SPL Discussion Thread

[OwlsFan]

For better or for worse it seems Celtic are heading back towards a majority Scottish team.

With Rangers buying Boyd from Kilmarknock and Celtic signing a contract with Miller from Wolves (ex Rangers - Alfie Conn and Mo Johnson being the only other two to play for both?), both clubs seem to concentrating more on Scottish players.

[Hibs4Ever]

With Rangers buying Boyd from Kilmarknock and Celtic signing a contract with Miller from Wolves (ex Rangers - Alfie Conn and Mo Johnson being the only other two to play for both?), both clubs seem to concentrating more on Scottish players.

Lads its ONE Scottish player each, not a big deal

[OwlsFan]

Throw in Wilson from Dundee Utd, that makes two for Celtic. Wasn't it not long ago in an Old Firm game you'd be doing well to spot a Scottish player ?

[drinkfeckarse]

Lads its ONE Scottish player each, not a big deal

You can't deny that Strachan wants a more Scottish feel about the team. McManus, Wallace, Maloney and Beattie are all regulars and now with 2 more coming on board it definately seems as if that's the way Strachan is looking at it.

[Poor Student]

I think it reflects the limited funds available to both clubs. Consider your team was entirely Scottish, you could only be as good as the national team and well that's not really very good. Rangers have signed a never ending string of decently performing young Scottish talent from other SPL clubs to see them wither away and leave the club, a certain Kenny Miller being one of them himself. I'd imagine Boyd will fall the same way. He looked pretty useless against Motherwell and with Prso fully fit I don't see where he fits in. I think 1998 was the last time Celtic had a significant Scottish contingent in the team with Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Burley, Lambert, Jackson and Donnelly and to a lesser extent O'Donnell. Celtic have also agreed a £700k free for a Hungarian left winger.

[drinkfeckarse]

I think it reflects the limited funds available to both clubs.

Strachan has spent approx £7m since he took over though which is decent money in this day and age especially in Scotland.

[OwlsFan]

I think 1998 was the last time Celtic had a significant Scottish contingent in the team with Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Burley, Lambert, Jackson and Donnelly and to a lesser extent O'Donnell. Celtic have also agreed a £700k free for a Hungarian left winger.

Don't mention O'Donnell. He and Donnelly came to Wednesday and barely kicked a ball between them due to injuries.

[Redtop]

"Since the accident, I have had no sight at all in the eye despite several operations when I was younger," [/B]

imagine what he would have been like if he had sight in his two eyes

[Stevo Da Gull]

Best of luck to Dean, he had no problems picking out the corner of the net in a Edinburgh derby last season unless I'm mistaken so hopefully he'll be right back in the action for Hibs when he's recovered. While talking of Hibs, they got back on track today with a 3-1 win at home to Dunfermline today (2 for Riordan and 1 for Steven Fletcher). The big wins of the day were for Inverness and Rangers who both won 4-1, Livingstone one of those teams beaten 4-1 when they played at Ibrox- ill see if Wes Hoolahan played when I check the text later.

[superfrank]

I talked about Dean with SDG yesterday, will he be wearing an eye-patch when he returns?

[Hibs4Ever]

I talked about Dean with SDG yesterday, will he be wearing an eye-patch when he returns?

Deano will most likely get a prostetic eye

[Hibs4Ever]

Very good win for the Hibees on Saturday, 3 quality goals.

Bring on the derby next weekend (although Setanta find Inverness v Rangers more thrilling )


A win in the bus shelter and we're 2 points behind the Jambos



GGTTH

[stickyjoe]

agree with you there H4E. How do Setanta find Inveness v Rangers at that 3 sided stadium more attractive then the edinburgh derby(2nd v 3rd) !

[Hibs4Ever]

agree with you there H4E. How do Setanta find Inveness v Rangers at that 3 sided stadium more attractive then the edinburgh derby(2nd v 3rd) !

Setanta say its because they can only show 4 games from each ground per year. What that means is all celtic and rangers away games

The Edinburgh derbys great matches with amazing atmospheres

[drinkfeckarse]

Setanta say its because they can only show 4 games from each ground per year. What that means is all celtic and rangers away games

The Edinburgh derbys great matches with amazing atmospheres

Agree totally with you and both points. I'd much prefer to watch the Edinburgh derby this weekend and it should be no contest as which one to show.

Realistically though, Setanta know they are likely to get a lot more people paying for pay per views with either of the Old Firm regardless of who they are playing.

[Stuttgart88]

Just a general comment but I think Chris Sutton has already shown his class in 2 games in the English Premiership. Much underrated player in England, I hope he continues to do well.

[Junior]

Agree totally with you and both points. I'd much prefer to watch the Edinburgh derby this weekend and it should be no contest as which one to show.

Realistically though, Setanta know they are likely to get a lot more people paying for pay per views with either of the Old Firm regardless of who they are playing.

Yep but would you agree if it was Celtic playing @ Inverness? I know I'd want to see my team.

However, the only way Setanta are going to get more interest from Non Celtic or Rangers fans is by gradually showing a more balanced choice of games. Edinburgh, Tayside derbies etc... any clash involving top 5 teams.

Its would have to be a gradual transition though, as undoubtedly the SPL Financial Model for Setanta is largely weighted towards revenue from celtic and Rangers supporters.

Just a general comment but I think Chris Sutton has already shown his class in 2 games in the English Premiership. Much underrated player in England, I hope he continues to do well.

IMO apart from Larsson, Sutton was Celtic's most important player during the MON era and definitely his best signing.

I don't know how he has not had another call up for England, when you think Crouch is now 3rd or 4th choice striker? The 'B Team' snub was moons ago and under another manager. I can't believe this has had any bearing on Sven not considering him, and its not as if the FA have any control over Sven in who he should select or not.

Having said all this, He has been injured a lot in the last 12 months and was not showng the interest levels as in past seasons. I've seen highlights of his first 2 games for Birmingham and he's causing defenders all sorts of problems - good luck to him.

Classic Sutton Quote on signing for Celtic. "Im here to put Rangers in there place"

[drinkfeckarse]

Yep but would you agree if it was Celtic playing @ Inverness? I know I'd want to see my team.

True, you'd always want to see your own team but if I'm being honest then I think an Edinburgh derby would appeal more to the many neutrals than Celtic/Rangers away to Inverness.

[ColinR]

is there not some clause in the setanta contract that they can only show something like 2 or 3 games a year from each ground, which is generally when the old firm come to town.

it was mentioned in the papers earlier in the season (and probably earlier in this thread), when hearts where flying, and how it could make things awkward later in the season when choosing which matches to show.

[Poor Student]

is there not some clause in the setanta contract that they can only show something like 2 or 3 games a year from each ground, which is generally when the old firm come to town.

Yep. The clause is quite restrictive. It leads to things like Celtic v Hearts being on a Saturday while Rangers playing a less important team away being live at the weekend.