Scotland back on the map with Celtic and Rangers flying

This season has seen the return of both Glasgow's big two, Celtic and Rangers, assert their dominance not just in Scotland but in Europe for the first time in years. Although they distance themselves from the rest of the pack, these two teams edging closer to full potential can only be a good thing.

It has been a while since the country had two competitive teams in Europe and neck and neck in the Premiership. The sides are separated by a solitary goal going into the international break proving that we finally have a title race back. Scottish football has been at the feet of Celtic as they have stormed to eight successive titles, as well as a 'treble treble', and although they are confident of making it nine in a row, Rangers are finally back challenging and attempting to a lay a finger on the Champions. With Liverpool already eight clear down South, neutral's eyes turn Northward for the excitement.



If the title race itself wasn't intriguing enough, there are plenty individual battles that have captivated fans, none more so than the striker debate. Alfredo Morelos or Odsonne Edouard has been the subject of many football call-in's, twitter debates and pub chat for the past while. Both totally different strikers but both magnificent in their own way. Alfredo, or 'The Buffalo' as he has been dubbed, has already hit the back of the net a phenomenal twenty-two times and on the other side of the city everyone want's to be Edouard with the Frenchman impressing with his all round play for Celtic and France. The choice of who you want in your squad could go on for hours (and that's without throwing veterans Defoe and and a fit Griffths into the mix!) but let's just enjoy it while we have two exceptional strikers battling it out in Scotland.



As well as our domestic football catching the eye, the Old Firm are strutting their stuff in Europe too. The biggest qualm with Brendan Rodger's Celtic was his inability to adapt to play in Europe. However, in typical Neil Lennon fashion, he has made his team a force to be reckoned with. Celtic have qualified for the knock-outs with two games to spare, creating history on the way with memorable victories over Lazio leading to their first ever win in Italy. Despite Ranger's one blip, they remain in a strong position too after two positive results against a strong Porto team. This success has improved our position with Scotland's favourite word, the coefficient. The two victories last week saw us jump three places so I'm all for these special Thursday nights in the Europa League!



We are not getting carried away. We are far off the days of Henrik Larrson bagging braces in major European finals or Nacho Novo slotting home winning penalties in Fiorentina. But let's enjoy our game getting back on the big stage and big it up! Don't be a bore like Charlie Nicholas and slate it at every opportunity. Never thought I'd say this but ... be more of a Sutton or McCoist - enjoy it, praise and back it! It can only be a good thing.