Old Firm Have Lost Fear Factor

Aug 3 2008 Gordon Waddell

Rivals Ain't So Scared Of Big Two

IT'S that time of year. Last Sunday before the season starts.

Get your tips out for the lads. And lasses. Every year every staff writer in the country has to put themselves through ritual humiliation.

Picking the winners and dropouts for the months ahead. Four weeks before the transfer window closes. Ten months before a prize gets handed out.

One piece of educated yet ultimately flip-of-the-coin guesswork will either be pinned on a dressing-room wall to "getitrightupye" when proved wrong.

Or trotted out in a victorious "Well, I predicted this 10 months ago" swagger.

My recent record? Less than stellar.

Two years ago - Rangers. Paul Le Guen coming in, blinding reputation. Stilian Petrov gone from Celtic and by the start of the season no one in. A criminally bad pre-season in Poland and the USA.

In my defence I did an about turn by the end of the transfer window that season but who remembers.

Last season? Rangers. They looked resilient, built to last the rigours of a season, physical, determined after two years in the wilderness.

Again, in my defence, I'm still convinced they were the architects of their own downfall. The only other game it was possible for them to play last season that they didn't was if they'd been taken to a Cup replay by East Stirling.

If they hadn't run out of steam, shown Celtic a chink of light when they did, the title would have been theirs.

You can always explain the logic of your decision in hindsight. Doesn't matter how you wrap it up though. Wrong is wrong.

So drum roll please. This season ... Celtic will win the SPL.

Maybe. Or Rangers could. But probably not. See there's the problem. At the moment you're comparing the two teams' starting points, strengths and weaknesses.

Celtic are building from the high of three in a row. Their key players, Shunsuke Nakamura aside, are all fit.

Okay, they've only made one new signing but if it ain't broke?

The only area I'm surprised they've left alone is leftback.

By the end of August I'll be amazed if that's still the case.

Compare the two teams department for department. You'dtake Celtic inall of them.

They lost seven fewer league goals last season than Rangers. Scored exactly the same number.

And with Barry Ferguson and Carlos Cuellar missing the kick-off? With their main striker being booed on his first touch in every game?

I looked at Falkirk's start to the season - Rangers, Hibs, Celtic - and feared the worst. Now? They should be like a bull at the gate on Saturday lunchtime.

One thing I am sure about - the rest of the SPL will be on the Old Firm like a rash.

Celtic dropped points in eight of their 34 games against the other 10 last season, Rangers in nine of theirs.

And the more the other teams see the big two's frailties the less fear they have.

The past two weeks I've been away with Hearts, Aberdeen and Falkirk. They're all champing at the bit.

If Hearts can find two strikers they're golden. Csaba Laszlo might just be able to manage what happens above him as well as below him. The Dons looked in great shape against a right good Vitesse Arnhemside on Wednesday and the Bairns?

If you can get 20s on them for a European place risk a shilling to make a pound.

Their signings blend in brilliantly and if Neil NcCann and Burton O'Brien stay fit they have match-winning inspiration.

The Arabs looked great against Barcelona for 45 minutes, not so great against Lionel Messi for another 45.

But they won't face anyonewith a tenth of his gifts. Third spot beckons.

Motherwell will dispute that but losing Ross McCormack may have a bigger impact than they'd like.

Middle to bottom is as tough to call as the top - and I hate predicting failure.

I get a real feeling Accies will be fine IF they can get a start. St Mirren have signedwell andwill be thanking their lucky stars they've held on to Andy Dorman.

Which leaves imploding Hibs, skint Killie and Inverness - hard seasons ahead.

I fear Caley Thistle's long run of steady progress will be under threat. I hate saying that because they're a model club.

So feel free nextMay, if I'm wrong, to call me and tell me where to ram it. You won't be the only ones.

email: g.waddell@sundaymail.co.uk