The last review

Another day, another review of the season.

Actually this one is the start of a monthly overview of all things Scottish football across on Albion Road:

This is turning into a really depressing review, isn’t it? It wasn’t all bad. Honestly. 39 year old David Weir played every minute of every league match as he captained Rangers to the title. He was rewarded with a host of Player of the Year awards. Few would grudge him the accolades although his teammate Steven Davis, at the heart of so much that Rangers do well, would have pipped him to the gongs had the voters cast aside sentimentality.

Rangers achievement in winning the title – leaving aside the flimsy nature of Celtic’s opposition – was proof of what a decent manager with a committed, hardworking team playing to their strengths can achieve. Financial uncertainty means Walter Smith’s future remains unclear. If this is to be his last hurrah then he leaves as one of the Ibrox greats.

Dundee United’s Scottish Cup win was a welcome break on the Old Firm’s stranglehold of the silverware. Combined with third place in the SPL it was a real statement of intent about United’s plans for establishing themselves as the best of the rest. The Scottish Cup also gave us Ross County and their incredible run to the final. Their win over Celtic in the semi-finals was one of the biggest results Scottish football has ever seen and sparked life into a season that provided little cause for enthusiasm. We’re all due the Staggies a big thank you.

And that is pretty much that as far as 2009/2010 in Scottish football is concerned.

I didn't do awards this year but very briefly:

• Player - Steven Davis (if he'd already turned 40 he'd have swept the board. And that comeback victory over John Higgins was a joy to behold)
• Young Player - Anthony Stokes (20-plus goals for a non Old Firm team is exceptional. To do it for a team that stopped playing in February is all the more remarkable.)
• Team - Dundee United (best of the rest, a cup win, recovered from both the loss of their manager and a mid season wobble.)
• Manager - Danny Lennon (brilliant promotion against a backdrop of misery.)

So onwards to 2010/2011. With a World Cup to negotiate on the way. Bring it on.