Premiership’s Main Event is fight to be second best
NOW that the wholly predictable business of Celtic sending the juggernaut off down the road towards the Premiership title is over and done with, we can get settled for the Main Event.
In the blue corner, Pedro Caixinha. In the red, Derek McInnes. Their Rangers and Aberdeen sides begin their own campaigns this afternoon with the contest between the pair to be the Best of the Rest shaping up to be the juiciest element of the SPFL season.
Let’s hope both men have not quite settled their differences over a glass of Douro, as Caixinha, rather unconvincingly, suggested last term — following an entertaining little spat which involved the Portuguese refusing to invite McInnes to his office, claiming he wanted his job and then stealing his captain Ryan Jack.
These initial stages of Caixinha’s tenure will largely be defined by how he matches up to Aberdeen. Avoiding more humiliation in the Old Firm games, of course, is important, but finishing the campaign ahead of the Dons is what will determine his longer-term prospects.
The rules for him are much the same as they were for Mark Warburton.
Finish a decent second, at the very least, or he will have to be sacked. Simple as that.
Of course, there is expectation on Aberdeen, too. McInnes has recruited well. They start the season with an easy fixture at home to Hamilton and a great run of games to help their new arrivals find their feet. All eight of their opening matches before an 11-day spell in October that will see them go to Easter Road and Ibrox before hosting Celtic are extremely winnable. They should be making that a target.
‘Any Premiership manager, with the budget Rangers have, would finish second,’ stated McInnes in May — after finishing second. ‘His job as Rangers manager is to finish above Celtic. If he thinks he’s doing well by finishing above Aberdeen and the rest, he’ll soon find out that’s not enough.’
Oh, what a deliciously spiky little monologue in which to luxuriate ahead of the dramas that lie in wait.
Gentlemen, let the games begin…