The champions stretched some of the limbs from their squad against St Johnstone tonight as a first half Anthony Stokes goal secured the points. It was one of those rare, balmy, Celtic Park occasions when three or four layers of clothing were sufficient, not the customary seven or eight.
Highlight for the evening was the standing ovation for captain-for-the-night, Mark Wilson. A 22-year-old Wilson joined Celtic over six years ago and provided us with some great memories, most notably his Scottish Cup-tie winning goal against Rangers last season, but his career has been blighted by injury since late 2006, robbing him of hundreds of appearances for the team he has supported all his life.
Moh Bangura had a rare 90 minutes and was unfortunate not to open his Celtic scoring account. Anthony Stokes played a drear cross-field pass to Bangura, who was some 40 yards away. The striker from Sierra Leone had options but made space for a shot which rebounded back off the post.
Bangura has a hand in Stokes earlier goal. He got a touch on a 28th minute corner pushing the ball to Stokes who finished clinically.
Thereafter the outcome was never in doubt, although Celtic were seldom clinical. 21-year-old Nigerian Rabiu Ibrahim made his Celtic on 74 minutes when he replaced Kris Commons and looked comfortable on the ball.
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Morning all from gay Paree, meteo du jour, la pluie encore (19C)
Decent enough win for the Bhoys last night, another clean sheet and on target for 96pts.
It was a bizarre day yesterday for anyone who follows the Govan saga. Lots of speculation about how it’s all going to pan out. One thing is sure: there will be many more twists and turns in this saga in the coming days, weeks and months.
As an example, the RFC ADmin guys are due in court this morning. Could be more big news or it could be routine.
Could be a platform for Hector (and other creditors) to start asking awkward questions about the proposed sale process…
Or perhaps we can believe the Daily Ranger’s MAIN headline this morning:
“HMRC and other creditors supportive of Bill Miller bid to buy Ibrox club”
Ay right!!!
Gardez la Foi
Martin O’Neill – Rangers are the benchmark
Neil Francis Lennon – Both sets of fans had a great sense of humour today
Gordon Strachan – It would be madness to Kill off Rangers
If you don’t get it by now you never will do Irony. Norn Irony in NL case.
Miller time. It just keeps giving hahahahahahahahahahahahah
Sorry last one Herald – Miller – I will never let Rangers suffer again – Aye right
Put them out of their misery William.
Good morning from a Tory free Manchester again.
bigjie@6:04
Thanks as always for the highlights….
HH
Gotta love Alex ‘this is just a massive tax dodge’ Thompson’s incredulity. Celtic fans share the outrage but expect nothing less. The ground has been well prepared, integrity will be redefined as token ‘punishments’ and both the outraged and the incredulous will be told to get over themselves. All sealed with a sweet wee grin from the cheeky chappie…
Football governance Scottish style…
James Forrest has been catching the eye of Harry Redknapp and Kenny Dalglish in his breakthrough season but the young Celtic winger insists he’s at Parkhead to stay.
In a fine campaign, Forrest has picked up a league winners’ medal, represented his country and won the football writers’ young player of the year award. His form has lead to speculation that the 20-year-old could be tempted to move south, but he is adamant he wants to remain under the tutelage of Neil Lennon, his manager at Parkhead.
“I wouldn’t want to leave,” said Forrest. “If you think about it, it’s a good thing to be linked with other clubs, because you wouldn’t be linked if you weren’t doing well but I had a good season here and I want to up that next season.”
Despite making his first-team debut in March 2010 – scoring a fine solo goal against Motherwell – Forrest admits it took until October of last year to feel he had truly arrived as a first-team player.
Celtic were 3-0 down at Kilmarnock, 15 points behind Rangers, the title race almost over before it had really begun. Forrest remembers well the weight on his young shoulders as Lennon delivered his instructions for the second half in the Rugby Park dressing room. “We knew the gaffer was under pressure because results weren’t going our way,” he recalled. “We had to take something from that game.”
Belying his years, Forrest led by example in the next 45 minutes as Celtic salvaged a 3-3 draw. Was that the day he truly came of age? “I think that game was the turning point,” he agreed. “That was the game where I made myself a first-team player.”
Tom McLaughlin & Big Joe
Thanks for your advice, I’ve done the system restore already and I’ve run a scan with Eset. I’ve got already got Malwarebytes so I’ll give that a go.
Thanks again.
Couldn’t believe Big Vic got MOTM at the game last night. I thought he was awful, worst performance since he arrived at CP. Joe Ledley was MOTM. Bangura looked good in first half, held it up and linked well and it looks like the coaching staff have been working on his first touch with him. Finishing still a bit Sammi-esque.
Ibrahim will either be our star man next season or he’ll be muscled out of it by the more ‘industrial’ SPL challenges that go unpunished.
Players angered by confusion over Miller bid
Michael Grant
Chief football writer
RANGERS’ players have been advised that they can leave the club for free if it becomes a “newco” despite administrators Duff & Phelps telling them their contracts would transfer automatically.
Allan McGregor, Steven Naismith, Steven Davis and other players were repeatedly told their existing contracts would transfer to the “newco” proposed by Bill Miller, who was yesterday given preferred bidder status.
However, that is contrary to what they have been told by their union, PFA Scotland, who are adamant the separation of Rangers into “old” and “new” entities would mean the contracts are no longer binding so, if they chose, the players could leave without a transfer fee.
Herald Sport understands some players are unhappy they have not been properly informed about Miller’s plans and the union is angry that its members have been given contradictory advice about their contractual status.
A dispute would cause enormous problems – especially if the 12-month transfer embargo is not lifted after appeal – and Miller is expected to talk to the players soon in attempt to secure their support. It is understood he has been aware of the difference of opinion for some time, but both sides have insisted their position is the correct one.
The transfer of the players’ registrations is a condition of Miller’s bid and it could blow up into a massive issue if one player, or more, decided to exploit his perceived right to leave without a fee. Those who had clauses inserted in their contracts allowing them to leave for reduced fees may also seek to negotiate those terms, and could agree to have them removed in return for reimbursement of the money they lost accepting pay cuts.
Miller and Duff & Phelps have repeatedly stressed that the £11.2m takeover bid does not involve liquidation but the authorities will effectively treat it that way, which could bring accompanying penalties for competing as a new club. Rangers will not be eligible to play in Europe for the next three seasons. On Monday the Scottish Premier League will consider what sanctions, if any, to impose on clubs that go into administration or try to enter the league as a “newco”. As things stand any proposed punishments would not take effect until the day after the end of this season, so if Miller got his “newco” started before then it could be voted into the SPL over the summer without punishment.
The American is reported to be “comfortable” with the football sanctions a “newco” Rangers would suffer, though that may depend on whether or not he believes the current SFA transfer embargo will be lifted. The SPL could also impose further penalties if the club are found guilty of making undisclosed payments via Employee Benefit Trusts. An investigation into those claims is in its early stages.
The SPL issued a statement: “The Scottish Premier League notes preferred bidder status has been granted to Bill Miller. The SPL will now continue discussions with Mr Miller and his team. No further comment will be made at this time.”
The SFA said: “It is our intention to enter into detailed discussions with Mr Miller to clarify his position and to establish his strategy to ensure a sustainable future for the club.”
The Blue Knights, meanwhile, issued a statement in which they warned about the consequences of three years without European football. “We believe the complexities of a ‘newco’ process should not be underestimated and the likely loss of European football may carry longer term financial consequences to Rangers Football Club and its many supporters. Under our CVA [Company Voluntary Arrangement] proposed transaction, these issues could have been addressed more easily.
606AlfieConn* @606AlfieConn
Uefa have made the following statement pertaining to newcos: “Clubs are not allowed to change their legal form (cont) http://tl.gd/h95db3
Not really up to the required standard from Michael Grant:
Exclusive: Players angered by confusion over Miller bid
Michael Grant
Chief football writer.
RANGERS’ players have been advised that they can leave the club for free if it becomes a “newco” despite administrators Duff & Phelps telling them their contracts would transfer automatically.
Allan McGregor, Steven Naismith, Steven Davis and other players were repeatedly told their existing contracts would transfer to the “newco” proposed by Bill Miller, who was yesterday given preferred bidder status. However, that is contrary to what they have been told by their union, PFA Scotland, who are adamant the separation of Rangers into “old” and “new” entities would mean the contracts are no longer binding so, if they chose, the players could leave without a transfer fee.
Herald Sport understands some players are unhappy they have not been properly informed about Miller’s plans and the union is angry that its members have been given contradictory advice about their contractual status.
A dispute would cause enormous problems – especially if the 12-month transfer embargo is not lifted after appeal – and Miller is expected to talk to the players soon in attempt to secure their support. It is understood he has been aware of the difference of opinion for some time, but both sides have insisted their position is the correct one.
The transfer of the players’ registrations is a condition of Miller’s bid and it could blow up into a massive issue if one player, or more, decided to exploit his perceived right to leave without a fee. Those who had clauses inserted in their contracts allowing them to leave for reduced fees may also seek to negotiate those terms, and could agree to have them removed in return for reimbursement of the money they lost accepting pay cuts.
Miller and Duff & Phelps have repeatedly stressed that the £11.2m takeover bid does not involve liquidation but the authorities will effectively treat it that way, which could bring accompanying penalties for competing as a new club. Rangers will not be eligible to play in Europe for the next three seasons. On Monday the Scottish Premier League will consider what sanctions, if any, to impose on clubs that go into administration or try to enter the league as a “newco”. As things stand any proposed punishments would not take effect until the day after the end of this season, so if Miller got his “newco” started before then it could be voted into the SPL over the summer without punishment.
The American is reported to be “comfortable” with the football sanctions a “newco” Rangers would suffer, though that may depend on whether or not he believes the current SFA transfer embargo will be lifted. The SPL could also impose further penalties if the club are found guilty of making undisclosed payments via Employee Benefit Trusts. An investigation into those claims is in its early stages.
The SPL issued a statement: “The Scottish Premier League notes preferred bidder status has been granted to Bill Miller. The SPL will now continue discussions with Mr Miller and his team. No further comment will be made at this time.”
The SFA said: “It is our intention to enter into detailed discussions with Mr Miller to clarify his position and to establish his strategy to ensure a sustainable future for the club.”
The Blue Knights, meanwhile, issued a statement in which they warned about the consequences of three years without European football. “We believe the complexities of a ‘newco’ process should not be underestimated and the likely loss of European football may carry longer term financial consequences to Rangers Football Club and its many supporters. Under our CVA [Company Voluntary Arrangement] proposed transaction, these issues could have been addressed more easily.”
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous Hillbillies the day?
Better researched by Andrew Smith:
Rangers takeover: Rangers squad could move straight to ‘newco’
By ANDREW SMITH
Published on Friday 4 May 2012 00:00
THE registrations of the current Rangers playing squad would be automatically transferred to the new company that Bill Miller intends to set up if he is successful in buying the assets of the current Ibrox club, sources close to administrators Duff & Phelps have claimed.
American towing tycoon Miller, as expected, was chosen over Paul Murray and Brian Kennedy’s supporter-endorsed Blue Knight consortium as the preferred bidder for the “business and assets of Rangers Football Club plc”.
His unconditional offer, believed to be worth £11.2million, is predicated on the stadium, training ground, players and club’s Scottish Premier League share immediately being moved to a “newco” and this later being joined up with the old company, once the debts left there have been dealt with by a Company Voluntary Arrangement. However, the view that players can be moved to a newco just like the company’s other assets is completely at odds with the understanding of the players’ union.
PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said recently that the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) regulations mean players could decide whether or not they moved to a newco.
A source close to the administrators said there was a “clash of law” on the issue and that they, Miller, and the SFA believe the players union had been “rash” in their pronouncement.
“The registration rests with the club, not a limited company,” said the source. “There is a question how you define a club but, if a newco acquired the league share, it would be the club.”
The source also insisted that such a share transfer would also preserve the history of Rangers.
He said: “The football club is all important, with the actual registered company number and effective name not as important. As long as a football club stays together so does the football share, players and titles.”
Miller is believed not to have paid an exclusivity fee and could therefore still be gazumped in the unlikely event a better bid is lodged.
The club administrators admit he is seeking to avoid a lengthy purchase process and the need to acquire Craig Whyte’s 85.3 per cent shareholding, which they say will “wither on the vine” if he owns a company with no assets.
The Detroit-based businessman also wants to avoid exposure to the “toxicity” of the old company and being “held to ransom” by football authorities.
Duff & Phelps admit that Miller has been given “a degree of comfort” in respect of the SFA’s 12-month signing embargo and the SPL’s position on admitting a newco, as well as the investigation into the non-disclosure of payments to players relating to Rangers’ use of Employee Benefit Trusts between 1998 and 2010.
He has decided that the apparent assurances are sufficient for him to proceed with his bid.
Moreover, the potential £60m bill from HMRC once the tax tribunal delivers its verdict, expected to be shortly, would be a “red herring” under the Miller plan, according to the administrators. With the club’s assets sold to put £11.2m into the pot, HMRC and other creditors will have no choice but to vote for a CVA because it will be the only means of a commercial return with the company having no other assets that could bring a greater return in liquidation.
However, the administrators acknowledge that European football governing body Uefa would not make any distinction between the old and new companies and that a newco Rangers would be barred from playing European football for three years.
The Uefa stance is clear and unequivocal on how it treats any newco created to shield a football team from any financial or regulatory ills experienced by the organisation from which it sprang.
“If a club sets up a new company simply to avoid paying its debts or obligations then they would almost certainly fail the three-year rule [for obtaining the required Uefa licence],” a spokesperson for Uefa told The Scotsman.
“This is to ensure clubs do not simply create a ‘newco’ and leave the previous entity in charge of dealing with debts.”
Previously, Uefa have made the following statement pertaining to newcos: “Clubs are not allowed to change their legal form or structure in order to obtain a licence, simply by ‘cleaning up’ their balance sheet while offloading debts – thus harming creditors (including employees and social/tax authorities) as well as threatening the integrity of sporting competition. Any such alteration of a club’s legal form or structure is deemed to be an interruption to its membership of a UEFA member association and, consequently, three years must pass before a club can apply again for a UEFA licence. In other words, the three-year rule is designed basically to avoid circumvention of the club licensing system.”
Paul Murray, head of the Blue Knights’ bid, last night claimed the loss of European revenue until at least 2015 was potentially more damaging than it might seem.
Although the Blue Knights, joined by previous bidder Brian Kennedy, appeared to be favoured by many supporters, a source close to the administrators painted a picture of a their bid as lacking real credibility. It was said to be “substantially lower” than Miller’s and did not have proof of funds.
Murray claimed the administrators had slowed the process by failing to pursue a court action to neutralise Whyte’s shareholding. But the rebuttal was that such a hearing would only be expedited if it could be shown a commercially viable bid was only being held up by the obstacle of Whyte.
In a statement last night, Murray said: “We believe our bid was, and remains, the best bid for Rangers Football Club and its supporters. We were therefore surprised and disappointed to be informed earlier today that a preferred, non-exclusive bidder has been appointed which appears to entail the transfer of the assets and Rangers business into a newco structure.
“We were not prepared to follow that course of action. We believe that the complexities of a newco process should not be underestimated and the likely loss of European football for a minimum period of three years may carry longer term financial consequences. Under our CVA-proposed transaction, these issues could have been addressed more easily.
“Whilst we also acknowledge that the delivery of Craig Whyte’s shares created a degree of uncertainty, our frustration lies in the fact that it is only in recent days has this issue been seen as an impediment to overcome in enabling us to make an unconditional CVA offer to Duff and Phelps. With the end of the season now very close, the current uncertainty and delay in resolving matters has to be urgently resolved as there are many key decisions that need to be made to ensure that the club can plan properly for next season and beyond.”
murdochbhoy on 4 May, 2012 at 08:20 said:
Tom McLaughlin & Big Joe
You could also try mr Google………..
He is quite a clever chap
Bigjoeundertheaweather
Good Morning
May The 4th Be With You
hen1rik on 4 May, 2012 at 08:32 said:
606AlfieConn* @606AlfieConn
Uefa have made the following statement pertaining to newcos: “Clubs are not allowed to change their legal form (cont) http://tl.gd/h95db3
If this is true…………
The implications are ……………..
Massive………………
BigjoestillgotfoodpoisioningBAD
bournesouprecipe
And also with you
Bournesouprecipe, I think I’ll wait a few hours, then plead the fifth.
Anyways, ole Mo was full of vim last night, although I’m still not convinced how much actual goal threat lurks beneath the towering Cliff of Quiff.
They could use it as a set if they ever decide to remake ‘the Guns of Navarone’.
Big Joes
So am I. Have I overdosed on Jelly and Ice-cream?
Say it aint so…Joe!
Sare stomach and bog trots csc.
first of all
May the Fourth be with you all.
Sewcondly can somebody post the UEFA statement re newcos?
Uefa have made the following statement pertaining to newcos: “Clubs are not allowed to change their legal form or structure in order to obtain a licence, simply by ‘cleaning up’ their balance sheet while offloading debts – thus harming creditors (including employees and social/tax authorities) as well as threatening the integrity of sporting competition. Any such alteration of a club’s legal form or structure is deemed to be an interruption to its membership of a UEFA member association and, consequently, three years must pass before a club can apply again for a UEFA licence. In other words, the three-year rule is designed basically to avoid circumvention of the club licensing system.”
The Uefa stance is clear and unequivocal on how it treats any newco created to shield a football team from any financial or regulatory ills experienced by the organisation from which it sprang.
“If a club sets up a new company simply to avoid paying its debts or obligations then they would almost certainly fail the three-year rule [for obtaining the required Uefa licence],” a spokesperson for Uefa told The Scotsman.
“This is to ensure clubs do not simply create a ‘newco’ and leave the previous entity in charge of dealing with debts.”
I agree with all of that. I was also happy to see Emilio doing that thing he does again.
Happy Star Wars Day to all.
Uh… that previous post was in response to…
Kayal33 on 4 May, 2012 at 08:21 said:
On the feast of St Monica belated birthday greetings to the wee Blantyre version; clearly between bashin’ in goals, skelpin’ of Huns and receiving awards wee baby Mulgrew has had more than enough excernment to deal with, so the big day slipped under the radar.
\bm/`-oo
We’ll just have to get the Alien Advance Party to use the tractor beam on ole Dick’s wallet and see if we can’t rustle up some jelly and ice-cream.
(((((((((((((((((@@))))))))))))))))))———————< \ odb££££££$$$$$$$/
Dammit! Need more coffee…
Kayal33 on 4 May, 2012 at 08:21 said:
Couldn’t believe Big Vic got MOTM at the game last night. I thought he was awful, worst performance since he arrived at CP. Joe Ledley was MOTM. Bangura looked good in first half, held it up and linked well and it looks like the coaching staff have been working on his first touch with him. Finishing still a bit Sammi-esque.
Ibrahim will either be our star man next season or he’ll be muscled out of it by the more ‘industrial’ SPL challenges that go unpunished.
Dontbrattbakkinanger on 4 May, 2012 at 09:02 said:
I was wondering how wee Baby Mulgrew had been getting on. Not so wee now, I expect.
UEFA statement re newcos is in Andrew Smith’s article in today’s Hootsman.
My 3 best players last night were Joe, Vic & Emilio.
BTW there is talk that Emilio & Ki could be off to the Olympics. If they do go they should be told on their return they will not be considerded part of the 1st team squad for selection till the following season (2013/14).
We pay their wages if they want an extended break, they must be told it will not be without consequences!
bournesouprecipe
and with your spirit.
Thai Tims were fantastic last night, they were still singing and dancing when they had taken their seats.
thought the GB were awesome also. Does anybody know if the guy with the glasses took his top off :-)
Fritz A. Grandold @fritzagrandold
Celtic are on course to have the highest points total of any club in the SPL since 2003-04. #taintedtitle
Early morning Rant warning….
With Bill Miller’s bid, we are witnessing a desperate attempt to swindle the Game of Football on a scale never before dreamed of – unless you’re Paul McConville, who dreamed this up last week.
Step 1
Essentially, in order to avoid the sanctions heading Rangers way for the infringements of the Craig Whyte period, and moreover, for the 14 years of fielding ineligible players to cover up a Tax scam, Bill Miller is setting up a Newco that will be legally distinct from the Oldco. It stands to reason that a separate legal entity owned and run by an entirely different group of people cannot be held accountable for the transgressions of a different organisation.
Step 2
In order to ensure that Newco is not penalised in future for Phoenixing per the SPL’s outstanding Resolutions on the matter, he is attempting to have Newco participate in the St Johnstone game next Sunday. Clearly, in his mind, if Newco participates in this season’s fixtures, it isn’t a Newco next season, and hence would escape any future sanctions.
In a nutshell, Bill Miller yesterday picked a Company off the shelf, and intends to obtain the necessary SFA Licence, SPL Share, Player Registrations and a miscellany of ancillary requirements, and in only 9 days have it stage an official match in the SPL. One might call it audacious to the point of absurdity.
Nevertheless, the campaign is engaged to ‘live birth’ Newco at McDiarmid Park next Sunday.
There are myriad problems in the way of this of course, and in order to overcome them, we are going to be hearing a shed load of Sophistry. Indeed, Scottish Football over the coming week will become Centre Ville Sophistry City.
For example, yesterday the Administrators attempted to create a legal distinction (not an emotional one, a legal distinction) between the Company that is licensed to play football in Scotland and ‘The Club’, such that the current Employer of the players is not the ‘Employer’ as written in their contracts, but ‘the club’ as imagined by Duff & Phelps. For example, from Andrew Smith’s report above:
<>
It takes the breath away that an Insolvency Practitioner of 20 years preofessional training and experience, cannot distinguish between a Legal Entity – the Employer – and an Intellectual Property – ‘the Club’.
“There is a question of how you define the club” says D&P’s man, but we are to believe that there’s no doubt the players are employed by it? This is unbelievably good material for a Satire on the Game.
There is more to come. Much more. A club cannot compete in Scottish football without a Licence. A licence is awarded to a legal entity. A licence CANNOT be transferred between legal entities. ‘Ems the rules. Presumably when the SFA awarded the Licence to RFC plc, it was a mistake and actually it shoud have awarded it to ‘the club’ instead.
What is being attempted here is a huge swindle on the Game to effect a huge swindle on the creditors of RFC (IA), which itself is insolvent following a .huge swindle on the Game effected to disguise a huge swindle on the tax authority.
It beggars belief that it is even countenanced, but it would not have gotten this far if the SPL’s Chief Executive hadn’t indicated that it was possible, encouraged it.
Clearly, in Neil Doncaster’s world, there is very little difference between audacity and mendacity.
If this is permitted, if this goes through, it really is all over. All over for senior football in Scotland.
TBB
Billy’s Bhoy on 4 May, 2012 at 08:54 said:
Been in hospital for 3 days now……….
Seriously bored….. But not shitlessssss
Bigjoefeelingbetter
Dontbrattbakkinanger on 4 May, 2012 at 09:02
I have Saint Augstine’s Mum, Monica, down for 27 August …
Do I detect an element of ‘modern Roman Catholic Calendars are rubbish …’ ?
;-)
Statement of Administrators’ Proposals
http://www.scribd.co…273/rangers216b%20
David Hillier @DavidHillier
“@diesel0412: in record today,admin state hmrc and ticketus voted in favour of bill miller proposal” there hasn’t been a vote so untrue.
Retweeted by Harry Brady
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The lies and the cover up continue…death to Newco…
While all this ridiculous collusion is going on I wouldn’t surprised if they add a European cup to their history. Just for fairness like,
What’s currently going on here is so sickening & bent I honestly wouldn’t rule anything out.
The Battered Bunnet on 4 May, 2012 at 09:11
Well said, that man …