Can anyone even make Rangers or Celtic work for the title?

[miko]

I think not, but hopefully someone will. Hearts have the best chance, and what are they for the title?250-1.

[SJFC4ever]

Dundee United might be worth a look if they get off to a good start. Excellent young manager, a millionaire owner and some good signings in the summer. They took three of Falkirk's best players (Samuel, Coyle, Kerr), two of Partick's best players (Archibald and Paterson) and McInnes from WBA. So they should be good if they come together quickly.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

I put something on united, McColl seems like a manager that when he puts together a team, no matter how cheaply, they get results on a consistant basis.

[TimBhoy]

Dundee, owner putting £5 m into the club. Oh and they duffed up Motherwell yesterday.

[Fireball_Dan]

I doubt anyone will this year. Though maybe in a few years time if they go far in Europe (beyond the 2nd round of UEFA Cup).

[urtel]

The SPL could place restrictions on players and salary.

eg: A salary cap and so many non-Scottish are allowed to be on the team.

Or, a rich Russian oil-tycoon could buy a Scottish team, spend millions on players and see what happens.

[markdickson]

Originally posted by urtel


Or, a rich Russian oil-tycoon could buy a Scottish team, spend millions on players and see what happens.

Dundee have a mad Italian lawyer!

And when Dundee Utd lose at Tynecastle on Saturday :) that will be played 3 lost 3 for McCall and his team of world beaters!!!

[markdickson]

On the subject of a title challenger there are only so many teams which can win each league.

In England its one of 5 (Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool) with Blackburn 6th favourites at something like 150-1.

In Scotland only Celtic or Rangers will win the league (Celtic this season) but it could be worse.

In Germany & Ukraine on one team can win the league!

[Parkhead_Faithful]

5 is generous, maybe on paper but in reality it usually becomes a two horse race, 3 or 4 teams in it max.

[SJFC4ever]

I think the problem with our league isn't so much the points difference or the odds of another team winning the league, but the lack of competition on a game by game basis, particularly in Glasgow.

The away games for the OF are usually reasonably competitive (Celtic have already drawn, and Rangers fell behind at Aberdeen), but both the OF have ridiculous winning streaks against the other teams at home. This means that TV only usually shows the OF away from home, since the result in Glasgow is as close to a certainty as you can get.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

That said SJ celtics record at home over the last few years is exceptional in both domestic and european competitions, noone beats us at home, less said about the huns the better ........ ;)

[SJFC4ever]

After today's 3-0 loss at Hearts, Dundee United's record reads like this:

P3 W0 D0 L3 F1 A10 Pts0

I guess I that I get things wrong sometimes, :D

[markdickson]

Originally posted by SJFC4ever
After today's 3-0 loss at Hearts, Dundee United's record reads like this:

P3 W0 D0 L3 F1 A10 Pts0

I guess I that I get things wrong sometimes, :D

They face Rangers next week!!!

The OF had to work hard for victorys today. Hibs led twice and missed a penalty before losing 5-2 to Rangers, while Celtic needed a dodgy penalty to see off Thistle.

The radio said that McManaus' goal would be goal of the season already!

I didn't see it but Mark de Vries scored a stunning third goal for Hearts today.

[rwright92688]

Originally posted by markdickson
The OF had to work hard for victorys today.

Working hard for a victory still means ... a victory. I don't think the OF will be unseated by goal differential.

As for Dundee Utd., I hope the gel soon. It seems like they got what they wanted and another year of battling against relegation in the last week of the season will be heart-wrenching!

[afgrijselijkheid]

NO

[Holyjoe]

I don't think the OF will be unseated by goal differential.

Let's not forget that last season the title almost came down to goal difference... yes it was the OF battling each other, but neither of them can really say "well ,goals don't matter much" as they possibly could.

[kerpow]

Who is this new rich guy at Dundee. Some one on 606 said he would try and buy the title. Any chance of this happening?

[just Packrat]

Di Stefano might try to buy Dundee the title, but he won't even get close.

[kerpow]

I saw they bagged Ravenelli recently. Yeah he's old but thats what they said what Ca*#*#*#*#*# went to Scotland aswell.

[markdickson]

I honestly thought that Hearts & Dundee would compete this season but the OF have won quite easily there in recent matches and it looks like they are in a league of their own!