Rangers still favourites?

Firstly, may I offer apologies to those who take the time to browse my blog for the lack of activity over the past few weeks, but my internet connection has been down and I’ve had a hell of a rime trying to get it back up and running. Don’t get me started on Virgin Media. Although, amidst my offline purgatory, imagine my delight when I see the architect of all my troubles, Richard ‘Bee Gee’ Branson, crashing into a wall and ripping the arse clean out his trousers while attempting to bungee off a hotel for some publicity stunt. That’s Karma for you, Richard.

Anyway, back to the football. It’s been an astonishing few weeks for the Scottish game but I feel nothing I say regarding the national side will enlighten anybody so let’s just say it’s going to be a cracker at Hampden against the Italians and it seems the whole nation can’t wait.

On the domestic front, the league is shaping up nicely and Rangers’ 3-0 steamrolling of an impotent Celtic side last weekend must have left Hoops fans disgusted. Their lack of invention allied to an unforgivable lack of fight poses a number of questions, and I don’t think Rangers will have as easy an Old Firm win for a long time.

Strachan’s big names are not performing when it matters. Nakamura, Donatti, Hesselink and Brown have, for me, been largely disappointing. I know it seems odd to be writing this when Celtic sit top of the league, but I suspect there’s a lack of confidence at Parkhead at the moment. Whereas, over in Govan, Rangers seem to be growing as a team and look capable of going on a decent run.

I think the run-up to Christmas will prove decisive in the outcome of the league this year. Celtic, as they have shown in recent years, may respond to the Old Firm and Euro defeat in the best way possible and go five games unbeaten. Rangers, conversely, have been known to follow up great Euro nights with lacklustre domestic form. Only time will tell. However, on current form and confidence, I stick to my original prediction that Rangers will win the league.

Random Irritations:

The absence of Derek Riordan in the Scottish game, particularly when it’s patently obvious he is good enough to be involved at Parkhead.

The refusal of the Scottish press to pursue Strachan on this matter.

Mark Hateley’s inane and embarrassingly partisan column in the Daily Record.

We're on top of the world...

Has there been a better time to be a football fan in Scotland over the past twenty years or so than now?
Tonight, Celtic completed a remarkable treble which has seen the national team beat France, Rangers humble Lyon and Celtic beat AC Milan.
There's now a belief in the country that we can compete with the best at both national and club level. If we can maintain that mentality then we may just end up at the Euros next year. I'm loving every minute of it and the games can't come quick enough. Bring on Barcelona, Benfica, Italia et al. The sooner the better.

And another thing...
I hope one drunken nutter doesn't get Celtic hammered by UEFA. What more can the Old Firm do to contain individuals hell-bent on causing trouble?
Rangers were fined for a similar incident last year, let's hope Celtc only get the same.
As for Dida, he should be banned for life. Feigning serious injury in light of recent deaths on football pitches is despicable. I wonder what guys like Gattuso think about him. Not a lot, presumably.