Is lack of Celtic transfers a concern and how big a problem is Rangers stadium cock up? Saturday Jury

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


How big a problem is the Ibrox construction cock-up to Rangers’ Premiership and Champions League hopes?

CRAIG SWAN: It’s not a disaster, but not ideal, especially in Europe. The Ibrox atmosphere has powered on those nights and not having it is a blow for qualifiers.

SCOTT BURNS: There is no doubt it will have an impact on and off the park. It will prove costly to the club having to rent another ground in the short-term and the atmosphere won’t be as intimidating as it would be at Ibrox.

FRASER WILSON: It’s huge. Rangers really can’t afford to lose any games in August if they’re to avoid the false start that ruined their chances last season. In terms of Europe then the Ibrox atmosphere has carried the players to some huge results in recent years and it’s hard to imagine that intensity being replicated at Murrayfield or Hampden.

Is Celtic’s lack of signings a concern with the new season fast approaching?

CRAIG: Celtic have to shop wisely. It’s quality over quantity and there’s two months to go in the market. No cause for concern at this stage.

SCOTT: I’m sure Brendan Rogers would have liked to get new faces in for the start of pre-season. The issue is with some of the players targeted that they are under contract to other clubs and it is a case of seeing if the right deal can be struck.

FRASER: It’s still early days and while Brendan Rodgers would no doubt like his squad in place for the pre-season trip to America, the reality is that the most important signings can often be made in the final few hours of a window - like Cameron Carter-Vickers three years ago.

Scotland’s Euros campaign is already a distant memory but where does the blame lie for such a poor showing?

CRAIG: It’s not about blame, it’s about learning lessons, understanding why as management and players we didn’t play as we can and making sure it’s better next time.

SCOTT: A lot of parties have to take their share of the blame. Steve Clarke made some major blunders tactically and with his team selection because there is no doubt this squad was good enough to get out of the group.

The players also have to look at themselves as lot of them never played to their potential and the SFA also have to look at the run of friendly games that Scotland had in the build-up.

FRASER: Steve Clarke will surely have regrets about some selections especially in the last game where we really had to get after Hungary. But it’s the big players who should be expected to drive the team forward on the pitch and our main men in the forward areas simply never turned up.

Now the groups are over who is your tip to go and win Euro 2024?

CRAIG: France remain the tip, but they didn’t do themselves any favours by not winning their group and going into the tougher half of the knockout draw.

SCOTT: I backed France before the tournament and although they haven’t hit the heights I still think they can come good. Spain also look like they can go far in the tournament.

FRASER: Germany. There’s no doubt Spain are looking strong while the fear is that England can only get better. But the Germans on home soil seem to have the right balance and goals coming from all over the place.