Former chairman of Oldco Rangers, now director of Newco, Alastair Johnston, took aim in the media at Celtic supporters yesterday, saying “I always wondered about the mentality of certain Celtic supporters, not by any means most of them, who basically said our club died in February, 2012.”
Why do they do this to themselves? If it is an attempt to convince people that liquidation did not happen, it will fail. All that will be achieved is the re-telling of the facts. Rangers entered administration on 14 February 2012. It failed to come out of administration and a liquidator was appointed to dispose of the remaining assets.
Secvo Scotland Ltd bought a “bundle of assets”, including the stadium. The administrators, Duff and Phelps, changed Rangers name to RFC 2012 Ltd and gave permission to Sevco Scotland to use the word “Rangers” in their name. Without this permission, Newco would have gone through a similar naming process as Clydebank – Airdrie United – Airdrieonians, who were only permitted to use the word “Airdrieonians” 11 years after the liquidation of oldco Airdrieonians.
If I’m honest, if we were in those circumstances, I would tell myself every day that the Celtic I grew up with was the same as Newco Celtic. I would have no incentive to do otherwise, so Johnston and anyone else who cares, can think what they want about Newco.
He is welcome to his thoughts, if it helps him through the trauma of what he did as chairman of Oldco during the EBT years, and the club’s failure to prepare over many years for HMRC’s legal challenge. Johnston’s board made no provision to retain enough money to trade through HMRC’s challenge, despite that legal challenge being underway years before it got to the crunch.
What he tells himself does not change the facts. Oldco is in liquidation. All player contracts ceased. Assets were sold off, a deal to use the name had to be agreed. Sevco Scotland became an associate member of the SFA while Oldco was still a member. Oldco voted on whether to admit Sevco Scotland to the SPL. Sevco changes its name and were granted entry to the SFL Third Division.
Johnston played a role in the demise of Rangers. He was chairman and had a responsibility to direct the club away from dangers. He failed and now presents an alternative reality, which is easier on the mind.
He also said, “it will be 120 years or so before you can tie with us.” For each of those 120 years, Celtic fans and others will say, “But Rangers died in 2012”. Just as Rangers fans are content to believe their club continues, belligerent denial is not going to change how others regard liquidation. It’s over, Mr Johnston, you let your club die.
There was other guff about “thriving” not “surviving”. They think they are going to win the league and that their circa £11m annual deficit is an indication of thriving. Again, I disagree.
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http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/shape-and-recoveries-key-to-celtic-loss/
An error strewn game was lost despite Celtic having the better chances. But it is to team shapes the coaches need to focus to overcome a well drilled opponent.
Good morning, friends from a finally dry East Kilbride. Some small breaks in the overhead rose tinted clouds and a bit of a breeze as I contemplate my first ParkRun of 2020.
Carpe Diem!
Must run…. ;-)
GARCIA LORCA on 4TH JANUARY 2020 7:05 AM
There can be no doubt that the Celtic Board took a view that a ( not too ) strong Rangers was required in this weak Scottish league but felt that the threat to Celtic could be contained.
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An opinion based on precisely what fact (s ) ?
Followed by the presumption that your opinion is fact . Viz.” the flaw ” and the ” miscalculation ” .
What precisely could the Celtic Board have done to prevent the investment and the installing of a ” high profile manager ” ?
Perhaps the undoubted improvement taking place in the rotten borough of Ibrox is as a result more of ” the resurgent bigotry which has never gone away and is an accepted part of Scottish life ” than of any action or inaction on the part of the Celtic Board .
” Having made the economic calculation that a prospering Rangers was required in the league ”
When was this ” calculation ” made ? Who were the ” guilty ” Board members who made it ?
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury ………..
Goood Morning CQN
A lot of comments on how Celtic – the Board – an silence from day 1 on the death of Rangers have conducted things.
Celtic made a single statement that they had an independent stand alone strategy
Yet, in the background have acted very differently, in my opinion, supporting a quick return of the new club Sevco.
My own view – Celtic should have been challenging and commenting from day 1 on the misdeeds of Rangers, and very clearly stating their dissapointed in their death
I have stated before, a single statement welcoming Sevco to our league set up, would have been suffice
My own belief, a new version of a Rangers type team was always going to appear, 50000 fans would have always set up something new
But
In the meantime, we as in Celtic, could have driven an agenda of cleaning up the game, by taking the lead.
Again repeating myself, I believe The Celtic board have been fully aware and not objected to what has returned, and they knew of the 5WA.
Anyway
I also believe it is never to late to speak the truth, and point out what has taken place
This board, needs to reconnect with its fan base, and create a single Celtic unit, then drive any advantage we have as a club to maintain our superiority
And for goodness sake the truth and defence of its fan base, and all out attack by Sevco and its poodles
Hail Hail
Oh, and a serious rethink on our currently strategy of piling high cheap projects, at expense of first team stars, lower squad numbers and improve quality – can be done probably on a lower cost base, as value drastically increases, therefore any sell on and turnover increases
If we lose the 9 in a row. There will
Be no backlash There was no backlash when we have lost out in CL qualifiers to numerous inferior clubs. Spin over the last number of years about how good PL is and how he has stopped us being liquidated
We won’t be spending much of the 50m in
The bank as if we win the league there is not much financial reward for PL
If we keep the money in the bank , then his large bonus is assured before he retires from his cash cow
Good morning CQN from a damp and chilly Garngad
Any word from our custodians about the vile abusive racism I and 59,000 Celtic fans were subjected to on the 29th, with Sevco’s full bigoted and vile songbook in full flow???
Nah didnae think so.
Anyone signed yet, surely we had a list again of available targets that we could have been targeting for the Centre Forward berth??? That would make sense… No?
I thought Lenny met PL 2 weeks ago to talk about targets??
Hail Hail
D. :)
David66. Maybe Lenny did meet PL, however that just means that peter will make up excuses
We will have a few cheap signings and a loan or so and that’s it. Money must stay in bank for Peters bonus
St Rochs v Cambuslang huns today Jimmy McGrory stadium Garngad ko 13.45
Re the above
https://t.co/4WUurCfXLT
The Asian guy Liverpool signed last week for £7.5m from Salzburg is first team ready and is likely to play today, just a few days after the transfer window has opened.
Meanwhile, Celtic will, after long drown out sagas, not sign big Ely, COD wages will be a stumbling block, Sporar, cos we’ll be pipped at the post by a championship side paying more wages, or the South American dude cos his present club doesn’t recognise his agent, or finally some player off the radar whose transfer will fall through because Celtic will find an injury/condition the player or his selling club never knew he had, or some project who will sign on the last day who we’ll never hear of again.
NEVER easy signing for Celtic
Jeepers with the signing Policy we have & Pedro only interested in his Bonus etc etc it’s a wonder we ever win anything. We are bloody lucky to be playing in a minor League if we were in Serie A and came up against the likes of Lazio they would take us apart.
My friends in Celtic
All the posts in the world can’t hide the reality that a very large amount of Celtic fans missed the focus, hype, excitement, intensity, acrimony and elation of playing the Huns that no other domestic fixture gives.
The problem is when we start getting beaten by them.
HH.
Greenpinata, If you don’t suffer the pain of losing you won’t appreciate the ecstasy of victory,
AS Celtic Supporters we have been privileged to experience the joys of the last 8 years. Whatever happens this year or in future years I will never forget what we achieved.
I don’t think it’s over yet, not by a long chalk but I just try to live in the moment, for me next game is the most important one.
MACJAY1- seriously.
My views may be an opinion but they are based on observation – and not a little intelligence.
I believe Peter was spooked by the demise of Rangers. Of course we could not control the reality that there was a large fan base out of Ibrox. We could not control who invested in them. We could not control whom they employed. However we could have impacted the developing narrative around continuity. How many honours has this new club won yet we went along with media statements around Old Firm, printed programmes referring to past clashes etc. We had our major shareholder talking them up
If all of that does not offer up insight into the internal thoughts of the Celtic Board then I am not sure what other evidence you require.
We clearly acquiesced in the continuity nonsense which is so well established in daily discussion that any dissenting voice is considered quaint. That is my experience in the City of London and I guess in Glasgow too.
It was a calculated gamble- again in my opinion- and whilst we might not have been able to hold back an emerging strong Rangers what irks many Celtic fans is that we played along with the ruse when many of us believe in speaking truth to power.
David,
I agree totally.It just reeks to me of not having any urgency.No one can tell me that deals are not done before Jan 1st.Just announced then.As was mentioned,check Liverpools latest signing,joined up on the 2nd.Are we to believe that everything was concluded in one day.We now have 14 days to get players in and ready for the most important 5 months in 9 years.Excuse me if I am lacking confidence.
Are we still interested in the “game ready” Motherwell midfielder?
Canny remember his name?
Is he still injured?
Corkcelt well said mate. I personally ignore the panty wetters. 9IAR is not for the faint hearted, it is a battle. Every year against the machine gets harder. I never expected the establishment to sit it out. Neil Lennon will lift that ninth title, and the tenth. I have no doubt about it. Mon the hoops. Hail hail.
Too many Rekord ” readers”………………..fallin’ for the guff.
Turkeybhoy keep the faith. You have through thick and thin. Don’t change. Too many Celts panicking when they should keep the heid. Hail hail.
Corkcelt,I love your undying optimism,I really do,but sadly I have to disagree with you on a point.The past 8 years will be forgotten by the vast majority of Celtic fans,if we let this mob win the league this year.The sense of loss will be overwhelming.There is too much at stake.Can you even begin to imagine the unbridled joy from them and the Media.Just how long it would go on is anyone’s guess.While we wallow in misery.Try telling any Celtic fan,”But we won 8 in a row”I could tell you my reply.It is not possible for our club to lose this league,except by sheer negligence.We can buy this league.Not to do so,would be ,to me,a betrayal by the club.
Hello again all you young rebels.
How are you doing my New Zealand cousin? as the Aussies
are fond of saying, especially when they are whuppin you
at the cricket, or bat the ba as i like to noise them up.
Me and the princess will be cruisin roon Touranga some time
in March, if you’re available maybe we could meet up for a
wee libation or three?
And i agree keep the heid, although a bit more balls from the
board would go a long way to keep the Celtic family together.
H.H . Mick
TAURANGABHOY,
Believe me,the fear I have is not from anything from across the city.Its from our own club.When I witness a real,concerted effort to strengthen significantly ,to try by all means possible to win this league,I will relax.
I bet you’re all wondering.. who’s that silly aul sod talking
too, o.k ..o.k it’s TOURANGABHOY.
There fixed it, now for a wee rid biddy.
H H Mick
For what it’s worth, wanting to strengthen our squad is not panicking, every transfer window should be a chance to leave the window stronger than we went into it. If we do not take these opportunities then we are short changing our support and not doing what is right for our club. Now I have no doubt we will add payers but will they strengthen our squad?? I hope so. I don’t know if we need any projects at this moment in time but then again where do you find proven out of contract or loanees that will walk straight into our team. Thus is where forward planning comes into it.
For what it’s worth I still think we will win the league, but I want us to be the best we can be and personally I would add at least 2 proven players, another ball winning no nonsense midfielder and a back up goal scorer. NOT Projects…
Not panty wetting, not panicking it’s an opinion.
ON for me is too inconsistent a great footballer for 2 games out of 10. Would not be in my first 11.
Get a ball winner beside brown and release McGregor forward more where his vision and skill can be utilised more.
HH
D. :)
TAURANGABHOY on 4TH JANUARY 2020 11:36 AM
” Panty Wetters ” is it ? For speaking the truth.
No doubt ” You still can’t see them coming ”
Lets get rid of this Ostrich attitude, accept our current inadequacies and plan for the undoubted challenge.
Yes of course we can still win the 9. It’s in our hands, and that includes getting players in where we need them. Using our financial advantage is prudent and right.
Failing to do so and failing in our objectives is incompetence.
Corkcelt TB is correct, nobody will remember the 8 if we fail to get 9.
Wewillprevailcsc.
Get Victor in to partner Broony.Loan with option to buy.That would be a massive start.
CORKCELT on 4TH JANUARY 2020 11:08 AM
Greenpinata, If you don’t suffer the pain of losing you won’t appreciate the ecstasy of victory,
AS Celtic Supporters we have been privileged to experience the joys of the last 8 years. Whatever happens this year or in future years I will never forget what we achieved.
I don’t think it’s over yet, not by a long chalk but I just try to live in the moment, for me next game is the most important one.
________________________
Spot on. I still think we’ll win the league but if we don’t, it won’t be the worst thing that’s ever happened to us. One of my worst memories is losing the league cup to Raith Rovers. There was no way we were going go lose that day, but we did. Similarly, I never thought there was any chance the huns would beat at home last week, but they did. Irrespective of what happens during this transfer window, the support need to be fully behind the team on the park. I didn’t think we provided great support at the recent game (too much moaning and groaning at every misplaced pass). I guess we’ve just been too used to winning everything easily. Well, those days might be over, so we need to remember what it’s like to support the team in adversity. As an aside, it would also be great if we went on the offensive off the park to combat the incessant propaganda campaign against us.
Greenpinata, I will remember the 8 & the 3 consecutive Grand Slams no matter what happens this year.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to win this years Title more than anything. If we do come up short I will be devastated like all Celtic Fans but I will regroup & be champing at the bit for next season.
What I am saying is we haven’t become a bad team overnight. Christie had been a revelation up to last couple of games, we all know what a talent young Mikey is and despite Sydney Tim, Forrest is a first class player that any team in Scotland would love to have. Yet all 3 did hee haw against the Huns.
I Have absolutely no doubt that we will come out of the break a rejuvenated side and will go on a winning run. What we have no power over is how the Huns do against other teams and that is what makes folks nervous.
It might come down to the head to heads and if it does then so be it,
Either way I’m backing the Celts to come out on top.
Test
A mini diversion if I may. Is this really the 4th day of the new Decade? Or isn’t it actually the case that we are in the last year of the current decade. Does anybody keep all their old calendars and, if so, was there a ‘Year 0’? Because, if there wasn’t, and the ‘first’ AD year was Year 1 then then the end of the 1st decade was the end of 0010….
14moresleepsCSC
I have 2 questions:
1. Does anyone think we should not buy anyone or get anyone in on loan in this Window, In other words are we wasting our time and cash as the squad we have will win the league?
2. Has our custodians done enough in combating the Sevco same club/trophy’s/racist/5 way agreement/attacks/ slurs on our support?
HH
D. :)
The olde Bhoys of the County Cork.
I’d Love to see Roy Keane join Neil in the Celtic dugout as his sidekick.
Unlikely I know but that would say Celtic mean business.
Anyone who questions and analyses the nuts and bolts of our last game against TFOD is a guff merchant, according to that great arbiter of all things Celtic fae Clydebank.
Neil Lennon played long enough in MONs teams to know and understand how to dominate and bully Der Hun, win your one on ones in every position on the park. Neil, when signing players in the summer, said he was looking for players with a bit of character about them, we just need more in than we thought.
Corkcelt,
We all want the same things.
We need a partner for OE.
We cannot expect Callum McGregor to continually play the most games in Europe to his set standards.
We cannot expect Scott Brown to carry the team in every game when things get tough.
Address these three issues and we will be rolling again.
Cheers and HH.
PS: I fully expect the Huns to drop points to teams other than us.
And I know people who have just paid their £10 to join the waiting list. That is a good sign.
David, I think we have to buy this window to give ourselves every chance.
If we get in a Striker, I’d hope we would loan The Griff to Hibs. He would be ineligible to play against us but might do us a favour against the Hun.
I’d also wish for a strong centre half good in the air. Kris was twice beaten to headers from set pieces against the Sheep & the Hun, I absolutely love Ajer , I think he is a great footballer, strong & brave the ideal man to have with Brooney in midfield.
Brooney himself is not going to last forever, we need to find a replacement, not writing off the legend but maybe next year start to rotate his position. Maybe reducing his workload on the pitch & start integrating him on to the coaching staff.
So for me it’s a big physical defender, a big physical Wanyama type midfielder & a big physical ‘ battering ram’ Striker.
Size & physicality is important in the Scottish game.
FFS
Fleecing the support. Having to pay to have your name added to a waiting list! £10.00! What would be wrong with just registering an interest on line at dedicated page on the Celtic web site for FREE – 1st to register 1st to be offered a SB. But never worry if 9IAR is thrown away those who have just been fleeced out of £10.00 shouldn’t have too much difficulty getting their hands on a SB next season.
See ‘Sir Rod’ has been nicked for ‘allegedly’ punching a security guard in the US. Celtic rally doesn’t need this negative press tarnishing the good name of the club. Ban him Pete.
PS Any news on Vic and Filip joining us on our mid season jolly yet?