Paul Simon wrote about ‘a loose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires’ but if you want to raise money to rescue a company you need more than a loose affiliation. ‘The rebels’ at Celtic managed this in 1994 (somehow), but Paul Murray’s Blue Knights affiliation unravelled over a few days.
While Duff and Phelps were casting aspersions on the SPL for spiking their plans to announce a preferred bidder last week, the Blue Knights were already struggling to pull £0.5m together as a covenant to secure a period of exclusive rights to buy the club.
18 years ago a Celtic supporter walked into a branch of Bank of Scotland and paid £1m into Celtic’s bank account to bring it back under agreed limits and prevent the club going into administration – without any security or negotiating rights. A discrete but hugely important act by a man still on our board. No one from the Rangers consortium was prepared to gamble half as much last week, they even asked Ticketus, finance provider for Craig Whyte’s doomed venture, to stump up the non-refundable cash! The ticket agency declined.
The Celtic consortium soon fell apart with a modest degree of acrimony but personal issues were put to the side until the job of securing the club was complete. Paul Murray’s group was less fortunate. As a chartered accountant Murray would have been fully aware of the Employee Benefit Trusts which brought the club to its knees. What he knew and whether he benefited are likely to be some of the questions other consortium members were asking. He was not best placed to lead the recovery.
Murray also tried to keep a broad church together, from wealthy but detached Rangers fans to various elements of the support. This sounded ambitious from the off.
The most important comment from the Blue Knights yesterday was “The consortium believes that the whole deal process has become incredibly complex and it is critical that a preferred bidder is appointed this week.”
If it’s possible for the words “incredibly complex” and “critical” to be an understatement this is the occasion. The Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League announce their fixtures in the middle of June. If Rangers are to phoenix before then they better hurry up and die. The liquidation process will take weeks (if it goes smoothly) and can be open to legal challenge. Stadium ownership has also to be secured and the claims of Ticketus and Andrew Ellis have to be satisfied.
Add to the mix creditors, the big tax case, punishments from the SFA for their on-going inquiry into the last takeover, potential punishments from the SPL inquiry into improperly registered players, increasingly widespread opposition from within the SPL and the rest of Scottish football to a place being created for a phoenix and you get the picture.
The last few years reads like a lesson in how to destroy a huge football club. Chances of SPL football at Ibrox next season? No more than 50%.
Bids for the original canvass painting of Neil Lennon by US based artist, Joseph Gormley, have hit an incredible £500. Keep an eye on the auction, which ends on Thursday, here.
Buy a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 7, by clicking on the button below. You can read online here.
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Ernie Lynch,
I’ve only read back now to your response to my question about Yorkston. Thanks. I thought it must be something of the sort. I had heard the same Radio Scotland report.
oops
http://fcstats.com/table,s-league-singapore,107,1.php
HAIL HAIL
Anthony Stokes can not appeal a one-match ban handed down by the Scottish Football Association following an incident at the end of the team’s cup defeat to Hearts last weekend.
Referee Euan Norris included details of a post-match offence by the Celtic striker in his match report, after Hearts ran out 2-1 winners in the cup semi-final at Hampden.
Stokes was reported for using offensive language or gestures, an offence that carries a one match ban.
The player was informed by Norris he was to be mentioned in his match report at the time, a message which was then relayed to Celtic officials.
The suspension is to be served in the same competition, meaning Stokes will miss Celtic’s first match in next season’s tournament. The Glasgow club enter the cup in the fourth round.
The match at Hampden ended in controversy, with Celtic unhappy at the award of a penalty which Craig Beattie scored to win the game.
The club’s manager and players also felt that a penalty should subsequently have been awarded for a handball by Hearts’ Andy Webster in the dying minutes of the game.
Appeal
Players can appeal red cards for wrongful dismissal in four of the six eventualities they can be sent off for.
The Scottish FA’s protocol states: “In very exceptional cases, where it can be demonstrated that an obvious refereeing error has occurred, a player or his club may submit to Fast Track Proceedings a claim of Wrongful Dismissal in respect of the following offences:
“Serious foul play; violent conduct; spitting at an opponent or any other person; or denying the opposing team or an opponent a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity as defined by Law 12.”
The sending off offence Stokes has been reported for, “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”, is not covered and therefore can not be argued on a claim of wrongful dismissal.
The only former Celt not to rubbish the Club in the media at every opportunity for a few pieces of silver is Tom Boyd. Every piece he does defends the club and if he doesn’t agree with something he keeps his mouth shut.
McNeil, Hay, Nicholas, Provan, Walker etc should take note how to behave!
And BTW McNeil & Hay are hypocrites considering that McNeil decked a journalist and Hay publicly announced we needed to quit Scotland to get justice
auldheid..,
“On providing the enemy with ammo to fire back at you I agree it is not the way to go and Celtic need to address this with Neil on that basis.”
very sad to see a tim take this line, it gives creedance that they have any ammo, justifying cheating is not anno.
What have Billy McNeill and Davie Hay actually said?
Another Jock Stein quote:
“There is nothing wrong with losing your temper if it is for the right reasons”
I’d say Neil taking on the SFA is reason enough to back him.
The hand wringing over Neil Lennon from some of our ‘support’ is embarrassing.
Breeny
“look at his track record of confrontation”
Look at his track record of having to deal with people like you who use phrases like above.
Lets take the word Confront and examine how has been used in connection with Neil Lennon.
In a game against Dundee Utd he was confronted by a referee who lied to him.
In a car, along with his daughter, he was confronted by two people who shouted sectarian abuse at him.
On his way home from a night out he was confronted by two thugs who attacked him and knocked him unconscious.
He was confronted by parcel bombs sent to him and others, which at the time he did not know could not have harmed him, but just the thought of someone wishing to do this to you is enough for any person.
He was confronted at his place of work by a person who attacked him and wished him bodily harm.
He was confronted by Ally McCoist at the end of game when he whispered something to him that angered him.
He was then confronted by pictures only showing him to be the snarling aggressor.
Neil Lennon has confronted with all this since he took up employment with Celtic FC, both as a player and a manger.
Don’t you think Breeny, you should confronting the reasons why this happened to him rather than why he confronted a referee in a non violent and non aggressive manner, unlike the confrontations that he has had to deal with in the past, por cierto
So to overcome the cheating refs our club must score more goals than the opposition.
The reason the refs cheat is to stop our club scoring more goals than the opposition in the first place……or there would be no point in cheating.
Anybody who believes the score more goals nonsense, ask Auldheid to explain his Celtic season book refereeing tax theory(?)
Score more goals, don’t snarl, don’t question refs…….eat your soup at the back of the bus.
How you guys must miss Tony ‘take it on the chin’ Mowbray.
100% behind Neil and hope he keeps questioning the refs as other managers are allowed to.
My old aunt would be 88y.o. if she was still living and a bigger Celtic fan you would never have met when you consider many ladies never went to the games in the 50’s & 60’s. Never once did she slag Celtic off in the 30 odd years we talked, watched and lived Celtic, she knew that there would be plenty in the press to do this. Neil’s current treatment by the MSM and some on here would have made her sick to the stomach. My aunt was is still is my hero and was the wisest person I have ever met.
Snake Plissken on 18 April, 2012 at 12:09 said:
What have Billy McNeill and Davie Hay actually said?
…………….
I don’t have the exact quotes, but basically saying he needs to behave and remember his position. Pretty funny considering some of their previous (totally justified might I add) antics in the past.
Ernie
Such bams should be ignored.
Breeny
I think when you are in the Celtic managers position you have the right to set the line and know what you are not prepared to accept.
What you seem to be saying is you do not like the way he crosses that line .
Neither do I but not because it offends my line but because it is not an effective way to make the point that the referee is incompetent.
In that respect Celtic need to set a policy of publically calling a referees performance into question as a club and relieve the Manager of that responsibility.
Years ago they were criticised for having Dallas’s performance analysed
Today I think they would be justified in having an independent ex official from outside to watch games and provide the club with his own report after the game.
Then a Monday manager and club have a look and decide if they feel strongly enough to go public.
What must add to the anger of Lenny is feeling powerless to address incompetency and the cover up of it. If there is a mechanism for doing so he is less likely to vent his anger in the only way he can as things stand.
I appreciate watching referees in the way suggested is going to be controversial but I think circumstances justify it.
I would just like to say that…..
Neil has brought, Thommo, BJM and GP to his dug-out and, all of these ghuys have their own qualities to bring to the game.
But, what I think Neil is missing from the dug-out is, someone who has been brought up and, lived all their lives on the streets of the west of Scotland. Someone with the savvy, street-wisdom etc…to point out the, sleekit types of trap-doors that will always be placed in Neils way.
I say this in relevance to Big Jock’s dug-out….Benny Rooney, Neil Mochan, two savvy dog-walking men with plenty of street-wisdom.
Where is the savvy, glasgow street-wisdom in Neil’s dug-out ?
Just a thought.
Hail Hail
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 18 April, 2012 at 12:01 said:
Well said.
Take your seat at the front of the bus ;)
Lenny & Celtic v The SFA
I know what side i’m on.
Breeny – Why should the Celtic manager behave differently from the Inverness manager ? Does the Man U manager have to behave differently from the Bolton manager
ParkheadcumsalfordwhoisNeilLennonand PaulMcBrideandTrishGodman – I believe Billy and Davie were in the gutter press, from reports elsewhere on the timternet. Sad, as you say.
Kev
Sitting beside Neilly is John Clark, a man who has been there seen it and done it countless times. I’d be amazed if Neil doesn’t discuss things with him and look to him for counsel!
greenjedi on 18 April, 2012 at 12:18 said:
/////////////////////
So why does he no call him to the bench ?(no pun intended) :o))
Hail Hail
Auldheid said;
“Neither do I but not because it offends my line but because it is not an effective way to make the point that the referee is incompetent.”
That is my position as well… but I can’t express it as well as you, cheers.
Whilst you’re here mate, as one of the wiser sages on the huns matter, what’s your take on newhuns? SFL bottom rung?
will chris morris and anton rogan be fit for the murderwell game this weekend?
Corrupt refereeing decisions against Celtic? Here in honest Presbyterian Scotland? Naw! Canny be! Must be paranoid to think that! Masonry in the SFA? Here in honest Presbyterian Scotland? Naw! Canny be! Must be paranoid to think that! Cheating at Rangers Football Club? Establishment media cover up? Here in honest Presbyterian Scotland? Naw! Canny be! Must be paranoid to think that! Change the rules so the cheats can continue to cheat? Of course! We need the cheats. We need the corruption. We need the bigotry. We need the establishment club and all the anti-catholic sentiment to go with it. Without Rangers we will all die! We need to change the rules to allow them to compete. We need to cheat to allow them to cheat more. Here in honest Presbyterian Scotland? Must be paranoid to think anything different.
BMCUW @ 12:01 – Agree 100%
Canalmar
I have just expanded on what I meant.
In life only two things count
What works and
What does not
Giving you enemies the ammo to fire at you comes in the first category
Further not making that point is not supporting the person who is attracting harm on themself quite the reverse.
Finding ways to address the problem as I have done is supportive but in thoughtful way.
SFA and their MIB’s have a new tactic to add to their already sneaky armoury. Get Celtic players and management sent off in tunnels and dressing rooms away from camera’s and prying eyes. Just when you think they can’t get anymore sneaky they come up with something else.
Referee’s must speak to the press after games and the Celtic board must go out to ensure that it happens.
LB
“The sending off offence Stokes has been reported for, “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”, is not covered and therefore can not be argued on a claim of wrongful dismissal.”
Well, every day is a school day. I never knew that.
Regardless of which player it may be, this seems strange.
Better to overstep the line, than to be just another stepandfetchit.
JUNGLEJAM67 AGENT CRAIG
Thanks lads.
Been posting some pash lately,so felt it was time for improvement!
Auldheid @ 12:15- maybe the club should bring in a well respected former referee such as Dermot Gallagher as a “consultant” to work with the team
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 18 April, 2012 at 12:01 said:
//////////////////////////
Excellent m8!
One question
Do you agree with me that it’s wrong for Neil to be expected to fight the establishment on his own ?
Hail Hail
Neil Francis Lennon
Is an extraordinary man who is standing on his feet fighting the battle with corrupt officials and their bosses FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US,
We should be proud of him and let him know we will stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
The board have to show NFL & US they understand our plight and step up to the plate and back him & us with everything they can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxQnd34A6o4&feature=player_embedded#at=13
HAIL HAIL
Did Norris send Stokesy off or just report him for the alleged offence?
Norris got previous for sending people off for offensive/abusive language……as I know all to well to my cost!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
DICK BYRNE 1223
If you think you 100% agree with my post at 1201,I bet you agree with my post at 1225 slightly more!
Apologies due,and tendered….
leftclicktic on 18 April, 2012 at 12:27 said:
Yes Mate…
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 18 April, 2012 at 12:01
Very well said my friend. I get aggravated by some of our own on here. I now know how it must feel to find out one of your own family is stealing from you.
Stand shoulder to shoulder?
Cmon bhoys, Lenny is calling OUR shots. Back him all the way.
Picked up my 3 Murderwell briefs there. Still some left. God bless Neil! HH.
“The sending off offence Stokes has been reported for, “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”, is not covered and therefore can not be argued on a claim of wrongful dismissal.”
Good job Stokes only swore at the ref so he only gets a 1 match ban.
If he had aggressively manhandled the ref like boughera he have been banned for….oh wait.
Canalamar
I meant second category above.
I totally understand Neil’s reaction, I was metaphorically on the park with him at the time and what I was saying would have got me jailed, but in the cold light of day we need to find a more effective way of fighting our corner so that blows fall on them and not us.