Scottish Premier League starts this weekend
The traditional one-two of the Celtic / Rangers “Old Firm” was broken up last season with the emergence of Hearts as a force – and pre-season form suggests they’ll be a chance this season too.
Hearts, which finished second to break the traditional 1-2 of Celtic and Rangers, start this season with manager Valdas Ivanauskas in charge. He took over late last season, the third manager after George Burley and Graham Rix were fired by Lithuanian owner Roman Romanov.
The Jambos have spent little money in the off-season, and owner Vladimir Romanov says the emphasis this season will be on youth.
Hearts defeated Bosnian side Siroki Brijeg 3-0 on Wednesday in a first-leg, second round qualifier of the UEFA Champions League, and plays its Scottish opener Saturday at Dunfermline.
Celtic raced away with the league last season but manager Gordon Strachan has complained about a lack of transfer money over the summer.
The problem seems to be in attack. Goal scorers like Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson have departed. Playing up front are now Kenny Miller and Maciej Zurawski. Young striker Craig Beattie will also miss Saturday’s opener against Kilmarnock with a hamstring injury.
Rangers have made big changes. New manager Paul Le Guen has added a half dozen new faces.
With Rangers out of the Champions League this season, Le Guen’s top signing was Czech striker Libor Sionko, who moved from Austria Vienna on a three-year contract.
Also joining Rangers were Jeremy Clement from Lyon and Swedish defender Karl Svensson. Coming aboard, too, are goalkeeper Lionel Letizi and Makhtar N’Diaye.
Rangers will play their opener at Motherwell on Sunday without captain Barry Ferguson, who is recovering for a heel injury. Dado Prso will captain the team.
Add comment July 27th, 2006