Happy Hoops spy more Scottish glory

Celtic FC start the 2008/09 season as favourites to retain the Scottish Premier League crown they clinched in dramatic circumstances on the final day of last term.

'New challenge'
Two days after the funeral of first-team coach Tommy Burns, Gordon Strachan became the first Celtic manager since the legendary Jock Stein to lift three consecutive titles when his side beat Dundee United FC 1-0 at Tannadice. Meanwhile, nearest rivals Rangers FC were slipping to a 2-0 defeat at nearby Aberdeen FC a week after losing the UEFA Cup final to FC Zenit St. Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium. "Last year was the most exciting and enjoyable title win of the three I've experienced here," said Strachan, who also guided Celtic to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the second consecutive season. "I want to get better and that's the new challenge."

Rangers humbled
The quest for four in a row has arguably been made easier by Rangers' exit from the UEFA Champions League earlier this week following their 2-1 defeat to FBK Kaunas in the second qualifying round. However, Strachan – whose team have a bye to the group stage – knows from bitter experience that silk purses can be made from sow's ears as demonstrated during his own first season in charge at Celtic Park when his Celtic side bounced back from a similar humiliation at the hands of FC Artmedia Petržalka to take the 2005/06 league and cup double.

No distractions
From having too many fixtures last season, Rangers are now free to concentrate on domestic matters without the added demands of European football. However, Walter Smith will have to make do without his influential captain Barry Ferguson until the end of October when the midfielder is expected to return from ankle surgery and the Ibrox club's chances of domestic success will also depend on whether they can retain the services of Spain defender Carlos Cuéllar, their best player last season.

'A mental blow'
First and foremost they have to bounce back from the defeat in Lithuania, starting with Saturday's opener at Falkirk FC. "There's no doubt we have taken a mental blow against Kaunas," said veteran defender Christian Dailly. "It's one we have to deal with and that starts this weekend against Falkirk. Now we only have the SPL to think about but it's still hard to think about after this disappointment."

Transfers
After a good summer in the transfer market, Craig Levein's Dundee United FC and last season's third-placed side Motherwell FC, are expected to provide the biggest challenge to the Old Firm while it remains to be seen how much of an influence new Heart of Midlothian FC manager Csaba Lázsló can exert in his first season at Tynecastle. At the other end newcomers Hamilton Academical FC are the favourites for a swift return to the first division, but Kilmarnock FC, who only scored 39 goals last season could also be dragged into the relegation dogfight.