starchief

Luke's obviously just trying to defend one of his own. This is the first red card OTJ has ever picked up so it obviously is out of character. Yeah, he did something wrong but he's nowhere near the record of Roy Keane or Zidane, so let's not overblow the situation. The 4-2-3-1 has never really worked at home. Trouble is, it works so well away, it's tough to change it. Although Doran and Sutherland aren't really supposed to track back in that formation. Hopefully, Ross will come in and Foran's place is assured. We're good at counter-attacking, not dominating. It's probably time to think of an away and a home preferred formation.

Hooooooo-boy. Terrific goal by Rory - who, incidentally, looks head and shoulders above all the other attackers on the pitch. Looks as though he might finally be ready for the step up. I wonder if McCoist might think the same thing?

It's going to be an exciting season I think. Lots of teams can beat others, so I'm not too sure about expectations. I'm really buoyed up by the comments previous teams have made about King and Warren. I'm also really looking forward to Oswell. Some players can just score and score, no matter the league. I'm hoping he's one. I expect to avoid relegation but I also expect some really exciting matches as I think we can match St J, the Dons, RC etc but with no easy matches*. I think the difference between 10th and 6th might be only a couple of points. A missed penalty. A rookie goalie. That could make or break it. *except Hibs of course.

I'd be strongly in favour of a two-league, 16 teams or so per division set up. That's the kind of thing that might work for Scottish fitba. Four 'professional' leagues is simply ridiculous, given the crowds at some of their games. They were lecturing the SPL clubs on not over-spending. Time for the SFL to do the same and not leech off SPL money.

Three more signings for the Rangers (see, it sounds more impressive - let's stick with ordinary Rangers). That's some team they're building up. Aren't they banned from the Scottish Cup? Do they really need that good a team for SFL3 - even SFL2?

Wasn't it more to do with going down south that was the motivation? Anyway, I'm surprised he's moved into coaching. Can you imagine: "you've got tae play through the pain barrier, son". The natural response must be "aye, you first, gaffer".

I'm not so sure it was. Oswell is a striker. Putting on a midfielder is a better way of defending a position than a striker. You could argue for someone more experienced but that's really only Morrison, who's not that much more experienced. I don't think there's much in it (plus, who knows what Polworth has been like in training).

Here's where I disagree with the majority of football fans. If sending Newco Rangers to SFL3 was a punishment for financial mismanagement, then Rangers should be investigated and, if guilty (and I haven't the financial nous to have an opinion), punished. If Newco Rangers are in SFL3, not as punishment but because they are a new club, not in the SFL so have to start from scratch, then they also have no connection to the financial scandal and shouldn't be punished for a different club. Saying Newco Rangers are a new club with no rights to Rangers history or a place in the SPL/SFL automatically but should be punished for Rangers history is petty vengeance, not justice. For the record, I believe Rangers, the club, are simply being managed by a new company. The history, the traditions, basically, the club, are all still there. Being sent to SFL3 was (part of) the punishment. Those who favour the Sevco approach can't convince me Newco Rangers have no rights to their history but punishment for that history.

Esson Raven - Warren - King - G.Shinnie Draper - Foran Ross - A.Shinnie - Doran Mackay Ross for Sutherland is obvious. I've gone for Foran for OTJ, simply due to his reliability. No problem if this doesn't happen. It'll be interesting to see though if 4-2-3-1 works at home. If I was a bit braver, I'd maybe switch to a 4-4-2 or even 4-3-3 but I'll keep it as it stands.

Got to remember, Aberdeen were at Celtic Park yesterday. Broon's a cagey guy. A 0-0 away to the champs would have been right up his street. Vernon will score a few goals but he was used to dampen down the Celt's right-wing and get a follow-up from McGinn. Alex Ferguson has done the same thing when with Scotland. I'd expect Vernon supported by Hayes and McGinn to get a few goals. It was designed for a 0-0 draw and should have been. I thought, and maybe they will, Hibs would have bought more. Calderwood drained the life out of them and they need a big revamp. They have the money in the bank. Then again, I'm not too sure there will be relegation this year. Can DU mount a challenge? I don't think so. Celtic will win virtually every game. DU will be the toughest of the rest but don't have the players or budget to guarantee wins. Exciting start though.

2 out of 10??? What would you have given us for finishing below Hibs? If we'd won a single game more, we would have finished above Aberdeen. What if we hadn't finished FOURTEEN points above Dunfermline but still avoided relegation? What points then? Two out of ten is for finishing a point or two above the relegated team. Not being nowhere near relegation and competing with the much bigger financed Hibs and Dons is worth more than that. And why, if season tickets being down is for not having players that have been here for the last ten years, not playing attractive football and relying on players coming for a few peanuts more, have Hibs and Aberdeen not crashed? They were no better than us last season and Hibs haven't looked inspiring for this either.

I don't expect them to win but that's a pretty tough team Aberdeen have got out there. Leaps and bounds what they had last year. Not too many changes really but improved in crucial areas with a bit of quality in Naysmith, Anderson (he was only there in spirit last year), McGinn and Hayes. If we finish a point below the Dons this year, we'll be doing well.

There's real potential here. King and Warren had glowing reports from their previous clubs. Raven and Draper have a history that sounds promising. Oswell could make his mark by continuing with his goals, as could Sutherland. I don't think Doran is quite as tricky as Hayes but he could be just as effective. And the jewel in the crown? Andrew Shinnie. Put his injury problems behind him and he may well be the SPL's surprise of the season. I don't have too much concern over the likes of King or Hogg. Big injuries to get back from but not injury-prone. Tudur-Jones and Raven are far bigger worries. They've had too many shift works (2-weeks on-2 weeks off) over their career. The Gary Gillespie Syndrome. Maybe not their fault but do they have the body to play football?

Sounds a lot of money but it's not that much in football terms (or in other industries when you reach a certain point). I would think only Barry Smith would be on significantly less. My memory is of the 'sacrifice' Bobby Robson made when he went to Newcastle for only £30,000. Then you realise it's £30,000 a week.

I can see Hibs being bottom six come Xmas but they have more money than most clubs. Possibly they might just fork out a bit more by then. I don't think it's a genuine relegation battle but just not a great season again. They just have a touch of quality to take them away from the likes of Dundee. St. J just don't look good. The players they've lost have been crucial. Can you imagine how ICT would do with Sheridan and Sandaza as the strike-force and Morris prompting from midfield? Now replace them with Tade and a few unknowns. Not quite so rosy. Lomas will struggle to stay in his post.

Who do you think will win the league? I'm going for Celtic.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/4463718/Our-TV-deals-in-the-bag.html "It’s understood Sky will show 30 matches per season and ESPN 35, with the new Rangers being shown live a minimum of 15 times in Division Three." Why not? Big fanbase still. If it was about competitive entertaining matches, they probably wouldn't have shown any Old Firm matches outside Rangers v Celtic in the last 15 seasons. And, since Souness, OF fans have never cared about other clubs. Can't see many of them tuning in to see Hearts v Dundee Utd for second place. Rangers v Elgin? They'll be queuing up (although probably a good deal of ICT/RC fans will want to see that too). That and Peterhead for the obvious reasons. Wow! Looking at SFL3 - have Stirling dropped that low???

But if they are not entitled to the glories of oldco Rangers, why should newco be punished for their transgressions? It's one or the other. (for the record, my view is only the company has changed, not the club, hence Rangers players playing in Rangers ground, with Rangers strips under Rangers management team means they are Rangers - both debts and glories should remain - football should not be about holding companies and trading names)

Aberdeen have made some good signings. I expect a top six from them, not relegation battles.

Hibs don't look better than last year. St Johnstone far poorer than last year (not sure Lomas will last) and Ross County might suffer too. There'll be quite a battle for the drop. I think ICT will be okay.

Again? What's his problem?

I thought it was up to the standard of many SPL matches. Anyone remember Aberdeen last season? Phew! No worse than that. It was really interesting to see Garry Brady again. He was tremendous with Saint Mirren a few seasons ago. (and I was just joking about Brechin 'City')

...and Brechin ain't a city either! (although it is one of my favourite grounds)

Goijan looked bloody awful at RB. No wonder him and Broadfoot swapped position. Mind you, terrific team Rangers* have got. Easily top 6, if not top 2 SPL. I never thought they'd be able to put out a team like that in SFL 3 (I know it's a cup at the moment). *and, yep, I do mean Rangers. Look at the name of this website. No such club as Caley Thistle for those of you who insist on TheRangers or Sevco. The company manages the club. But the company isn't the club. Don't know about you but I don't support a company. It matters not to me who owns ICT - football's a lot more primal than a series of board meetings.

Hmmmm, let's see.... We're taking a risk by bringing in the walking wounded in the hope that they can stay fit. And they would be: Raven (injured); Hogg (injured); Warren (injured); King (injured); Jones (injured); A.Shinnie (fit); Regeuro (fit) Phew! It's gonna be a looooooong season.