Third of a Season Review

We are roughly at the third of the way part of the season so with an International Break upon us it is a good time to review the season so far.

Celtic - all the press and talk has been on how badly Celtic have played this season. No fluidity to their play. Players sold and not replaced. New defence needed. Failure to qualify for the CL group stages and an indifferent start to the EL group stage with a tough draw against the two heavily funded Red Bull teams. Late defeats to the likes of Hearts and Kilmarnock have seen Celtic fans displayed their anger at Rodgers for not seeing what is blatantly obvious with the team being so negative on the pitch. Rival fans mocking the team as they believe they are so much better.

But is it all masking the fact that yes Celtic got off to a slow start but are actually finding the form of 2 seasons ago and despite all the negativity still find themselves top of the league, into a cup final and still in with a shout of qualifying for the EL knock out stages.

Rangers - The juggernaut is ripping up the league and Europe. the Stevie G express is in full flow. The media and fans views is that Gerrard is doing an amazing job. A lot of signings and all receiving rave reviews at time eg Coulibally will rip the league up. Solid defence, amazing wingers and full backs who can put a cross in from anywhere to where it is needed. A £20M striker banging goals in for fun. the fans lavish the manager with praise at every turn. Europe has been a huge success so far. Qualifying for the EL group stages from the first knock out round. Away draw in Spain and victory v Rapid Vienna has seen fans clamour for flights to Baku for the final for when they qualify.

But is all the positivity and the build up of the European games actually masking how indifferent the team have been. Third in the league despite all the positive play, out of the league cup and in a very open EL group that anyone could qualify from. Not any better off than under Pedro but with the Stevie G effect it is viewed so differently. Has this season so far been a success or not?


Hearts - The team to beat. Top of the table for so long. A team borne of hardwork and effort with grafters in every part of the field. A seemingly unstoppable force. Injuries have seen them fall off the track but was it injury to key men that seen them falter or a lack of depth in the squad or was it confidence that kept them winning for so long?

Has it been a good season or was it just a decent start that will be forgotten about by the end of the season. Out of the league cup and knocked off top spot by Celtic, are Hearts genuinely second place contenders or will they fall away?


Aberdeen - the slowest start to a season they have had for a number of years but arguably the form team of late. Sitting mid table but only 5 points with a game in hand off second spot which has been their for the past 4 years. Into yet another cup final.

Are they genuine contenders for second spot or will they continue to have highs and lows. A cert for the top half of the table but a lot of recovery needed for a challenge to the second spot

Hibs - the opposite of Aberdeen. A terrific start has seen the wagon collapse and are in the midst of a poor run of form that has seen then plummet down the table. At one point they were an Edinburgh derby away from topping the table and now sit in 8th.

Will they find the fire and performances to get into the top half or has the Lennon effect started to wear of and their key players will start to look elsewhere.

Livingston - the shock team of the season so far. Expected to go straight back down and give St Mirren a crumb of comfort in not being strong enough for the league. They have set themselves up to be hard to beat but also lack a real threat in attack. their home form on a tight ground and astro pitch is their strength and will do well at home where draws with the likes of Celtic and wins over the likes of Rangers have seen them sit in the top half of the table for much of the season.

Will they start to fall away or will their home form keep them in with a chance of the top half?


Summary
Celtic for all the negativity are still top of the league, in a final and in Europe. Rangers despite all the positivity are still in third, still on a par with their level of Pedro and have less points in Europe that Celtic.

My predictions
Celtic will win the league with Rangers in second place 9/10 points adrift.

Aberdeen will pip Hearts to third place and Hibs will pip Livingston to the top half places.

St Mirren and Dundee will occupy the bottom two places for the entire season.

In Europe Celtic will go out of the EL at the group stage while Rangers will progress (I also predict Celtic will go out with more points than Rangers will get for progressing)