There’s never a dull moment in Scottish football.
2021 had it all; ill fated trips to Dubai, an invincible league campaign, Glen Kamara suffering sickening racial abuse by an opponent and half-filled stadium, a government combusting and calling for football to be stopped because of some Rangers fans celebrating, a Champions League return that was over before it started and a change of manager that, with hindsight, we should all have seen coming.
For perspective, it is a little over 10 weeks away from the anniversary of Rangers being awarded the title in March of this year, and yet, there are still some of a green and grey persuasion that insist our league title was “lucky”.
Records were broken for points, clean sheets, goals conceded and we continued an unbeaten Old Firm record that now goes back to 2019, but aye, we were lucky.
Our European form remains at a consistently high level, making the knockout stages again in the Europa League, what used to be celebrated is now being expected, other than 55, Steven Gerrard’s true legacy from his time in charge – he has put us back on the map and restored a battered reputation.
The start of the 2020/21 season has been disjointed and fractured, players returning from suspension, the European Championships and injury meant that pre-season was little more than an opportunity to give them minutes, no real concession was developed – that our best player was Stephen Kelly who has been virtually anonymous since says it all.
Gerrard leaving was accepted as inevitable but it was the timing that hurt the most, who knows what would have happened had he at least have seen out the league cup semi against Hibs, hopefully, that was the low and turning point for a season that now promises so much with Giovanni van Bronckhorst at the helm.
Things couldn’t have gone much better for the Dutchman in his first weeks in charge but he will now want to consolidate this start – which includes a welcome return to keeping clean sheets and scoring first – by beating Celtic at Parkhead, a venue he has enjoyed success at before, when this will take place is anyone’s guess.
The target – it has to be the double, the Europa League is an added bonus in terms of any other games beyond the might of Borussia Dortmund.
Our cup form – no major domestic cup since 2011 – is a disgrace and Gio will hopefully put that right this year, although, as normal, if I was given the choice, the Scottish Premiership is, and always will be the priority.
A trimming of the dead wood, perhaps one big name departure and a few new faces and we will be good to go on the other side of the break, with or without fans, those expecting “normality’ in 2022 could be in for a shock – unless that is us retaining our title and confirming our status as the top club in the country that is.