Scottish Premier League News May 2012: Rangers Still a Club in Crisis
Lisa Dillon
Celtic
The season is nearing its end, but for Celtic manager Neil Lennon, the hard work is just about to begin.
It will be an early start for the Parkhead side and, arguably, the biggest game of Lennon's season could be the campaign opener.
The first leg of Celtic's third-round Champions League qualifier will fall on either July 31 or August 1 - the SPL season kicks off on August 4 - and for the manager, who has steadfastly raised the bar for Celtic since taking charge of the club just over two years ago, it is a challenge he is eagerly anticipating.
As a player, Lennon was a significant cog in the Martin O'Neill-led side who restored Celtic's European reputation in the premier competition and, as a boss, he would love the chance to enhance his reputation in such an environment.
Arguably, it is in Europe where he will really be given the chance to make a name for himself given the manner in which the SPL is all too often dismissed by outsiders.
As such, this summer will be a time of planning and organisation as Lennon looks to rejig his squad.
It is expected that up to eight players could leave the club and the likes of Ki Sung-Yueng, who would fetch a fee of around £5million, could be moved on. Striker Gary Hoper has also been linked with a move to Southampton.
Any significant transfers out of the club would give Lennon an opportunity to re-invest some of that on bringing in an old-fashioned target man, while it is also believed that he would ideally like to add another couple of players to his squad.
So far, his record in the transfer market holds up to scrutiny with the likes of Ki, Beram Kayal, Hooper and Victor Wanyama all making their mark after being brought in for bargain fees and who have all increased their market value.
Given the precarious state of Rangers and the turmoil the club is in, there is a pertinent warning of living beyond your means. It has also been suggested that a seriously weakened Ibrox outfit might mean Celtic are reluctant to spend in the transfer market when they ought to be strong enough regardless to win the SPL title next season.
It is a theory that Lennon, unsurprisingly, does not give much credence to.
"I wouldn't have thought so," he said. "We're quite happy with the way things are going. We have a strategy where we look to get younger players in with a good resale value, but every now and then you do think that you could do with a genuine bit of experience being added to the squad.
"If we can find those kind of players who can come in and make the difference and that tick all the relevant boxes in terms of being within our budget, then we will go for it."
He went on: "The nucleus of the squad is very strong. We have been without guys like Beram Kayal, James Forrest, Ki and Scott Brown at various points over the season and we still had a strong look about us.
"However, sometimes just having that little bit of experience can make the difference to you, especially when you think of competitions like the Champions League.
"I'm trying to get players in and also trim the squad a bit, so in actual fact I am gearing up for a period in which there is quite a lot of work to do.
"We will sit and identify the areas where we think we need to improve on and where we might think that we need that little bit of extra quality in.
"I haven't had a chance yet to sit down with Peter and have a chat with him about things, but I am hoping that is something we will look to get started on this week."
Nudging the bar up a notch is always on Lennon's agenda, but getting into the group stages will not be easy, even although their champions route means they can only face countries ranked from 14 to 53 and can avoid some big-hitters.
"Qualifying for the Champions League is going to be a massive ask," he said. "It is a huge challenge for us, but it is one that we are going to go for, no doubt about it. We need to be ready for it."
However, this weekend it is time for Lennon to enjoy the moment, even if it is only briefly, as Celtic are finally presented with the SPL trophy.
"I haven't really had a chance to properly savour the feeling of winning the league yet," he said. "Everything comes so fast.
"I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the trophy on Sunday but, as a manger, you are always thinking ahead and planning things out.
"You enjoy it briefly and then you need to move on."
Rangers
Off and on the field, Rangers remain a club in crisis.
Things looked to be on the up when American businessman Bill Miller was named as the preferred bidder for the Ibrox side, only for him to withdraw his bid less than a week later.
It leaves the club still facing the perilous threat of liquidation.
However, while Celtic fans have lapped up the crisis, Ally McCoist has aimed a warning towards those who would like to see the club booted out of the SPL.
The plan had been for Rangers to emerge as a 'newco' under Miller's proposals, something that the Blue Knights - the only other consortium interested in buying the club - may also decide to do if they get control of the Ibrox side.
They would then need to apply to rejoin the SPL, with clubs voting on the issue, creating a clear argument between sporting integrity and financial common sense.
"I understand fans' opposition, but I would say; be careful what you wish for," said McCoist.
"I understand the SPL and the Scottish Football Association have decisions to make which won't please everybody. But I do believe there would be a threat to the livelihood of other clubs in the SPL if that [demotion for Rangers] were to happen.
"That is not something I would say lightly, but in terms of television, sponsorship and other things that are in place; what might be the right decision may be the wrong one in the long run."
The Rangers manager added: "I have got to be careful what I say because I don't want to be seen to be trying to influence people, which I am certainly in no position to do.
"I just don't think we should underestimate the size of the decision that has to be made. It will affect the future of the Scottish game. I understand the delicacy of it but I will just have to react to whatever decision is made."
Scotland
Celtic's Mr Versatility, Charlie Mulgrew, has swept the floor this season when it has come to the Player of the Year awards.
Voted the best player in the league by both the Football Writers' as well as his fellow professionals.
Mulgrw has also broken into the Scotland side this season and will team up with Craig Levein's squad later this month as they fly out to Florida for a friendly against the USA.
For Levein, Mulgrew's progress has been a lesson to all.
Othe past 12 months, Mulgrew's meteoric rise has certainly caught the eye.
He has changed status from a fringe man who was just happy to be at the club, to a central, steady, figure in Neil Lennon's starting line-up.
Few would have seen the multitude of personal accolades coming and Levein is no exception.
The Scotland manager said: "I defy anybody to say Charlie Mulgrew is not 10 times the player he was two years ago. And that's a fact.
"Two years ago, when I took this job, if you had asked me if Charlie Mulgrew would be one of the guys I would be considering to start an international football match I would have said 'no'.
"But such has been his improvement and his focus and concentration on doing a job for Celtic, that he is now in this position.
"I'm delighted to have him with Scotland and delighted to start him because he has improved tremendously.
"Celtic deserve great credit - Neil Lennon in particular - for having great belief in him.
"It just shows you what you can do when you have a manager who believes in you and when you are determined to do well.
"In my mind, any player can improve at any age. I know that because I have seen it happen so many times in the past.
"However, I am really thrilled for Charlie particularly because he has had to be patient to get in.
"He's desperate to play for Scotland and that tells me everything I need to know about him."
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Scottish Premier League September 2012
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