Scottish Premier League Update

Ali Hannah on the latest from the Scottish Premier League, January 2007

Celtic | Scotland | Rangers

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In just three short games Steven Pressley went from Celtic debutante to Celtic captain. Forced out of Tynecastle because of the political unrest that continues to rage at Hearts, the Scotland defender was snapped up by Gordon Strachan and appears to have settled easily into the Hoops.

It was a galling sight for many of the Tynecastle support to see Pressley lead out Celtic last weekend and it was a vision that became more abrasive as the defender led the Parkhead side to a 2-1 win, despite giving Hearts a goal of a start.

"It was a bit strange, almost surreal," said Pressley afterwards. "When I initially ran onto the pitch there weren't a lot of people in the stadium, but those Hearts fans who were inside gave me a reasonable reception. After that, it was a strange experience but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"You hope that after giving eight-and-a-half years' commitment to a club that people respect and appreciate it. As I said before, I'm delighted to be at Celtic but circumstances dictated what happened. Everybody thought my career would end at Hearts, so it was a strange occasion for me.

"I'm actually pleased the game against Hearts came so soon in my Celtic career. It has got it out of the way and I don't think returning there in the future will be a problem.

"The first time, especially as it came so soon after my departure, was always going to be difficult. I'm delighted that it's out of the way and the attention is away."

Pressley was handed the skipper's armband in the absence of the suspended Neil Lennon and the injured Stephen McManus but he has no doubts that he will be handing authority back to Lennon.

The duo have had their on and off field clashes over the years, but Pressley has insisted that there is nothing but respect between the duo. "I've enjoyed playing under Neil and I've enjoyed just being a player again since I came to Celtic - it's been good," said Pressley. "Neil has impressed me a lot over the last few weeks. He's been instrumental in Celtic's success for so long and he demands so much from his team-mates.

"He demands high standards and he is a big part of the reason why Celtic are successful season after season."

However, although he will hand the armband back, Pressley has admitted that he was honoured to receive it given that he is barely in the door at Parkhead.

When McManus, Gary Caldwell, Mark Wilson and Bobo Balde are all fit it remains to be seen whether or not the Scotland international keeps his place, but there have been no hiccups so far for the player.

"It was a little bit unexpected to get the armband," he said. "I was surprised but it was an honour to be chosen. There is a level of responsibility on more experienced players to help young players, but not just me. Paul Telfer is a great talker and Lee Naylor is another one. They help the young lads like Darren O'Dea and Evander Sno enormously."

Rangers

Well, well, well. What a start to the New Year for Rangers.

Out with the old and in with the new, or should that be the other way round? Walter Smith has breezed back into Ibrox after a nine year absence while Paul Le Guen has beat a dignified retreat back to France after claiming that certain factions in the Rangers dressing room made it impossible for him to continue.

Le Guen didn't say so, but the finger he pointed was at Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd. Le Guen had begun the New Year by stripping Ferguson of the captaincy and dropping him from the side that beat Motherwell at Fir Park.

Boyd scored the only goal of the game and held up six fingers in a tribute to the disposed captain who wears the same number on his shirt. In truth it was results that determined Le Guen's regime as the shortest ever in Rangers 134 year history, but there remain elements of the Ibrox support who are still unconvinced by Ferguson and Boyd's role in his downfall.

Certainly, David Murray acted swiftly as soon as Le Guen had offered his resignation and within days Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and former Celtic reserve coach Kenny McDowall were unveiled as the trio to usher in a new era.

It all looked promising on their first game in charge against Dundee United where Ferguson was restored to his position as captain and found the net in the 5-0 hammering of Dundee United – Rangers' biggest win of the season to date. Yet, Smith is too long in the tooth to overlook the problems that have plagued Rangers throughout the campaign and is wisely reluctant to promise any quick fixes.

"The inconsistencies are so well-documented," Smith reflected. "You just wondered which Rangers team would turn up. I am just glad it was the good one."

Smith has been equally cautious about getting involved in what went on behind the scenes prior to his arrival but refused to condemn Le Guen. "The last manager was highly respected," Smith reminded everyone. "I met him on a number of occasions and he was a very nice fellow. I don't want this situation (with Ferguson and Boyd) to be held up against him. I had my own problems at Everton and David Moyes was able to come in and handle them better. If I handle this better, it is no reflection on Paul Le Guen. When I leave here in a few years, there may be a few players who will be glad to see me go.

"I think [Le Guen's] problems were down to a cultural difference. I do not know how I would handle people in France. He was bold enough to try his own way. I cannot judge what happened previously. Some of the statements about splits in the camp were grossly exaggerated. Maybe there was a bit but it was not as bad as people made out."

Full-back Alan Hutton painted a slightly different picture. "Everyone has a smile on their faces now and has a laugh and a joke," the defender said. "Maybe we needed this shake-up. The new manager allows music in the dressing-room. Before everyone took it so seriously. He [Smith] allows us to have laugh but we are focused and together and it showed on the pitch."

Hutton also felt Ferguson and Boyd received a bad press in the wake of Le Guen's exit, especially the latter who was accused of being unable to train because of his social life. Hutton refutes those allegations. "Kris was distraught when he read that," Hutton said. "All the talk of him getting sick notes to miss training is rubbish.

"He was deeply hurt by it but he has answered all that. Barry Ferguson has helped me so much that I am glad to see him back as captain. I think it was a good choice. All this stuff about him being a bad influence is nonsense."

Smith was equally protective of Ferguson. For him, the decision to restore Ferguson's status was simple. "A few weeks ago, no one would have questioned it," the manager said. "He was captain of his club and his country. He is the best one for the job and wants to captain Rangers. I am delighted."

Answering questions about Ferguson's influence within the dressing-room at Ibrox - Le Guen's main gripe - Smith said: "As long as that problem does not arise again, then I am happy to make him captain. I have never had a problem with Barry Ferguson."

Not everyone up in the stands at Ibrox shares that view. Ferguson has received a cool reception at times, in contrast to Smith and Ally McCoist, the manager's celebrated No 2. It was McCoist who hollered, cajoled and ranted throughout while Smith avoided the snappers and spent his first afternoon as manager in the stand. McCoist, whose 355 goals for Rangers earned him legendary status, made as many runs towards the edge of the technical area than he did into the penalty box in the 15 years he spent at Ibrox as a player. A fitness regime of his own could be on the cards if he wants to keep that up.

Scotland

Walter Smith has admitted he is relieved that his fight with the Scottish Football Association is over after a court date was avoided.

The SFA had threatened legal action against both Smith and Rangers after he quit his post as Scotland manager to make a return to Ibrox for a second spell as manager. But, after three days of bitter wrangling, the SFA and Rangers finally thrashed out a compensation package, believed to be around £400,000.

Smith now wants to put the episode behind him. "It was a regrettable aspect of the past few days," he said. "I'm glad it's over with and I think it allows each of us to get on and do what we want to do. It's a business thing more than anything. I don't think it was particularly personal. But it was obviously a situation I would like to have avoided."

Tommy Burns, Alex McLeish, Gary McAllister, Craig Levein and Billy Davies have all been linked with the Scotland job but Smith refused to be drawn on who he thinks should succeed him as national team manager. "I don't want to comment on that," he said curtly. "I'm in enough trouble. I'm only concentrating on this job."

Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has given his backing to Smith over the switch to Rangers. When asked if he had any interest in helping Scotland out, Ferguson said: "No, I've got a job.

"But, I think the best thing is for Scotland to get a full-time manager so that Walter Smith can do his job with Rangers. The SFA would get criticised if they had a part-time manager. But they have to be thankful for the job Walter has done. He has restored order, commitment and passion into Scottish football, so I think everyone has to be thankful for that. I was at the Scotland v France game and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic."

SFA chief executive David Taylor has confirmed that he wants the new manager in place ahead of the 'A' squad gathering at Turnberry on February 5, and the 'B' international against Finland at Rugby Park two days later.

With crucial European Championship games looming against Georgia at Hampden in March followed by a trip to Italy, the SFA are determined not to derail the good work that has already been done in putting Scotland in a decent position to make qualification a possibility.

In truth, there was always the chance that with Smith in charge or not, Scotland would find making it to the finals of the competition too arduous a task, given the nature of the games that are still to come, but maintaining stability is key at this juncture.

Burns is the obvious choice but the suggestion is that he is reluctant to give up his position as head of youth development at Celtic and former Rangers manager McLeish appears to be leading the race.

"(Smith leaving) is a serious blow, it's a big disappointment, " said Taylor. "Only time will tell how critical that has been.
"We have done very well but three of the next four matches are probably the key matches in terms of possible points on the board. If we win three of them we are in with a shout of qualifying. It is essential we get some level of continuity.

"To get someone of the equivalent stature of Walter at short notice is a difficult task. But there are certainly candidates who I'm sure are capable of doing a good job for Scotland.
"It's reasonable to assume Walter's successor will be a Scot."

While the SFA's choice would be to appoint a permanent successor, Taylor would not rule out a temporary appointment if he has to wait for the right man.

"Preferably, we would have someone in to take us through to the end of this campaign and maybe beyond, depending on the discussions we have with the individual," he said. "But there is a degree of urgency and so I don't want to rule out anything that might come to the fore in negotiations, if there was an interim position. But that's not ideal, we don't particularly want that."

Smith has vast experience as a manager and had coached a number of Scotland youth sides before assisting Sir Alex Ferguson at the 1986 World Cup Finals.

His predecessor Berti Vogts guided Germany to a European Championship triumph. But Taylor hinted it may be difficult to find a manager with that kind of international experience at short notice.

He said: "We go into the market not of our making and it's looking around as to who would be interested in the job at present and who is available at present. That would be an important consideration.

"The boot may be on the other foot next time. We may have to approach someone who is under contract and make a compensation payment."