Looking at last season's table after thirteen games, we were on twelve points and sitting in tenth position. We were, however, only six points off the top six and as amazing as it seems, we actually maintained our chances of a top half finish until late into the season. It was only in the final twelve games that the wheels really came off the bandwagon and did for Maurice Malpas. Also significant is that our present total of twenty points would have had us in the thick of the European race this time last year. While there are no doubt numerous conclusions to be drawn, one would seem to be there were fewer good teams in the league - as proved by the mediocre Aberdeen reaching Europe - and yet we still struggled desperately.
This season on the other hand we are doing much better. The points total and our position in the table is an undeniable improvement but there are also things to be seen in the rest of the table which make pleasant reading.
Rather than 2nd to 12th, or 3rd to 11th at least, being an even scrap like last season, the league this year seems to have split into sections. The Old Firm will naturally be the top two with United and Hibs in pursuit. A group of clubs, Hearts,
The excitement of that is somewhat manufactured but it can't be denied that this is an infinitely better place than we found ourselves last season. Regardless of whether we finish fifth or eighth things are going in the right direction and with United probably unlikely to maintain their present pace, there is even an outside chance of sneaking fourth. Ultimately though anything which has us in mid-table this season has to be viewed as a very solid first season for Mark McGhee and it is a credit to the amazing work he has done that mere middling safety will now be viewed with a little disappointment.