At 32, I'm lucky enough to remember the good old pre seasons of the '90s when Rangers, Celtic, and to a lesser degree Aberdeen were busy in the transfer market.
It was an exciting time. Rangers were linked with some truly big names and even landed quite a few of them. Guys were leaving the top teams in Italy, Spain and England to sign up at Ibrox.
Celtic were coming out the doldrums too, with big name quality stars like Di Canio, Van Hooidonjk and Cadete arrving at Parkhead.
The standard of player coming to the Old Firm now is truly second rate compared to these guys.
Celtic and Rangers are now signing the scraps Aberdeen and co used to feed on - ie Championship (Second Division) players.
Guys like Hooper, Lafferty, are the kind of guys who would have ended up at Pittodrie in the mid 90s. Let's not kid ourselves on.
It's getting poorer every year - the Old Firm are now struggling to compete with Championship clubs for Championship players.
We've reached a new low.
How the hell is it going to get any better?
Worst pre-season ever?
posted on 22/6/11
SJb,
I think it's way too early to say that about Kayal, Izzy and Jelly.
They are up against sub standard opposition every week, and the Celtic pair especially have yet to prove they can hack it in Europe where the standard is much higher.
posted on 22/6/11
i think kayal in europe would be an asset, in the right midfield, celtic werent settled enough for europe last year, im hoping this year with brown, kayal, ledley, commons, in the midfield will be more settled and prepared for the challenge.
izzys a bit more of a forward thinker though, that could leave us exposed, im thinking 3-5-2 for europe.
posted on 22/6/11
Neils naivety was exposed in europe, gung-ho no worky!
He will have learned and expect 4-5-1 away in europe, maybe even the reason he gave Samaras a new deal.
posted on 22/6/11
Good article mate
I must admit that up until last year, I used to get excited about the prospect of signing great quality players, only to be disappointed. Now though, I just expect to sign up a much lower quality of player.
posted on 22/6/11
I think it's way too early to say that about Kayal, Izzy and Jelly.
They are up against sub standard opposition every week, and the Celtic pair especially have yet to prove they can hack it in Europe where the standard is much higher.
=========================
If i'm not mistaken Kayal has played more than 10 games in the Eroupe for Maccabi Haifa.
I really dont feel I need to see them in europe before saying that they would have got into the team of the past because I have watched the teams of the past and know from watching them week in week out that Izaguirre is the best left back Celtic have had since I was old enough to watch Celtic and kayal is the best all round midfielder Since McStay.
But thats just my opinion.
posted on 22/6/11
What I do find funny about this is isnce rangers went on there financial decline, we have probabaly had our best seasons in Europe
UEFA final, last 32 nad 16 of the CL league.
When we had our so called Euro/world class players we were getting humped of Grasshopper Zurich.
posted on 22/6/11
LennyisfromVenus,
Granted, that is a strange one, though I think our ultra defensive tactics now, and our niaive Euro gung-ho tactics of the mid 90s can explain some of that.
Is it also a coincidence that our Champs league run in 92/93 was a team largely dominated by Scots, as was our Uefa cup final run?
posted on 22/6/11
I relly think it is that very thing Maryhillbear, we need to keep the player who knows all about the jersey and mix in with one or two class player.
I like to call it the Ne Zealand World Cup 2010 phenomenon, pride and heart overcomes reputations!
posted on 22/6/11
True - and it could, just could, be the reason, why we pipped Celtic's foreign legion to the title...
posted on 22/6/11
Love to see Timmy advocating 5-4-1 formation after all they said about Walter adopting it.
Rangers... only team to go to Old Trafford last year and not concede a goal.
Where Rangers lead, others follow.
WATP