So... I'll start this thread by stating.

£1 million for Shaun Maloney

Fantastic piece of business by Strachan.

What it does is guarantee Chris Beattie and Derek Riordan more game time... Celts won't miss Maloney one bit. We've more than cover there.

Can I also place my vote for SPL player of the year?

Lee Naylor. Can't believe that any EPL club hadn't picked him up. The guy is class.

And I'll edit the title to reflect the fact there are actually more than 2 teams in Scotland

I agree. Noggin The Nog are through the the Cup Final due to Rangers' untimely demise at the hands of Dunfermline



And Celtic have bigger fish to fry, hence their exit

Why is it?

I appreciate Celtic are well covered out there but Maloney was not the SPL Player of the Year for nothing. He was sensational last season.

I'd have liked him at City but even 11.30pm on the 31st January was too early for us to make a move.

You ask why?

Its clear as day that Strachan prefers to play Zurawski and Van Hesselink up front with Kenny Miller on the bench. On that basis, Strachan has him as 3rd choice (perhaps 4th) at best.

Beattie and Riordan are pretty promising talents.

According to the Daily Record, his agent was asking for silly terms. Unless Maloney was to become the first choice striker and lead the line, its pretty doubtful whether his retainment could be justified.

I seriously am asking myself why he's gone to Aston Villa.

Carew (Norwegian and a walking sick note if I ever saw one) is rumoured to be on 50k a week. Ashley Young cost £10 million and isn't likely to be sitting in the stands for that kind of fee. Then you have Angel. Maloney again, is likely to be 3rd choice at best. I have yet to include Sutton (who is an ideal O'Neill player-in the short term granted) and the young lad (his name escapes me who is currently leading the line).

Or even Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink



He's scored some valuable goals for Celtic thus far, none more so than the last minute winner against Inverness Caley Thistle on Sunday. Only snag was he picked up a second yellow card for celebrating with the Celtic fans. I know rules are rules but he'd just scored a goal for goodness sake. Bloody rule makers don't understand the game.

Is there?

It's a lot more open (and interesting) than the Premiership to be fair.

Rangers will be back, Smith just needs time, some promising players in Burke, Murray, Hutton and have a good keeper in McGregor, the tide will turn again.

Good old Walter. 4-4-2 and the long ball with Barry Ferguson playing it square to the full-backs.

Are they going to get found out in Europe for many a year

It was good for Hibs to get through the transfer window without losing [iboth[/i of Brown and Thomson, not fussed about Thomson going especially for £2m.

Should be off to Hampden in March after last nights win, and would like to be there for the Scottish Cup Final aswell

Celtic are 19 points clear!!

Are we allowed to post Secterian comments on this thread? Or is it only the moderators who can do that as they lock threads?

You mean Shaun Maloney who won the SPL and Celtic Player of the Year trophies whilst playing on the left wing?

What you mean "Never trust a Protestant, that's what I was always taught.

"

Light hearted joke squire. Sectarian? Get a grip!



As it happens I was asked to lock it but if we descend that way again it will be locked again yes.

And then 2nd to 11th is pretty tight in the scheme of things. True, only 2 teams have a realistic chance of winning the thing (now which league does that remind me of?) but there's been some great stuff played by Hibs, Hearts, Rangers, Aberdeen and even the likes of St. Mirren and Falkirk so far this season.

But hey, let's all jump on the "SPL is " bandwagon

Both Rangers and Celtic would hold their own this season in the Premiership with their squads as of press.

With £30 million extra per year in TV rights, they'd be up in the top six each and every year within two years.

Rangers, next year could play 11 Scots.

Another possible signing from Hibs, Steven Whittaker, at right back alongside Weir, Webster and Stevie Smith. In the midfield Brown, Ferguson, Thomson and McCulloch. And Gow up front with goal machine Kris Boyd alongside.

Aye, for another capitulation versus anyone they play...



Boll**ks, they'd struggle in the Championship mate.

Rangers might struggle.

Celtic's European adventures have proven that they would easily cope with the Premiership. Put it one way, they are significantly better than City, and City are effectively holding their own in the Premiership.

If Celtic and Rangers had the Premiership money to spend they would eventually become top six every year in this country.

Of course they would. Add this to the fact they could attract bigger names as they played in the Premiership rather than the SPL

Celtic B are playing Livingston as we speak

Celtic would comfortably be top half with their current squad...throw in £30m television money and Rangers wouldn't be the worst side in the league by a long stretch. They can fook right off if they want Whittaker (and possibly Broonaldo as well) though!

Hopefully Livi can do the business today and Hibs name is on the cup already, especially with the Jambos going out yesterday

I can't believe the Scottish take their League seriously so I am shocked that there are English that do.

Why is it,that those who have a Scottisn favourite,follow unsuccessful clubs in this country.Is that the only waqy they can be victorious.

Honest question,just curious.

Family ties? Upbringing? I don't follow a successful English team, and I'm sure as hell not a gloryfan in following Hibs through relegation and annual cup heartbreak!

And if anything, at least the Cup is taken seriously north of the border, in some cases more seriously than the league.

No they wouldn't, they have 4 hard games a season and have hardly been pushed in Europe this season.