Buzzin Football

Well we’re nearly back into August and we all know what that means – the return of domestic football leagues.

For the team of this particular writer, Celtic, it will hopefully be the dawn of a new era.

The tenure of Tony Mowbray which started so well with a rare away win in Europe was eventually brought to an end mid-season after a humiliating four goal trouncing at the hands of St. Mirren.

The introduction of Neil Lennon in temporary charge was ultimately not enough to stop Rangers charge to their second title in succession.

A feat which is all the more remarkable when you consider that the Ibrox club has not bought a player since the summer of 2008, due to a spending embargo enforced by the bankers currently running Rangers.

Anyone who knows anything about the Glasgow football scene knows how hard it is to praise the other half of the Old Firm!

The loan signing and subsequent goal scoring exploits of Robbie Keane were enough to stave off too much excessive criticism of the board. Perhaps a bounty worth paying for the suits of the Celtic boardroom!

In fact even the shocking Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Ross County was treated by the Celtic support at large as just another chapter in a season long book of misery.

Neil Lennon’s honesty in his post-match media work that day went a long way to cementing his place as the man for the job in the eyes of the Hoops support.

That was then though. Now the real work must begin.

Wednesday’s Champions League reverse at the hands of a slick Braga side could work out to be a blessing in disguise.

The general consensus is that the championship must be priority number one and barring a miracle at Celtic Park in the second leg – they are going to have plenty of time to work on that target.

The fans are as passionate as Neil Lennon was as a player and will give him some time to bed in his array of new signings but let’s not forget that the Northern Irishman had nearly a third of last season to get accustomed to the manager’s chair.

He is expected to hit the ground running domestically… and keep on trucking.

Lennon has strengthened all areas of the squad he inherited and the players he has signed already seem “a better bet” than those that his predecessor brought in.

Players like Gary Hooper and Joe Ledley who have proved themselves in the tough English Championship.

South Korean, Cha Du-Ri and Mexican, Efrain Juarez both played well in South Africa and should provide classy support to the young guns already at the club.

The likes of Thomas Rogne, Jos Hooiveld, Ki Sung-Yong and experienced campaigners Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady – if the latter stays at the club.

In fairness though, all of this was said this time last year so there is a more “cautiously optimistic” line being peddled from the Glasgow’s East End this time around.

Both Glasgow clubs seem to be doing their best to lower expectations in the lead up to the Scottish Premier League season openers.

Rangers claim that a league win this season would be the greatest achievement in the history of the club given their precarious financial position.  While Celtic are already said to be “concentrating on the league.”

No matter what happens in the second leg against Braga, the next qualifying round would have likely paired them with a European giant and therefore the expectations game is again being used cool the potential fallout.

Despite the desperate need for success from both sets of fans, they love nothing better than getting one over on their oldest rivals.

Set the bar low. Leap over it high seems to be the new mantra!

Have Old Firm fans succumbed to the wonders of political spin?

I wonder.