Scottish Football 
/ Michael Lintorn / 16 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Opinion is split as to whether McCoist will be a success as Rangers boss
"When Smith left the first time in 1998 after overseeing seven championship wins in eight campaigns, it didn’t stop Rangers from claiming top spot in each of the following two years."
Champions Rangers get the 2011-12 SPL campaign underway against Hearts next Saturday, but despite three title successes in a row, they aren't fancied as much as Celtic.
The SPL gets off to an incredibly early start next week and neither champions Rangers nor favourites Celtic appear anywhere near ready, with Ally McCoist admitting that he has much more work to do and the Bhoys yet to replace goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Neil Lennon insists that he has faith in Polish shot-stopper Lukasz Zaluska filling the void but has taken Croatian custodian Stipe Pletikosa, most recently of Tottenham, on loan and has shown an interest in Craig Gordon, and it looks likely that one of those will sign.
Despite missing out last season by a point, Celtic are [1.84] frontrunners to finish first, the change of management at Ibrox and arrivals of Championship defenders Kelvin Wilson and Adam Matthews on free transfers and Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama for £1 million at Parkhead tilting the scales.
Walter Smith's departure is undeniably a huge blow for the Gers, however given that they have won the last three titles, his number two McCoist has succeeded him and the long-awaited Craig Whyte takeover has prevented any major player exits, their odds of [2.32] have to be considered generous.
Indeed, when Smith left the first time in 1998 after overseeing seven championship wins in eight campaigns, it didn't stop them from claiming top spot in each of the following two years.
Their bid for a fourth straight triumph hasn't been helped by a frustrating window to date. McCoist is in no position to complain given the pressure that his predecessor faced to sell stars, but will be mildly irritated to have made just one addition so far in Almeria midfielder Juan Manuel Ortiz.
Elsewhere, the main summer headlines were earned by Hearts for all the wrong reasons, including alleging a mafia conspiracy against them. Their delay in axing Craig Thomson after he was placed on the sex offenders' register went down badly, especially as they only acted once sponsors withdrew.
Despite a typically chaotic few months, the capital club are [2.1] favourites to be the top performers outside of the Old Firm. They contest the season's curtain-raiser next Saturday lunchtime away to Rangers, while their rivals Hibernian host Celtic on Sunday.
Celtic haven't won the SPL in any of the last three seasons yet they are the early favourites to be crowned champions of Scotland in 2011-12 at [1.85], with Rangers [2.16] to sustain their dominance in the absence of Walter...
Neil Lennon's agent Martin Reilly is adamant that the Celtic boss won't be forced out of the club by those making his life hell, ahead of what promises to be a thrilling finale to a gripping SPL title race.
Something has to give at Parkhead this Sunday as both Celtic and Rangers put their 100% records on the line in a bid to top the SPL.......
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