The Business End of the Season

In most previous seasons, there were clear front runners, but in every case they were Rangers o Celtic. But not this season, which is, I believe, good for our game as there is a media buzz about it, not just in Scotland but in the UK and indeed beyond.Let's look at the contenders. Hearts are going well under Derek Mclnnes and have been top of the table for most of the season.  It's been 34 years since the Edinburgh club was top of the table for much of the season, and we all know how that finished. 

Meanwhile the ‘big two’ have changed their managers just a few times. For Celtic, it began with Brendan Rodgers leaving the club in October, to be replaced by Martin O'Neill for an interim period with former player Shaun Maloney as his assistant.  Then there was Wilfred Nancy from MLS side Columbus Crew, who was just in charge for 33 days, after losing six of his eight matches, including a 3-1 defeat to Rangers. In his first game in charge Celtic lost to Hearts, and also suffered a major defeat by St Mirren in the League Cup final.  As a result, Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney are now back and in charge for the remainder of the season.At the other side of the mean city, Russell Martin was in charge for just for 17 games. At that time, Rangers were eighth and trailing leaders Hearts by 11 points. Since then, Danny Rohl has been brought in and not just steadied the ship but got them in arguably the best form of any of the three teams challenging for the title.

One of those three clubs will win the Premiership, but for me the team that has been playing the most attractive football is Motherwell.  Jens Berthel Askou replaced Michael Wimmer when the latter quit the Steelmen due to family reasons.  They were outside contenders in the title race for a time, but have fallen behind the top three in recent weeks but it’s still a great achievement and something that Motherwell fans probably never envisaged at the start of the campaign. Another team that has had a good season is Falkirk. Back in the big-time and with John McGlynn in contention for manger of the year, they have shown not just togetherness and a good team spirit but have also played some great football.The final team in the top six are Hibs.  While their fans can say this has been a good achievement, they will, I think, agree that their club have been too inconsistent.

In the bottom six are League Cup holders St Mirren, who currently sit 10^th.  With just a few games to go manager Stephen Robinson left to join Aberdeen and in his place interim boss Craig McLeish seems to have improved the Buddies’ performances. Robinson meantime, after a difficult first few games in charge at Pittodrie, oversaw a win against Hibs that may just turbo-charge the Dons’ season and remove and talk of relegation. This, remember, is the Aberdeen side that won the Scottish Cup last season, but since that game haven't been the same team.  Dundee still in 9th have improved massively over the course of the season under Stephen Presley. Their neighbours, Dundee United, are currently in 7th and will be fine.Neil McCann, now back in the dugout at Kilmarnock with Billy Dodds as his assistant, seems to have made a difference to Kilmarnock, but at time of writing they are still in the play-off spot with Livingston. The latter are, sorry Livi fans, doomed.  

One of the best leagues outside the Premiership is the Championship. I really enjoy the Friday night game on Free to Air BBC Scotland. It really does  put the Championship on the map (and not having VAR, well, that's a bonus!).Overall, it's been a great season, even if the quality of the football is not perhaps what it has been in the past. Real competition for the top two Divisions has made this a much more enjoyable campaign and, of course, we have the World Cup to come.  And here’s a final thought:  does Hearts’ brilliant season, allied to the financial muscle of Tony Bloom, mean it's not all about Celtic and Rangers any more?  Let’s hope so as it will make Scottish football far more attractive to a much wider audience.   

Michael McEwan, Ops Team, The SFU