SPL title race finally came to an end with Rangers beating up their arch rivals Celtic. An unbelievable 3-0 win at the end for Rangers against current champions Celtic came as a surprise for everybody. The first victory in four years was incredible. The winning team at one point of time was considered highly pedestrian as they once were 7 points behind their old firm rivals. Striker Kris Boyd came out with striking colours by being the SPL top scorer with his 31 league goals. Even though the manager Walter Smith dropped keeper Allen McGregor and long-serving captain Barry Ferguson, the luck favoured Ranger’s.

With their remarkable win over the other teams, Rangers has created a niche for themselves in the Champions League. Not only this, the club’s exhausted funds will also see a boost with 6 games in group stages in their stride. They will also be able to eliminate the memory of their early exit in Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas.

However Celtic will have to find their way through the qualification rounds which has been made more difficult now with the introduction of a new system. If they come in the second round, in 3^rd and 4^th qualification rounds, they will have to face Europe’s heavyweight leagues England, France, Italy, Spain etc.

With Walter Smith in team, the Rangers bagged remarkable league titles nine in a row in 1990s. UEFA cup last season also saw the team in finals. On the other hand Gordon Strachan from Celtic resigned the very next day and was not supported by the team anymore, though he claimed three league titles in his first three years.

Here are 4 players who are successful in my mind as for field players-this is however “now” not then or has ever been:

• Clint Dempsey: The Revolution and US MNT star has found a home in the premiership with Fulham. An interesting story if one is ever so fortunate as to read it, his Mom drove him 2 hours one way just to get to a better club team than the one in his home town.
• Freddy Adu: The 15 year old that we all heard sooo much about transferred to Benfica in Portugal to experience European soccer for himself. His story is yet to begin as we will watch what he does with his opportunities in Europe.
• DaMarcus Beasley: Many people love him for his speed and many talents however Manchester City thought different–no not that he didn’t have talent-just he wasn’t right for them right now…interesting. Watch him with Rangers.
• Sal Zizzo: A former UCLA player that jumped from college to the Bundesliga, Zizzo definitely has attracted the attention of many people other than those in the MLS. This will be an interesting story to follow as he avoided the MLS for some reason and made the jump directly to Europe. This is also interesting because he is a production of the next generation’s youth soccer programs, academies, camps etc. etc. He currently plays for Hannover 96.

All these players are young, full of talent, and ready to test the waters abroad. Keep up with all of them as surely some will shine, flourish, or fade away. View all of the “Yanks Abroad“.