There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, in my opinion, is the sale of Rangers’ Nikica Jelavic to Everton. The Croat had an impeccable 2011, as the driving force behind Rangers’ double and scoring 28 goals in the calendar year. It was inevitable that bigger clubs were going to come looking for him and indeed in August, Rangers rejected a £6.5m bid from Championship side, Leicester City. Three important braces in the first half of the 2011-12 season, against Dundee Utd, Hibs and St Johnston, made him an even more desirable asset and come January there were several more English clubs after the big striker. Rangers rejected several bids from West Ham before, pressured for time and, with their desperate financial situation, needing to capitalise on Jelavic’ form, they were forced to accept a late £5.5m bid from Everton, taking Jelavic to the Premier League. He got a better reception on the Goodison pitch than an earlier pitch invader (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUk3vORG4cY). On his arrival he said, “It is a big thing for me and it is a new step in my career, a step forward.” Time will tell if it was a good career move for the Croat but he should make his first start for the Toffees this weekend against struggling Wigan. Everton have had a turbulent season so far but are showing vague signs of recovery following their victory over league leaders, Man City, last night. A reliable front man is exactly what the Liverpuddlian side needs; currently Leighton Baines is their top scorer for the season with a grand total of three goals. You wouldn’t bet on a European place at this point in the season but stranger things have happened and Jelavic may prove a revelation in the Premier League.

Another reason for my recent joy has been the apparently unstoppable form of Celtic. With twelve wins on the trot, Hooper and Stokes in sensational form and a League Cup final against Kilmarnock to look forward to, things have barely been better for Celtic firms. As Rangers are only a point behind us in the league things are far from secure but considering the point differences mid-November things are certainly swinging in Celtic’s favour. The loss of Jelavic and long-term injury of Steven Naismith leave Rangers with very few options up front, as demonstrated by Ally McCoist’s desperate, yet unsuccessful, last minute attempt to pry Grant Holt from Norwich. Their manager can see that even with great players such as Steven Davis and Allan McGregor they will struggle to continue beating teams in the manner they are currently doing with such a lack of depth to their squad. By the time of the next Old Firm game, at the end of March, it may be that the league and indeed the season for Celtic are wrapped up.

The fan’s backing seems to have given Neil Lennon a greater inner confidence this season; leading him to better management of the team through calm encouragement and, when necessary, criticism. It is a better method than that of last season, in which he made clear his utter contempt for Rangers Football Club, obviously in doing so gaining the utmost respect and support of the Celtic faithful, but also almost getting himself killed in the process.

Yes, the SPL is a two team league and again by February, despite a valiant effort from Motherwell in the early part of the season, the point difference between second and third is almost twenty, but this doesn’t necessarily make it a bad league. It is no more two-team dominant than La Liga; though obviously lacking the majority of the Top 50 players in the world. However, to use a very tenuous allegory, all the Americans will not boycott the 2012 election simply because it is fought between only the Republicans and the Democrats, because that’s the way it has always been. Similarly, the SPL will still continue to be watched by all its fans in Scotland and around the world because it’s taken for granted that the league will always be fought between the two Glasgow clubs and it’s just as entertaining for that. The fact that two teams are much better than everyone else is better than a situation, as often is the case in England, in which yes, there are four or five very good teams, but almost always one separates itself from the pack leaving very little excitement on the final day of the season, unlike the SPL where for three of the last four years, the title race has gone down until the very last day.

Sandy Thin