Points of the Week

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP

RANGERS ARE YEARS FROM CHALLENGING FOR THE TITLE

On April 29 2012, Celtic ran out 3-0 victors against their Old Firm adversaries, Rangers – it would be their last meeting for almost three years. Few would have predicted the downfall that awaited Rangers, and that it would be over 1000 days before the Gers next tested themselves against their arch-rivals. Yet, in early November, Celtic and Rangers were drawn to meet in the semi-finals of the League Cup. Sunday’s game couldn’t have highlighted the staggering differences any more – both off-and-on the field.

Rangers entered the match sitting second in the Championship, 16 points behind Hearts, and with a manager who has already handed in his resignation – the second time that has happened to Rangers in the past couple of months. For most teams in difficulties, being relegated to the bottom tier of the league structure would offer them the chance to re-organise their club and build for a better future – Hearts being a perfect example, after their troubles last season. It has been the complete opposite at Ibrox.

Almost three years since their demise, Rangers are still no closer to sorting out their ownership troubles – that’s another story, and one that I’m not interested in writing about. But on the field things have also been a shambles. Ally McCoist must take the blame for some of this. Despite being in League 2 he opted to sign some of the best-of-the-rest players from the Scottish Premiership, luring the likes of Jon Daly and Ian Black to join their crusade – what wages must they be on if they rejected Premiership opportunities to join League 2 Rangers? Surely being in the bottom tier would’ve been the perfect chance to bring through some young talent; players who could develop at the club and be sold on in years to come? And yet, in the summer, McCoist re-signed Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd, who turned down Aberdeen, and whatever wages they were offering, to re-join Rangers. Both are in the latter stages of their career and neither has been able to replicate their old form. And to rub salt into the wounds, the club let Charlie Telfer join Dundee United on a free, where he’s started to push for a starting place, and sold their one young talent, Lewis Macleod, to Brentford for less than £1 million.

For Celtic the situation couldn’t be any more different. Having won the last three league titles, Ronny Deila looks set to secure the fourth – Aberdeen’s recent hiccup could prove decisive. The Bhoys are still in the Europa League, although they’ll be disappointed at not having reached the Champions League group stages – at least for the financial benefits – and the team have found their rhythm after an inconsistent start under Deila. Celtic have a game-plan on-and-off-the-field. It made them clear favourites for the derby.

Rangers, as underdogs, and with the 4-0 loss to Hibs still fresh in the mind, needed to reach half-time on level terms. The chances of that happening lasted less than ten minutes. Leigh Griffiths met Stefan Johansen’s curling cross, and, awarded too much space by his markers, the Celtic striker nodded the ball into the roof of the net. Hampden, or at least one half of it, erupted as Griffiths ran off in celebration – not one to shy away from controversy, he earned the first booking of the game for cupping his ear towards the Rangers section.

The situation went from bad to worse just after the 20 minute mark. Scott Brown fought for the ball, and, in the midst of the action, the ball was pushed back out into the path of Kris Commons, who directed a thunderous effort straight into the top corner. It could have been 3-0 minutes later had the referee chosen not to bring the game back for a Celtic free-kick, despite the fact that Griffiths had been sent one-on-one with the keeper.

As this stage it seemed that Celtic might go on to make it an embarrassing result for their rivals, but the Hoops seemed to settle for the two-goal cushion. What must have made it an even more frustrating afternoon for Gers supporters was their sides’ inability to threaten Celtic. Rangers lacked pace and creation, and often reverted to directionless long-balls down the field. While the result could’ve been much worse, the performance, and the current state of affairs, must have made it one of the depressing Old Firm games for Rangers fans in their illustrious history.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

STURRIDGE CRUCIAL TO LIVERPOOL’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOPES

There’s still a glimmer of hope for Liverpool supporters dreaming of another season in the Champions League. Neither Manchester United, Arsenal nor Tottenham have grasped the chance to secure third place, and Southampton’s dogged resistance to slipping up has created the possibility that two of the three might miss out on Europe’s premier club competition – I discussed the possible ramifications for Arsenal and United in the last blog. At the time of writing – before Southampton’s match at home to Swansea – the Reds are just five points off third-place United, and four off the Saints, who have the game-in-hand. Quite impressive considering Liverpool had just 22 points from their first 17 games.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are the Premier League’s in-form team, having collected 16 points from their last six games, rocketing them up the table. It’s been quite the turn-around for Rodgers, whose role was coming under scrutiny as fans questioned whether they’d taken a huge back-step in the summer transfer market. But recent performances have been impressive: a three-at-the-back approach has looked solid, with just three goals conceded in those six games, and Emre Can has been particularly impressive outside of his usual role. And now, with 15 matches of the season remaining, Liverpool have another boost: Daniel Sturridge.

While Luis Suarez collected all the accolades for his dazzling performances and 31 league goals, Sturridge contributed almost as much to the team’s surprise title-push. The Englishman scored 21 – 24 in all competitions – meaning the duo recorded a combined 52 league goals all together. So, while Suarez departed for Barcelona, fans still had a proven goal-scorer in Sturridge – at least until he suffered a major injury just three games into the season.

Missing strikers of the combined calibre to notch 52 goals would be almost impossible situation for any manager to cope with. The misfiring Mario Balotelli came under increased pressure as a result, and neither Rickie Lambert nor Fabio Borini have demonstrated enough to warrant a starting place. In recent games Lazar Markovic, Raheem Sterling and Coutinho have started as the front-three, and although the trio are exciting, creative players, none of them has the lethal final touch of Sturridge. It means that the team that had scored 101 league goals last season, have just 33 after 23 games this campaign. It makes Sturridge’s return all the more important.

The Reds’ next four games are against Everton, Tottenham, Southampton and Manchester City, and Liverpool will need to be to pick up at least eight points to keep within touching distance of that desired Champions League place. It’ll help that Sturridge looks to have not missed a beat.

Liverpool already had a one-goal advantage over West Ham when Sturridge made his return in the 68^th minute. A short time later he linked up with Coutinho, who then pushed a return pass back to the striker. Sturridge, in an instant, knocked the ball towards goal, and then thumped a low shot past Adrian. Anfield celebrated as their returning striker performed his much-missed dance.

Points from the Weekend

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

MALLAN MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Stephen Mallan introduced himself to the St Mirren faithful in spectacular fashion. With St Mirren already one ahead at Den’s Park the young midfielder made a successful tackle and started to push ahead. He evaded one challenge, dummied and dribbled past another – the Dundee player fell over – nutmegged a third man as he continued his run, turned inside, avoiding a tackle from the same man, and unleashed a curling shot into the bottom-right corner. The mesmerising goal earned him the instant attention of the manager and the supporters, and has been watched over 700,000 times on YouTube. Despite this, his goal on Saturday was his most important yet.

St Mirren and Ross County have been abject this season – there can be little argument – but with Motherwell still struggling, three points this weekend offered both teams not just the chance to escape the automatic-relegation place, but to also close the gap on the 10^th place Steelmen – a spot that guarantees Premiership competition next season. So, having suffered three defeats since Mallan’s strike helped sink Dundee, could St Mirren’s latest prospect make the difference once again?

Yoann Arquin, signed for the Saints after his release from the Highland club, pushed a long-ball into the path of Mallan. The SPFL Young Player of the Month for December knocked the ball past one defender, dribbled around a second, and drove a hard shot at Antonio Reguero. The County keeper, however, didn’t catch the ball and instead palmed it in the direction of Sean Kelly. The St Mirren left-back made a simple tap-in to send the Saints ahead.

St Mirren continued to push the hosts and came close to a second on a couple of occasions. Despite his move from Dingwall, Yoann Arquin made one last offering to his former club, kicking out at Lewis Toshney and earning himself a straight red. The Staggies began to impose themselves on the match, and Craig Curran should’ve sent the hosts ahead when he went one-on-one with Mark Ridgers; instead, he crumbled under the pressure – he had almost too much time – and tapped a tame effort straight at the St Mirren keeper. County finally made their numerical advantage count with eight minutes remaining. Liam Boyce met a flick-on and, untracked and unmarked, he headed the ball into the net from point-blank range.

But it wasn’t to be for Jim McIntyre’s men. First Ridgers pulled off a reactionary save to deny Jackson Irvine’s strong header, and then St Mirren punished County for poor defending. Kelly and Mallan reversed roles, with the 18-year-old diving low to send Kelly’s cross in for the crucial three points.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

THE BATTLE FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COMMENCES

The Premier League’s top four has become stagnant. The Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal have formed a reformed ‘big four’ in recent seasons, and their spending habits are in danger of cementing their positions long-term. It makes it all the more brilliant that Southampton are, while perhaps not in the long-term, but at least for this season, are threatening to upset the balance.

The Saints were not expected to be challenging for entry into Europe’s premier club competition. In fact, some ‘pundits’ thought Southampton would be scrapping for Premier League survival. The reasons for this have been documented – Ronald Koeman’s managerial skills and their success in the transfer market – and it’s helped that the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal are not performing as they did last season. And the latter are one of the teams in danger of losing out on Champions League football altogether.

It could be argued that Arsenal need a seasons break from the Champions League. Arsene Wenger has spoken of finishing in the top four as a ‘trophy’ – something he’s achieved every season since the 1997/98 campaign – and it’s been a divisive statement among supporters. I’ve spoken to Arsenal fans disillusioned with football; uninspired with the aim of finishing fourth season-after-season and desperate for something more. Wenger’s statement almost confirms his belief that Premier League football is a business – which it’s difficult to argue against – and that the funds generated by entry into the Champions League is the prize. It’s a depressing outlook. But if Southampton take that third place, leaving one spot for several big clubs to fight for, the Gunners could be among those missing out. Would that signal the end of the Wenger era at the Emirates? He’s heard the calls for his resignation numerous times – often proving his critics wrong by reaching the Champions League again – and, by making his ‘fourth place is a trophy’ claim, he might have dug his own grave. Would the loyal supporters still outnumber those calling for his resignation? Would the board be happy without the extra money? Would the players settle for second-rate European competition? Those questions could also be asked of Louis van Gaal at the end of this season.

After Manchester United’s defeat at home to Southampton last weekend, sending Koeman’s side third at their expense, the pressure has started to mount on van Gaal. After spending £150 million in the transfer market, Champions League football should be the aim – at the bare minimum. While the Red Devils are fourth, like Southampton, they’ve benefitted from Liverpool’s struggles and Arsenal’s inconsistencies. That won’t matter at the end of the season – as long as they finish in the top four. It was noted last week that United had the same amount of points from the same number of games as they did under the much-derided David Moyes last season. While van Gaal benefits from better press and from his world class reputation, the Scotsman lacked the £150 million that the Dutchman had to spend. Van Gaal also came under fire this weekend. His stubborn dedication to the 3-5-2 has cost United points this season, and almost did on Saturday. Only with his half-time change to a more traditional 4-4-2 were the visitors able to beat a relegation-threatened QPR. So with some fans already frustrated with his methods, would he be able to survive a season outside the Champions League? Arsenal are just one point behind, putting on the pressure, and they are not the only ones.

Tottenham, West Ham and Liverpool and three, four and five points off United respectively. None of these three sides are expected to challenge, but that doesn’t mean they won’t – or at least affect the outcome. Spurs had a sluggish start under Mauricio Pochettino but have improved, although they are pushing their luck with tight wins at the moment, and have quietly snuck up on the Champions League places. West Ham have had a great campaign so far and, although it’s easy to write them off, they still haven’t fallen away yet. Liverpool had a dreadful start but have improved – they have picked up 14 points from their last six matches – and the return of Daniel Sturridge could be just the boost they need to made one last ditch run for a second-consecutive season in the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers’ job could depend on it.

All six teams won at the weekend – Arsenal’s surprise victory at the Etihad being the pick of the bunch – but there’s still 16 games remaining for all the clubs involved. The race for the Champions League has started.

Points from the Weekend

PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH OF THE WEEK: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON

A Dusan Tadic goal helped Southampton record their first victory at Old Trafford since 1988, sending the Saints third in the Premier League table.

The Serbian substitute had an almost immediate impact, creating a clear chance for Graziano Pelle, which the striker sent crashing into the post, and then redirecting the rebound past David de Gea.

The result means United have the same amount of points at the same stage of the season as they did under David Moyes last season.

With Arsenal one point behind the Red Devils, and Tottenham also in the chase, the pressure is mounting on Louis van Gaal to secure Champions League football after his summer spending spree.

Southampton had an energetic start, pressing United back into a defensive position and exploiting the gaps on the flanks. Nathaniel Clyne, going up against his former compatriot Luke Shaw on the right-side, found enough space for a shot but couldn’t direct it on target.

After a rough start United started to settle, dictating the tempo and biding their time for an opening. However, the Saints offered a stout resistance, and the home side resorted to long balls to test the Premier League’s most resilient back-line this season – Southampton have conceded just 15 goals.

With both teams keeping things tight at the back the tempo dropped. United began to dominate possession and started to find more success using their pace, stopping Southampton from retreating and defending in numbers. This forced Saints to remain deep, meaning the game became a drab spectacle: United couldn’t penetrate the Southampton defence and Southampton couldn’t push into the United half.

As the first-half came to an end, Angel di Maria summed it all up. He raced ahead, but realising options were slim he opted to unleash a furious long-range shot at the hoardings – it meant neither side had had a single shot-on-target.

The start to the second-half mirrored events in the first: Southampton threatened from the opening minute but didn’t capitalise on their chances, and, after five minutes, United settled and started to control possession.

As the match passed the 60 minute mark Ronald Koeman’s side looked a little more dangerous than in the first-half. Both managers then made possible game-changing substitutions: van Persie, who looked isolated up front, came off for Ander Herrera – pushing Wayne Rooney into a more attacking role – and Dusan Tadic came on for debutant Eljero Elia. Luke Shaw, after a disappointing display against his former side, was replaced by Tyler Blackett.

And one of the substitutions did have the desired impact. Surrounded by red shirts, Tadic slipped a through ball out to the unmarked Graziano Pelle. The Italian striker slammed a thunderous effort at the post but the rebound rolled out to Tadic, and he directed it into the empty net.

Old Trafford tried to spur the home side on but Juan Mata wasted United’s best chances to equalise.

For the first he missed an almost open goal – Forster was on the ground after botching a clearance – from yards out, sending his shot across the face of the goal. Then, minutes later, he timed a run to perfection and met a curling cross as it reached the six-yard-box at ground level. Mata turned his foot to re-direct the ball but sent it over the crossbar. For the third he stood on the edge of the box and met a pulled back pass – again he sent his first-time shot wide of the mark.

With minutes remaining Pelle had a chance to cement Southampton’s three points, but, perhaps not realising he had his marker beaten, rushed his chance and sent it wide.

The announcement of five minutes being added-on earned a frustrated reaction from the Southampton section of the support. Would Louis van Gaal’s side have a ‘Fergie Time’ finish? No. The Saints held out for a crucial three points.

PARDEW MUST MAKE SELHURST A FORTRESS AGAIN

After a tense final ten minutes, Selhurst Park erupted in celebration. Crystal Palace, under the guidance of Alan Pardew, escaped the relegation zone and leapt up to 15^th in the table. Selhurst had lost its spark during Neil Warnock’s short tenure at Palace; something that had been such a feature as Tony Pulis guided the club to safety last season. But that energy returned against Tottenham, and it’s crucial that Pardew, although he’s kept Palace out of the bottom three for at least a week – QPR, second from bottom, are one point behind – makes use of the atmosphere, and the performances it helps generate.

Pulis, this weekend doing the same job for West Bromich Albion as he did at Selhurst, made Palace’s stadium a formidable ground after his arrival. From the 13 Premier League home games he managed Palace in last season Palace picked up an impressive 23 points – about 1.8 points-per-game. It included the memorable comeback against Liverpool, driving the nail in the Reds’ title campaign, and a tight 1-0 win over Chelsea. Only four teams escaped with the three points: both Manchester clubs, Southampton, and Pardew’s Newcastle.

Compare that to Warnock’s run. The former Sheffield United manager had nine Premier League home matches in charge and mustered a mere eight points – less than a point-per-game. In those nine games Palace notched ten goals, including three against Liverpool, and, mixed with dreary performances and a presence in the relegation zone, it’s obvious why the supporters started to lose faith and quieten, and why a managerial change was needed. Not that the change seemed to make much difference in the opening 20 minutes against Spurs.

There had been little for the home support to cheer. Tottenham had dictated the early stages of the match – Palace had a mere 25% possession – and came within inches of taking the lead: some smart passes cut through the Palace defence and found Christian Eriksen in the centre of the box. The Dane couldn’t handle the pace of the pass and his shot slid past the post.

Over the next 20 minutes Selhurst Park began to warm up: Palace looked comfortable in possession and opportunities started to arise. Martin Kelly, putting on a fine defensive display, began Palace’s best chance on the 35 minute mark. The former Liverpool right-back, operating on the left against Spurs, refused to lose the ball and found James McArthur, who sent an immediate through-ball past the Tottenham defence. Glen Murray found himself one-on-one with the imposing Hugo Lloris, but the Frenchman charged off his line and the shot bounced off the under-side of Lloris’s right arm and bounced out for a corner.

The optimism that had been built in the first-half, and that had continued during the opening moments of the second, was silenced soon after kick-off. Spurs had struggled to create chances, but, as has been the case numerous times this season, Harry Kane created one for himself. The striker, with little space, found the bottom corner from a difficult angle and sent Spurs ahead. But Palace heads didn’t drop.

The Eagles pushed, having 12 shots – just three on target though – compared to Tottenham’s five, and started to control the pace of the game. Pardew, to his credit, also changed the game with some changes: Adlene Guedioura offered some spark in midfield and Wilfred Zaha wreaked havoc on the left-flank.

Then came the moment Selhurst Park had been waiting for. Benjamin Stambouli tripped Joe Ledley, and the referee pointed to the spot. Dwight Gayle didn’t let the tension build, smacking a hard penalty into the bottom corner.

Then, minutes after being denied a second spot-kick – Walker could count himself fortunate after raising his arm to block a cross – Zaha zipped past a couple of Spurs defenders and found Jason Puncheon inside the box. The winger hit a first-time shot past Lloris and Selhurst bounced once more.

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

ALEX HARRIS SWAP PAYS OFF FOR DUNDEE

It’s been a quiet start to the transfer window in Scotland, with perhaps the biggest signing so far being Simon Murray’s £50,000 transfer to Dundee United – although he’ll remain in Arbroath on-loan until the end of the season. The Lichties’ striker has been in clinical form this season, notching 14 goals in 13 League 2 starts and playing a pivotal role in Arbroath’s four point lead at the top of the table.

The other, more surprising, major signing – or signings – is Alex Harris’s loan to Dundee, which saw striker Martin Boyle being sent in the opposite direction. It might come as a surprise due to the fact that Harris has been a bit-part player at Easter Road this season. He made four starts – and eight substitute appearances – before departing for Den’s Park. So why did Dundee make the move?

Dundee have set-up in a 4-2-3-1 for most of the season, with David Clarkson as the lone striker and Greg Stewart as the man cutting in from the left – Gary Harkins and Paul McGowan have also fitted into the system. But two things the Dees have lacked are width and pace; both things Harris offers. He made his debut against Motherwell on Saturday, making an immediate impact.

Just three minutes into the match Harris latched onto a pass from McGowan, turned inside – running at the Steelmen’s nervous defence – and unleashed a hard shot that bounced off Mark O’Brien and into the net.

Five minutes later Dundee added a second – Stewart getting his ninth league goal after his first shot hit the crossbar – before the visitors reduced the deficit. John Sutton beat Iain Davidson to a cross – the centre-back pairing of Davidson and new signing Kostadin Gadzhalov came in to replace the out-of-form Konrad and McPake – and turned the ball past Scott Bain. Gary Irvine capitalised on Dan Twardzik dropping a corner, sliding the ball into the empty net. O’Brien then rounded off his dreadful game by running into his own keeper and conceding the fourth.

Harris had three other great chances during the game and his pace injected some energy into the sometimes sluggish Dundee attack. It’ll be interesting to see how he’ll effect the Dundee attack in weeks to come.

IS THERE LIFE AFTER NEIL FOR HAMILTON?

Scottish clubs are suspicious of success. It can bring honours, funds, fans – it also brings attention. No club outside of the Old Firm can afford to challenge either Rangers or Celtic, or English clubs, in wages or the chance to further one’s career, and there are numerous examples of good teams who’ve had their stars poached. Hamilton have rocketed up the league, including a brief period in peak position, and although the Accies have been unable to rediscover their consistent form, there must still be the nagging question at the back of their fan’s minds: how long can we keep our best players?

Tony Andreu, arguably the front-runner for Player of the Year thus far, and current league top-scorer, must be attracting the attention of some Championship clubs. There’s also the issue of contracts coming to an end, which is the case for most of the Accies’ first-teamers. So as the winter transfer window swung open, it must have come as a surprise to Hamilton fans that the first player to be poached from their squad wasn’t picked for his performances on the pitch, but rather those off it.

Last week Norwich announced the capture of Hamilton player-manager Alex Neil. It landed like a punch to the gut. Under Neil Hamilton reached the Scottish Premiership in entertaining fashion and demolished pre-season expectations that they would sink and return to the Championship the first time of asking. Good players can be replaced; can the manager?

Hamilton are a team that like to build from the inside – Neil was promoted to the first-team managers role after working as the assistant to Billy Reid – so it came as no surprise to hear defender Martin Canning, who has been working with Hamilton’s development side – they are currently at the top of the development division – would be filling in in the short-term. He certainly had the support of the home fans as Dundee United visited New Douglas Park.

It had been a quiet 35 minutes, and neither team could some to unlock the other’s defence. But as the ball came to Stuart Armstrong, 30-yards-out from goal, space opened up and he unleashed a thunderous drive. Michael McGovern dived, his fingers skimming the spinning ball, but he couldn’t get enough purchase to stop the effort.

The stadium announcer hadn’t even finished confirming the half-time change for Hamilton as Gary Mackay-Steven extended United’s lead. He capitalised on Grant Gillespie’s ball-watching – he slipped in as left-back after the change – and came inside for an easy strike.

Canning’s self-imposed exclusion from the side meant Spanish defender Jesus Garcia Tena filled in at centre-back after a recent spell on the bench. Tena repaid the choice by reducing the deficit with a curling, fast free-kick that gave Radoslaw Cierzniak.

13 minutes later and Ali Crawford levelled the score. Andreu released a well-timed through ball that cut out the United defence and sent Crawford one-on-one with Cierzniak. The Polish keeper reacted quickly, but could only block the first shot – the ball took a favourable bounce back towards Crawford and he lofted it back into the empty net.

But any hopes of an amazing comeback ended in the 77^th minute, as Sean Dillon, offered too much space by the Accies, used his strength to header Chris Erskine’s corner into the roof of the net.

McGovern pulled off some excellent saves to deny Armstrong, Erskine and Nadir Ciftci, but Cierzniak also stopped a thunderous free-kick hit by Crawford – United escaped from New Douglas Park with all three points.

Hamilton, although they’ll be disappointed having not picked up a point after such a dramatic turn-around, had much to take from that second-half performance. The Accies aim for this season should be a top-six finish – they are currently fourth – and under Canning I’m confident they’ll easily achieve that.