There’s an industry of deliberate misunderstanding in Scottish football (and on the pages of CQN). One of the last vestiges of this is the SFA’s fabled Fit and Proper Test. There is no test, never has been a test and in all likelihood, never will be a test. It was almost certainly a figment of some under-informed journalist, who provided the concept enough currency for it to endure in the imagination, despite many, many, people explaining reality.
To be a director of a football club you need to be Fit and Proper, you do not sit or pass a test.
It’s a bit like:
To do a job you need to speak English, you do not sit or pass an English language test.
If you accept the above job assuring your employer you can speak English, and you can’t, you are likely to be fired.
If you accept a job as a director of a football club, assuring the SFA you are Fit and Proper, and you aren’t, the SFA will ban you from football and discipline the club for failing to ensure a director was Fit and Proper before appointment.
This morning the incessant campaign continues to throw reputational damage on anyone who would be inclined to point out that Dave King contravenes the eligibility rules on becoming a football club director. This is different from being Fit and Proper, which is a subjective assessment, Mr King is simply ineligible.
The reasons for his ineligibility (he was a director of a football club which was liquidated within the last 5 years), and other matters, most notably, his 41 convictions for breaking the tax law in South Africa, and the blame laid at his door by the SPL’s Lord Nimmo-Smith report, make up material reason why the SFA may consider him not Fit and Proper to run a football club.
After targeting Peter Lawwell yesterday, the campaign today turns direct to the SFA, who are accused of allowing Craig Whyte to “bluff his way through the Hampden [non-existent] ‘test’ by simply filling out an official SFA form”.
As should be patently obvious to anyone with a dozen or more brain cells, the SFA form is neither a ‘test’ nor a certification of appropriateness from the SFA.
The obligation to ensure a football club appoints Fit and Proper directors lies with that club’s board. If the board fail in their duty to the game, the club is liable to sanction from the SFA.
So who was on the board which appointed Craig Whyte as a director of Rangers?
Our emerging heroes, the men who chased away the billionaire, Dave King and Paul Murray. As non-executive directors of Rangers they had a responsibility to the club’s stakeholders that their interests were being protected.
The Institute of Directors factsheet on the role of non-execs quotes the Cadbury Report, saying they “should bring an independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance and resources including key appointments and standards of conduct.”
It was the Rangers board’s responsibility to instruct the necessary checks on Craig Whyte’s appropriateness to be a director of the club. They either failed to do this, or if they did, failed to act on the information, or withdraw their names from the club’s register of directors.
Sir David Murray may have controlled the majority of shares, but as recent boardroom events at newco demonstrate, there is a great deal non-execs, when in a majority on the board, can do to inhibit major shareholders if they believe the interests of other stakeholders are being jeopardised.
Non-execs are not there to wear the blazer and attend supporters’ events, they are the eyes and ears of the supporters, shareholders, employees and creditors who are not privy to the inner workings of the club. In this respect, Mr King and Mr P. Murray failed Rangers on a cataclysmic level.
They are, in every respect possible, perfect for the job of running newco. My prediction (no inside info) is the SFA will fold under sustained media pressure, set aside their ineligibility rules and allow Mr King and Mr P. Murray to work their magic one more time.
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Parkheadcumsalford
10:12 on 29 April, 2015
Morning all.
Sitting here with the light on at 10 past 10 of a morning says it all, weather-wise.
Gerryfaethebrig,
I can’t agree with you. I would have done last season but I think our manager is the mhan to bring out the best in every Celtic player whatever their age. If he thinks anyone should go out on loan, fine. Looks like he has high hopes for Liam Henderson.
_________________________________________________________
Can’t agree with you either.
How many players did Ronny bring the best out in…in the SCSF….?
‘Celtic deprive League of £2 mil,in Play Offs scandal…….’
tonydonnelly67
10:28 on 29 April, 2015
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Ha……..am, pulling yer leg like…they’re awe pulling mine:)
HH…..btw…off oot soon….
BMCUW
Triggers Broom was actually a papist zealot known to make the sign of the cross aggressively. Also a former member of the Provisional Army Council and responsible for countless depictions of attacks on Zombies.
KEVJ
We were cheated by an outrageous decision. Much the same as we were cheated in,say,the 1970 Cup Final by RH Davidson. Neither were the fault of the manager at the time.
HERBO
Expect to see that statement used in evidence in a court near you soon!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
10:32 on 29 April, 2015
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ICT were cheated out of a ‘stonewaller’ of a penalty as well…imho
Convenient Amnesia – CSC
2 words for rangers
the unwashed
manky mob
the huns
the zombies
….aye well…..
….TonyDonnelly67 – CSC
…..off oot.
BMCUW
On the official Celtic FC site, I’d settle for the addition of the definite article.
All complaints/ controversy/ social unrest/ REM song titles neutralised, as that’s what they do themselves.
Convenient amnesia?
You conveniently forget that they should have been down to ten men long before then,and with a strong likelihood that the player in question would have been sacrificed for the replacement keeper.
Anyway,I’m fed up trying to nail jelly to a wall. Off ski,beer calls.
….dive into a pint…that’ll fix it…
Herbo
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=triggers%20broom&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBUl6PooveJE&ei=w6dAVa-pBI25aY7PgcAD&usg=AFQjCNEPx0i6HKy_jcFFxws4j9Yh3znNyw
Beatbhoy
It’s a belter. The huns struggle with that one. :-)
Wee Lionel shows how missing 3 penalties already this season has affected his confidence!
Opening goal in a vital league game last night.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=messi%20penalty%20vs%20getafe&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CCgQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D0gKyVlbjEs8&ei=iqhAVZ3oE9LtaPCVgVA&usg=AFQjCNHq-DiKYB5fEqHLCILvXVPJYPGHiA&bvm=bv.91665533,d.d2s
parkheadcumsalford
10:12 on 29 April, 2015
Agree that Ronny might now better than me Liam Hendrrson was a strange one for me as he was about the first team, I am talking about the 16, 17s mainly, I am sure a very young GMS went on loan to Airdrie from Dundee Utd and got games, like wise Johnny Russel & Andrew Robertson (with Queens Pk) all played in our lower leagues and benefited from it, no right or wrong here but I think young players playing in lower leagues can benefit them, obviously Celtic would do their homework to make sure it would be the right set up they went too,did we not win everything a few years ago at youth level then released nearly every player, but as you say we can let Ronny D decide
South Of Tunis
Thanks for the update. My contact says that Roma want to keep him but not loan him to a team that doesn’t have the ball. Celtic probably fit the bill and will also give him European football. Like I said from the start it could be total balls! Cheers for the info tho.
Gerryfaethebrig
Rules need looked at. If any teams break them they forfeit their games and QoTS are promoted. That will sort it.
Ginger
The wee man is well. Coming on a ton. Toilet training at the minute tho! Messy stuff. Thanks for asking mate.
Scottishleaf
Livi have missed a trick. I have no idea why they didn;t reduce concessions too to under £5. A guy is going to look at that and say £10 for me and £8 for the wean? That’s no a great deal. Different for yourself and Darrell as you are season football campaigners but the average Livingston punter is not going to see value for money there.
Where is the common sense in Scottish football? It’s no difficult is it???? Surely not!
LB
Gerry,
I think that there is a correct time to loan out young players.
16/17 is, I think, too young, as even at a lowere level, they would be exposed to older, tougher opponents, which could be detrimental to their development.
At that age, there is more to be learned by training along with senior players.
The time for loans, I think, is when a boy is ready to make the step up to the first team, e.g., Henderson.
Liam has shown that he has the talent. However, he would not be able to sustain form and therefore a first team place, at this stage of his growth and development.
Regular games at a different level and environment can only benefit his progress.
Kevjungle. It is through questioning that the deeper issues emerge my friend.
The question of the semi final penalty decision exposed the cheating again. The mental gymnastics performed has left the SFA vulnerable.
Where you and I agree is when will celtic push it further?
Livibhoy,
Concessions aren’t bairns.
Concessions are auld bassas.
Livi kids are free on Saturday.
HH
livibhoy.@ 11 01.
I will continue to watch out for news/ rumours..Things are up for grabs at Roma – another disappointing season , a team that blows hot and cold and a Manager whose jacket is on a very shaky peg.
thomthethim for Oscar OK
Completely disagree with that assessment.
Some players are ready at 16. Do not write it off.
If these boys are playing for Celtic and training with the first team squad they are ready for a loan. I would be looking at Queens Park to be honest. Not sure how that works with their amatuer status and paying players or receiving them in from clubs who do but they are local and they play a lot of games on a quality surface at Hampden.
They may not want our players though. There will be clubs out there who will.
Alloa for instance, they play on a plastic surface. They have a manager who likes to play football and in my opinion is progressive about football.
Any young player who is going to make it in our first team and play 10 games a season or more then he will need to be first team ready by at least 18/19. That will only come by having the ability and the readiness. Some players can just come in and do it. Others need to go out on loan and get the match sharpness, know how and experience. Putting players out on loan also gives the player a sense of perspective about how lucky they are to play for a club like Celtic with the facilities and support we have.
Celtic have used the loan system better recently than we have in the past and there must be 30+ former Celtic youth team players in the SPFL leagues so the game is benefiting from our youth set up.
What we have to do going forward is avoid a Paul McGowan situation. I think he left us at 23 years old and had a hand full of games in the first team. That was poor management. If the boy was identified as not being a regular before he is 20 he should have been loaned to be released.
Loan the players as soon as they are ready or play them in the first team. 16/17 should be the starting point. Plenty players play at that age and a Celtic youth should have more than enough ability and the proper nutritional and fitness to cope with first team football at a lower level. Celtic are getting top players on loan from clubs who have a higher quality of youth surplus and looking at Denayer at 19 he is more than ready at our level. Our youths should be able to step down a league or 2 at 16/17/18 and be able to hold their own at that level and shine. I’m afraid if they are not they are not going to make it at Celtic FC. McGregor went to England last year and played at a much better level than our lower leagues and stood out a mile. In fairness he started the season well but looking at the Bhoy I don;t see him as a certain starter or even on every other game from the bench but he proved his readiness and also improved his chances of a first team game by going on loan and proving he could cut it.
Get the Bhoys out on loan younger and quicker and see what they can do. Football is a brutal business these young players want to play and they have to prove they can play.
Hopefully these Bhoys can prove they are ready and make an impact in the first team. It would be excellent to have a team full of former youth players.
LB
Geordie Munro
Good shout.
Well played Livi FC.
Hahahahaha. I am aff my heid
LB
thomthethim for oscar ok
11:02 on 29 April, 2015
Agreed, every player will be different and I am sure Ronny & co know more than most of us, I was just using the young hoops last night as an example, I would be delighted for young Liam to come back and go onto perform for us
Lb,
You don’t have to be mad to post here….
:) HH
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ 22:09 on28 April, 2015
17s beat sevco 2 nil in the G C cup final Josh scored the first one!!!
Heh jude,happy for ye mhan,well done and hope yir skippin along as you sing this rendition the young lhads belted out last night
http://www.celticfc.net/news/8158
:-)
HH
Still on a high from last night was up at 5 watching it again. Now if I cld get the podium?!!!
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
Brilliant stuff mate.
Must be a wonderful feeling.
LB
I think Morton would be a good option for loaning out young players. Full time club with an excellent playing surface. Our Development squad are playing most of their ‘home’ games there this season already. Only half an hour from Glasgow.
tailofthebank csc
Gerryfaethebrig,
I see and, to a degree, agree with what you are saying. Again, I would site the Liam Henderson case. He’s off playing in Norway. I would prefer our lhads to go to a continental team on loan, where they play football. Scotland’s lower leagues, like the Premier, has too many of the “get right into them” types, who kick and shove because they haven’t the ability.( I gather wee Shaun Maloney is doing well in a league where that kind of thing is not wanted.)
Livibhoy,
From what I took from your reply, the only point you disagreed on was the age thing.
Some boys are physically more developed than others,e.g., Victor and Jason.
There are not many of our youths with those frames.
There is also the emotional maturity required.
Liam, at 19, will find out if he has the drive and personal discipline to succeed in a different environment, without the easy access to home comforts.
Not many 16/17s would be able to cope with that.
Ronny has placed him in a good club, playing in a league that he knows.
In doing this, I think, demonstrates the high hopes he has for Liam and will be more beneficial for him than turning out for the Alloas and QPs of the game.
Parkheadcumsalford/Zico Maltese bhoy
Just reading back there mhen, and hoping that all turns out healthy for you both
HH
PS.
I think the point that I am trying to make, with difficulty, is that Ronny considers Liam as a special case and sees the Rosenberg loan as a fast track in the step up to first team regularity.
An Tearman
Thanks a million H H
If anyone knows the development of young players’ it’s Jim McGuinness.
There is more than footballing ability to consider, for example their mental strength and that is where Jim’s skills lie.
Árd Macha
SD closing the Sevco shop at Glasgow Airport.
Bloody fly by Knights.
Yer kittin’ us on!