How does Celtic boss Neil Lennon deal with the Leigh Griffiths situation?
Keith Jackson: That all depends on how Griffiths deals with it. This is a guy who feeds off playing football. Given his previous issues it’s probably no surprise that he struggled to keep himself focused and fit through lockdown. But he’s proved his resilience in the past and will have to do so all over again now that the ball is back out.
Fraser Wilson: It’s a bit disappointing on the player’s part but Lennon has proved he knows how to man-manage the striker. A fit Griffiths will have a big part to play in the bid for 10 In A Row so Lennon needs to cajole rather than crack the whip.
Scott Burns: It is a hard one. Leigh is a talented, talented footballer but at times he is his own worst enemy. There is no doubt he will come back and score goals for fun but he has to realise he can’t keep gambling with his Celtic career.
Michael Gannon: It’s a tricky one. Griffiths can be a major player for Celtic but he needs to stay on the straight and narrow. Lennon will know whether he needs an arm around the shoulder or a boot up the backside but the manager’s patience won’t be unlimited. It will be up to Griff what happens next.
Where do Rangers need to strengthen in the next few weeks?
Keith: They don’t need to strengthen. What they need to do is improve. Given the woeful nature of last season’s collapse there’s not one player in that squad who should consider himself an automatic first pick - and yet too many of them were. Steven Gerrard has to find a way of shaking them up.
Fraser: A versatile right sided defender who could cover right-back and centre back would help after the loss of Matt Polster and injury to Niko Katic. But another goalscorer with a bit of aerial threat would be even more useful.
Scott: I think that Rangers need to bring in another striker. I think they need somebody with a bit more pace at the top end that can take some of the burden off Alfredo Morelos.
Michael: They’ll need cover at the back with Nikola Katic suffering a long term injury and they could still do with competition and support at right back. Gers could do with a bit of muscle in the midfield and another striker would be handy as well.
The transfer market is hotting up in Scotland despite the money worries, who has done the best business so far?
Keith: Hibs have come flying out of the blocks despite implementing severe cost cutting measures. It will be particularly fascinating to see how Kevin Nisbet adapts to top flight football. They just might have the next Lawrence Shankland on their hands.
Fraser: Motherwell. Bringing back Jake Hastie and Mark O’Hara was wise business while Ricki Lamie fits the Well defensive profile perfectly. Jordan White could add a new dimension in attack while keeping hold of David Turnbull and Allan Campbell has the Steelmen looking strong for third again.
Scott: In terms of volume you would have to say Motherwell but I would say in terms of quality, I would go for Hibs with Kevin Nisbet, Drey Wright and Alex Gogic.
Michael: Hibs might be feeling the pinch but they did some cracking business last week. Kevin Nisbet is a top prospect, Alex Gogic will add a bit of steel in the side and Drey Wright is a real coup, as he looked class at St Johnstone. Dunfermline have also been smart to snap up Steven Whittaker, Kevin O’Hara, Paul Watson, Declan McManus and Dom Thomas. They could be the dark horses in the Championship.
Was postponing the Ryder Cup until next year the right call by golf chiefs?
Keith: Yes. It’s the raucous atmosphere created behind the ropes which makes the event so unique. Golf can get by without the galleries for the time being but the Ryder Cup is a different kettle of fish completely.
Fraser: Yes. One look at the surge in Covid-19 cases in Wisconsin proves that. It gives us another year to look forward to the greatest golf show on the planet.
Scott: I don’t think they had any option. It is too big an event to take a risk with. Also, who knows if there is going to be another spike so postponing it until 2021 gives that extra breathing space.
Michael: It’s another sore one but it’s the correct decision. The Ryder Cup would be soulless without the fans involved and there’s no chance of a crowd in September given the mess American has got itself in to with the pandemic. The selection process would have been a shambles as well so it’s right to bump it back a year and do it properly.
