King: if we lose the tax case then we probably gained some competitive advantage

Newco chairman, Dave King, this evening issued a remarkable statement.  Not for the first time he referenced Celtic, but on this occasion, he became the first person inside the game to put the Stripping of Titles Rangers won during their EBT and DOS years on the table.

His statement also blankly contradicted an earlier statement he made, when he asserted, “I follow the logic of the argument that if we lose the tax case then we probably gained some competitive advantage.”

With the tax case lost, and many fair-minded agreeing with his earlier sentiment and calling for titles to be stripped, however, today King said:

“Whether the scheme was in place or not, or whether it survived tax scrutiny or not, made no difference whatsoever to the playing squad of the Club during that period and hence had no impact on the performance on the pitch.”

That’s:

“If we lose the tax case then we probably gained some competitive advantage.”
Followed by:

“Had no impact on the performance on the pitch.”

“Competitive advantage.”

“No impact on the performance.”

In 2012 he even issued an apology and suggested “commercial reparation to the other clubs” was in order.

“Reparation” because “if we lose the tax case” we “gained some competitive advantage”.

In five years he moved from saying Rangers gained a competitive advantage because of the illegal EBT use, and commercial reparations to other clubs was due, to denying any wrongdoing whatsoever.

He should also have read the Celtic statement more carefully.  King today said Celtic, “have attempted to influence the footballing authorities to alter its historic football honours”.

Celtic’s statement called merely for a review, “We are sure now that the footballing authorities in Scotland will wish to review this matter. Celtic awaits the outcome of their review.”

The altering of football honours issue was not put on the table by our club – you can thank Dave King for that thought provoking notion.