The statement released by Duff and Phelps last night revealed the substance to the lobbying that had taken place since the original punishment handed out by the SFA judicial panel:

“The decision by the appellate tribunal to uphold the sanction, namely the suspension of registration of players for one year, is not competent in the view of the club and its legal advisers.

“Such a sanction was not available to the tribunal”.

The suspension of player registrations was not one of the suggested punishments on the menu for the judicial panel but the rules allowed them to vary from guidance and choose whatever punishment they believed appropriate.

The appeal correctly found that the judicial panel were not were not subject to an exhaustive list of possible punishments.  Duff and Phelps main hope was that the SFA rules were unclear and poorly constructed, as they were before an overhaul last year.

You don’t need to look too hard for the irony.

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The SFA Judicial Panel which disciplined Rangers two weeks ago was independent of the SFA.  Tonight’s appellate panel was also independent but as I was reminded tonight, there’s independent and there’s ‘independent’.

Celtic Quick News has cast its share of aspersions in the direction of the SFA in recent years but even President What-school-did-you-go-to? could not spike what appears to be well established processes.

The consequences from tonight’s decision by the SFA appellant panel will run deep for Stewart Regan, and I suspect life would be easier for him if a more accommodating verdict was returned, but the structure he created delivered what he promised.  Justice, without fear or favour. Credit where due.

You and I have a responsibility to start rebuilding trust, and Scottish football, from here. Don’t wallow in past times, or a in an old victim mentality. Tomorrow belongs to you and your neighbours who support Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hibs, St Mirren, Motherwell and many others. Make sure you enjoy that future and are not consumed by past torments.

Rangers is a former football club.  They played their last game on Sunday 13 May 2012 at Perth.

We’ve been predicting this for months, and if you think the revelations and shocks are over, think again.  Empires will crumble, oceans will dry and galaxies will collide next week.  The surface has only been scratched.

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There was some misunderstanding that Charles ‘Emerald’ Green’s suggestion that he was hoping to “invest in the playing side right away” might not play well with major creditor HMRC.  Capital introduced to the company after a CVA has nothing to do with a creditor’s assessment of the offer and, if anything, would offer comfort to HMRC that the company would be able to maintain future payments.

The comments are more of a challenge for the football authorities.  The independent SFA appellant panel will today assess whether to increase, reduce of remove Rangers 12 month player registration embargo.  Rangers narrative for the last two weeks is that this embargo could put them out of business.  Apparently, they need to spend MORE money in future to ensure survival.

It remains to be seen if playing victim does them any good at appeal but Green has brushed this away, Rangers now plan to put a team on the field to win the league and reach the Champions League.  Maybe not the wisest PR move.

John O’Hara, the Celtic secretary, had been unable to lure Kelly. Glass, however, was indefatigable and said he had ‘camped on his doorstep’. The 22-year-old was talked into taking part in Celtic’s first ever match, a 5-2 win over Rangers. ‘No Kelly, no Keltic’ became a catch phrase summary of the towering centre half’s significance. ‘I knew that if I could get Kelly, the rest would follow’, said Glass.

From Celtic: A Biography in Nine Lives, by Kevin McCarra.

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Hibernian chairman, Rob Petrie, yesterday told BBC Radio Scotland “Integrity is beyond purchase”.  It’s incredible to think that we live in times where this is actually news.

It’s hard to imagine how anyone would go about arguing with Rod on this matter.  Kilmarnock chairman, Michael Johnston’s recent comment, “The [SPL] clubs are mindful of a sporting integrity aspect but the commercial benefits may outweigh that” offers the alternative view, but the logical conclusion of Petrie’s argument is stark.  If integrity of top clubs can be purchased, what about officials, referees and players with bookmaker friends?

We can assume Hibernian will join Celtic in voting against admitting a Newco directly into the SPL, should such a vote occur.  Five clubs in total are required to block such a proposal.  With Petrie declared against, would Romanov at Hearts vote for Newco?  His previous public pronouncements suggest he would relish the opportunity to take on one of the big Glasgow clubs.

Dundee United and Aberdeen are two other clubs under significant supporter pressure.  Both teams are also keen to change the 11-1 voting rule, which would be possible without a Newco.

Rangers, Kilmarnock, St Johnstone (through manager Steve Lomas) have all declared in favour of admitting a Newco, I expect Motherwell and St Mirren will do the same.  Ross County and Inverness may fancy adding Dundee into next season’s relegation fight instead of Newco but there has been no indication how either club would vote.

The 7^th May vote was the best chance of getting Newco provisions voted through.  The more time clubs have to consider the decision the more susceptible they will be to supporter lobby.

I am of the view that SPL chief, Neil Doncaster, will not allow himself to become aware if Rangers have a prima facie case to answer as a result of the SPL inquiry into contractual arrangements until after a vote is taken.  Deadline for clubs to respond to the inquiry passed over five weeks ago. A simple check of submissions against SPL records is all that is required. Even if each clubs issued an all-clear, the inquiry should have reported.

Doncaster perhaps has no idea of the flood that will come his way soon and wash away all of these questions. His opportunity to act before events overtake him is limited.

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