GLF69: Christopher - editorial 69!
A balancing act required but let's aim to make it a real tour
A favourite rent-a-quote for many managers is that it's the league that is priority and that cup competitions are but a pleasant distraction each season.But, as has become refreshing expected from Mark McGhee, our gaffer has been candid in his focus on ensuring our UEFA Cup exploits don't turn out to be a one-round wonder and that he would sacrifice a certain amount of SPL focus to secure this.Is this the right way to go about season 2008/2009??
Europe or Bust?!
After everything we went through last season to earn our first foray to foreign shores in thirteen years, would it be wrong of us to make our priority Europe rather than the SPL at this moment in time?I mean, what sort of team would it make us if we were to fall at the first hurdle in embarassing circumstances after a big build-up and have nothing to look forward to between now and May except domestic competitions - well, it'd make us Rangers and NOBODY wants that now do they!!!!!!
It would be unrealistic to think that the main reason we still have our much-lauded manager at the helm is anything other than the lure of taking part in European competition.
McGhee is desperate to add this to his CV and in staying with us to have his first crack and continental opposition it would be remiss of him to only sample one such team and bow out of the competition before Halloween.This isn't to say that he hashis eye off of league duties but he should be believed that, similar to our team line-ups against the Old Firm prior to the massive Aberdeen game towards the end of last season, he will send out less recognised starting XI's at Fir Park against Celtic and St Mirren to safeguard his best side for those two vital dates in September and October.Having said that, could we still not expect to pick up three points from those two games even with a weakened team??That may well depend on what signings he makes by the month end to allow our pack to be shuffled, but more of that inside ......
My last question to you would be - What are you looking forward to most next weekend - the trip to Easter Road or the announcement of who we'll be drawn against in the first round of this season's UEFA Cup?????
Here We Go Again!!!!!!
GLF enters it's twentieth season in rude health with another great issue, a strong team of contributors and sellersand a couple of great interviews with heroes both past and present.With your continued support we've been able to continue our sponsorship of Darren Smith for the season ahead - could he be the one to make himself a 'Well Euro hero??We look forward to finding out !!!!!!!!!!!!
Love 'n' stuff
Christopher Hutton
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