Well, are there any Rangers fans out there?  Perhaps not, as they will probably still be in bed with their heads buried under the pillow.

Hasn't been a great week for Rangers fans, has it?  First they play terrible in the UEFA Cup Final and lose, then their fans, or at least a moronic minority of them, go on the rampage because they can't take defeat after a few pints of heavy.  And then to cap the week off, the finally throw away what looked like an unassailable lead in the League and lose the title to their fiercest rivals, Celtic.  Oh dear!  Can it really get any worse?

Perhaps not, but if you're a Celtic fan, my god I bet you've got one hell of a smile on your face.  As Celtic were beating Dundee Utd 1 - 0 at Tannadice Rangers were contriving to lose 2 - 0 at Aberdeen.  It all resulted in Celtic's 42nd title.

Celtic celebrate their 42nd championship title

Compare that to Barry Ferguson's reaction for Rangers as they lost to Aberdeen.

A night of major disappointment and frustration for Barry Ferguson and all Rangers fans

The Soccer Blogger

Celtic have won the Scottish Premier title with four games to spare thanks to a dramatic and stunning injury time free kick from Shunsuke Nakamura away to Kilmarnock this afternoon.

The Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has now emulated his predecessor Martin O’Neill by winning back-to-back titles in his first two years at the club. Quite some achievement and one the blue half of Glasgow would love to have at the moment.

Following Rangers’ win yesterday over Hearts, The Bhoys had to win today if they wanted to win the title this weekend. It looked as though the Park Head team were going to have to wait for another week, then with two minutes of extra time already on the clock, up stepped Nakamura to send the travelling green and hopped fans into ecstasy. The champagne, which looked like it was on its way back to the fridge, was popped and the party began.

The next game for Celtic is a at home next Sunday against Hearts and there will be a carnival atmosphere for the parading of the trophy.

The Soccer Blogger

Celtic beat a battling St Johnstone this lunchtime in the Scottish Cup Semi Final at Hampden Park to keep alive the prospect of a double but you have to say they made hard work of it really.

It was the strangely named Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink who scored a penalty early on for Celtic but the side from Perth, on the east coast of Scotland, struck back with a lob from Martin Hardie.

However, it was the Dutchman who then grabbed his second goal with a straightforward header from a corner.

The First Division side wanted to put on a good display and not let themselves or their fans down and they certainly did that and turned in an impressive display to keep the Celtic defence busy throughout the game, which was played in glorious sunshine in Glasgow.

Celtic will now meet the winner of tomorrow’s second semi, also to be played at Hampden Park, between Hibernian and Dunfermline.

Apparently Hibernian’s Dean Shiels has recovered from a thigh problem but he and fellow midfielder Michael Stewart will not be in the squad for tomorrow’s game.

Scott Brown’s upcoming three-match ban does not apply to the Scottish Cup.

On-loan Hibs player Stephen Glass, suspended midfielder Stephen Simmons and cup-tied striker Tam McManus are all unavailable for the Pars.

Stevie Crawford is struggling with a back problem, but defender Scott Wilson should return from a muscle strain.

Whichever team wins tomorrow, I think I can say without too much contradiction, that they will go into the Final against Celtic as underdogs!

The Soccer Blogger

Barry Ferguson, the Glasgow Rangers captain, will not face any punishment from Uefa after an incident in which he appeared to strike a player from Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv. Ferguson reacted angrily to opponent Tal Chen during Wednesday’s 2-1 Uefa Cup first leg defeat.

Lucky Ferguson, who has had his fair share of brushes with the authorities, is now available to take his place in the return leg at Ibrox on Feb 22nd.

Not unsurprisingly the Rangers manager, Walter Smith stated that “common sense had prevailed.” Though I’m sure he must have been a little worried that he could have been without his skipper for the crucial return leg. Bet Walter had a little word with Barry privately though.

Smith also said, “we are pleased with Uefa’s decision and that the matter is now out of the way.” I bet you are Walter!

The Soccer Blogger