Arrests, Celtic nations, absurd fantasies, selling the silver

1736

The BBC report that police in England detained four men in early morning raids in relation to an inquiry into the purchase of Rangers by Craig Whyte (not one of the four) from Sir David Murray. This one has been a slow burner so far and although this is a significant step, there are still many layers to be unpicked. It’s been three years since I heard of what was going on in the dying days of Rangers, this step seemed inevitable, but as the years passed I wondered if anything would happen.

Please remember this is a serious legal proceeding, so act appropriately here and elsewhere online. Failure to do so could prejudice future prosecutions – and we don’t want to do that. No speculation on who is involved and what they may have done.

Why are we reading that the European Commission confirmed Celtic did not benefit from state aid? Good grief, if six of you get together and badgered someone into checking if Ronny Deila is in the Norwegian Red Brigade, would anyone subsequently report this nonsense?

Absurd fantasies being denied is not news, unless you’re analysing the absurd fantasists.

I see there are complaints aimed at Ibrox that they are “giving away the family silver to keep the lights on”.

What kind of fool has silver in the drawer but can’t put money in the meter? Football clubs, like all companies, have to keep the lights on and pay all creditors. If they cannot pay, they are legally obliged to sell assets. Failure to do so will result in the court appointing someone to dispose of those assets for them.

This is where Newco Rangers are now. The utter contempt for financial responsibility which has endured at Ibrox for over two decades, means that no one can afford to cherish whatever silver remains. It is perhaps even more futile to blame major shareholders for not accepting an offer to dilute their control and destroy shareholder value – which is an accurate description of Dave King’s recent approach.

Those shareholders were heralded a short time ago for putting their money where their mouths were when the legions of ‘Rangers men’ kept their hands in their pockets. Offering shareholders a deal which would jeopardise their chances of the financial return they expect was a waste of everyone’s time.

Newco is owned by people who have put tens of millions into it and who are looking for a financial return. Any forward plan has to recognise this reality. With trading conditions are severe as they are, the club will sell-off anything they have to compensate these shareholders and meet obligations to tax and trade creditors. Costs will be cut, and if income subsequently falls, cut again.

Having checked out Burton’s online this morning I think I’ve got Christmas sorted. I really hope we see the Sports Direct ‘flash mob’ protests deployed at another of Britain’s major retailers. They are up there along with State Aid campaigns as a productive use of time and energy by people with unparallelled levels of vision and clarity, who really need more focus more/tone down the hissy fits.

I’ve never been one for patriotism but if you’re off to Celtic Park tonight, remember to sing both anthems in the battle of the Celtic nations. This advice may change on Tuesday. It will be great to see Aiden, Shaun, David, Robbie, Martin and Gordon grace Celtic Park one more time. So many great memories…

You can get copies of Caesar & the Assassin, Billy McNeill and Davie Hay’s accounts of managing Celtic from Jock Stein’s departure until the appointment of Liam Brady, here. We’ve stopped taking orders for signed copies, which will only be available at author events going forward.

A CQN’er (and absolute star) has kindly donated two North Stand tickets to Tuesday’s Scotland-England game on Tuesday. He doesn’t want any money, but asked if I could get something for Mary’s Meals for them. Face value is £60 each. Email me before midnight tonight if you’d like them, celticquicknews@gmail.com

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  1. Faither born in Glenamaddy, mothers father from County Antrim, me born and bred in Scotland. So it’s is always Scotland for me,

  2. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    Have lost a lot of respect for Gordon Strachan.

     

     

    I admired him as a player, even though he irritated the life out of opposing fans. He gave his best in every game.

     

     

    I admired him as a manager, for the same reasons as above.

     

     

    I respected the full commitment he fave to whoever paid his wages.

     

     

    However, loyalty to your employer should not have included the obvious SFA feeder about “manipulating” the leagues to accommodate the ” big three” clubs, languishing in a lower league.

     

     

    Another farce is the inclusion of Macleod to the National squad.

     

     

    He has not shown any footballing reason to leapfrog some of the Premierleague youngsters, who play at a higher level.

     

     

    Then to release him to play v Alloa, then presumably rejoining the squad, only serves to ridicule the manager.

     

     

    Any notion that Gordon is his own man, re squad selection, is blown clear of the water.

  3. Morning all,

     

     

    I normally hate internationals but this one should be special.

     

     

    Ireland for me…Aiden to get a Hat trick :)

     

     

    Re the original photo…why are they all wearing their PJs?

     

     

    Re the new and improved t-shirt on sale at Burtons…does anyone else think the bloke modelling the t-shirt looks like Kenny McKay from Celtic TV?

     

     

    Hail Hail

  4. Jinky, Its past your bedtime. I’m going out with a fellow Tim and respective wives for a pre-match Indian meal as a gesture of solidarity with you.

  5. gearoid1998

     

     

    15:57 on 14 November, 2014

     

    Sipsini

     

    COYBIG.

     

    get intae them

     

     

    ____________

     

     

    I went to Scotland games a lot in my teens and onwards.

     

     

    Some on here know I work beside a lot of Orange bassas, all to a man, they want Scotland to get humped as in their small minds they have been wronged by all.

     

     

    Simpletonsarethems.

  6. I would normally go for Scotland but the whole WGS inclusion in promoting McLeod as an international level player at the obvious direction of the SFA, while supported by the MSSM, who are also ignoring the liquidation thing again have confirmed that it’s Ireland for me.

  7. I will decide whether to support Scotland tonight after the Irish anthem.

     

    If it is roundly booed I will probably switch off.

     

     

    LB

  8. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    I don’t go for flag waving nationalism and international football doesn’t really excite me.

     

     

    However, for social reasons and what it would mean to the country, I hope Ireland do the business and progress to the finals.

     

     

    By God, the people need all the boosts it can get.

  9. Ireland for me; as I detest the sfa and all they stand for; how many caps for the Lisbon Lions again?????

     

    I wish I was in the BV, love the steak pie and the cqn gang:0)

     

    slainte

     

    tony

  10. SCOTLAND –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

    M6bhoy

     

    Sipisini

     

    bigrailroadblues

     

    Kilbowie Kelt

     

    Oldtim67

     

    Jamesgang

     

    SFTB

     

    Blantyretim

     

    Richie

     

    Bamboo

     

    Tom McLaughlin

     

     

    IRELAND-

     

    Philbhoy

     

    CaltonTongues

     

    Jane Field Street

     

    The Exiled Tim

     

    FourGreenFields

     

    Frank Ryan’s Whiskey

     

    Mike in Toronto

     

    corkcelt

     

    Kilbowie Kelt

     

    Jamesgang

  11. SCOTLAND –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

    M6bhoy

     

    Sipisini

     

    bigrailroadblues

     

    Kilbowie Kelt

     

    Oldtim67

     

    Jamesgang

     

    SFTB

     

    Blantyretim

     

    Richie

     

    Tonydonnelly67

  12. Jobo Mobo Baldie on

    Good evening friends.

     

     

    Didn’t really think my earlier wuation through properly, did I. I don’t know, you think you can trust folk ;-)

     

     

    So here’s what I propose. I might have missed a couple with this but let’s draw a temprary line in the sand with the list below. Nae mair changes on the live blog. Instead, if you want added to eiterh side send me a short email to jobobaldie@yahoo.co.uk and I’ll try to publish the updated versions at 5.30, 6.30 and 7.30 or thereabouts. Equally if you feel that your earlier vote has been tampered with please feel free to email me a correction.

     

     

    Lines close at 7.30pm. You may still email me after that date but your vote will not count and you may still be charged for your email.

     

     

    so, the current list (thanks bamboo at 4.00pm) I’m working from is (drum roll)……….

     

     

    SCOTLAND (18) –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

    M6bhoy

     

    Sipisini

     

    bigrailroadblues

     

    Kilbowie Kelt

     

    Oldtim67

     

    Jamesgang

     

    SFTB

     

    Blantyretim

     

    Richie

     

    Bamboo

     

     

    IRELAND (8) –

     

    Philbhoy

     

    CaltonTongues

     

    Jane Field Street

     

    The Exiled Tim

     

    FourGreenFields

     

    Frank Ryan’s Whiskey

     

    Mike in Toronto

     

    corkcelt

     

     

    Meanwhile, I’m off for a short 20m* run to see if my calf’s OK for tomorrow’s ParkRun.

     

     

    justpassingthetimeCSC

     

     

    *minutes, not miles ;-)

  13. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Corky

     

     

     

    its 10pm here and the phrase ” you couldn’t fight sleep” applies to me

     

     

    off to bed – will check the score in the morning after my walk on the beach ;)

  14. Frank Ryan's Whiskey on

    Burtons have withdrawn the team of lost soul T shirt after Der Hun complain! I wanted to buy one. When will we see the bootleg version

     

     

     

    burton.co.uk ✔ @Burton_Menswear

     

    Follow

     

    1/2: T-shirt update. Product being removed from sale ASAP. Internal investigation already underway & we apologise for offence caused

  15. Sipsini,

     

     

    My local will be like that too.

     

     

    The ones cheering for Ireland will be huns. Either that or they’ll be hoping both lose.

     

     

    Mixedupworld csx

  16. SCOTLAND –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

    M6bhoy

     

    Sipisini

     

    bigrailroadblues

     

    Kilbowie Kelt

     

    Oldtim67

     

    Jamesgang

     

    SFTB

     

    Blantyretim

     

    Richie

     

    Tonydonnelly67

     

    charliebhoy

  17. I hope Scotland win an exciting match and Glasgow has a great occasion on its hands.

     

     

    I saw on the news today that Sauchiehall Lane was being set up as a temporary hoolie venue for today only.

     

     

    Won’t watch as will be in a local hostelry for a pint of Moretti or two and a light snack with Mrs RobinBhoy.

     

     

    Have fun all those who watch, Celtic Park will be rocking tonight!

     

     

    RobinBhoy

  18. Why is everyone so utterly obsessed booing?

     

     

    Will they boo?

     

    Won’t they boo?

     

    Should they boo?

     

    Shouldn’t they boo?

     

     

    Even Peter Lawwell’s at it today.

     

     

    Who cares?

     

     

    Booing won’t kill anyone.

     

     

    Racist and sectarian language is one thing, but booing? Are we really all getting in a state about football fans booing an opposing team or player or anthem? It’s what football fans do all over the world, even Celtic fans.

     

     

    We’ve had discussion and debate about it non-stop for weeks. What kind of a nation have we become?

     

     

    It’s boring.

     

     

    Just bring on the football and let’s hope for a cracking game.

     

     

    Scotland 1-0 is my forecast and my bet.

     

     

    Really looking forward to it.

     

     

    I just hope all the sensitive wee souls out there are able to get over the booing.

     

     

    If you can’t, seek help. Fast!

  19. RobinBhoy

     

     

    I can hear dulcet tones wafting towards our office from the said Sauchiehall Lane right now.

  20. It all sounds to good To be true this. Although we all welcome the news, I for one can’t take it in or understand the full implications of what can happen. And there are many on here in the same position as myself. In short I can’t comment on any of it, but I do look forward to our clever guys. Auldheed, Tbb, BRTH barca. And a few others. Spelling it out for me / us. One thing I do wish for, is that Scottish football’s governing body is found out for their part in keeping that cancer going in football. Now I wait for the clever guys posts.

  21. 16 roads – Celtic über alles…

     

     

    16:46 on 14 November, 2014

     

     

    Craig Whyte is an innocent man.

     

    ——————————————

     

     

    and he’s walking out the front door…wherever he is…

  22. The Polish Georgia game kicking off in 15 mins is huge. Germany will get their act together & top group, Poland are a huge threat for 2nd place. I expect them to win tonight but it would be a huge boost to both teams if Poland were to drop points in Georgia.

  23. Tom mac,

     

     

    Well said. Totally agree.

     

     

    But I must say I’m gonna be quite interested in the boo’s quite shortly.

     

     

    Homophone csc

  24. Frank Ryan's Whiskey on

    Tom McLaughlin

     

     

     

     

    16:49 on

     

     

    14 November, 2014

     

     

     

     

    Why is everyone so utterly obsessed booing?

     

     

    Will they boo?

     

    Won’t they boo?

     

    Should they boo?

     

    Shouldn’t they boo?

     

    ==

     

    Boo and yer a tory votin’ hun – that’s why.

  25. The blog has been great today, T-Shirts, arrests with more to follow…hopefully not wee Craigy and with the list growing by the post.

     

     

    Magic…many thanks to Paul 67.

  26. …..article in the day’s paper about Gibraltar saying they want the keep down to no more than a six goal drubbing, that way they can legitimately claim to be better than Brasil !!

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