Is now the time to back Celtic before we have even got past the World Cup?They were horrid last season under Mowbray, but Lennon showed signs of recovery near the end, winning 8 games on the bounce. Mowbray took a sledgehammer to the first team and with players like Caldwell, Robson, McManus and McDonald shown the door too quickly, the new team didn't gel and fell apart especially at the back.
If Neil Lennon and Johan Mjallby get the job, expect continued progress without turning them into world beaters, a 15 point improvement is well capable. Lets not forget a few horrid Old Firm decisions went against them too.
The real question is what will happen Rangers. No new contracts for players or Walter Smith or Ally McCoist and a huge tax bill plunging them into further uncontrollable debt. A fire sale might recoup €20 million but that would still leave them about 50 million in debt with little assets to compete. Champions League money will help but they have been hoping against hope for a crazy philanthropist to bail them out. That looks increasing unlikely with their current noose around their neck.
The best way for Rangers to get out would be to go into administration thereby taking a points deduction and paying something like 20p in the £1 of their debts. This would make it more attractive for a potential buyer to come in and start with no debts. Therefore a sacrifice of one season, this season would have to be made for the good of the club long term. Even if it was as strong as 30 points deduction, rangers would still not get relegated so it would be the lesser of two evils.
Yes it would annoy their followers to see them concede the title before it even starts and how ironic that for all those Elizabethan Ibrox men that Her Majesty's Government tax bill would be the straw that broke their back.
From a betting perspective, Sky Bets 6/5 on Celtic could look ridiculously generous come September if it plays out that way. And even if Rangers didn't go into administration, 6/5 would still be a decent bet in a two horse race with one horse needing to unship their star jockey. If Kevin Thompson goes to Middlesborough in the next few weeks, that could push Celtic's price down alone.
Back Celtic at 6/5 with Sky Bet
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