With an eye on the interesting weeks and months that lie ahead, this month’s issue of CQN Magazine is titled Fit and Proper, as we investigate some of the goings-on in the game. To give these times some perspective, we take you back to 1994, when our own club was on the verge of collapse. It’s all there, including video of the legendary “Cambuslang is a reality”!
Celtic was rescued and rebuilt by the collective action of thousands of ordinary supporters, the active planning of a small number and the icy focus of Fergus McCann. Fergus had his critics, and we recall some of the conflict here, but as Shakespeare said, “Cometh the hour, cometh the man”. He was unquestionably the right man to relieve the old board of their duties.
This was an important time in our history so we’ll take any excuse to relive, recall and read over those times. Nor do we make any excuse for our alert focus on events elsewhere.
The story of other parts of Scottish football is important to us as we will have a roll in its future. Celtic fans must be aware of the issues and be ready to voice their opinions should an opportunity come for clubs, the SPL or SFA to made a decision on how to pick up the pieces after a serious financial crisis at one or more clubs. We cannot be asleep when the hour arrives.
There is tons more of the usual fare in the magazine, including analysis of our January signings, fans’ stories, a look back at our 65-year-old Polish heritage and some of the reasons why there may be a million football clubs in the world, but there’s only one Celtic.
Hope you enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who has contributed or worked on it.
You can order a hard copy now with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing. Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to the rest of the known universe. Click on the link below to order.
Click here to view the new issue of CQN Magazine online for free. You can support the online edition by making a discretionary donation here.
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Margaret McGill says:
8 February, 2012 at 05:32
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_O%27Flaherty
That was very enlightening and uplifting. I vaguely remember the movie.
.
I Find it Ironic that Tonight and our Next Trip to iPox will be Our 2 Hardest games in the Run in..
The Goodfellas Vs The Borrowers right Enough Ehhh..
Who Said Crime Doesn’t Pay..?
Catches Up on You Eventually tho..TAL..
Summa
.
The Only Show In Town
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 06:50
Written by Fury
It’s been a rough ride for Craig Whyte since he took over at Rangers. If he had any illusions about how difficult a job it would be or how many obstacles, real or imagined, would be placed in his way then I think those illusions will now have been dispelled. There is no doubt that legitimate questions remain on his plans for Britain’s most successful club but the sad truth is that instead of those questions being posed in a calm and rational way by those who love the club, they are being obscured by the muck raking and dramatisation of Scotland’s desperate press and their ‘Celtic minded’ hangers on.
First let me state that I remain to be entirely convinced by Craig Whyte. He has done some things well and some things poorly since taking over. I am sure he would acknowledge that the transfer dealings of the club have been shambolic over the past two windows but as with many of the things for which he is attracting criticism he is not alone in making mistakes. Ally McCoist’s insistence on revealing the name of virtually every target to the press has not helped, for example. The sale of Nikica Jelavic was not handled well but the press have again tried to shed a more negative light on it by suggesting he did not want to leave. Forcing a move and wanting to leave are two different things. Jelavic absolutely wanted to leave and although he will be missed from a numbers point of view, his form this season has been poor.
Whyte’s performance with the press has, on the whole, been refreshing if a touch naive. I’m sure some would argue the opposite but it is about time we had a chairman who was prepared to end the open season on Rangers. With several media outlets now persona non grata at Ibrox it is clear the knives are out but someone had to draw the line. The frustrating thing from a fans’ point of view is that instead of asking pertinent questions that need to be answered, the personal attacks on Whyte have, in most cases, made it easy for him to respond. Only STV and a select few journalists seem to be interested in reporting fact rather than innuendo. The Daily Record report on Ticketus may well have contained some questions which Whyte needed to answer but it was so shrouded in personal attack from members of the old board and so wooly in terms of understanding the finances behind the headlines that it lost all impact over the first couple of paragraphs. Sports journalists are not in their profession because they have an understanding of finance but that hasn’t stopped them from having a pop at it over the past few years.
Many fans have rounded on Paul Murray and Alastair Johnston for their frequent participation in these attacks and although I don’t doubt that the former board members may feel they are doing the right thing, I have to say it is hard to see their comments as anything other than sour grapes. They seem incapable of putting across their concerns without sniping at Whyte like jilted lovers. There is also, tellingly, a total lack of any alternative put forward by them. You want to sit them down and say “Ok guys we get it. You don’t like or trust Whyte but what exactly are you proposing?” Their repeated calls for fans to be vigilant are totally redundant as the fans have no alternative but to trust Whyte to steer us past the HMRC case and beyond. Murray et al had four years to come up with an alternative and couldn’t. It’s time for them to stop bitching and allow us to examine Whyte’s tenure on its merits and over a sensible period of time once this tax case has reached a conclusion.
This morning sees Whyte answer many of the questions that have been raised in an interview with Tom English in Scotland on Sunday. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spl/interview_craig_whyte_chairman_of_rangers_fc_1_2098205 It is almost unprecedented that a chairman of Rangers should have to answer such detailed questions and I am impressed that Whyte has now stepped up several times to do so. The press in Scotland certainly never saw fit to question Sir David Murray in this way when his reckless spending brought the club to this point. It’s notable that the same hacks who gave Murray such an easy ride are the ones now attempting to discredit Whyte, but they are of course a dying breed. With newspaper sales plummeting and most people becoming aware of stories on the internet long before they have even dusted down their typewriters, they are more desperate than ever to create stories rather than report them.
Make no mistake, there are people currently working around the fringes of journalism and also in mainstream media who are trying to create an environment in which Rangers can only fail. They want to discredit the club and the easiest current target is the new owner. They want to make it difficult for us to attract new finance or gain favourable terms with creditors. The more mud they sling the more it sticks and if there are real issues with Whyte they are being obscured by what now appears to be a vendetta. Once again, on the day after the Daily Record story, the usual suspects were prematurely congratulating themselves on the demise of Rangers. They openly celebrated and slapped each other on the back via Twitter and other social media, as they do anytime one of their pet subjects makes it into a mainstream paper. If the fans want to vent their frustrations somewhere then it is here that their targets should be found.
Ally McCoist called for unity on Friday. Those who are mistrustful of Whyte should remember that there are people working in Ibrox who know a lot more about Whyte, his motives and his methods than the press do. Does anyone doubt that McCoist or Gordon Smith have the best interests of the club at heart? Do they really think if Whyte was trying to pull off some sort of swindle then they would stand by and watch it happen? There are tough times ahead and Whyte has already stated many times that we cannot continue to spend money we don’t have. The fans need to back the new owner and understand that what he is doing may not be popular but it is necessary. He has reiterated that he has a plan to deal with the many possible outcomes of the tax case and we have little choice but to believe him. If working within our budget means that young players like Fleck and Hutton will return from loan spells and take their place in our team next year then I am all for it.
I saw one poster on a well known forum yesterday who asked why, if Whyte had personal wealth, he did not just lend us the money rather than using Ticketus. I think people are still missing the point. Rangers have to become a sustainable business – one that does not rely on injections of cash from people like David Murray or Craig Whyte. The type of facilities that Whyte is using are more and more common in business these days with invoice discounting and factoring being used as a replacement for bank lending which is now so difficult to secure.
Craig Whyte has my full support for the moment. His detractors continue to fail to convince or put forward a viable alternative and as long as that is the case he remains the only show in town.
Summa
Good morning friends from a dry and slightly less cold east Kilbride.
Whilst tonight is not a must-win game for us, what a brilliant feeling it will be when we do come away with the 3 points. Hope that all our travelling support do us proud and stay safe.
Jobo
so according to Summa and his like the Celtic minded press should have been asking difficult questions of Murray instead of giving him an easy ride in his decade or more of tax evasion and spending beyond the clubs means. They just don’t get it do they
Jobo Baldie says:
8 February, 2012 at 06:32
Whilst tonight is not a must-win game for us, what a brilliant feeling it will be when we do come away with the 3 points. Hope that all our travelling support do us proud and stay safe.
That sums it all up for me too.
All runs end and Tynecastle will be a formidable place tonight.
Hearts ,however, are not a formidable team.
Hope all our travelling support are safe.
The rats are cornered.
.
Ron..
That Article was from Gers Media..One of the Better Orc Sites..
Always know What the Enemy Is Thinking..
Summa and His Like.. Ha.. I like it..
Summa ft CelticMindedMediaCSC
Summa
A case of mistaken identity,I feel
Hope I`m included in one of “your like.”
001 Bhoy are you Sammi ?
Bloody freezing in work as they’re working on the H&V brrrrr!
Busy day ….. Offski.
V
Morning from a frosty far west.
The bhoys will overcome tonight; we want it more.
To the ‘jelly ‘n ice-cream’ brigade; sing loud and proud and, above all, stay safe!
Morning,
Cup Final tickets, £20 East/West £25 North. North is Celtic fans only, why the extra Fiver?
HH
.
VHman..
NO I’m Summa of Sammi.. I Preach the Sammi Prophecy..
I think..;0)
MacJay..
At Least he Never Called me a H*n..
001Bhoy
Good Morning
from a Wintry Central Scotland.
The 8th of February was always a good day to be a Celt.
Good morning CQN from the fast train to Paisley GS, just passed snake mountain and all the lights were out………
Hhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmnm ;-)
Maybe they’re playing blind mans bluff but didn’t have any blindfolds….
Havingaparty.csc
Good morning everyone from MK where we’re forecast to get the blunt end of the weather with temperatures forecast to fall to -9 overnight Saturday, so no golf again this weekend.
Tonight’s game is another pivotal game and I’m sure Lenny will have stressed the importance to the team, for anything other than a win tonight will give succour to those in need. The defence has a solidness about it these days and tonight I’d really like to see the midfield relieved of some of their defensive duties, Victor would revel in a little more freedom.
Onwards and upwards.
Top of the morning to you all from a bright, but not breezy Fife. A big orange ball is rising in the East so looks like being a good day.
Good article from Paul67 and timely reminder that it is the fans who determine the destiny of football clubs.
Our support proved that they were in a class of their own by stepping up to the plate when the club was in crisis.
Our neighbours across the city seem to be stuck in a Masonic mindset. Waiting for the preferential treatment that comes with being part of the second-biggest institution in Scotland.
I hope that their wishes are not granted and for once they will be treated the same as any other club. That is what I hope for, but I “hae my doots” as they say.
Win tonight Celtic and put the pressure on the tax cheats. H.H.
Sky Sports News says that they are in La Manga all week with all SFA referees.
This makes me wonder who is in carge of the game tonight and who is running the line?
Maybe Hertz have not paid for a Referee. If they field and unregistered Ref do we not win 3-0 by default?
Or is that only for unregistrered player? Same thing at times really!
Whoever it is, bet they are raging to be running about in the cold and wet in Gorgie when the others are doing the real hard work round the clubhouse bar in Spain?
Mornin Celtic fans and CQNrs
A cold and bright morning,
Another big test for us to-night, possibility with some new faces on the pitch.
Referee Willie Collum not being one of them, although he has many faces and can see out the back of his heed !
HH
Good morning bhoys
Just win Celtic…keep the pressure on
And for all the bhoys going to swinecastle
Extra ice-cream and jelly for the jambo fans
Havingapartywhenthehunsdiex csc
Daniel Cousin……really!!! Nice wee chortle to start the day!
Only big decision tonight is left back, think the rest of the team picks itself for this one…..
Mac
Bonus that the gold medal winner for hammer throwing, Black is absent for Das mini orcs. Is there a dirtier player in the league? Surely the following must be battling it out for the silver medal?
Elbows
Bartley
Foran
The entire Motherwell squad
Mornin’ bhoys and ghirls, weather in ole DG a bit American Pie but a lovely morning in many ways.
What further calamity will befall the NoPopePaupers the day?
Hearts 0 Celtic 5?
Maks sense tae me, and it maks sense tae Mo.
Re Cousin
The papers are saying that he and his Agent have spoke to TFPLG and everything seems set, but he has to speak to that Russell guy next and that is where the problems will begin.
Rangers are running their special version of Football Aid. Highest bidder gets a game!
Anyways, Hunsolvency events are like Corporation buses, you wait all your life for one and then two come along all at once.
O h karma, they can run but they can’t hide.
Glad to be back to the football.
Much as I wish the Huns to perish I just wish they would speed up the process.
Good to hear arch Huns Dalziel and Spiers admit that if and when the Huns wrongdoing is proved then they should definately receive severe punishment and tainted titles etc should be reconsidered.
That is a huge advancement in a few short weeks.
Well done the Celtic community led by the likes of BRTH, TBB, AuldHeid and of course, Paul 67.
EC67
Does Bjmac ever get off that train? Is he still at Huddle learning classes?
That’s the best CQN mag yet, but describing the Holy Goalie as the “best ‘keeper since Bonner” is probably a disservice to Artur. I want to know who big Packie’s PR people are – though they could be busy right now sharpening up Obama’s re-election campaign.
ASonOfDan says:
8 February, 2012 at 07:36
Morning,
Cup Final tickets, £20 East/West £25 North. North is Celtic fans only, why the extra Fiver?
Having been to the midden that is the “National Stadium” I assume the price difference is that you can actually see what is happening on the park from the North Stand whereas from the East stand the view is…how shall we say……..HOPELESS!!
Worth the extra fiver to watch the game IMO unless you need to go to the toilet or for a pie at half-time. In which case, forget the first 20 minutes of the second half. Also, don’t expect to be able to find a helpful steward or even a safe place to walk or stand when you manage to get up the stairs to the concourse. Hampden – a national disgrace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3_hyBbvFZI
Has everyone seen this?
I am enjoying occasional forays to the darkside of the internet to hear the ongoing deluded ramblings of assorted sickly teddies.
Gersforum today proclaim that the solution to make-up the £10m annual income shortfall as announced by the Whyte sh— is for 60000, yes 60000, supporters to invest £180 per annum in the club.
And, in return, they suggest that they should be allowed some form of representation on the board.
These are the same fans who mustered approx 15000 to support their beleaguered club at the weekend.
The huns continue to fiddle while Ibroke burns!
2-0 tonight!
Same side as Saturday for me. Our manager does like to confound predictions on team selections and I applaud him for that!
HH
Martin42
Happy Birthday to you.
God bless you and your family.
BRTH – I’m picking up internet “chatter” that today could be significant. You’re not helping.
Is it another false dawn?
Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov’s two other clubs FBK Kaunas and Partizan Minsk have been demoted from their domestic leagues in Lithuania and Belarus, respectively, after the businessman withdrew his investment from both clubs. (Sun)
Both clubs demoted…………………………………….Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ja Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Keith Jackson you are a laughing stock.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
The DR you are a laughing stock, no wonder this paper is failing with guys like Jackson on board.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
Daniel Cousin Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
Sorry there lads back to normality noo.
St Martin’s Bhoy says:
8 February, 2012 at 08:48
——
I was ready to go into an expletive-filled volley about the National Disgrace there, but you just covered everything I wanted to say, and in a family-friendly version too. Cheers!
HH
Giggs
giggsy
what happened last night?
was there a car parked at my front door when you came round with the bevvy? o)))
BT
I brought young Nelson back from his work and crashed out – woke up at back of 1 this morning!! I take it the car you mention is a red one? :-)
I’m half day today and off tomorrow, so will catch up today no doubt, if that ok? In fact, I have a meeting in the Parkville at 5 bells, if you’re going to be in for a refreshment?
HH
Giggs
merseycelt at 08:55
60,000 football supporters of any team investing £180 per annum in any football team is fanciful, let alone a football team where there is little or no chance of said funding ever being returned.
That is an idea drawn up in the minds of someone who wishes it could be achieved.
Mort
Morning CQNer’s.
Maybe it’s just me but….Protestant Scotland will just stand there and watch Hun FC die ?
Anti – Catholic-Irish-Celtic-Neil Lennon SNP will let the themselve’s carry the baggage of, presiding over the demise of Hun FC ?
The hun supporters will all just sit at home and, play tiddlywinks while, Celtic fans enjoy ice cream & jelly-play musical chairs-pass the parcel-do the conga ?
I’m afraid it all seems a bit like, Timdom utopia for me. But, what do I know ?
Mini’s 0-3 Lennons lions
Hail! Hail!