Hey there, I don't know if there's a considerable interest in Scottish football on here, but I thought a thread about it wouldn't harm anyone. Of course the Scottish Premier League (SPL) has already started a few months ago, but better late than never!
For anyone interested in this topic I will introduce the 12 Clubs of the SPL at first, in order of their current league position:
Celtic: The reigning champions find themselves not only at the top of the league again, but also progressed to the Champions League last 16 this season. Led by ginger goblin Neil Lennon the ''Hoops'' are strong favourites for the title after the liquidation of their arch rivals Rangers. Despite sometimes playing like drunken Irish gypsies in the SPL, Celtic's defenders have really improved and impressed in the Champions League, joined by young holding midfielder Victor Wanyama from Kenya.
The club itself was founded in 1887 by a Catholic Irish monk and Celtic has retained that heritage ever since, most famously expressed in its bloody rivalry with protestant Rangers. And of course Rod Stewart's little son's second word he ever spoke was: ''Celtic!''
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Probably the biggest surprise of the season yet- Caley Thistle are in second place! The Highlanders, who can watch Nessie swimming from their stadium, are usually contenders for relegation, but have surprisingly strengthened this season under manager Terry Butcher, still famous for playing on for England with blood all over his head back then in Sweden. His young team, led by midfield genius Andrew Shinnie, have defeated both Celtic and Aberdeen away for the first time in millenia this season and are on course for their best ever finish.
Caley have only been founed by a fusion in 1994, but feature a strong rivalry with newly promoted Ross County.
Motherwell: The ''Steelmen'' from Motherwell, proud double winner of ''The UK's ugliest town'', don't have a big budget, a nice stadium or famous players, but always challenge for 3rd respectively 2nd place. With Michael ''baldhead'' Higdon, who scores as he wants, up front and Jamaican winger Chris Humphrey, who is faster than his own shadow, they have two crucial players in their team among other incessant performers. Founded in 1886 they hail from the formerly steel producing area of Lanarkshire and hence are named Steelmen. The 'Well might have a disappointing home form this season, but everyone in Scottish fitba knows: Never underestimate Motherwell.
Hibernian: The second team founded by Irish immigrants, Hibernian are one of the biggest clubs in the country, but haven't won the Scottish Cup since 1902- ouch! Labelled one of the ''Most unsuccessful teams of all times'' by the
Times, the ''Hibees'', unlike Celtic, have left their Irish-Catholic character behind in the 137 years since their foundation. Traditionally, they are dangerous up front, exemplified by this season's top scorer Leigh Griffiths, but suffer problems at the back, where their players behave like a herd of cows before the snake.
Aberdeen: The ''Dons'' are the last non-Old Firm (OF = Celtic & Rangers) team to have won the SPL title back in the 80s, but claim and reality have been as much apart from each others as Pluto and the Sun ever since. Led by ''grandpa'' Craig Brown (known from
Mrs. Brown's Boys) the young team had started this season very promisingly, though, but has lost its form recently due to a series of injuries to first team players. Newly signed Northern Irish sharpshooter Niall McGinn has given the ''Reds'' the deadly effectivity up front again and pacy teenage winger Ryan Fraser rips SPL defenses apart like an Aberdeenshire Messi. The Dons, founded in 1903, find themselves in a decisive situation after a number of disappointing seasons.
St Johnstone: Despite featuring a version of the Byzantine double eagle on their badge, St Johnstone are a considerate club to say the least. Not having been in debt since 1985, St Johnstone never seem to spend a penny on new players, but still do well in recent years. Founded in 1884 at the old medieval capital of Scotland, Perth, the ''Saints'' have been a yo-yo team for most of their history, but have now become a Top 6 team, thanks to the work of former manager Derek McInnes and current manager Steve Lomas. Bolstered by a strong midfield containing Scotland international Murray Davidson and set piece master Liam Craig, they are also in for a challenge this season and will look to climb up the table as soon as possible.
Dundee United: Before the start of the season, many would have tipped the ''Tangerines'' for second place, but thanks to a horrible defense they find themselves only in 7th place right now. Formed in 1909, the ''Arabs'' had a diversified history, becoming a top team once again in the last few years. Having won the Scottish Cup in 2010 and playing deadly duo Jon Daly & Johnny Russell up front, United are always up for the European spots. But manager Peter Houston, who has even less hair than Homer Simpsons, has to solve problems at the back to steer his team to glory again- otherwise there won't be many discoveries in the ''City of Dicovery'' this season- apart from the usual junkies on the streets, that is.
Heart of Midlothian: Traditionally one of the biggest clubs in Scotland, cup holders Hearts have one of the broadest supports in the country, but suffer under the regime of Lithuanian mad man Vladimir Romanov. Romanov, Lithuania's 2007 dancing star and 2000-2012 criminal of the year, took over the club in 2004 when he saved it from administration- only to bring Hearts near admin a few times himself. Now the ''Jambos'' find themselves on the brink of administration again and had to let many of their best players leave in the summer. The club, which was founded in 1874, therefore has to rely on products from its successful youth academy once again, but fans will be more than content with a midfield finish this season.
Kilmarnock: Dubbed the ''Ayrshire Barcelona'' Kilmarnock are arguably the most entertaining team to watch in Scotland, who always try to play attractive attacking football. Unlike teams like Dundee United they intentionally neglect defense to have more potential for goals themselves. They are dependent on Irish striker Cillian Sheridan, who always reminds me of a wood gnome, and technically gifted midfielders like young Liam Kelly or pacy James Dayton and led by ever angry manager Kenny Shiels. Surprisingly Shiels has to serve a touchline ban at the moment, only because he insulted various referees and then accused them of fabricating things about him- poor Mr Shiels.
Formed in 1869 Killie are one of the oldest football clubs in the world and most famous for their tasty Killie pies! Yum!
Ross County: The ''Staggies'' from Dingwall are in the SPL! Aye, that's a sensation! Hailing from a Highland village with just under 5000 inhabitants, Ross County were founded in 1929 and admitted to the Football League in 1994. The tiny club climbed up the ranks of Scottish fitba under the guidance of the Adams family and reached the 2010 Cup final against all odds. The minnows were defeated 3-0 by Dundee United but went on to lose only a single game last season and win the First Division by a country mile! Now the Staggies have settled in the SPL and based on an usually strong defense they are going to stay up. That would be great for the Highlands and the village, but not many fans of the other fans won't cheer them up- I mean ''Where the
is Dingwall?''
St Mirren: Sometimes you feel sorry for St Mirren. After being famous for playing ugly defensive football for years and always finishing second bottom, they now changed to playing attacking football with more risk and always finish second bottom. Stylish manager Danny Lennon always thinks his men dominated the game, but couldn't take their chances. There is some truth in this and skilled players like midfielder Kenny McLean or Paul McGowan are proof of St Mirren's qualities. But in the end it is undeniable that the ''Buddies'' from Paisly, formerly a center of the textile industry, are always second bottom. Founded in 1877 they have of course also seen more successful times, but if you can choose a team, never go for St Mirren. Sorry, Buddies!
Dundee FC: The ''Dees'' are the traditional rivals of Dundee United, with their stadium Dens Park standing less than 100 meters away from United's Tannadice. Yi dinnae believe me? Look here!
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium..._dens_park.jpg
But the fact that Dundee lost both city derbies this season 0-3 points at the various problems they have: Neither can they defend properly nor score. But it's not exactly Dundee's fault, who were only promoted one day before the start of the season- thanks to the demise of Rangers. The poor Dees have improved recently and always give their best, but there are high doubts if it will be enough to stay in the league. Founded in 1893 they are older than their Tannadice rivals, but tradition and a big fanbase probably won't help in this race for survival.
That's it about the SPL, but I named this thread ''Scottish Football 2012/2013'' for a reason. You can also discuss the national team here as well as all the various cup competitions and the SFL leagues as well. There's a team called ''The Rangers'' playing in the Third Division right now, who are allegedly connected to ''Rangers FC'' and some people might be interested in them as well.
Enjoy!