Fans can’t wait for a season to be cheerful
THE arrival of Neil Lennon as boss of Hibs is another feather in Scottish football’s cap ahead of potentially one of the most exciting campaigns in years.
A spectacular managerial change at Celtic, combined with the return of a Joey Bartonboosted Rangers to the top flight, has already whetted the appetite for a Premiership title battle of some real ferocity.
Aberdeen and Hearts will be determined to have their say, too, while Lennon at the helm at Easter Road adds a whole new dimension to a competitive Championship.
With the new season just a matter of weeks away, Sportsmail examines in detail why it’s become so hotly anticipated.
THE BRENDAN RODGERS EFFECT
The capture of the 43-year-old at Parkhead is a stunning coup for Celtic. Two years ago, Rodgers was a Steven Gerrard slip away from steering Liverpool to their first top-flight title in 24 years.
His presence will undoubtedly lead to greater exposure for the game. It’s already captured the imagination, with the queues outside Celtic Park this week for season tickets reminiscent of the euphoria that greeted Martin O’Neill’s unveiling in 2000.
It will be fascinating to see who Rodgers recruits and whether he can get Celtic back into the Champions League... before turning his attention towards chasing domestic silverware.
JOEY BARTON
Like Rodgers, the arrival of the midfielder at Ibrox will expose Scottish football to a wider audience. Barton’s 3.2million Twitter followers amounts to 2.1m more than the combined reach of all Scottish clubs.
Having spent time in prison for a street attack, Barton has sought to distance himself from his past by reinventing himself as a footballing philosopher, using social media to share his views on art, literature, politics and sport.
We should find out in the white heat of the Old Firm arena, when he goes head-to-head with Scott Brown, whether the new big fish in the Glasgow goldfish bowl is a changed man or not.
What’s not in question is his ability. The 33-year-old was outstanding as Burnley won the English Championship last season and his capture is a major coup for Rangers.
OLD FIRM GAMES ARE BACK
The Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden in April was a classic, with the Ibrox side reaching the Final on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The occasion served to whet the appetite for potentially four Old Firm games in the Premiership next season. It may not be a fixture that is universally welcomed, but the global reach of the rivalry between Glasgow’s big two is unquestionable.
As Champions League-winning Dutch legend Edgar Davids told Sportsmail recently: ‘The Old Firm game puts the spotlight on Scottish football. Without Rangers, Celtic are nothing. You need rivalry. If you have black, you need white.’
COMPETITION IS HEALTHY
Since Rangers were liquidated in 2012, Celtic have been accused of being in a one-horse title race. Not any more. Rangers, under Mark Warburton, gave their Old Firm rivals a bloody nose at Hampden and have added bite to their Championship-winning side with the capture of Barton.
Hearts and Aberdeen are both strong and Celtic keeper Craig Gordon recently admitted he expects a four-way battle for the Premiership title.
In the knockout competitions, Hibs’ capture of their first Scottish Cup since 1902 last season suggests silverware is there for the taking.
In the Championship, Hibs have pulled off a managerial coup by luring Lennon. But the former Celtic and Bolton manager faces stiff competition for the title from Dundee United and Falkirk.
BOX-OFFICE FRENZY
The appointment of Rodgers, combined with the prospect of an ultra-competitive top flight, saw Celtic crash through last season’s 41,000 season-ticket barrier on the day they went on sale.
The maximum available for next season is 52,000 and the Parkhead club will feel that selling all of them is not out of reach.
Rangers’ season-ticket sales are already past 33,000 and they look in line to match the record of 43,000 set in Paul le Guen’s only season in charge, 2006-07.
Elsewhere, Hearts sold 13,000 season tickets within four weeks and will match last season’s record of 13,500 — the maximum currently available at Tynecastle — with the club holding back other tickets for matchdays.
Aberdeen, meanwhile, are hopeful of matching last season’s total of in excess of 10,000 season tickets. Hibs have sold 8,000 and are optimistic of reaching their target of 10,000.
GROUND-BREAKING INNOVATIONS
The League Cup will be known as the Betfred Cup from next term. It will have a regionalised group-stage format in July.
Penalties will decide drawn games in the group stage, with the winner awarded a bonus point. The final has also been moved to a November slot.
In the Challenge Cup, lowerleague outfits will be joined by two clubs from Wales and two from Northern Ireland, as well as four sides each from the Scottish Highland and Lowland Leagues.
Premiership sides will enter their Under-20 teams in the tournament to give academy kids a taste of competitive football.
There have also been talks held with a view to staging a league match between Dundee and Celtic in America next season.