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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That UEFA statement is unequivocal, isn’t it?
Surely that hits this whole deal firmly on the head.
There will be no UEFA licence for a newco which is set up to avoid paying debts.
Can Doncaster and Regan just ignore this?
Mark Wilson was a player, who for me, I have to say disappointed me after he signed, no lack of effort on his behalf but frequently hampered by injuries. However last season under Neil Lennon I thought he was a much improved player and even scored a peach of a goal against the team formerly known as rangers, a possible candidate for my player of the year in a team where players such as Kayal and hooper and one or two others had a good season. No mean feat in forcing me to re assess my opinion of him either.
I still don’t feel that defensively we are settled yet and perhaps it would have been worthwhile to give him another season, however since I frequently advocate moving on fringe players I guess I cant have it both ways. So best of luck to Mark Wilson in his future career, I reckon he is not finished yet,
While I personally won’t ever forget his goal vs the huns, I reckon Sasa Papac still doesn’t even know yet that it was a goal
The Battered Bunnet on 4 May, 2012 at 09:11 said:
Doncaster must be out of a job when all this falls on it’s face??
D& P will be removed soon I think they’re seriously taking the piss now..
Sorry, that link doesn’t work:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/90120273/rangers216b
Headtheball on 4 May, 2012 at 09:18
Is an SPL/SFA Licence conditional on a club receiving a UEFA Licence?
If not then I think the probable sanctions of the for the whole of Scottish Football would be devastating, especially for us. You have to think the SFA & the media know this only too well. Do they care? It doesn’t appear so.
Scottish football has been run by jokers for decades & it’s fast becoming the greatest comedy show of all time.
Re
Mark wilson
A good player, but I felt that he gave in to wee niggles and refused to play through the pain barrier. I remember when Phil O’Donnell (RIP) left NTV did a joke player profile and one of the questions was “who is your best pal at CP?” and the answer was Brian Scott!
Wilson alongside Maloney would IMO have considered declaring themselves unfit if they broke a nail.
If one, just one, Rangers player decides to leave the club for pastures new because he is out of contract as the oldco is dead then the gane is up for the history merchants. The PFA reckon the contracts are not automatically transferred to newco. If this is proven to be correct then the argument is over. They’re deid.
Folly Folly on 4 May, 2012 at 09:14 said:
I am a former pupil of St. Monica’s PS in the Brig. We always celebrated her feast day on 4 May.
“May the Fourth be with you”, as my 7 year old grandson will be saying to his pals today in school.
folly , folly- according to Wiki/EWLM/EWTB it’s today, but you might be right.
Unless of course it ‘s a ‘newco’ St Monica.
Anyways, you can’t have too many days for the patron saint of those who have been victims of verbal abuse.
It seems strange that we won a game last night but that it cunts for nothing. A Thursday night too – we have won the odd game on this strange evening of course.
Good to see Mark Wilson getting the armband and a farewell appearance. Injury robbed him of a lot of gametime unfortunately. But he played his part when he could and to my mind was always a solid and steady player for us.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 4 May, 2012 at 09:28 said:
Gordon language please!!!
ALmost fell off my chair..
Thought the Thai Tims were brilliant last night. They lit up the whole place. I hope they have enjoyed their trip to Scotland and the world of Celtic FC. I’m sure it will be an eperience they will long remember. They are a credit to their teachers and their parents.
Well done, Thai Tims!
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 4 May, 2012 at 09:28 said:
Unfortunate typo there :-)
GOrdon J
That should be a life ban! ;-)
You may be giving your age away, TheOriginalSadiesBhoy: I think the calendar changed in 1969.
Of course, since you are a St Monica’s FP, I will bow to your superior knowledge …
‘Newco’ St Monica …
I like it!
Meanwhile over the road the Miller plan attempts a massive con trick. It would need the connivance of all of the footballing authorities – and a fair few of the principals in the action so far – to work.
I think we need to be very clear about the terminology in all of this. It;s easy to start myths when you use incorrect terms – and I saw several of these on news programmes last night.
Miller is not “splitting Rangers”. He is looking to form an entirely new company that will have no connection to the club. He is then looking to buy the assets of Rangers for his new club.
They are not seeking to have “Rangers readmitted to the SPL”. They are hoping that a brand new club will take its place. That’s what the SPL would be asked to vote for – a new club straight into the SPL for no good reason. And I think UEFA will have a lot to say about that.
The asset sale plan has just a hint of legality about, it. D&P might well argue that it is better for the creditors to sell them all off in a job lot to Miller’s new club that to liquidate.
There are two issues here. One is Whyte’s security. If that stands he can block the sale. The second is whether Miller’s price is a good one. Now there was talk of D&P getting a realistic valuation of assets done. I’ve never seen the outcome. And what’s the betting that it comes in nearer to £11M than £100M?
Who else but a football team would buy the assets anyway? Land around Ibrox is cheap. There are several shopping centres close by and an Asda up the road. Riverside flats might be a possibility. Murray Park? There is a condition that houses can’t be built so what else is the land useful for?
Fritz A. Grandold @fritzagrandold
In radio interview on how perilous Scottish football finances were (and why it needs Rangers) D.King said Utd debt was £12m, it’s under £4m
Fritz A. Grandold @fritzagrandold
Nothing like blatant lies to push your agenda.
Fritz A. Grandold @fritzagrandold
Nothing like blatant lies to push your agenda.
1m Fritz A. Grandold @fritzagrandold
In radio interview on how perilous Scottish football finances were (and why it needs Rangers) D.King said Utd debt was £12m, it’s under £4m
This sums up what we are up against.
Craig Whyte attempts to do what he has done with every other business he has destroyed, I mean turned around.
Craig Whyte appoints his pals Duff and Phelps to run the admin process.
Duff and Phelps find a preferred bidder…eventually
Noone has heard of mysterious preferred bidder
Preferred bidder attempts to do what Whyte has always done only this time with stuff that Whyte actually owns.
Preferred bidder is Whyte’s proxy as highlighted by Paul several blogs ago.
Sooooooooooooooooooooooo
As he has always done, Whyte syphons off as much cash as he can from a business, watches it go belly up and then uses said syphoned cash to buy back the carcass debt free and start again.
Methinks Miller is a patsy, a few quid to himself, safely out of harms way whilst Whytey funds the 11m takeover.
Just sayin like!
Jail the lot of them until the debts are paid! If Ibrox is worthn 80m and Administrators brief is to do what’s best for their creditors then why isn’t it already a Tescos!
starry plough on 4 May, 2012 at 09:29 said:
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 4 May, 2012 at 09:28 said:
Gordon language please!!!
———–
Oops – sorry Paul! Apologies folks.
My spell checker didn’t pick up on that unfortunate typo.
Paul67 etal.
So,It came to pass that the Whyte Knights purpose in life was to purchase the Gers for a £1,cause havok in all the Rangers camps,accepting the vilification of all then get turfed out on his backside,these Basket cases are ruthless.
Whyte is held in high esteem by one person in this country,Me.I don’t think what he did was illegal,He went to a company and borrowed money by selling advanced ticket sales to ticketus,there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that,he paid £18m to Lloyds which Murray owed.
I know he didn’t pay his tax and insurance & PAYE bills in his first year of running Rangers but is that a crime?,Mr Murray hasn’t pai for 15 odd years,and everyone in Scotland, bar us,thinks its fine to rob the taxpayers of this country,seemingly it’s fine to do that sort of thing,you get a knighthood if your successful.
I’m not an expert in Financial law,but my take on all of this is Whyte still owns Rangers,and if he doesn’t wish to sell,he will still own Rangers next year,unless they go to court to get him out,they would still have to win their case,and as I say,I don’t think the old Craigy bhoy has done much wrong in the running of his club,if he goes to court,He may get a jury that has the same mind as me,and think he is a saint and give him a medal for his brave stance in fighting of the hoards of peepul who want nothing less than his head on a platter.
Ellboy – I am Neil Lennon, YNWA.
It was my understanding that a UEFA licence was required to play in the SPL but maybe I’ve got that wrong.
In any case, you would think that, for ethical reasons, the UEFA rules should apply in local associations.
To set up a new company and leave the old one with the debts is just totally immoral.
Big Joe on 4 May, 2012 at 09:11 said:
Greetings from downunda.
And good moooooooooorning.
Gordon J – what must you be typing on “other sites” for the auto correct to suggest that word? Hehehe.
(just kidding)
There is no ‘old firm’
There’s an appearance before Lord Hodge at the High Court which may give more detail on potential CVA agreements or not.
Have watched the interview will Paul Clark (I think) how he can propose this Newco and icubator nonsense defies logic….then again so do normal Rangers financial activities.
In light of who has discussed what with whom I’m holding back on comment because I feel there are masinations to put people into corners by statements always blured around some reality….discussions with HMRC…sure offers have no doubt been made and I’m sure they have agreed in principle….they want their money.
Discussions will have been held with SFA/SPL….whilst there is a mindset that Rangers are a big draw…..do I as a Chairman/sporting association want to be seem condoning financial doping…
Discussions with Craig Whyte…..he owns the share hence the assets…to force a sale without court order can’t happen (is this a two minute hearing?)….would transferring the assets without the owners permission not be theft?
Craig has got his £1’s worth methinks.
Clearly what the Adminitrators want to do is set up the Newco..get it accepted..then argue later over the legalities, meanwhile, new Rangers is established and who would shut it down?
Last night was typical post season match good to see some of the new faces otherwise all I can say is thank you to the Thai Tims, infectious smiles in such s drab world…my prayers and good wishes go with them when they go home……I hope we remember to keep supporting them in prayer and deed. My daughter got her picture taken with the musicians last night (right place right time..just like she got Arturs gloves) and is well chuffed.
Let’s all continue to enjoy the show that keeps giving!
Off to get tickets for ruby 7’s.
Hail Hail
ArabTRUST @arabtrust1909
It takes 2 minutes to check Companies House records, or information already in the public domain, to ascertain Dundee United’s debt.
Gordon J- you usin’ the ole Pabbers spellchecker?
The Battered Bunnet:
This is a brazen attempt to defaud creditors and return to footballing business as usual. It will receive fawning encouragement from the establishment; sporting, media and political. The potential fly in the ointment is the dubious legality of this morally contempable swindle and the prospect of Miller’s scheme drowning in litigation. Unlikely though it might be, how ironic would it be if one swindler (Whyte) inadvertently preserves sporting integrity in trying to prevent another swindler (Miller) running off with his loot…
The SFA rules seem to be that you must be capable of meeting UEFA license criteria to play in the SPL. I suspect there are two reasons for this: firstly any SPL club could potentially get into Europe and secondly it makes more sense to use UEFA’s criteria than for the SFA to make up its own different set.
Now this is what SPL rules say about an applicant for a License:
“The Licence Applicant may only be a football club, that is the legal entity fully responsible for the football team participating in national and international competitions and which is the legal entity member of the Scottish Football Association (Full or Associate Member). The licence applicant is responsible for the fulfillment of the club licensing criteria.”
This causes issues for a brand new club. It must be responsible for a football team. It must be participating in competitions. It has to be an SFA member.
Clearly this was written with promoted clubs in mind. I don’t think anyone thought about a brand new club applying when the rules were written.
Cheat’s Charter” controversy ended Posted on April 13, 2012 by Rev. Stuart Campbell
From the Scottish Football Association rules on Club Licensing (specifically Part 3, Section 03 – The Club as Licence Applicant and the UEFA Licence). Emphasis ours.
“3.1.1 The Licence Applicant may only be a football club, that is the legal entity fully responsible for the football team participating in national and international competitions and which is the legal entity member of the Scottish Football Association (Full or Associate Member). The licence applicant is responsible for the fulfillment of the club licensing criteria. This membership must have been in place at the start of the licence season for a minimum period of three consecutive years.
[…]
3.3.1 UEFA Licence Awards for Scottish Premier League Clubs (SPL)
A Licence cannot be transferred from one legal entity to another.”
NB: “UEFA Licence” does not denote a licence to compete in UEFA competitions, which are governed by an entirely different set of criteria. As the SFA website explains:
“National Club Licensing applies to Scottish FA member clubs and UEFA Club Licensing applies to Scottish Premier League clubs.”
In other words, to play in the SPL you must have a UEFA Club Licence, regardless of whether you actually compete in UEFA competitions or not. (SFL clubs, who in normal circumstances wouldn’t be expected to qualify for European tournaments, are dealt with separately via an “extraordinary procedure” in the event that they do.)
So, should Rangers FC be subject to liquidation and then reborn as a “newco”, the new company would NOT be eligible for the licence required to play in the SPL, for at least three years. Furthermore, it is plainly and explicitly forbidden under SFA rules for such a licence to be transferred from one legal entity (Rangers FC) to another (New Rangers FC 2012). Well, that’s that all sorted out, then. As you were.
…
[Edited for clarity and latest versions of documentation, 13-4-2012]
[EDIT 17-4-2012: We rang the SFA yesterday, and they confirmed our interpretation of the rules above. Half an hour later they rang us back, sounding very nervous, and changed their line, stating that the UEFA Club Licence DID only apply to UEFA competitions, and only a National Club Licence was required to play in the SPL. Later that evening it was revealed that the Association is considering disbanding the SPL and SFL entirely and replacing them with a new National Football League. The SFA did not comment on the possible position of a newco Rangers in such a league.]
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 4 May, 2012 at 09:28 said
How unfortunate …. ;-)))))))))))))))))
Bigjoe’salaughing
Technical advice sought!
Time to get new phone have Blackberry which I do like, however, thinking of a HTC or Samsung…….use it for twitter, CQN and e-Mails and thinking of Sky Go facility!
Any views on models?
Hail Hail
time for change on 4 May, 2012 at 09:49 said:
IPhone does the lot matey.
Modren Sky Go facility is rubbish.
I’m intrigued by this bloke, Bill Miller …
How on earth does a Mississippi backwoodsman (who has no known interest in ‘soccer’ and – by some accounts – doesn’t have a passport and has never set foot in Scotland) appear from the undergrowth with a fantastical bid for part of Scotland’s social fabric?
What’s his angle?
Assuming that he’s not going to spend much time commuting to Glasgow, who are the lieutenants he’ll be relying on to run his new-found franchise?
What’s his business plan?
How can the SFA or SPL do a ‘due diligence’ on himand his proposed Newco in time for proper consideration of any application for an SFA Licence or SPL share?
It wouldn’t normally matter, except it does …
A Must see! http://youtu.be/ek7SfViBvJs
Dundee United’s Finances from their Official site
DUNDEE UNITED ANNOUNCE FINANCIAL RESULTS TO JUNE 2011
10 January 2012
Dundee United’s Annual Accounts for the period to June 2011 reveal a net loss of £523K – a figure largely due to a £800K reduction in turnover.
The figures continue to highlight the financial difficulties facing Scottish football – an 18% decrease in season ticket sales for the 2011-12 season showing just one of the factors affected by the current financial climate.
Turnover for the year was £5,208K, a decrease of £844K on 2010 – a year when the Club won the Scottish Cup and finished third in the SPL.
Closer inspection shows the finances being managed efficiently with regards the long term stability of the Club.
Renewing its bank facility in October 2011, the Club has been able to reduce its bank loan by a third over the last four years, significantly helped by the sale of David Goodwillie. With the sale of Goodwillie and Scott Allan, the Club’s term loan will fall below £4 million.
With constant endeavour to become self financing, Directors’ loans remained at £435K, a figure which underlines the continued support of theThompson family.
Chairman Stephen Thompson said “The focus is very much on ensuring the long term stability of the Club and throughout the last four years we have worked tirelessly to improve the situation specifically relating to the long term debt. The term loan has been reduced by 33% since 2007 yet, whilst we need to focus on this, we also have to aim to excel on the park. Thanks to the support of the Board and the shrewd nature of transfer activity by the Manager, we have a young vibrant squad of players which gives real hope for some exciting times over the next few seasons. We fully appreciate the need to continue to entertain our supporters and, whilst at boardroom level we continue to strive for financial improvement, we also remain committed to having the best possible squad available.”
He added “In summary, it is clear that the Club is being run in the best possible fiscal manner whilst continuing to compete on the park. The Company has increased the strength of the Board recently with the addition of both a new Director and Associate Director who bring with them a wealth of financial expertise. Such efficiency is vital for the long term stability of the football club and, with the continued backing of our loyal supporters, we will strive to ensure that this is achieved.”
Darly King is a disgrace for coming out with the 12M lie