Season 5: Champions League debut
As a result of last season’s third place finish, we were in the Champions League qualifiers!
With that in mind, I felt there was a need to try and bring in a signing of experience and quality. That man was Cristiano Doni (2.8m) from Newcastle.
I also added Cherno Samba (1m).
The qualifier draw could have been easier – Fenerbahce.
A magnificent first half saw us lead 2-0 in Turkey, and although we eventually ended 2-2, we were in a positive position ahead of the home leg.
An early Fenerbahce goal had us worried slightly but a Doni brace proving straight away why we signed him.
For a change, we made a really good start to the SPL season, and we were setting the pace after 10 games.
Both Rangers and Celtic had disappointing starts, and for the first time, we were really on the front foot.
We were just grateful to be in the Champions League group stages, though we landed a really tough group of Feyenoord, Milan and Leverkusen.
For me, it was just about the financial rewards and prestige of being in the comp.
We bowed out with six defeats in the group stages, but we gave a good account of ourselves and it enabled us to put us on the map a little.
Following the cup win of last season, we made it to the final of the League Cup this year:
In the end, we fell away in the league and finished third for a second successive season
P38 W20 D6 L12 F89 A75 PTS66
A positive season, but a sure need to strengthen the defence.
