Now all the major league positions are sorted here are my thoughts on the season for what it's worth.
Celtic 8/10 (6 if you count Europe).
Congratulations to Celtic. I certainly didn't see them winning the league thus year and add the league cup as a wee bonus. Ange has certainly done well and it will be interesting to see what happens over the summer. As someone mentioned on an earlier thread they need to spend £12m approx just to stand still. However I do think the Japanese players will be better next year only playing one season of football and only in one league. Ange has done well finding some bargains and this may be required again with the huge outlays required to keep Jota and CCV(if they choose to stay).
Improvement in Europe probably required as a target along with domestic success.
Rangers 7/10(9 if you count Europe).
To come 2nd in what was predicted by many as a one horse race may seem bad but I think that would be disingenuous to how well Celtic have done. Rangers this year where in reality only two games behind Celtic so there is not a lot between the teams currently. In Europe Rangers have been a revelation and even if they fall short at the final it has been a supreme effort to even get there. Winning that trophy will keep the league tight for a few years with both teams getting access to champions League money. Also the small matter of the Scottish cup so a possible cup double should keep Rangers fans happy heading into next season. Lose both? That will be a real test for the manager. Good luck.
Hearts. 7/10
Easily best of the rest and possible cup win to come. Can't see anyone touching hearts third spot currently ( but then I didn't see Celtic winning the league). A possible point for hearts to look at are up front and gk. Up front I think they have done ok this year but that's manly from loan players I think so that could be an issue next year. Also we have seen at rangers McGregor starting to decline and same could happen with Gordon so a good back up may be required. Other than that I don't see anything for hearts fans to fear from the teams below them.
Dundee United 6.5/10
Would have given a 7 because 4th place with something like the 6th biggest budget is success but it is the lowest point tally ever to achieve this so points more to other teams being poor this year rather than Dundee United being good. Still a European place and the extra money are a bonus this year and hopefully a good summer window might make us in contention for 4th spot again in what I would imagine a higher point scoring top of the league. Points to be addressed a goal scorer or two because if McNulty is the answer I don't know what the question was. Also a replacement for Levitt which will be difficult as the boy is class. Not given up all hope of him being at United next season but it's not the most likely scenario. Also a new keeper will be needed when Benji goes. Talks apparently with Clark from st Johnstone happening I wouldn't be to unhappy with this.
Everyone else pants.
Dundee down ha ha.
Season review.
posted on 15/5/22
they need to spend £12m approx just to stand still
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Or they could avoid £12m of outgoings by sales and transfers. Not saying anything is afoot other than the two already announced but sales are still our business model which we have been pretty ruthless at executing and Ange appears predisposed towards ruthlessness and assertive action as well?
Expect exits for Barkas, Ajeti, Julien, Soro, Dembele, Bolingoli, Urhoghide and possibly more?
posted on 15/5/22
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 38 minutes ago
they need to spend £12m approx just to stand still
——————————————————————-
Or they could avoid £12m of outgoings by sales and transfers. Not saying anything is afoot other than the two already announced but sales are still our business model which we have been pretty ruthless at executing and Ange appears predisposed towards ruthlessness and assertive action as well?
Expect exits for Barkas, Ajeti, Julien, Soro, Dembele, Bolingoli, Urhoghide and possibly more?
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I'm sure these factors are true, they may make 12m through sales and wages being released. However that wouldn't automatically mean an extra 12m on top of the transfer budget. I think we will see to what level the board are backing Ange if they do stay and we can see who else comes in.
posted on 15/5/22
I do feel that we get bogged down talking about transfer fees when the key indicator to success is wages paid.
With the money both Rangers and Celtic have access to now I can imagine the wage bills will jump again, further separating them from the rest.
The same will be true for Hearts, which does potentially give them the opportunity to close the gap on the top two if they can consistently beat the rest of the league. If they get things very right in the summer they could even launch a title challenge.
posted on 15/5/22
As for us, a fair assessment. I've been bored too often watching us and I want to see more entertaining attacking play next season.
Hard to criticise Courts with what he's achieved, but I'm hoping to see him improve next season in regards the attacking shape.
posted on 15/5/22
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic (U5291)
posted 1 minute ago
As for us, a fair assessment. I've been bored too often watching us and I want to see more entertaining attacking play next season.
Hard to criticise Courts with what he's achieved, but I'm hoping to see him improve next season in regards the attacking shape.
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Just as Celtic have a model of buying talent and selling the successes on to the EPL, I think United need a realistic model of buying similar talent and selling on to Celtic and maybe Rangers if the latter doesn't upset the fans too much?
posted on 15/5/22
Too early to assess Rangers, if we win the European trophy I’d give us a ten.
If we lose both finals could say a 6, with Europa dragging it up from a 2.
posted on 15/5/22
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 54 minutes ago
comment by IvanGolacIsMagic (U5291)
posted 1 minute ago
As for us, a fair assessment. I've been bored too often watching us and I want to see more entertaining attacking play next season.
Hard to criticise Courts with what he's achieved, but I'm hoping to see him improve next season in regards the attacking shape.
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Just as Celtic have a model of buying talent and selling the successes on to the EPL, I think United need a realistic model of buying similar talent and selling on to Celtic and maybe Rangers if the latter doesn't upset the fans too much?
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Our model is evidently around selling our youth players. It's why we've played ~16 of them this season. I suspect we'll have more senior players like Mulgrew to help bring them on.
I imagine we'll hope to cash in on Ross Graham in the next 12 months.
posted on 15/5/22
I think 7/10 is about right for the Gers domestically (maybe going up to 8 if we win the Cup and up to 9 if we win the Europa League - which will be particularly difficult).
posted on 17/5/22
United started well, had a terrible period and then finished strongly.
Can't say it has been pleasing on the eye but 4th and Europe, I'll take that. McNulty for me has been poor. Although if a player has been injured he should be match fit before being brought back into the team. Not the case here imo. McDonald while acknowledging his health problem he should be given a six month deal at best.
Harkes can go along with Butcher, Hoti & Biamou. Sporle away already and what's this with the Finnish keeper wanting out?
So we are needing a goalie and midfielders who actually do creative and inventive play. A big striker in the mould of Tomas Pekhart and wingers. Wouldn't mind getting Michael O'Halloran if he is free as one winger.
posted on 17/5/22
comment by Arabs4ever (U3310)
posted 7 minutes ago
United started well, had a terrible period and then finished strongly.
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Happened to me with the wife. Nasty business.