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. twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine on

    Favourite Uncle

     

     

    Didint see Bobby Murdoch play as I was too young so don’t know about how many doubles he scored for us, according to last nights evening times he netted a hat-trick in the Red Star Belgrade 5-1 game ! Talk about lazy journalism.

     

     

    Trying to catch up but have to meet my son soon, can anyone post the Burtons clip thats getting that mob all worked up ?

     

     

    HH

  2. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    JFS, you’ve removed me from the list, that means I’m only on the hun kill list now:_((

     

     

     

     

     

    “A warrant will be issued today for the arrest of disgraced ex-Rangers owner Craig Whyte.”

  3. 15:23 on

     

    14 November, 2014

     

    SCOTLAND –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

     

    IRELAND –

     

    Philbhoy

     

    CaltonTongues

     

    Jane Field Street

     

    The Exiled Tim

     

    FourGreenFields

     

    Frank Ryan’s Whiskey

     

    Mike in Toronto

     

    corkcelt

  4. Fess19 at 14.44

     

     

    so according to the beeb they were never liquidated OR relegated…..think just maybe they are trying to get their ban rescinded….

  5. LivI bhoy

     

     

    Earlier question. What has made wgs and other start a new discussion about manipulation of the league structure.

     

     

    I thought then. Someone knows something.

     

    something bigger than Ashley loan’s.

     

     

    Well here we go

     

     

    Again.

     

     

    We’re on the road again.

     

     

    And HIBERNIA for me

  6. ACGR Has just declared for Ireland. In a straight choice between Blue & Green there was only one way he could go

  7. Thomthetim-there is a Fanpark in the city,Merchant Square possibly?.As BSR said O’Neills there should be mobbed.

  8. innishcolly

     

     

     

     

    14:38 on

     

     

    14 November, 2014

     

     

     

     

    Question?? Will this fraud investigation be making LNS nervous?

     

    ================================

     

    Well it was Duff and Phelps who failed to supply the evidence that would have made his Decision re sporting integrity from 1999 to 2003 anyway, impossible.

     

     

    It might also vindicate those pushing for Res12 of last year but we’ll see.

  9. Well Calton put him on then, a pity I haven’t seen Kilbowie on for some time, I think there is a fair chance he would have gone Green as well/

  10. Just popped in to say hahahahahahahahahahaha let’s all laugh at whoever the france they are!

     

     

    Off to the match, enjoy and Hail Hail

  11. A Ceiler Gonof Rust

     

    15:15

     

     

    That is a very strange story indeed. Not a single word of corroboration/quotes to back up the claim in the head and intro.

     

     

    Also on my laptop here there is a caption (but no pic) that used the kicker ‘Warrant:’ which then repeated the claim in the headline and intro.

     

     

    No mention anywhere else of a warrant being issued for CW.

     

     

    I wouldn’t have run that story in that form in a million years.

     

     

     

     

    http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/former-rangers-owner-craig-whyte-faces-arrest-1-3605150

  12. I doubt if anything will come out of this Craig Bhoy arrest, BUT if, and I think it’s a big IF, something does happen, then the sheet is def gonny hit de fan, has too, to many involved, enter Charlott Fakes me thinks.

  13. This SKY reporter clearly has his facts wrong:

     

     

    “At around 0600 officers from Police Scotland, Thames Valley, Cheshire and Surrey Police attended a number of addresses in England and detained four men.”

     

     

    In May 2011, Motherwell-born businessman Whyte completed a takeover of the club after acquiring an 85.3% shareholding from Murray International Holdings Ltd.

     

     

    However, nine months later on February 14, 2012 the club entered administration following a court battle with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and were immediately docked 10 points by the Scottish Premier League.

     

     

    Administrators Duff and Phelps, who subsequently passed information onto Strathclyde Police, lodged their petition to take the club into administration over the non-payment of almost £9m in PAYE and VAT since Whyte’s takeover.

     

     

    On June 12 Rangers were consigned to liquidation after their offer of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was rejected by HMRC, and the club’s creditors, and two days later Yorkshire businessman Charles Green completed his purchase of Rangers’ assets and business for £5.5m.”

     

     

     

    When will this gift stop giving?

  14. Karma is just settling down to watch a re-run of the 6-2 game, pausing to marvel at yon 4th goal as he always does.

     

     

    He pours himself a large one, settles in to his big green armchair , he’s pleased with this week’s work.

     

     

    And, out of the blue – so to speak – he bursts out laughing.

     

     

    He doesn’t know why.

  15. Usually like a wee swatch at AFC Chat for the Sheep take on things over Ibrokes way. The news today has crashed their forum!

     

     

    LB

  16. I went into the BV for an early lunch with an old uncle.

     

    Old Tim, Ritchie & BT took our seats as they were getting settled in just as we had to leave.

     

    My uncle who was desperate to stay but had to head home.

     

    He now really wants to join the next meet up – he loves the chat about the old Hoops (he is 70).

     

    Hope you all have a great afternoon / evening.

     

     

    Scotland for me…

  17. 15:23 on 14 November, 2014

     

     

    Was born in Glasgow to parents from Glasgow. My maternal grandparents were Irish so that makes me Scottish. C’mon the Sconnie Botland.

     

     

    SCOTLAND –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

    M6bhoy

     

     

    IRELAND –

     

    Philbhoy

     

    CaltonTongues

     

    Jane Field Street

     

    The Exiled Tim

     

    FourGreenFields

     

    Frank Ryan’s Whiskey

     

    Mike in Toronto

     

    corkcelt

  18. twinbhoy

     

     

    15:21 on 14 November, 2014

     

    isn’t it amusing and telling that the BBC article on the four arrests does not use the word ‘liquidation’. impartial? my bahookey. I ask myself why I pay the license fee.

     

    __________________________________________________________________________

     

     

    I agree, which is why I cancelled my licence. No more money from me to finance the Biased Broadcasting Corporation. Feck them.

     

     

    Scotland 2 Ireland 1

     

     

    HH

  19. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Auldheid, last week there was a few comments from yourself and canman regarding a statement on R12 on or before the AGM. Any news on when the statement will be released.

     

     

    Not sure if anyone spotted WC’s post earlier but it’s looking like a go on the advert.

     

     

    Re the AGM,………………………………….who’s furra few swallies afterwards:_)

  20. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    Caledonia Versus Hibernia. Those Latin boys had a way with words. Well, apart from Britannia, perhaps.

     

     

    JJ

  21. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    Geordie Munroe,

     

     

    Should be a great night in Glasgow, win, lose or draw.

     

     

    The Irish support will make sure of it.

  22. I’m sure Regan said,they would be keeping watch on all Clubs’ finances and owners after Oldco died…….aye right

  23. Any on the spot updates re crowds atmosphere etc. Had a wee peek at the George Square webcam and that place looks deserted.

  24. SCOTLAND –

     

    Jobo

     

    67 European Cup Winners

     

    Craigellachie 10

     

    bournesouprecipe

     

    Robcfc

     

    Kölncelt

     

    Gene

     

    cadizzy

     

    M6bhoy

     

    Sipisini

     

     

    IRELAND-

     

    Philbhoy

     

    CaltonTongues

     

    Jane Field Street

     

    The Exiled Tim

     

    FourGreenFields

     

    Frank Ryan’s Whiskey

     

    Mike in Toronto

     

    corkcelt

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