs within the last eight years.

Celtic knocked Barcelona out of the UEFA cup

Photograph © Actionplus.co.uk

Lennon in jovial mood over Celtic’s European campaign

There was no “minimum” expectation on Celtic with most fans accepting the financial handicap between Celtic and the continental clubs would be too much to overcome.

in 2004 and have had some narrow defeats to Barcelona in the group stages of the Champions League since then.

Celtic had knocked Benfica out at the group stage level in both 2007 and 2008 and denied Spartak Moscow a place in the Champions League also in 2008.

Celtic kicked off the Champions League campaign at home to Benfica in what turned out to be a fairly dull goalless draw. Celtic had controlled the game in terms of possession & forward going momentum but what appeared to be a lack of belief stultified their attacking prowess. The most important thing for Neil Lennon will be that at no point did his players look inferior or deficient in terms of technical ability.

Gaps between Champions League match days left Neil Lennon with a strange and different type of challenge to overcome. One of the effects of Rangers liquidation was Celtic’s now resurrected rival being reanimated in the bottom tier. This left Celtic with no one around to apply pressure in the title race.

Celtic’s league form was very erratic and even performances in the cup competitions were not up to the standards that Celtic fans – and Neil Lennon himself – demand.

Rangers, the new version still led by the mercurial and charming personality that is Ally McCoist, dropped out of the domestic cup competitions which also deprived Celtic of competition in the cups. Celtic were then knocked out the League Cup by St Mirren, who went on to beat Hearts in the final, and they then wrapped up the League and beat Hibernian in the Scottish Cup Final.

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The early adversity from the Mowbray wreckage, to the nailbombs & attacks have been unfortunate circumstances to display your strength of character.

FITBA ISSUE 02 Back in Europe and Celtic had a better campaign than even the most optimistic could have predicted. An away win against Spartak followed by a late away defeat to Barcelona showed a Celtic team capable of replicating their impressive away form from the previous season’s Europa League.

It indeed seemed that the Europa League experience had served this young group of players led by this young manager well. Another win, this time at home, against the cash rich Spartak Moscow was overshadowed by one of the best results in Scottish football history. In a night that saw the Celtic family come together to celebrate the 125th year of Celtic’s unbroken existence the supporting cast was to be Barcelona and the stage was to be the UEFA Champions League.

With Celtic losing narrowly in the first game in the Camp Nou many international commentators put it down to luck and believed Barcelona would crush Celtic at Celtic Park. Neil Lennon had clearly not read the script though as his young charges set about making themselves the talked about club in Europe this season. Goals from the well constructed Victor Wanyama and the pubescent Tony Watt saw Celtic run out 2-1 winners in a game that even the thought of is enough to make the hair stand up on the neck of every Celtic fan around the world. The young Celtic team and their young manager were now the team on everyone’s lips.

The group stages came to an end with Celtic qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League. Lennon’s youthful band of whippersnappers were then drawn against Italian behemoths Juventus with the first leg to be played at Celtic Park.

Neil Lennon’s Champions League adventure had been a long and epic journey but there was a cruel immediacy to the way it ended. Neil Lennon turned some heads with his decision to play Efe Ambrose after the back-flipping defender had just returned from international duty. This appeared to be the incorrect decision as the wild eyed Ambrose psychologically and physically collapsed, playing a part in both of Juventus goals which secured the Italian highwayman plundered three points from Celtic Park. Despite Celtic dominating in possession, desire and attacking intention the game is decided on goals and Celtic shipped two of them. There was a sense of deflation among almost all fans (fans of Rangers excepted) in Scotland as the result effectively ended Scottish participation on the international arena.

The second leg in Turin passed as was expected with Celtic on the receiving end of a thrashing and exiting Europe’s elite club competition.

Neil Lennon was thankful to his players, the fans and everyone who got behind Celtic last season. It is, in fact, the rest of us who should be thankful to Neil Lennon and his players for keeping Scottish football on the radar for all the right reasons. What would we have had without Celtic’s participation in the Champions League?

Rangers have been re-born in a form that cannot even win the Ramsdens Cup, the provincial SPL clubs cannot even remotely compete in the Champions League or even at Europa League level and the national side is a depressing and grotesque in-patient suffering from inoperable deterioration.

Neil Lennon can now only be measured on what he accomplishes in the most relatively testing arenas.

Neil Lennon can now be considered a proven “good manager”. His exploits in the Europa League two seasons ago and his remarkable achievement of qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League are the two relative arenas where he should be assessed. It is in European football where Neil Lennon gets to pit his wits against superior, more evolved, footballing ideologies and coaching strategies.

People in a rush to condemn or criticise Celtic and Neil Lennon for being “lack-lustre” or “complacent” when it comes to domestic football have to be realistic here. It is hard enough historically for Celtic (and the original Rangers for that matter) to compete effectively on all fronts and play with 100% commitment and be 100% at their best all the time. The truth is, it is always going to be a case of “just get the job done” in Scotland with all other focuses being placed on European football in the absence of any domestic challenger. Europe is the true level to measure a managers capabilities when up against clubs with superior resources.

We can only measure Neil Lennon based on what he has achieved on the park. It could be argued that two Scottish Cups, two SPL titles and a last 16 of the Champions League in three seasons is a very impressive haul for a rookie manager. The early adversity from the Mowbray wreckage, to the nailbombs & attacks have been unfortunate circumstances to display your strength of character. Against all these threats Neil Lennon has remained resolute and deserves great respect for “sticking around” Scotland and even bringing our country some prestige in one of our darkest hours.

It will be very interesting if the new version of Rangers can navigate their way up the divisions and the battle between Lennon and McCoist can re-commence. With Celtic having unchallenged access to around £25 million of Champions League revenue for each year in Rangers absence, not to mention the growing experience level of Neil Lennon as he tests himself against the very best the continent has to offer......it could be very hard for any club to wrestle away the dominance of Celtic over the next five years at the very least.

So if trying to soberly assess how much Neil Lennon has evolved as a manager lets look to the lowest point through to the highest point – from getting knocked out of a cup by then lower league opposition to the last 16 of the most elite club competition in the world. Looks to me like Neil Lennon might be doing fairly well in charge of Celtic. The unfortunate thing for Neil Lennon

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neil lennon’s career key dates 2008:

Lennon’s first coaching appointment was as first team coach with Celtic. After the appointment of Tony Mowbray as Celtic manager, Lennon took charge of the Celtic reserve team.

25 March 2010:

Following Mowbray’s departure from Celtic on 25 March 2010, Lennon was appointed caretaker manager for the remainder of the 2009–10 season.

9 June 2010:

Lennon was appointed manager of Celtic on a fulltime basis.

28 July 2010:

In his first competitive game as full-time manager, Celtic lost 3–0 away to Braga in the UEFA Champions League.

2010–11:

Lennon was given a six match touchline ban for excessive misconduct, which was later reduced to four matches after appeal.

March 2011:

Lennon given another four match touchline ban by the SFA following an altercation with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist after a Scottish Cup match.

March 2011:

Lennon led Celtic to the final of the League Cup in March 2011, but they lost 2–1 to Rangers after extra time.

May 2011:

Lennon won his first silverware as a manager when Celtic beat Motherwell 3–0 in the Scottish Cup.

13 May 2011:

The club went on to win the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League and Lennon was made SFWA Manager of the Year.

9 August 2011:

Lennon returned to play for Celtic in the John Kennedy testimonial match.

November 2011:

Lennon won the SPL Manager of the Month award.

2012–13:

Lennon then guided Celtic through two qualification rounds to reach the group stage of the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League, where Celtic beat Barcelona one day after the club’s 125th birthday.

21 April 2013:

Celtic retained the Premier League title and Lennon endeared himself to the Celtic fans after giving away his championship-winning medal to a young supporter during the club’s celebration at Celtic Park.

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is that the mainstream media and some naysayers around the internet have placed Neil Lennon into an unworkable situation. Neil is very much “damned if he does” and “damned if he doesn’t”.

Those with the remit of trying to ensure the new Rangers are fast-tracked into the top flight as soon as possible will never accept ANY of Celtic’s domestic achievements no matter what Celtic do. If Celtic run away with the league then it will simply be spun as “We need to fast-track Rangers as Celtic have no competition.” and if Celtic do not run away with the league it will be spun as “We need to fast-track Rangers as Celtic need motivation.”.

In a nut-shell, there is nothing that Neil Lennon or Celtic can do which will gather heart felt praise or sober analysis from the majority of the Scottish media. Assessment of Neil Lennon’s evolution from a 4-0 destruction at the hands of Utrecht to the smashing of Barcelona at Celtic Park is on hold while the Rangers saga rumbles on, but for those of us who are capable of seeing the big picture Neil Lennon has shown impressive development in his short managerial career.

The new test for Lennon is to launch a new assault on the group stages of the Champions League, without the likes of Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper. Coupling progress in Europe with an improvement in domestic performances is Neil Lennon’s next challenge. The pattern of Neil Lennon’s career has so far been “adversity...... then overcome it!” so hopefully, for all those connected with Celtic & the interests of Scottish football at heart, Neil can continue this trend and maintain Celtic’s Champions League presence for years to come.

With Celtic remaining as the only serious force in domestic football and the national side struggling with every conceivable aspect of international football it will be Celtic’s participation in the Champions League that will keep Scottish football relevant internationally so the whole of Scottish football must get behind Neil Lennon and hope his development continues and that Celtic can go from strength to strength in Europe.

In conclusion, Neil Lennon is learning, adapting and has to keep progressing as a manager. A slight improvement domestically and continued improvement in Europe is all that Neil Lennon can achieve. Extraordinary circumstances have led to Neil being measured by extraordinary standards so a shot of expectation management is required so that we can properly assess Neil Lennon as a manager. If not, then nothing Neil Lennon can do will be enough in the eyes of those who wish to denigrate the Scottish game.

It is up to Neil Lennon and Celtic to show the world what Scotland can do in the world’s elite club competition. I think it is safe to say that with Neil Lennon’s record in overcoming adversity the “smart money” is on Neil Lennon to succeed in this too.

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FITBA ISSUE 02

WORDS»BOB SMITH WALKER

Great Expectations Aberdeen under Derek McInnes

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berdeen Football Club has the potential to be the second force in Scottish football. But the club has become synonymous with missed opportunity. Add low expectation and you have pretty much the story of the last ten years.

We’ve had six managers since 1999. We’ve even had some decent players. Yet, apart from Ebbe Skovdahl getting us to two cup finals in 2000 we have not convinced as a trophy seeking team, and, apart from Jimmy Calderwood’s time (five years in top four all but one year), we have been abysmal in the league. Aberdeen’s performances last season have been generally decent but unconvincing is the word that comes to mind.

So, despite six changes of manager in 10 years, and apart from the Calderwood five years, Aberdeen have not looked like a force in Scottish football. Even Calderwood didn’t get us to a cup final. During that same 10 year period, 12 nonOld Firm teams got to finals and six of them actually won a trophy or two.

So, if changing manager six times did not really change things, then we have to look at what did not change. Club ownership, infrastructure, many of the players, some directors. We have to ask, what is wrong with these elements that ensured that Pittodrie became a graveyard of managers’ reputations.

I was pleased Aberdeen appointed Pa Broon, as Craig Brown is known, in 2010. He is one of the most knowledgeable men in Scottish football, and despite his post-Scotland managerial record being ordinary (a few wins at Motherwell puffing up his CV disproportionately, perhaps), it was clear his vast experience could only benefit our team in the wake of the

despair post-Mark McGee. Brown’s purchases were pretty sound, with Hayes and McGinn being great and Hughes being, in the words of Borat, “not so much”.

Although McGee’s own preAberdeen management record was mixed, he’d had some notable managerial triumphs, which was why he too was a welcome appointment for many still wondering exactly what Jimmy Calderwood had done to deserve the sack.

Again (leaving aside the Calderwood era) we saw changes in manager and yet similarities in their respective records are striking.

Ebbe Skovdahl, Steve Patterson and Craig Brown all have the same % of wins in competitive matches, 33%.

In fact the former two achieved 33.9 with Pa Broon on 33.3. Of course, Brown’s teams defended and played better overall. What held his record back was a lack of goals.

Again though, this lack of goals is nothing new at Aberdeen. In the last 10 years Aberdeen have generally finished 8th or 9th top scorers out of 12 teams. Even Calderwood’s teams scored less goals than the teams near them in league position, with the exception of 2007, when we finished 3rdand scored 55 goals (4th top scorers).

That this performance in 2007 was the vintage year of the last 10 underlines the conditioning of expectation that has taken place.

Such a consistent lack of goals, regardless how good a defence is, inhibits confidence and reduces team expectations. If you are not scoring, you’re not winning. No number of 0-0 draws encourage self-belief, unless your objective is no more than avoiding relegation, or just getting through the day unembarrassed, which, sadly, is how some of the players performances often strike me.

Photograph © Actionplus.co.uk

Will McInnes escape from Ferguson’s shadow at Aberdeen?

The conditioning of expectations is the common thread throughout the last 10-15 years. We understand that expecting to beat Real Madrid in a European cup final, or even winning the Scottish League Cup, are expectations from a bygone era. But that is no excuse for not just hoping to win a cup, but aiming to win a cup and now also aiming for 2nd place.

There needs to be a reconditioning of expectation at Pittodrie. Players should have it instilled that this club must win a trophy, not just hope to scrape through the odd round and see what happens. They must be put under pressure to perform to an above ordinary standard. You only hit a target when you aim for it, not when you hope to hit it. They must be told from round one that this is their cup to win. None of this, ‘let’s see how far we can get nonsense’.

Think like the Old Firm. Expect.

This seeming lack of focus suggests a failure of real leadership at the very top and throughout the club. I’d exempt Brown and Knox as they obviously are proven

leaders. But unless the overall environment is geared to winning rather than just getting by, Brown and Knox, and now McInnes, will be banging their heads against a brick wall.

I was glad Willie Miller left his position as Director of Football because it seemed his legendary winning mentality had burned itself out. That doesn’t detract from his position as Greatest Living Don in my mind. It’s good too that Brown may take a similar role because his ideas seem sound, although of course lack of goals may lead others to disagree.

Plus I suspect he is aware of the problems in the upper levels and has a fighting chance of tackling them, enabling him to help the new manager by creating a winning environment at last.

McInnes’ Rangers past doesn’t enter my head as he’s the Dons manager now and deserves support. Alex Ferguson had a Rangers past too of course and we’d happily welcome him back. There I go again. Me and my expectations.

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PREVIEWS

SPFL PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW WORDS»PATRICK CONWAY It is only a week or so until the football season kicks off, and addicts like myself can’t wait! At the time of writing Celtic, St Johnstone and Hibs have already played competitive football, with their early forays into European competition. Celtic, as was expected, comfortably overcame Cliftonville in their Champions League qualifier and faced the Swedish champions, Elfsborg, at Celtic Park in the first leg of

the second qualifying round. St Johnstone had a fantastic 1-0 away victory at Rosenborg last week, and progressed to the next qualifying round of the Europa League following a 1-1 with the Norwegian side. Hibs lost 2-0 against Malmo and were then put to the sword by the Swedish side in Edinburgh. I digress, albeit legitimately, and shall now get back to the task in hand of previewing the season ahead.

I shall begin by nominating the champions, the relegated team (12th place) and the relegation play off team.

(11th place).

My next trick will be to try to predict ‘the split’. Please note that I will foolishly attempt to forecast teams 1-6 and 7-12 in their correct order! This is solely for your entertainment so that you can have a good laugh when you see how wrong I was come May 2014! Here we go then!

Champions: Celtic Relegated: Hearts Relegation Play Off: St Mirren

1. Celtic 2. Aberdeen 3. Motherwell 4. Dundee Utd 5. St Johnstone 6. Hibernian

1. Celtic: an absolute no brainer. Despite

the loss of Wanyama and Hooper, Celtic’s squad is just far too strong for the rest of the league. Whether Neil Lennon rotates his squad to accommodate European competition - hopefully The Champions League - they will still come out easily on top at the end of the season. Yes, they will lose and draw games as they did last season - but there can be no doubt that ‘three in a row’ is a foregone conclusion. The Celtic coach has already made additions to his squad and wants to add more. As far as the domestic league goes, however, these are an irrelevance.

2. Aberdeen: I have forecast the Dons

for second for various reasons. The main one is their ‘new’ manager Derek McInnes, for whom I have great admiration. He has already had a good look at last season’s squad, having been in charge for the last five games post split. At the time of writing he has made two very solid signings in Barry Robson and Willo Flood. He has also extended the contracts of last season’s MVP, Niall McGinn, alongside the very promising Ryan Jack. One to look out for could be the new striker Calvin Zola - a mere six feet three inches ‘slip of a boy! ‘

3. Motherwell: The Steelmen have

their work cut out to be the same second dominant force as they were last season. With a glut of very important players having left for pastures new, it will be difficult to replicate last season’s excellent form. The signing of James McFadden on a one year deal is a positive boon, as is McCall’s decision to stay on as coach. He has a fine eye for a player and there will be no doubt some additions to the squad come August.

4. Dundee Utd: the Arabs finished

a distant sixth last season but I expect improvement in the months ahead. Once again, I admire their young coach, Jackie McNamara, and he has now had plenty of time to bed himself in. Despite losing some key players in the close season, McNamara has pulled off a master stroke in bringing back David Goodwillie on a season’s loan. He is also putting his faith in youngsters. Queens Park ‘graduates’ Andy Robertson and Aiden Connolly (son of former Arab, Paddy Connolly) are examples of this policy. McNamara will certainly add more names before August and is currently looking at Turkish striker Nadir Ciftci as a possible addition to the squad.

7. Inverness Caley Thistle 8. Partick Thistle 9. Ross County 10. Kilmarnock 11. St Mirren 12. Hearts

5. St Johnstone: the Perth Saints,

although not what you would call a ‘glamour’ club and hailing from what you really couldn’t call a passionate football town, have nonetheless done consistently well over the past few years. They are certainly a very well run club, and changes in manager over recent seasons - Owen Coyle, Derek McInnes and now Steve Lomas - do not appear to have had a detrimental effect on the club. Tommy Wright is now at the helm and has started off with that great result at Rosenborg. If they could complete the job at home this would give them a great lift for the forthcoming season. I would expect Nigel Hasselbank to be an important player for them in the months ahead.

6. Hibernian: the Edinburgh side

were the only team I had doubts about in placing them in my predicted top six. The loss of Leigh Griffiths cannot be overstated. They do have a pair of steady hands in Pat Fenlon and this edged it for me. The board seem to be backing his judgement and they have already splashed out £200,000 on Swindon striker, James Collins. I would expect further strengthening of the squad between now and August.

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SPFL PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW WORDS»PATRICK CONWAY

7. Inverness Caley Thistle: it was a

close call between me choosing Hibs or ICT for sixth place and I freely admit now that I could well be wrong! As that master of the radio airwaves who is banned from Celtic Park has said about pre-season predictions, “It is just a bit of fun!” Believe you me, this is anything but fun! The comings and goings between now and August for all teams are a big unknown, which makes forecasting fraught with pitfalls! ICT had a great season last year, narrowly missing out on Europe. I do believe, however, that they were punching above their weight and that it will be very difficult for them to replicate that form this season. Butcher has signed goalkeeper Dean Brill on loan and left back Carl Tremarco on a year deal. He has also signed a glut of youngsters (seven at the time of writing) from which they hope to find at least one ‘star.’ Only time will tell!

8. Partick Thistle: most Glaswegians

have a soft spot for The Jags and I must include myself amongst that group. When Jackie McNamara left last January for pastures new at Tannadice, Alan Archibald was thrust into the limelight as new coach. Ably assisted

by Scott Paterson, they overhauled Morton and ran out comfortable winners. As the newly promoted team, survival is the name of the game. This is something I think they will comfortably achieve. Despite losing two of their top players already to Mr McNamara, Chris Erskine and Paul Paton, they have recruited some new faces. Striker Henok Mukendi (Liverpool) and midfielder Gary Fraser (Bolton) are very interesting loanees. They have also signed midfielder Mark Kerr on a one year deal. Current player, midfielder Conrad Balatoni, has signed up for a further two years. I strongly believe (and hope!) that Thistle will be plying their trade in the Premiership next season.

9. Ross County: it could be

argued that Ross County were THE surprise package of last season. That is an understatement in itself. To perform as they did in their first ever season in the SPL was nothing short of remarkable. Like their Highland counterparts, however, I feel that County were punching even more so above their weight! This season may require a reality check. The Dingwall outfit are a very well run club and have an astute manager in Derek Adams. They have added ex Motherwell defender Steven Saunders to their squad. I don’t know whether to include captain Richie Brittain as a new signing!

Ross County will surely be safe and start bedding in to our top division.

10. Kilmarnock: the Ayrshire

outfit had a horrendous run of form towards the end of last season, resulting with the sacking of manager Kenny Shiels. His replacement is Allan Johnston, ‘double’ winner with Queen of the South last season. He won the then Second Division by a landslide, playing attractive football while doing so. I am going to make a BIG ADMISSION here! I really could end up with egg on my face with regards to how low I have placed Killie! They were plagued with injuries to key players for lengthy periods last season. Johnston has already added defender Darren Barr to the squad and there may be more to come. With a fully fit squad doing their talking on the pitch, Johnston and Sandy Clark may be aiming for the top six. They will, nevertheless, survive.

11. St Mirren: the Paisley side did

brilliantly well to lift the League Cup last season and deserved all the plaudits going for that. Their league form, however, which they freely admit themselves, was very inconsistent. They have a good squad, mixing experience with youth. Jim Goodwin, Steven Thompson and Paul McGowan in particular, are all capable players. Two new keepers have been added, David Cornell and Christopher Dilo. They have also signed nineteen year old Kealan Dillon, a former Republic of Ireland youth international. St Mirren will not be last but will they avoid this relegation playoff spot? How high up the table they go will depend greatly on that consistency factor.

12. Hearts: I will try to keep this as

short as possible for the sake of the suffering Hearts fans. You may have noticed that in my musings on the bottom half of the table, I confidently stated that they would all stay up/ survive. (The eleventh place is an obvious exception as they will have to take part in a playoff.) Unless you have been in Pluto for the last few months you will be well aware that Hearts start their Premiership campaign a frightening fifteen points behind the rest of the league! Having entered into administration with a preferred bidder still to be accepted and with liquidation not yet ruled out. Just as I stated that Celtic were no brainers to win the league, I hold the same opinion with regards to Hearts being relegated. As I look through their squad and compare it to that of two or three years ago there are very few names that I am familiar with. The best that Hearts can hope for is to complete the season intact!

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SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW WORDS»DONALD C STEWART It seems like yesterday when I was at New Douglas Park watching the Blue Brazil celebrating staying in the first division but look at what starts in about 3 weeks! That’s right the new season! So, with a lot of to-ing and fro-ing as well as reconstructed fall outs

Likely champs Is it just too obvious just to say Dundee? Since his arrival John Brown has made his mark and wiped the memory of his time at Clyde off the faces of his detractors but this is not a season like the last one. Remarkably familiar was Barry Smith’s 25 point penalty that lead to over 20 games undefeated followed by a difficult second season that lead to the sack.

Will this befall Brown? I don’t think so as he has already stoked the fires of a “they are all out to get us” mentality that could do him very well in this, his first full season in charge.

Likely contenders From being one of the most competitive leagues in the recent past I can find few in amongst the other teams in the league that look like genuine challengers. That having been said with the advent of play offs there has never been a better time for a second place finish than now. You look up to the SPL and think... Hearts go down and there are 3 or 4 no better than some Division One sides – we have a chance!

Greenock Morton’s budget has been slashed and given the run of the last two years under Allan Moore it would be unfortunate of they did not at least mount a challenge. The recent signings made by Moore give some indication that he is, once again likely to be looking for some top of the table headlines during the year. Their 4-2 win in the Renfrewshire Cup Final against local rivals St Mirren makes me believe we could have a real contender at the Tail O the Bank again.

Certainly if we think Morton is a likely team to push, then Falkirk, under new gaffer Gary Holt must seriously be seen as having a decent shout. In the last two seasons they have brought on some fantastic youngsters but struggled to find consistency in the league. This year could be the year they sort that and between the Bairns and the Ton Dundee should not have it all their own way...

during close season – what does the new season look like giving us this time round? Well here is as good as it gets in terms of what I think might be significant during the year ahead...

Possible wild cards They started towards the end of the year to string some very decent results together under Alex Neil and they have made a tremendous pre season under their belt so I am looking towards Hamilton Academical to be the surprise package. Billy Reid made great play of Neil not being available to him during last season at critical times and the fact that Neil has made such a successful transition to management will be of no surprise to his former gaffer. I also have a sneaking suspicion that Cowdenbeath could surprise a few folk. Colin Cameron has successfully managed to install a set of values based upon himself that do not rely upon him being on the park playing. Whilst I would be very surprised if Cowdenbeath were top 3, I reckon they may end up in the top half of the table and the Blue Brazil shall see more progress under Cameron.

Potential knock outs...

Relegation from Division One is hardly like relegation from the SPL but with the possibility of Rangers being in the mix next year there will be few wanting to end up in the bottom two. I am afraid that it is all too easy to pick the newly promoted teams but both Alloa Athletic and Queen of the South may struggle for entirely different reasons.

Alloa have had back to back promotions that have rightly cemented the reputation of their manager. I have no doubt Paul Hartley wants to manage at a higher level and there has never been a better time for him to move into a job than when he has been hugely successful. I reckon the depth of their squad is not big enough for the division and the inability to consolidate in the second for the Board means they may be in a division that is a step beyond them financially just yet.

For Queen of the South, whilst ex Dunfermline Boss Jim McIntrye seems a good appointment the loss of Allan Johnston who took a core of players from Gus MacPherson and made them champions is immense. It is also the loss

of Nicky Clark that shall be highly felt.

The Doonhamers will scrap for every ball and fight for their survival but I reckon we may see them in a downward and far more defensive set up than previously.

Players to watch It can be an exciting place the First Division so now that Falkirk have lost Lyle Taylor to Sheffield United and Morton’s Michael Tidser is now at Rotherham, who will keep us at the edge of our seats? Well with a quick run through I would look out for – Iain Flannigan – Alloa Athletic, Scott Agnew - Dumbarton, Andy Dowie – Queen of the South, Anyone under 20 – Falkirk, Ali Crawford – Hamilton Academical, James Keatings – Hamilton Academical, Callum Elliot – whoever he signs for, Kabba ModouCham – Greenock Morton, Dougie Imrie - Greenock Morton, Willie Dyer – Dundee, Nicky Riley – Dundee and Gordon Smith – Raith Rovers.

Of course this is hardly exhaustive and I am happy to be very wrong over this because there are some great signings and some good and decent young players coming through the ranks – particularly at Hamilton and Falkirk...

Managers to pray for The one thing supporters do not have in abundance is patience. For supporters of Dumbarton, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers they may need some this year.

Dumbarton do not have the Great Escape to engineer this year and a mid table position should be both achievable and seen as progress. Jim McIntyre as I have alluded to elsewhere could be the third manager in a row at Palmerston who only manages a year there if things go badly for him but I fear for Grant Murray at Raith. Expectations at Kirkcaldy can be based upon previous years but the likelihood is that in this division they may struggle to find their feet.

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SPFL LEAGUE ONE PREVIEW WORDS»DONALD C STEWART It may have been agony last season watching the lack of progress of my own team whilst sitting in boxes next to a Queen of the South fan so this year I can but hope that the season shall bring better joy. Like many supporters though it is easy to be fooled

Likely champs There can be only one choice and let’s be honest if Rangers do not run away with the title there could be an Ally McCoist in the Job Centre queue before the end of the season. In fact the supporters and commentators will only shield Ally if he romps this league. All indications are that he has learnt the lessons of last year and instead of planning an assault on the SPL title he is planning to make progress towards getting into the SPL. I fully expect that Ally shall mount a credible assault on the league with the people he is bringing in and have the thing more or less sealed up by Christmas. The club’s time in the third division was hardly stress free off the pitch as well as on it so a period of calm would be good.

Likely contenders The standard three places are up for grabs for the play offs and as it stands there are three clear teams that seem to really want this. Brechin City have made some great signings and look the part of a team that feels second best is enough to settle for just now. The return of Alan Trouten and Andy Jackson is great but adding in Bobby Barr should make them potential free scoring spirits.

The other team with much to prove and the hopes of an entire town on their shoulders – and perhaps even in the Boardroom – are Dunfermline Athletic. There is little doubt that the team that kept us and their fans on the edge of a precipice for most of the last few months of last season are contenders. Their 2-2 draw with first division Falkirk in pre season tells us a lot about what these young lads will bring to the table come the beginning of the season.

Last spot for me would go to Airdrieonians – and welcome back to them! Jimmy Boyle had a torrid time of it last year and was heavily let down by many experienced and younger pros in his squad. This year he has made two excellent signings – more of that later – and has improved the camaraderie that was once a byword for Airdrie teams – no matter the spelling of their name! I reckon he has the squad and the mental

by the pre season fanfare, the marquee signings and Messi like performances against less well equipped teams... Then I remember this is the second division! For this year the second division plays host to the elephant in the room so let’s begin there.

agility to get them into the top 4 even if it is in last spot!

Possible wild cards There are three teams who it would do well not to discount but as wild cards go but I have picked 1 of them that I think ought to surprise people as a wild card should.

In recent years both Stenhousemuir and Forfar Athletic have been in and around the play offs and I would expect both of them to be in much the same position this year.

For the Warriors consistency has been their major problem and I am afraid that I cannot see that improving this year. I would expect that they would either fade away or come with a late surge.

On the other hand, the Loons have found consistency and it has never been particularly spectacular. Again I cannot see them being dragged into a relegation fight though they may skirt with it and there is nothing that I can necessarily see that makes me believe they shall be a surprise package but they could nip into 4th and be in the play offs as readily as Airdrie.

The real wild card for me is Ayr United. In his first year in charge Mark Roberts admits that he got little right. Nowhere has that been more telling than in how he has gone through this pre season. Last year big games and fancy football were followed by a huge bump when they hit the second division. This year there was a more structured pre season – getting away from prying eyes and finishing by playing a Junior side to ready themselves for more basic football in the season ahead. If it doesn’t work it could be a disastrous year for the club.

Potential knock outs...

There are two who flirted last year with relegation and I cannot see how they will manage to stay away this season from the dangerous trap door. Firstly Stranraer have a yo-yo issue that does not seem to be going away. This season I reckon Stephen Aitken will do well to stay in the division and they may just manage it like they did last year – through a combination of guile and good luck!

East Fife may be looking forward to not having their manager doing a Delia Smith impersonation but they have hardy had a great pre season. New gaffer Willie Aitchieson gave them a tough set of games to test their mettle and whilst it may be “all about the performances” they need confidence to keep those coming; confidence comes with winning.

Players to watch It’s a decent division to make your mark whether you are on your way up or on your pathway to retirement and the list hopefully reflects that as I chose the following individuals as the likely ones to be worth the watching – Stephen Husband – Dunfermline Athletic, Andy Geggan – Dunfermline Athletic, Jim Lister – Airdrie, Lewis Coult – Airdrie, Grant Evans – Airdrie, Michael McGowan – Ayr United, Robbie Crawford – Ayr United, Mark Shankland – Ayr United, Alan Trouten – Brechin City, Andy Jackson – Brechin City, Bobby Barr – Brechin City, Joe Mbu – East Fife, Anyone called Fotheringham (As opposed to Campbell) – Forfar Athletic, Nicky Devlin – Stenhousemuir, John Gemmell – Stenhousemuir, anyone in a Rangers top, Mark Corcoran – Stranraer and David McKenna Stranraer Managers to pray for For two managers this is a critical season for exactly the same reason; Rangers’ Ally McCoist and Ayr United’s Mark Roberts. Strangely enough they both played as strike partners whilst at Kilmarnock so they could be swapping texts during the season! Both are cult heroes at their respective clubs and if their seasons do not go well then they are going to be out of jobs come May – even before. For McCoist winning the league with style is the target, even a decent cup run may be required. For Roberts getting into or around the play offs is a must. Failure for either would be catastrophic for both.

Two more managers hoping for good starts and good seasons are Arbroath’s Paul Sheerin and Airdrieonians’ Jimmy Boyle. The big move for Sheerin has not happened and progress for

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SPFL LEAGUE TWO PREVIEW WORDS»DONALD C STEWART The beginning of the season is suddenly not about who will be the first to win at Ibrox, nor who can make the most money with a capacity crowd or who is likely to score first against Rangers. They are gone, but a distant memory and genuine competition comes

Likely champs My tip is a team that I have been going on about for some time and who let themselves down right at the final hurdle last year – Peterhead. I like the cut of Jim McInally’s jib and he has gone about rebuilding a team for this year quietly and made some good signings. Some of the signings he has made include people who came last year and have been retained. It looks strong and if they can continue to hurt other teams at the top as they did last year but start to pick up the points from the other teams – where they didn’t last year – I bet they will take the title. (Mind you who wouldn’t win the championship if they could do that?!)

Likely contenders Like division two eyes will also be on 2nd to 4th as the play off spots have teams with all to play for. Of the teams that I would expect to see making the grade here I include the perpetual bridesmaid – Queen’s Park.

Could this be Gardner Speir’s year? It is as likely that he will be in the play offs as Scotland being heroic losers at (insert a sport apart from tennis...). Once again with hope in his heart and a spring in his step I fully expect the Spiders to give a run for the title but just fall short and end up in the play offs.

Who will join them could be 2 of 3 for me. Elgin City were close last year and with the 2 Highland teams in this division on fire with the 2 Highland teams in the SPL scorching heather in their wake it could be another Highland fling for Scottish football. Ross Jack will be keen to keep things going and good momentum early on would help.

Newly relegated Albion Rovers will likely be instilled as favourites or near favourites by dint of just being relegated. Their change of manager should lead to a change of fortune but Todd Lumsden wasn’t really all that bad, so perhaps not. I think it will be a struggle this year for the Coatbridge side but they ought to be challenging surely?

Finally I reckon Berwick Rangers shall be back in with a decent shout. They managed through flukery to get in last time out and may

to the lowest league in the Scottish Professional Football League and we all feel better for it?

well depend upon the faltering of others around them but I reckon they could be in with a good chance. Once in the play offs they might not progress past the semi final so should watch their backs...

may prove more unsettling than anything else.

They also do not own their own ground and have taken the unusual step of trying to pay off their debts! I would, for this reason alone, be loathe to see them go down but it has been a long lingering death in many ways for Clyde. I certainly hope they can resurrect things for a club that was almost in the SPL not THAT long ago!

Possible wild cards It’s quite a difficult one for me as there are too many teams that are rebuilding in ways that are very basic. Having said that there is one team that could spring a real surprise and that is the Bino’s – Greig MacDonald’s Stirling Albion.

There will be no weddings to attend this year during important games but could be plenty of headlines if the Stirling club finally click. The supporter owned and run club has many who wish it well – wonder how many of them are in the 3rd division this year?

Montrose are another team that has flirted with getting into the play offs but never quite got there. Stuart Garden has proven in his first few months to be a decent manager and a full season should test where he is with things. Once again Garden has made a couple of interesting signings during the close season so who knows how they may end up...

Players to watch The standard in the 3rd may be less palatable than the other 3 divisions in Scotland but there are certainly players who are worthy of attention weekly – here are a few of them that I expect to make some headlines this year – Steve Notman – Berwick Rangers, Neil Janczyk – Berwick Rangers, Rhys Devlin – East Stirlingshire, Denis Wyness – Elgin City, Ross McCord – Montrose, Graham Webster – Montrose, Colin Wilson – Montrose, Andy Rodgers – Peterhead, David Cox – Peterhead, Rory McAlister – Peterhead, Davie Anderson – Queen’s Park, Mick Dunlop – Albion Rovers, Scott Chaplain – Albion Rovers, Scott Sally – Albion Rovers, Jamie Bishop – Stirling Albion, Kieran McAnespie – Stirling Albion

Potential knock outs...

The trap door has been opened and suddenly there is real jeopardy at the bottom of this league.

Between the 2 that I think are prime candidates I would not like to see either go but fair is fair in this new dawn!

East Stirlingshire are an obvious choice as they have been down the bottom so often that getting above 8th is front page news in the Falkirk and Stenhousemuir area. They don’t own their ground, have no real financial backing and exist as a decent cautionary tale to those who think that Scottish football is all Million dollar contracts and Lithuanian businessmen. It has been their continual presence at the foot of Scottish football that has angered many below in feeder type leagues so this could be the year they get their wish and leap frog the Stenhousemuir based team.

Clyde are next up for me as their rebuilding programme and suggested moves to East Kilbride

Managers to pray for I reckon Jim Ward at Albion Rovers shall be given time as will Stuart Garden whilst Jim McInally at Peterhead, Gardner Speirs at Queen’s Park, Ross Jack at Elgin City, Greig MacDonald at Stirling Albion and Ian little at Berwick Rangers would need a catastrophic season to shift them – or a change in their personal outlook.

Third division football can, at times be a thankless task and for me there is only 1 manager who may find the season particularly long and that is Annan Athletics’ Jim Chapman. For the rest of the teams in this division I reckon people know what they can expect from their management team and if it is up the top or in the middle then so be it. last season though a dynasty came to an end when Harry Cairney went when they were struggling and in came Chapman and struggled. It was the same set of players granted but look at what Allan Johnston did with Gus Macpherson’s. Annan will, no doubt be looking

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FITBA ISSUE 02

WORDS»DONALD C STEWART

Who you gonnae call for lower league success?

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...if my club was going to take on a new manager, would we prefer a rookie or someone tried and trusted?

Half the teams in SFL Division 1 have changed managers mid season and it is clear that the new guys have won the divisional game of who works best. The one area however where experience has worked is when the administrator is seen going through the front door with a fan. No one could have got the Pars to the end of the season with any dignity without the long forlorn hang dog look of Jim Jeffries. He played a blinder on behalf of the fans; nevertheless their relegation at the hands of another relative newcomer in Paul Hartley suggests rookies are good for the Championship.

In SFL 2 we had more clues as to where you should turn. Right up top the second division was won by rookie manager par excellence, Allan “Magic” Johnston, at a canter. The evidence for new management from an experienced player who can step up to the mark is clear here.

Alongside Johnston was relative newcomer, Paul Hartley at Alloa Athletic, Ray McKinnon at Brechin City and veteran Dick Campbell at Forfar Athletic. The difference McKinnon has made to Brechin after they dispensed with Jim Weir is similar to the effect experienced with Ian Murray at Dumbarton. Chasing Paul Hartley’s Alloa was not on the agenda at some point in the season but then Brechin came close to second spot with some concerted effort; their play off spot was quickly assured. It may be unfortunate that the strange circumstances in the semi finals would condemn an experienced manager but it is clear that the three rookies have what it takes to get out the division; 3-1 rookies.

But Johnston wasn’t the only new manager.

Down at the bottom of the league we had Todd Lumsden in his first season. Alongside Lumsden there was Mark Roberts at Ayr United. Mark Roberts started this year with much expectation.

Ayr were tipped as serious title contenders. Then they appeared lucky if they could keep a lead in a game! It leaves us at 3 – 3.

Stephen Aitken took over half way through as did Billy Brown at Methil both, with time running against them. In a straight head to head fight the rookie has managed to stay up and so has the experienced head of Billy Brown – even if it was through the play offs; honours still even at 4-4. Brown would subsequently leave East Fife during the summer and return to Hearts in a voluntary capacity.

The battle for fourth included Paul Sheerin’s Arbroath and Stenhousemuir. For Stenhousemuir they had Martyn Corrigan come in after losing Davie Irons in pre season. Corrigan had found it a mixed season as some good form has been followed by some pretty dire performances. Both are in their first managerial jobs and it would be churlish not to point out that Sheerin’s Arbroath came up in his first year as boss... ; experienced 4 ½ , rookie 5 ½ No fewer than seven clubs in this division discovered different managers at the end of this season than the ones they finished with last season!

That having been said, rookie seems to be the way to get out of SFL 2 [now SPFL League One] – especially if they can bring a bit of “magic” with them!

Finally SFL 3. Now, let me start with Ally McCoist. He was no rookie and I do not think that I am alone in saying that whilst, at times the mask has slipped, he has been mainly dignified throughout his time at Rangers in the most trying of circumstances. As a manager though he will be judged on the field and at times there has been less to feel good about. Both Livingston and Gretna went through this division with greater fanfare. His SPL experience and his SPL side left us with an unconvincing experienced starter.

Down the bottom of the table we had Jim Duffy, John Coughlin, Greig MacDonald and Jim Chapman trying to skip the last spot. All, apart from MacDonald, have serious experience however the key to our question may be that they are all languishing in the bottom four spots of senior Scottish football! It could mean experience 0, rookie 3.

Above them Ross Jack, like Jim McInally at Peterhead, flirted with the play offs with Elgin City.

The play offs ended with experience over rookie as Stuart Garden in his first senior appointment was surrounded by Gardner Speirs at Queen’s Park and Ian Little at Berwick Rangers. Spiers, Little and McInally got into the play off whilst Garden and Jack did not. It would appear that experience is once again the lacklustre player as it continues experience 1, rookie 5.

So it would seem that the rookies have the balance of last season. It means that the appointments of Alex Neil at Hamilton and James Ward at Albion Rovers could be signalling good times ahead. But it’s a bit like the debate over whether being a brilliant player makes you a better manager. Playing at the highest level was never something that Jose Mourinho never managed to achieve, however you would never question his managerial credentials. Similarly Alex Ferguson achieved modest honours as a player. One thing however is clear – mention Jackie McNamara, Paul Hartley, Paul Sheerin, Allan Johnston, Ian Murray, Grant Murray, Martyn Corrigan amongst others and you can believe that apprenticeships are being served. How much we may need battle hardened coaches in the future can be seen recently in places like Serbia and Wales.

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uring season 2011/12 the number of SFL managers who lost their jobs was low; last season we went into over drive. If we count in the new managers who made their debut in August 2012 this was been a bumper year for agents. Outwith the SFL the biggest furore over a manager’ appointments this year had been at Dundee where long term servant Barry Smith was given the clichéd vote of confidence from the directors before getting the boot. In came John Brown and out went sense.

The reaction was vile but was due to the decision being taken in a puzzling manner. The question that kept being asked was why appoint someone with very little experience in management to take on one of our top clubs; John Brown would counter – have you seen my record?

It led me to consider, if my club was going to take on a new manager, would we prefer a rookie or someone tried and trusted? Would we be looking for a home grown talent from within the club or a fresh pair of eyes from outside of it? According to John Brown, every time there is a managerial vacancy in Scottish football all we hear about is those managers out there who are out of a job thanks to their media pals acting as unpaid agents.

He would point to two rookie managers that got their appointments with very sage heads thinking it was good business – Mr Lennon at Celtic and Mr McCoist at Rangers. I have had a wee look at whether rookies or the experienced guys have made a difference to the SFL leagues last season.

The results from SFL1 were conclusive. Up top there was Allan Moore versus Allan Archibald/ Jackie McNamara. As Moore himself said, whoever gets the most points will get the prize and Thistle got it. Moore with much more experience is therefore left sitting just behind the rookies; 1-0 rookies.

Down the bottom Ian Murray walked in and showed us how to get a club out of the mire.

Around him was long standing Airdrie chief Jimmy Boyle who was given a leg up once again due to the demise of another club and then was left to languish at the foot as his young charges have come up short; 2-0 rookies.

Colin Cameron survived the season whilst long term Hamilton manager, Billy Reid lost his job.

Taking their cue maybe from those around them Accies have appointed Alex Neil from within making Cameron the most experienced rookie in town but another point for the uninitiated; 3-0 rookies.

Mid table we have another Murray - Grant at Raith Rovers continuing the work started by another now out of work manager – John McGlynn. Falkirk recruited Grant Holt to run things whilst Livingston have confirmed the dynamic duo of Richie Burke and Mark Burchill.

For all three clubs the likelihood of coming to any conclusion is dangerous; they all need more time as even the whole season for Murray has left answers begging rather than given.

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FITBA ISSUE 02

Goal Line Technology in Scotland – An Essential Luxury? » WORDS MARC MCARDLE

T

he International Football Association Board convened in Edinburgh in early March and announced the intention to begin rolling out much-discussed goal line technology systems, in some countries as early as this coming season.

Ironically, however, the country in which this expensive and sophisticated new measure was given a seal of approval finds itself in a position where it can ill afford such a luxury.

With the installation costs of such equipment likely to total upwards of £100,000 per stadium, it seems that, for the time being at least, goal line technology will not be making an appearance in Scotland’s top flight.

“Of course goal line technology would help, and we have four companies – Goal Ref, Hawkeye, Goal Control and Cairos – who have obtained a license but would Scottish clubs rather invest in this technology at a premium to the detriment of youth investment? I don’t think so, in the current climate.”

Head of Referee Operations at the Scottish FA John Fleming surmised the situation rather well. Goal line technology may well be on the cusp of becoming an essential. But sadly, it is an essential Scottish clubs may have to wait for.

Aside from any ongoing maintenance costs of the equipment, £100,000 would go a long way in the daily running costs of most clubs within this country. And there are very few clubs who could claim that their youth systems could not do with £100,000 investment, should there be a surplus at any point soon.

Looking across all twelve teams within the Scottish Premiership at present, perhaps only Celtic could comfortably afford to accommodate the new technology within Parkhead.

As we continue to witness the fallout from years of decline in the game north of the border, accelerated by the demise of Rangers, many other clubs are engaged in a battle just to keep themselves on an even financial footing while others are working hard to reduce debt or turn a small profit every year.

It goes without saying that in an ideal scenario, the Scottish FA could subsidise or completely foot the bill for the introduction of this new technology in all twelve stadia.

However, the SFA’s efforts may be better

directed at throwing any spare financial resources at trying to find some solution to the ever-worsening situation the Scottish National Team finds itself in.

For the moment, the pressure is off for Scottish clubs, as it may be many years yet before there is any rigid requirement from FIFA or UEFA to add the goal-line systems to grounds.

Yet, it serves as another reminder of just how far behind Scottish football is languishing. Clubs in England, Spain and Italy will comfortably afford these new “computer referees.”

This is simply another demonstration of the vast chasm which appears only to become wider year on year between the biggest and

best leagues in the world and ourselves.

There are muted plans in the works to examine the idea of regionalising league setups to make for more appealing competition and allow smaller nations such as Scotland the opportunity to begin to close that huge gap. However it may be several years before such discussions begin to bare any fruit.

Of course it would be useful to have a measure by which to prevent goals being overlooked, as was the case for Leigh Griffiths and Hibernian during one of last season’s Edinburgh Derby.

Nevertheless, it seems Scotland will have to wait for a financial upturn in fortune before such luxuries can be afforded.

Supporting

Scottish Football Since 2003

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34

FITBA ISSUE 02

WORDS»ANDY SKINNER

INTERVE IW with STEVE PATERSON

F

ormartine United manager Steve Paterson has been the full distance in the Highland League, having tasted success with Huntly in the mid-90s.

He then stepped up to the Scottish Football League with Inverness Caley Thistle in only their second season, taking them up two divisions into the second tier of Scottish football.

His record attracted Aberdeen to recruit him, but a problematic spell at Pittodrie in which alcohol and gambling addictions came into the public spotlight at one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.

“Pele” took time out of the game before firstly returning to Huntly, but soon afterwards was snapped up by Formartine in 2011.

The challenge now facing Paterson is to achieve silverware with United for the first time since the club entered the Highland League in 2009.

With the financial backing of oil tycoon Atholl Cadger, Formartine have attracted a range of high profile players to the club in recent seasons.

However last season they came their closest yet to ending the drought, with a team built predominantly from trusted Highland League players, many of which had been over the finishing line before.

They topped the league for much of the season, but fell away in their final two home games.

Their 3-1 defeat to Nairn County paved the way for a final-day title decider with Cove Rangers, who won 2-0 at North Lodge Park to deprive United of the title.

They also lost the Aberdeenshire Cup to Fraserburgh on penalties, and Paterson is determined to offset the frustration of coming so close last season.

He said: “Ultimately last season was disappointing in the sense we had a real opportunity to win the league with two games to go. We were unbeaten all season at home until we lost our last two games, so obviously there was a huge sense of disappointment.

“Having also lost the Aberdeenshire Cup final on penalties, it makes it a painful season in the sense of achieving a lot but coming out with nothing.

“Not being able to close out the title was obviously the least pleasing factor. You hear

“On paper a Cammy Keith and Mikey Ewen strike partnership is mouthwatering, we’ve got two guys going on 30 plus goals per season. The firepower should be there.”

words about our players “bottling it”, and them being “chokers”, and that’s quite hurtful. Not so much for me as I’ve won numerous cups and Highland League titles, but for the players it’s been an unfortunate season. I have no doubt our time will come, hopefully this season or after.

“Sometimes getting that first trophy can be the hardest thing. We lost the Aberdeenshire Cup Final on penalties, and we couldn’t have had a more painful way of losing the league, coming down to the last game.

“But I’ve taken a wee step back and analysed things closer, and I’ve seen a massive progression.

Certainly compared with the season before, which was a disaster from a personal point of view and as a club given that we had quite high expectations. It was literally a nightmare season from start to finish.

“The season gone past there was much improvement in terms of having gone from 49 points to 78 points, and that would normally win a league. But Cove were outstanding in terms of being able to amass 80 points, and also getting a core group of players stability of club.

“Last year we made a decision to make a drastic clear out and unloaded about twelve players, we brought in about eleven. We had a really good season, albeit without a trophy. To make it into great season we’ll need to get the club’s first trophy in the Highland League.

“In general, there is a positive feel good factor around the club. Even looking at the crowd stats for example, when I began there was an average gate of 150, it’s now up to 250. So this season the average gates have probably risen by about 100%.

I remember going back 20 years when I first went to Huntly, the crowds there were basically 150. But five or six years later there were gates of 600-700.”

Paterson has clinched the signing of prolific Keith striker Cammy Keith, who scored 182 goals in 222 games for the Maroons. Paterson is excited at the prospect of him lining up alongside Michael Ewen, who hit the net 38 times for his side last season.

Paterson added: “On paper a Cammy Keith and Mikey Ewen strike partnership is mouthwatering, we’ve got two guys going on 30 plus goals per season. The firepower should be there.

“It’s about the type of player I take in, and the kind of mentality of a player who has been over the course of winning trophies and the big occasion.

“One big disappointment was we came up short in too many games that meant a lot to the club.

We lost the Aberdeenshire Cup final on penalties, we had a dismal performance against Clach in the Scottish Cup, we lost heavily in the Shield, we lost to Brora in the league cup then lost two major league games at the end of the season.

“You’re looking at six or seven crunch games we came up short, so we’re looking at the type of player to come in and maybe make that difference in these crunch games.

“I just think Cammy adds what I’ve been trying to add. Having analysed last season, I was disappointed with the crucial games that we fell short in. But Cammy will thrive in cup finals, league deciders, Scottish cup ties and the like.

He produces in the big games.

“He’s a Newmachar boy as well, and with Craig McKeown from Tarves we’re starting to build a side with boys from the area which helps fans identify with the team. Cammy’s top drawer, I’m surprised he’s never been taken on to the Scottish League, even up to First Division level.”

35

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sHfl

WORDS»ANDY SKINNER

HIGHLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEASON PREVIEW

In 2012-13 Cove Rangers produced an excellent run of end of season form to bridge the distance created by Formartine United, and set up a winner takes all title decider on the final day of the campaign. Cove won 2-0 at United’s North Lodge Park to claim their third league title in six years, and now they will aim to match their 2009 exploits and retain the championship they claimed the season before. However, they face competition

Nairn County’s recruitment of two of Elgin City’s most prominent players in their Division Three campaign last season has sent a clear message through the league - that County are out to add to their as yet solitary league title win in season 1975-76. Winger Daniel Moore was nominated for the PFA Third Division Player of the Year award last season, while Stuart Leslie was City’s top scorer with 21 goals. These facts alone reaffirm a key point: these are players Elgin wanted to keep.

They will be joined in the league by former team-mate Joe Malin, with the goalkeeper joining Brora Rangers along with former Caley Thistle youngsters Gavin Morrison and Ryan Watson. The Cattachs have persuaded former Inverness CT stalwart Ross Tokely to stay on for another two years, while the creativity of the talismanic Steven Mackay and promise of energetic youngsters like Martin McLean give Brora hope of going one better than their runners-up finish in 1980.

Formartine United lost out on the title on the final day last season, despite looking odds on to claim their first title since joining the league in 2009. They have captured prolific hitman Cammy Keith, the striker having scored 182 goals in 222 appearances with Keith. The prospect of Keith partnering Michael Ewen, who netted 38 times last season, has been described as a “mouthwatering prospect” by United manager Steve Paterson, formerly of Inverness Caley Thistle and Aberdeen.

Keith must look for somebody to step forward and fill the void left by their prized asset, which will be a hugely difficult ask.

Callum Dingwall has been taken in on loan from Formartine as part of the deal, while Michael Fyfe has returned from Huntly.

Fraserburgh have built a talented squad of local players, with Scott Barbour for

from several sides in a league considered by many to be in its strongest ever position.

Three sides in particular have caught the eye with transfer business they’ve concluded this summer. The history books show just one Highland League title between the trio combined, but that hasn’t affected the thought process of fans looking to predict a winner this season.

many being their main outlet having won the league’s Young Player of the Year award two seasons in succession.

Brora’s northern rivals Wick Academy have also profited from a key act of resistance from SPFL interest. Manager Barry Wilson was offered the Queen of the South job that became vacant following Allan Johnston’s departure to Kilmarnock. However Wilson elected to remain with the Scorries, highlighting the difficulties in uprooting from his business and home in Dingwall. Having steered Wick to third place - their best ever finish - while remarkably winning every one of their 17 home league matches, that is news which will delight the Caithness fans.

Clachnacuddin were genuine contenders for the title last season until a late dip in form. In itself that was a remarkable achievement considering Clach were in administration recently, and one for which manager Ian Polworth was crowned Manager of the Year.

Forres Mechanics can justifiably lay claim to possession of one of the league’s strongest sides as long as Charlie Rowley is afforded an injury-free selection pool, as was the case in 2012 when the Can-Cans won the league.

Inverurie Locos’ new strikeforce has the potential to match that of near-neighbours Formartine on its day; the addition of the vastly experienced Martin Bavidge from Peterhead offers a very exciting foil for Neil Gauld who is fresh from his finest season to date, hitting 30 goals.

Buckie Thistle won the title twice in succession in 2010 and 2011, but since then have lost several key players to rival clubs. Gary Hake finished last season with an incredibly young side, and has brought former Jags frontman Craig MacMillan back to the club,

with Chris Hegarty and Aaron Conway also arriving.

Along the road, Deveronvale have assembled a side that has plenty potential to do well this season. A mixture of youth and experience, with Buckie forward Shawn Scott a valuable acquisition.

Turriff United will look to build upon solid foundations created in their first four Highland League seasons, and have assembled a promising young team.

For Huntly, it’s changed days from the glory years of the mid-90s when they won five titles in a row. Despite possessing a talented squad, the sheer strength of the league makes it look difficult for them to achieve a top-half finish this season.

The bottom four became detached from the rest of the league last season, and that is likely to again be the case. Strathspey Thistle will view the campaign as a major step in their progression however, finishing above Rothes, Lossiemouth and Fort William to record their best ever Highland League finish. Much of the Jags’ focus continues to centre on efforts to obtain an SFA licence which would enable them to compete in the Scottish Cup. Lossiemouth and Rothes operate in a similar market within a close geographical proximity. Both sides underwent managerial change last season, and approach the season carrying fairly young squads.

The final league side, Fort William, are a side without their problems to seek. This summer they have announced a board and committee shake-up which appears to have created a sense of optimism in Lochaber. However, it seems highly unlikely the usual issues will disappear; geographically they are so detached from the rest of the league it can become a struggle to find enough players to fill a teamsheet on a week-byweek basis.

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FITBA ISSUE 02

GRASSROOTS

Forget about our professional game and let’s get back to basics WORDS»NATHAN MACKENZIE

“I hear the SFA are about to release a new DVD, it’s called Berti Vogts, the glory years”.

Now this joke which has being spread across various social networks at first made me laugh, before it wanted to make me cry.

It is sad to think that no-one in the last ten years since Berti Vogts, who took us to within one game of EURO 2004, has come remotely close to getting Scotland to a major international finals.

To think that Craig Burley is the last man to score for Scotland at the World Cup all the way back on June 16th 1998 in Bordeaux, France is enough to make many ESPN subscribers curse the gods of football. .

So what can Scotland do to put the national game on the right track?

Well for starters we should go back to basics.

Grassroots football is forever mentioned in the nation’s papers and blogs as the key to getting Scotland back to where it belongs on the world and European stage.

But our current youth set-up is not good enough to produce the quality of players we need in order to qualify for future major tournaments.

For starters, we need more pitches, especially all weather Astroturf and indoor pitches.

We live in a cold country where playing on grass 12 months of the year is not exactly ideal. We do need grass pitches and selling off our green spaces for housing and business development should be stopped or the government should at least put a policy in place so that for every green space that is lost, another one becomes available.

But the key solution to the pitch problem is the introduction of more AstroTurf and indoor pitches. Unlike the Faroe Islands, Denmark or the Netherlands who have an AstroTurf or

Youth teams should be exempt from having to pay for the use of pitches and football facilities or at most they should be heavily subsidised.

indoor surface pitch for every community, we in Scotland seem to only grant funding for projects which in the end can bring us profit, not just the benefit an AstroTurf or indoor pitch can bring to a community.

A perfect example of this is in Inverness where Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle teamed up to help create the Highland Football Academy. To rent one of the AstroTurf pitches for an hour costs £50.

Now that might not be a lot for a local pub team who could have 20 working adults within its team. But when it comes to youth sides, that cost can be unaffordable.

This can lead to training on inappropriate surfaces or training cancelled all together.

This problem is one I hear right across Scotland and not just in the Highlands. If the Scottish FA are serious about helping Scotland’s kids, it needs to provide more facilities.

Youth teams should be exempt from having to pay for the use of pitches and football facilities or at most they should be heavily subsidised.

What use is there in saying that these pitches will be of great use in helping produce better

players when the only players utilising these facilities are passed their physical best.

The second major problem is coaching. The level of coaching in Scotland at the grassroots level is unsatisfactory.

Coaching from a young age is an integral part in shaping players development. At the moment any parent or volunteer can come forward and coach a local school or amateur side.

Now this ultimately helps in attracting people to coaching, but it would be good if all football coaches were to be provided with the opportunity to take part in free coaching classes which can help them teach children the basics in passing, tackling and positioning.

In countries such as the Netherlands and Spain all coaches are provided with basic training which helps them teach the foundation blocks of football to children.

Even basic knowledge such as what size a ball, children of different ages should use. I don’t know how many times I have seen kids as young as five training with size five footballs, balls that size are too big and can cause muscular damage to young children’s feet as well as damage to the brain if heading a ball of that weight and size especially if it is drenched through.

The third issue is the introduction of excellence centres. France in 1988 opened Clairefontaine, its Paris centre for football excellence which has seen the likes of Theirry Henry and Nicolas Anelka pass through its gates.

Now France has another 12 similar centres to Clairefontaine based across France.

Clairefontaine takes the best footballers in Paris area from the ages of 13 to 15 and immerses them in a professional 24-hour football environment.

Already small examples of this can be seen in Falkirk where young Falkirk players are given

37

scotzine.com

GRASSROOTS

a special curriculum at a local high school and get extra classes to play and learn about football.

This should be the case for all senior clubs in Scotland. We should also look to have area centres for excellence similar to France and the Netherlands where the best young footballers in Scotland can be taught by the best coaches in the country.

The final step is time. Many great young players are dumped by Scotland’s professional clubs at too young an age. Once they reach the age of 20 or 21 and if they are not contributing to the first team then they are dropped.

This is too young an age. What can be done to tackle this is the introduction of colt teams. In countries like France, young players can play for what are called CFA sides. They are amateur reserve sides for mature youth players who can play competitive senior football while still training for the main professional side.

This could potentially help improve the standard of Scotland’s lower leagues as well as help young players gain invaluable experience and help late bloomers develop to a standard suitable to their parent club.

Whatever is decided, it will have to be made soon or Scottish football could start to lose its position as the nation’s national sport.

After all we are the Women’s Curling World Champions.

Top: Toryglen Regional Football Centre in Glasgow.

Above: Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre, the football excellence centre in Clairefontaine, home of the French Football Federation Left: the Fédération Française de Football (French Football Federation) Badge

38

FITBA ISSUE 02

Photograph courtesy of Phil McCloy

39

scotzine.com

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: focus on DANNI PAGLIARULO

Better not eat that IN HER OWN WORDS»DANNI PAGLIARULO

“Better not eat that”, “I can have that because I’m training tonight”, “Need to cut down if I want to be fit”, “If I cut out that meal then I won’t struggle at pre-season”, “I have this under control, I will eat properly when I get back into training again.”

S

o many thoughts were running through my head, these thoughts were put into actions. Actions that became the start of my nightmare.

Football is my life, my escape, my identity for as long as I can remember. I love the game, being part of a team, being a leader and enjoying the banter. You have your moans and groans but it’s only because I care and passionate about the sport.

It is something that I am truly good at, succeeded in and my escape away from everyday life. I never knew I was willing and able to throw it away so suddenly.

Looking back, personally I had a great season that year, the team finished second and spirits were high. A feeling I wanted to continue into the next season. We had a longer break than usual as the game was changing into a summer league. I wanted to be in the best condition I could be, and with that thought I felt I needed to be sure I was the same weight and fitness where I left off. It was probably lack of education and guidance that led me to think the way I did, and putting myself under pressure to be at peak physical condition.

When returning after the break, I was half the player I was, both physically and technically. My mind was still on form but my body had nothing.

I put it down to lack of training, not the fact that I only consumed the ‘correct’ amount of calories that I deemed acceptable for me to consume so I returned in great condition.

My judgement couldn’t have been more wrong, I was out of shape the most that I’ve ever been. I began to spiral out of control over the next few months. Not accepting I had a problem and trying to continue on the same path.

The next two years were a nightmare, eating stopped, football stopped and my life was at a standstill. All the things I knew were gone and I was in a different routine. I now had a different identity, a different goal in my daily life. I used to be the girl with the world at her feet, to my new identity, the girl with the eating disorder.

My weight plummeted and my body was rapidly giving up. It took me to be admitted to hospital for a stomach bug to realise what I was doing to myself. A stomach bug which in the past would have been a minor 24-hour illness, my body had nothing to fight it.

I didn’t realise how hard it would be to get myself out of this rut as it was so easy to fall in to. I had great support around me, and found my strength in them.

Returning to football wasn’t easy; mentally I knew I was strong enough not to fall into that rut again but apprehensive that I had lost all ability to play.

I returned to my old club, where I got myself back into the swing of things. It was great to be back, great to be part of a team again, great to have a different focus from the two years of hell I put myself through. I was playing well, still a bit rusty but improving with every session. I was only back a few months when Eddie contacted Spartans about me. I couldn’t quite believe it, it all happened so fast. In my head it was far too good of an opportunity not to accept. I didn’t think I was ready but I knew City would make me ready, and be patient with me. Eddie knew my history and was very understanding of it. I took the step.

It was time for me to step up and put everything behind me and be the player that I used to be.

I never would have dreamed of being part of Glasgow City, playing in Europe and winning medals. There has been a few hiccups on the way and I’m sure there will be a few more, but I’ll continue to battle. A battle that I now know that I will always win.

My new identity, that’s the girl that plays for City.

For more information on eating disorders please contact See Me Scotland: www.seemescotland.org Tel: 0131 554 0218

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FITBA ISSUE 02

Q&A

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: focus on DANNI PAGLIARULO

WORDS»ANDY MUIRHEAD

AM: What made you start playing football?

DP: As long as I can remember I always had a ball at my feet, playing out the back with my brother and over at the field with my friends. I was always the only girl that played, until I went to my first all-girl football club, Tynecastle.

AM: What players did you look up to when coming through the womens game?

DP: Back when I started playing, women’s football wasn’t what it is now. There was very little media coverage, advertisement and interest. I played because I enjoyed it and loved being part of a team. The main player I really took interest when I was growing up was Frank Sauzee, the boy was class.

AM: You are now playing for Scotland’s top club side Glasgow City - what are your ambitions and goals for your time at the club?

DP: When I first joined, my goal was to get back to full fitness and work on my game. I knew I was in good hands. I came to City after the break last year, where I knew I was joining a very successful team. They had already won the league cup, they were still in Europe and going well in both league and Scottish cup. I wanted to be a part of that.

My personal ambition is to remain fit, develop my individual weaknesses and help the club progress further in Europe.

AM: Do you believe any side in the SWPL can break Glasgow City’s dominance?

DP: It’s always going to be a challenge for anyone in Scotland as the interest in Europe has greatened. We lost three players last season [but signed a few this year] and there’s been a few players from other clubs that have went to different countries to play as well. I know from the past year what’s driven the success at this club, has been taking every game as it comes. The past success doesn’t make us complacent.

AM: You are a Hibs fan yourself - why?

DP: Ha ha....I sometimes ask myself that question too. I’ve always supported Hibs, my grandma and grandad have stayed in Leith all their lives. They brought my Dad up as a Hibs fan and my Dad passed that onto me. I was a season ticket holder for 10 years. Supporting them have made me learn how it feels to lose and the appreciation of that winning feeling.

AM: Did you go to the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts in 2011? Feelings after the match?

DP: Yes, unfortunately I was there. We made a day of it, it was a great occasion and a great day out. Supporting Hibs all my life, my expectations weren’t very high going into the final. It was a gutting feeling but I had to just deal with it, except the abuse from my Hearts friends (which are not very many) and move on.

AM: Who is the best player you have played alongside and against?

DP: Probably the best player I’ve played alongside and been coached by would be Shelley Kerr. The experience she brought into the team was brilliant, she never shut up on the pitch and I learnt a lot when working with her.

The best player I’ve played against would probably be the majority of the Russia under-19 squad when we met them in the European finals.

AM: Does the Women’s game get the respect that it deserves? How can it gain the respect that it deserves?

DP: It certainly gets more respect than it used to, more and more people are asking and showing an interest in the game. We will never compete with the men’s game, and personally I don’t want to as it’s a totally different game.

I recently watched the Scotland v USA game with my brother, to him I was always his ‘sister that played football’ but now the game has grown and watching that game with him made him realise that women play, and women’s football has its own identity.

AM: If you had three wishes to use in a football context what would you wish for?

DP: My biggest wish would be for women’s football to turn professional in Scotland and get paid to do it full time.

Or if that’s not possible, then I wish I reverse the role of work and football. That you need to play football to live and work can be a super cool hobby!

AM: You have spoken to us and have spoken in the past about your battle with anorexia and we thank you for being so open about

it. If there was anything you could say or pass onto the next generation of women footballers what would it be?

DP: Unfortunately it will always be an issue in women’s sport as a whole, the reason I speak and I’m open about it is that if my story helps just one person then I’ve succeeded.

AM: Who is your greatest starting XI? Only stipulation is you had to either play against them or alongside them.

DP: Goalkeeper: Caroline Collie - played alongside her all the way through youth level at Scotland. She was a great talker, and worked really hard in her all round game. She plays rugby now, represented Scotland. Mad! You have to be mad to be a goalie.

Defenders: Shelley Kerr - all the reasons I mentioned previously; Rachel Corsie - great leader, great attitude to the game and loves a moan; Emma Fernon - Love a defender that is committed to every challenge no matter who it is. This girl will go through you at training, chase you around the pitch and do anything in her power to get the ball. Great fight and determination; Wendy Renerd - this is a cheating input...I’ve not actually played against her personally and I’m glad. What a presence she has on the pitch, pops up absolutely everywhere. I’ll keep that girl at arm’s length I think.

Midfielders: Stacey Cook - played against her a few times, and came off the pitch always knowing you’ve been in a game. She was never shy to give you a wee nudge or kick just to make sure that she’s not forgotten about me; Leanne Crichton Can’t have one twin (Corsie) and not the other.

Always been a great player, but has shone in the past year or so. Great attitude and never shy of a grump; Kim Little - frighteningly talented.

Played against her recently against Arsenal; and her movement, enthusiasm and all round game is brilliant; Russian midfielder (can’t remember her name) - I remember her game though, tricky midfielder and great playmaker. I think she actually had an assist in four out of the five goals that they scored against us.

Forwards: Elodie Thomas - wow....this girl can run! Couldn’t get near her when she was just walking; Debbie McWhinnie - played a few seasons with Debbie, great player, great left foot and everything that she seemed to have kicked, went into back of the net.

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scotzine.com

SCOTS IN EXILE: IAN THOMSON

Fit and Fresh Miller Wins Over Fans in Vancouver “It’s not about one guy,” Miller said. “It’s about the team pulling together and working hard for each other. I’m just glad to be playing a part.”

S

erenity in the away dressing room at Washington’s RFK Stadium on June 29, did not sit comfortably with the Vancouver Whitecaps exuberant midfielder Nigel ReoCoker. England’s former U-21 international fidgeted with a portable speaker system before shattering the calmness with his musical selection.

Team captain Kenny Miller moseyed into view behind ReoCoker after a regenerative cold water dip, still exhaling deeply after Vancouver’s 1-0 win at D.C. United amid 80-degree temperatures.

Miller’s drained features awakened as the profanity-laden rap infected his eardrums. His head began bobbing and his weary shuffle developed into a slight strut.

“Do they listen to this stuff back in Scotland, Kenny?” enquired a member of Vancouver’s backroom staff. The corners of Miller’s lips rose briefly before his smile cracked into a chuckle.

Miller, suddenly thrust into the centre of attention, was in the place he has been occupying on the pitch for the Whitecaps throughout the summer. His six goals in 11 appearances as at mid-July have helped to propel Martin Rennie’s side into fourth place in the overall Major League Soccer table. It’s been a year since the 33-year-old from Musselburgh arrived in MLS, after a full English league season with Cardiff City, and the perception toward him among Vancouver’s supporters has swung as wildly as it once did between fans of the Old Firm.

A defense-splitting pass from

the roving Scot led to the penalty incident against D.C. United that allowed the Whitecaps to earn a second successive win on the East Coast after a 2-1 win at the New York Red Bulls on June 1. Crosscontinental travel had been a major weakness for the club during its first two years in MLS. Eight trips to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Toronto during the 2011 and 2012 seasons yielded just two points. So what’s changed in Vancouver’s approach?

“We’re going to more strip clubs,” quipped Reo-Coker, provoking another chuckle from his dismissive captain.

“It’s taken a while to get right,” said Miller, whose own form has been exceptional since missing most of April and May with a hamstring injury. Miller’s return to fitness has coincided with a sharp uptick in his team’s results – 19 points from eight games from the win in New York through mid-July.

“It’s not about one guy,” Miller said. “It’s about the team pulling together and working hard for each other. I’m just glad to be playing a part.”

Vancouver’s playing style demands an exhausting shift from the former Rangers and Celtic forward. Scottish head coach Martin Rennie favours three narrow central midfielders with 20-year-old Canadian winger Russell Teibert occupying the right flank. That leaves Miller tasked with dropping into the gap on the left side of midfield when the Whitecaps are defending. It’s then his job to support Brazilian forward Camilo Sanvezzo with intelligent runs from deep when they retrieve possession.

Ian Thomson Ian Thomson is a freelance writer based in West Virginia. He is the author of the new book, “Summer Of ’67: Flower Power, Race Riots, Vietnam and the Greatest Soccer Final Played on American Soil.”

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FITBA ISSUE 02

SCOTS IN EXILE: IAN THOMSON “He’s been useless for a year and a half,” was New York Red Bulls’ TV commentator Shep Messing’s on-air reaction when Miller darted in from beyond the back post to head Vancouver’s late winner at Red Bull Arena. The former New York Cosmos goalkeeper’s remark typified the ignorance of many American pundits that prematurely lambasted Rennie for wasting Vancouver’s designated player funds on his countryman and have yet to grasp the reality of Miller’s contribution.

There was no place for Miller among the annual MLS All-Star squad that faces A.S. Roma in Kansas City on July 31, though that event has never been about meritocracy.

Miller, Vancouver’s highest earner with an annual salary of $1.1 million, admittedly struggled for form last year after his summer arrival with just two goals in 14 games. Yet his goals-per-minute ratio still exceeded that of Thierry Henry after his signing by the Red Bulls from Barcelona in 2010. Miller’s wage is also less than one-third of those paid to New York’s big-name duo Henry and Tim Cahill and Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane. Rennie is certainly getting value for Vancouver’s money.

The Whitecaps had seemingly stockpiled a glittering array of attacking talent at the start of last season with Frenchmen Sebastien

Photograph © Ian Thomson

Miller all smiles this season in the MLS

Le Toux and Eric Hassli and ex-Juventus youth player Davide Chiumiento in the starting lineup. All three players were bravely shipped out last July as Rennie and assistant coach Paul Ritchie fretted over a lack of pace and creativity in the final third. Miller and Barry Robson were among the new arrivals as Vancouver backed into the final MLS play-off spot before being eliminated by the Galaxy.

Robson’s return to Sheffield United

shortly afterward citing family reasons and a failure to settle in North America brought further scorn upon Rennie’s decisions and rumours of a third spell at Ibrox for Miller. Instead, Miller has emerged as an inspirational leader with his work ethic, cunning movement and 17 years of professional experience rubbing off on his teammates.

“I had two months off after the English season, then you’re

expected to come into MLS and hit the ground running,” Miller said.

“It’s not going to happen.

“Speak to any footballer and they’ll tell you it’s crucial to get a pre-season under your belt to get fit and strong for the rest of the season.

If you miss it, you’re always playing catch-up.”

“I found it tough coming in midseason to get up to the levels that I would have hoped to get to. This year, I feel like I’m getting there.”

» Legends of Football: We profile one of Scotland's

ISSUE 03 OUT NOVEMBER 2013

great footballers. » A fans coup d'etat - It is time that fans take control of our clubs » The Nandos Generation - A look at the next wave of Scotland players coming through the ranks. » Rangers transfer embargo - Pointless or what?

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