Source: FOOTYMAD
Looking Ahead At the SPL
The end of the season allows players and fans to re-charge the batteries but that does not mean all will be quiet till August. The 2009-10 season is finally over, culminating in the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday and the Division 1 and 2 play off finals on Sunday and off course Real Radio’s East v West Cup. Dundee United came out victors in the cup final against Ross County 3-0. The play-off’s were won by Cowdenbeath and Forfar respectively, The Blue Brazil winning three-zero against Brechin and The Loons coming out on top by two goals to nil.In the Real Radio cup Alan Rough’s West team defeated Ewan Cameron’s East by 3 goals to nil.However, our attention will now be drawn to what’s going on off the field of play. So much is happening especially with our SPL clubs at the moment. Will Rangers be bought over, or will there be a mass exodus from Ibrox over the close season including the manager? If they manage to sell players, will the bank keep the money resulting in a Rangers youth team playing in the SPL next season and in Europe?Gus McPherson has been sacked by St.Mirren. Who will replace him? Bookies favourite Billy Stark has played down any link with him to the Buddies job.Will Jimmy Calderwood stay at Kilmarnock? He has already stated that it will depend on the chairman’s plans for the future of the club. He said after the win over Falkirk when asked if he would be staying at Kilmarnock. " I will see what the plans are. I wouldn't like to go through much more of this," Calderwood told reporters, "If the plans are they want to get into the top six then that's different. But if it's just survival then I'll see you at Christmas time or something." Who will be the new manager at Celtic? Neil Lennon did a great job steering the Hoops to eight league wins in a row including an ‘Old Firm’ victory, but will the defeat in the Scottish Cup semi Final to Ross County be the deciding factor against him getting the post.Hibs are to release four players at the moment, Yves Ma – Kalambay, Abdessalam Benjelloun, Darren McCormack and Patrick Clegg have all been told their contracts will not be renewed, across the city at Hearts Laryea Kingston, Michael Stewart, Jose Concalves and Christian Nade have been told likewise.It seems at the moment that players leaving clubs rather than new faces coming in is the priority for managers. It all comes down to the financial difficulties facing most of our teams.Before the season starts we will have the small matter of our clubs entering the European competitions, Rangers in the Champions League, Celtic in the qualifying. In the Europa League we will have Dundee United, Hibs and Motherwell.So all in all a great deal will be happening during the close season and some questions will have to be answered before we resume SPL activities on 14 August. Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
