SPL Title Tip: Celtic

Rangers may have won three SPL titles on the spin, but there’s a prevailing feeling that without Walter Smith there to keep pulling rabbits out of the hat, times are about to change.

Celtic should have won the championship last season, and but for a remarkable slip-up in May at Inverness, they would have done so. Neil Lennon was embroiled in a vicious wave of off-field controversy and literally came under attack - the good news to emerge from that is he still enjoys the full backing of his team’s supporters. Based on results alone, this might not have been so unanimously the case. The man from Northern Ireland will be given a full opportunity to make this season a success, and with the problems across the city, he should deliver.

The task for Ally McCoist is a tricky one. He must quickly demonstrate that he is the equal of a man who has brought 10 league titles to Ibrox over two spells. Smith succeeded under financial constraints so the club’s all-time record goalscorer can’t fall back too readily on that old excuse. The legendary striker has so far failed to get any significant new faces through the door with the league campaign set to get underway against Hearts on Saturday. The new boss has his own star players pleading for investment in the squad. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor told the club website: “ I think we have seen how much we need to get the right people in and pretty sharpish at that.” Not words to fill any Gers fans with confidence.

Celtic had the better squad even last campaign and they have delved into the pot again with the purchases of Kelvin Wilson, Adam Matthews and Victor Wanyama. More importantly, they have signings made last summer who should continue to go from strength to strength this campaign. Left back Emilio Izaguirre won double player of the year awards in May while midfielder Beram Kayal excelled until he fractured his wrist in the ill-fated match at Inverness. A further year’s experience of Scottish football and better luck with injuries will surely see Lennon’s side improve.

Not that improvement needs to be considerable. Last season’s points tally of 92 would have been enough to win the league in any of the previous five years. Rightly favourites at 5/6 with Coral, things can only get better at Celtic Park.