Towards the end of 2015, after growing frustrated with FM16, I made the decision to get back to CM 01/02. One of my favourite ever games was when I dominated Europe with Rangers – so I thought a good way of getting back to the game was in the SPL with Hearts. Follow my story here.
Season 7: Another what might have been
So season 2007/08. Last season’s disappointing 4th placed finish meant no Champions League.
What that meant was a summer of strengthening, and in came Mirko Antonioli (Bosman), Cristian Gasperoni (2.5m), Roy Keane (free – player/coach) and Scott Michie (free).
By now the “players unhappy at lack of squad depth” was frustrating me massively. No matter how big my squad, this wouldn’t go.
I was now running with a particularly big squad.
This is how we started the season against Celtic:
For a change, we started the SPL strongly. Four wins and two draws from the first six before the first defeat to Rangers.
The Rangers defeat came after we’d started our European excursions, as we safely navigated a first round tie against FC Levadia of Estonia.
We went on an unprecedented run of six straight wins in the league, most of which were thumping – 3-1, 4-1, 4-0, 5-1, 6-0.
Sadly, a European exit on away goals followed.
We managed to keep pace with Rangers and Celtic for much of the season, with early cup exits enabling a focus on the league.
Further signings were added in the shape of Terje Sanne (240k), Fredrik Stenman (400k) and Juan Sara (Bosman) to try and boost the ranks.
A nervy run towards the end of the regular season saw us drop a bit behind, but a Roy Keane inspired 4-0 win over Celtic had us dreaming.
Sadly, the dreams were brought crashing down, as a 4-2 defeat to Rangers in the penultimate game of the season meant I was unable to take the title race in to the final day.
So another third placed finish and still just a solitary Scottish Cup to show as glory in this save to date.
This story first appeared on the champman0102.co.uk forums.
