Dark days of 2012 haunt Ibrox once more

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One of two things are going to happen:

Possibility One:

Dave King will say: “You ain’t got no problem, journos. I’m on the pot. Go back in there, chill them Bears out and wait for the £30m, which should be coming directly”.

Possibility Two:

Dave King will make some irrelevant, vacuous, comment, or make no comment at all, but he will NOT say “Chill them Bears out and wait for the £30m”, because £30m isn’t coming.

If option one happens, Newco has a future.  If anything but option one happens, they have no future.

They will need £10m to keep the lights on next season in the Championship – and that’s before any ambitions to improve the football operation.  Even more important than keeping the lights on, they need to find £5m to repay Ashley’s loan (yes, getting Intellectual Property off Mike Ashley is more important than staying out of administration).

That’s £15m loan or capital investment needed, on top of ticket sales and other income, to survive the next 12 months, without repaying any of the directors loans and without finding a budget for a better keeper than Cammy Bell.

If they find this money, and they win promotion next year, they will still have a deficit (even with the current player budget) in the Premiership.  £30m would be gone within two years, and that’s assuming the millions needed to be spent on the stadium is forgone for a while longer.

While King was building momentum to displace the last board, he was crystal clear about the level of ambition which was a minimum requirement for Newco: compete with Celtic.  He was prepared to spend his children’s inheritance, £30m, £40m, whatever it takes!

Now he’s not so verbose.

Last year he issued a statement asking “Does the [Newco] board agree it is unfair to ask fans to buy season tickets before they consider the business review?”  Now he’s ‘on the throne’ we’re hearing little about the club’s plans. It’s easy running a football club when you’re criticising the guys currently doing the job, it’s a whole lot harder when it’s you who has to make the decisions.

Mike Ashley’s EGM next week may be a welcome distraction.  Mike will be the bogeyman, but only for the permanently gullible (and there are lots of them).  His loan is modest compared to the size of the funding gap and it was known about before King urged shareholders to back him.

That Ashley is an uncompromising lender and holder of onerous contracts is no mitigation for King.  Ashley is that and more.  We knew this, King knew it when he told fans he was the man to turn things around.  He cannot act surprised now.

So is the £30m coming?  Even if King has the money, I can’t see it, it just doesn’t make sense.  Pouring £30m into a black hole, without merchandising rights for 7 years, without a realistic prospect of being competitive on the field, when the only reward is to survive long enough to pour in yet more millions, is lunacy.  The dark days of 2012 will haunt Ibrox once more.

It makes more sense to let the club go to the wall, let Ashley run off with the Rangers brands, make him the bogeyman, and use your money to bid for the stadium from the insolvency practitioner.  Four or five years down the line Govan United could be a top-flight team.  They may even be able to cut a deal with Ashley for rights to the ‘Rangers’ name, which despite all that’s gone on, still has some cachet.

I’m pleased to read Celtic on the front foot again this morning regarding the Offensive Behaviour’ Act. I’d hoped that when the baton passed from Salmond to Sturgeon the Scottish Government’s lunge in the direction of extraordinary police powers, and laws created after curious political considerations, would end. I gather a glimpse of doubt crept in around a year ago, as immediate political realities gave the Government reason to reconsider, but all such self-doubts have since been washed away.

Get used to the Act, police with guns on our streets as a matter of course, and ambitious aims for their authority.

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  1. Geordie Munro on

    They tell me this guy the huns are lining up to be the next manager is the best thing since sliced bread.

  2. I seem to recall that FIFA got involved when Governments interfered in Football Administration in some African countries…

     

     

    So the letter from to Volcke stating that the South African Government have donated 10 million to the dodgy fund…

     

     

    That’s ok apparently.

  3. Dena29 , you might not get to meet Paul , but you can always get a seat and a hug from me . Just what i need on a bleak January afternoon about 4:30 when you’re sneaking round the barrier

     

    .

     

    Eirann , welcome – there are a few seats in 405 , row J – view is excellent , not too high and you are sheltered from the rain – unless it’s the horizontal kind we get every so often .

     

     

     

    Sanna

  4. South Of Tunis on

    Qatar deaths.

     

     

    Close to 1200 and at the current rate should be some 4000 for the opening game. Regan can then divide the total number of deaths by the total number of games and arrive at a figure which tells him that each Qatar World Cup game cost x lives.

  5. Burgas Hoops on

    Geordie Munro

     

    13:54

     

    They tell me this guy the huns are lining up to be the next manager is the best thing since sliced bread.

     

     

    ___________________________

     

     

    Worst kept secret in scoddish fitba……………………………Derek McInnes.

  6. Well if you wanna go, K.A.N.O ., Hail Hail , Rain , Sleet or Snow

     

    13:57 on

     

    2 June, 2015

     

    Dena29 , you might not get to meet Paul , but you can always get a seat and a hug from me . Just what i need on a bleak January afternoon about 4:30 when you’re sneaking round the barrier

     

     

    HI Sanna I went to see you during last game but whn you wernt there looked for you with the Kano foundation kids and saw you beside the flag waver….:-))

     

     

    met some of your colleagues after the game who confirmed you where with them

     

     

    Is the collection on track this year for the first game of the season?

     

     

    If so and logistics permitting (not an early kick-off)put me down to carry a bucket

     

     

    Hail Hail

  7. Welcome Boyata

     

     

    Iv been critical of Lawell and our board a few times but well done in getting defender in early.

     

     

    Good pre season for our squad should hopefully give us good chance.

     

     

    Any strikers out there …

  8. As a past voluble critic of Celtic’s last minute transfer window dealings let me say well done to their no messing about approach in signing Dedryck Boyota.

  9. coolmore mafia on

    For the GB to consider..

     

     

    Gabba, gabba, bo,bo BOYA…..BOYA white boy, BOYATA BOYATA to jungle/drum and bass beat

  10. The Onlooker on

    jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ 13:37 on 2 June, 2015

     

     

     

    Can emdae down load the picture of Scott Leitch being “overjoyed” in the Well dug out when Sutton made it 3 nil??

     

     

    Can’t do the linky thing but I have been assured by a died in the wool Well supporter that ‘Leitchy’ is 100% Motherwell’

     

     

    Perhaps he had Johnson First Sorer Motherwell to Win 2:0

     

     

    The Onlooker

  11. Welcome to Celtic Mr Boyata. Good luck

     

     

    Well done also to Ronny – good to see he has been busy behind the scenes in addition to the brilliant work he is doing with the team.

  12. jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on

    s p

     

     

    Couldnae resist that cld you? 0)

     

     

     

    Ta Onlooker

  13. dena29, BT and Paddy Turner

     

     

    Thanks for your good wishes for the wee one.

     

     

    She discovered a lump on her breast and following a couple of visits to the doc she ended up in the Breast Clinic at Larbert Hospital.

     

     

    An ultrasound highlighted a further lump and she had a double biopsy.

     

     

    We got the results 10 days later which confirmed they were non malignant.

     

    However, the doctor recommended removal as they were not small.

     

     

    If the op is carried out in the morning she should be home later that day, otherwise she might have a one night stay.

     

     

    Olivia has been fine throughout, but her Mum and Dad didn’t sleep too well.

     

     

    I have family history of breast cancer, my wee Mum and big Sister, both died from it.

     

    I also lost a cousin some years back who was the same age as Olivia, 15.

     

     

    To say the relief is palpable is an understatement.

     

     

    I couldn’t post about it before her results as the thought of anything serious was very upsetting.

     

     

    The operation is minor, although it will keep her off school for two weeks.

     

     

    That was 2 horrible months I don’t want to go through ever again.

     

     

    Thanks again for your prayers and good wishes.

     

     

    God bless.

  14. proudbhoy and quonno

     

     

    kudos for giving credit to Celtic where its due for an early signing

     

     

    like you I hate the last minute signing frenzy which leaves managers ill prepared

     

     

    this welcome break from the norm will hopefully put RD on the front foot for the CL qualifiers

     

     

    HH

  15. Down For Sam.

     

     

    One line shows that the penny hasn’t fully dropped.

     

    Paying average players ridiculous wages.

     

     

    In his quest to spend ten for five and buy the Scottish League every year, that is exactly the road to ruin taken by SDM>

  16. Delighted we have confirmed Boyota, hopefully a statement of intent for the champions league qualifiers.

     

     

    From previous thread re the JCS statement.

     

     

    The 29th Annual James Connolly Society will go ahead on Saturday as planned.

     

     

    Assemble at 107 Cowgate underneath the Connolly plaque for 1pm. There will be speakers including Jim Slaven and live music from the excellent Alan Hunter.

     

     

    Anyone and everyone is welcome to what is a community event organised by the James Connolly Society.

     

     

    For an idea of what the event will be like see the below video from the 2013 commemoration

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWqnBDhSjFw

     

     

    Hopefully see a few of you on Saturday.

  17. mighty tim supporting wee Oscar on

    Philbhpy thoughts and prayers for Olivia.

     

    Stay strong for your lass and wife son.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    KTF

     

     

    Utlr

  18. Derek McInnes would jump at the chance to manage Rangers. He would be better paid, and would take Rangers up in one season. He built a strong Aberdeen team with little resources, and he would have more money at his disposal at Ibrox. Although I don`t think he`ll take Niall McGinn with him :-)

  19. mullet and co 2

     

     

    13:47 on 2 June, 2015

     

     

    You said…

     

     

    I note they are talking to managerial candidates such as Mark Warburton. Presumably he has some dough?

     

     

    Think on this…

     

    Warburton + Weir + Aird ( yet to kick a baw for Brentford)= £800,00 into Sevco coffers.

     

     

    Cynical..??..Who me…??

  20. Billybear

     

     

    More money at Ibrox, maybe you missed the fact that they need to borrow money every month to pay the wages, McInnes would be insane to go to the Deathstar…

  21. Mighty tim…..

     

     

    Thank you!

     

     

    Just reading my post again, it is the lumps that are being removed.

     

     

    Good news about your youngster too!

     

     

    The law is an ass.

  22. Philbhoy

     

     

    We’ll add Olivia to our class prayer list. Stay strong mate.

  23. patmcgrathtakesapenalty on

    Philbhoy,

     

     

    Love and prayers to you and your family, especially Olivia.

     

     

    Me and Mam have decided to drop the fight challenge… at least until you are completely over this difficult time. Let me know when you’re up to it.

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJYRtOPUonA

     

     

    This one’s for those suffering across the city.

  24. starry plough

     

    14:27 on

     

    2 June, 2015

     

    Billybear

     

     

    More money at Ibrox, maybe you missed the fact that they need to borrow money every month to pay the wages, McInnes would be insane to go to the Deathstar…

     

    —————————-

     

    Methinks you worry that Derek may go back to Ibrox. He`s the best manager in Scotland, in my opinion. He doesn`t have the financial muscle of Celtic but he ran them close this season. Rangers will get money in, King will cough up and when the fans see the colour of his money they`ll chip in to a new share issue. At least they`ll know its not going to fund the chancers and spivs from the past 3 tears. I have been reading for the same 3 years about how Rangers were going bust again and again and again. They are still here.

  25. Warburton is a very cerebral manager. It’s often commented that he uses his loaf.

  26. HT and Starry Plough

     

     

    Thanks to you both.

     

     

    I really should have asked for prayers on here when this was in the initial stages, I kind of hoped if I didn’t talk about it it would go away.

     

     

    Take care and thanks.

  27. Pat……………

     

     

    Ma fightin’ days are over, happily.

     

     

    Mibbe we could just meet for a beer or coffee.

     

     

    Thanks again.

  28. weeminger

     

    14:35 on

     

    2 June, 2015

     

    Warburton is a very cerebral manager. It’s often commented that he uses his loaf.

     

    ——————————————

     

    Maybe it`s time for an outsider to come in. He`ll sure earn his crust. I`ll probably get panned for that but it`s better than plain speak.

  29. The Comfortable Collective on

    It seems to me that the only ‘source’ for the 44,000 season tickers sold story is some bloke on Twitter with just over 200 followers.

     

     

    Hardly reliable.

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