Craig Burley: Bore of the same in 2014 for Scottish Football

[ian1964 10,826]

The bright spots of 2013's Scottish Football may not be bright enough to light up 2014 according to Craig Burley, as lack of a competitive top flight darkens our game.

 

 

 

THE new year promises more of the same on the domestic front – and it’s boring as hell.

 

So desperate have we become that the upturn of the national team under Gordon Strachan and the splattering of talented kids at ?Dundee United have people clinging to some sort of hope.

 

But there can be no sane person left in the country who actually believes fans are better served with Rangers trawling the lower leagues while Celtic canter to another title.

 

Since their side tumbled out of Europe, Hoops fans have headed for the hills on match days.

 

Talk of an unbeaten league run has failed to stop punters going for a Saturday afternoon supermarket sweep with the missus.

 

Rangers’ winning streak ended at the hands of Stranraer but who was really buying into club records when those wins came against the window cleaner and your postman?

 

Can’t we just be honest with ourselves Scotland’s top league needs a competitive edge back – even if it’s just a two-horse race.

 

Although they are playing in different leagues now, there has been more squabbling between the Old Firm than I care to remember.

 

But while the Glasgow giants continue to bicker there have been some changes for the good and some crumbs of comfort.

 

Once most of us have enjoyed the World Cup in Brazil we can look forward to qualification for France 2016 under Strachan.

 

So far the signs are encouraging so let’s hope that snowballs into the Euro qualifiers.

 

Youngsters are the lifeblood of the national team and Dundee United might provide a few top talents.

 

That will be a testament to the work done by my old team-mate Jackie McNamara and his staff.

 

Jackie and I both played for Scotland under Craig Brown and he decided it was pipe and slippers time earlier this year.

 

Craig didn’t get enough credit but his departure at Aberdeen offered Derek McInnes an avenue back into the game. He has given the Dons some vigour and added a bit of quality to the squad.

 

His side lost to Motherwell on Boxing Day and that left the Steelmen in second spot. Stuart McCall has turned down chances to move on from Fir Park and that looks like a good decision as Well continue to ride high despite losing some key players.

 

Last year Ross County gaffer Derek Adams was the best thing since sliced bread and the next top prospect.

 

But 12 months later the only reason County don’t prop up the league is the 15-point penalty for Hearts.

 

And what a shame it is to see another great institution in Scottish football head for the lower leagues.

 

But however tough it seems for Gary Locke and the Jambos, they will come back stronger.

 

On the other side of Edinburgh, Hibs seem to have finally made a wise choice in appointing Terry Butcher as manager.

 

The stadium and training ground are all in place but now Terry has to get it right on the field.

 

The big man’s departure from Inverness will have been a blow ?and it will be interesting to see how new gaffer John Hughes copes.

 

Kilmarnock’s fans have been in a bun fight with chairman Michael Johnson while League Cup-winning boss Danny Lennon has avoided the axe at St Mirren after a dodgy start to the new campaign.

 

The start to next season will be vital for our game as Celtic bid to reach the Champions League and Scotland start the Euro 2016 campaign.

 

If results go pair shaped for both then we are stuffed once more.

 

Unless you’re still of the persuasion that the ?domestic game is flying high.

[der Berliner 4,035]

Since their side tumbled out of Europe, Hoops fans have headed for the hills on match days.

 

Looking for sheep or what?

 

Rangers’ winning streak ended at the hands of Stranraer but who was really buying into club records when those wins came against the window cleaner and your postman?

 

Yep, cupfinals each week, not just once against Morton ... oh, and lest we forget - for all the rubbish about the reconstruction saving Scottish football - the Blue Pound sure does more for Fourth and Third tier teams than the "SPL"/SFA can ever hope to do.

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

I'm not sure how anyone could argue with what he's saying there.

[Doc 280]

The bright spots of 2013's Scottish Football may not be bright enough to light up 2014 according to Craig Burley, as lack of a competitive top flight darkens our game.

 

 

The start to next season will be vital for our game as Celtic bid to reach the Champions League and Scotland start the Euro 2016 campaign.

 

If results go pair shaped for both then we are stuffed once more.

 

Unless you’re still of the persuasion that the ?domestic game is flying high.

 

Can't say I agree about wanting Septic to do well and I've given up waiting for another new dawn with Scotland. The deeper Septic sink into the general mire the better I'll like it.

[ian1964 10,826]

Our league will not be boring next season, in fact it will be the most interesting league in Scotland, and no BHEASTS to ruin it.

[TheWee BlueDevil 0]

I'm not sure how anyone could argue with what he's saying there.

 

Not my favourite pundit by a long way, but he is not far wrong with that assessment to be honest.