As Motherwell won their semi-final yesterday against the second most expensively assembled team in Scotland, the penny began to drop with the last hold-outs that Brother Pedro will be remembered as little more than an expensive stop-gap in the attempt to stop Celtic winning 20-in-a-row.
Let’s be clear: Pedro is not in the top two managers in the league, in fact, Celtic, Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Motherwell, Hibs, Hearts, Kilmarnock and Dundee all have demonstrably better bosses. But there was a reason he was appointed late last season, despite better candidates being (under)employed in Perthshire.
Appointing a competent, provincial, manager, like Tommy Wright, would be an acknowledgement that Newco had no illusions of competing with Celtic. In that role, Wright would out-perform Hibs, Motherwell and St Johnstone, and give Aberdeen a run for their money, but he is not an alchemist.
There is a difference when you appoint an exotic as manager, even an incompetent one. Few potential season ticket customers know what you really have with an exotic. He could be incompetent, but you can equally hope that he turns out to be a truly great appointment, with access to hitherto unexploited talent.
There was no point in Newco giving the job to a reliable but unspectacular candidate like Wright. This club needs to propel itself into a position where it competes against an elite Celtic team, and can navigate its way through four Europa League qualification rounds.
If it lowers the Union Jack and raises the White Flag to mark Surrender of league aspirations, its self-image would be destroyed. I could debate the commercial viability of an aspirational Newco with you all day (fanciful), but it appears that even the decision makers at Ibrox regard the viability of a subservient Newco as untenable.
The club faces Hobson’s Choice. Throw money it cannot afford at strategies selected BECAUSE correct due diligence is impossible, or downsize to a point they know will have a negative impact on ticket sales and future income.
20 years ago this week, Rangers beat Dunfermline 7-0 and were hot favourites to win 10-in-a-row, but the business model had a fundamental weakness: the club were haemorrhaging cash. You can debate whether the subsequent liquidation and newco phoenix club is the same or different to the Rangers some of us are old enough to remember.
What is irrevocably true is that Newco is unrecognisable from Rangers in one hugely important aspect: it will not win the league. Ever.
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People should realise that the 9k fine was our handicap to make The Best Fans in the World race interesting and give other fans a chance.
Well done Celtic fans all over the world, enjoy their hurt
HH
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are stealing our songs. They would love to steal the Celtic Fenian Support.
Is the Fenian support for sale….think not….we’re too smart….;-))
wishywashyattemptsCSC
FTSFA FTSPFL FTDUP
H.H.
As its quiet on hear just now
Can I ask for your thoughts and prayers for my darling other half Jacqueline
Who passed away suddenly on Sunday evening
My heart was bursting with love when I first found her
Now that I’ve lost her its broken
Weet weet weet
That’s very sad my friend. My heart goes out to you. Such a short message you posted yet within it, I can feel the absolute devastation and sense of loss you are feeling.
I hope you find the strength to get through this. I’m sure you’ll be surrounded by loved ones who will support you.
God bless.
May Jacqueline rest in peace.
Weet Weet Weet
Sorry for your loss. Your heart may never heal fully but your memories of Jaqueline will cradle and comfort your broken heart with every smile when you remember your times together.
Rest in peace Jaqueline.
MWD
WEETWEETWEET
Devastating news,mate. I know you’ll find the strength to cope,but you’ve got lots of friends-here and elsewhere-who will be there for you if needed.
R I P,Jacqueline.
Best fans in the world eh!
Who’d have funk it?
Firstly a big hearty congratulations to the GB for their ingenuity, artful talents and organisation. Brilliant TIFO in celebration of the anniversary of our clubs success in 1967.
Capped doffed once again to the GB.
Also congrats to all who put their hand in their pocket to help finance the TIFO.
And to all those who participated in raising their wee bit of plastic to the heavens in honouring our Clubs greatest ever team on behalf of every Celtic fan world wide who couldn’t all be in attendance.
We truly are a special Club of supporters.
MWD
Nice to hear about Big Jock’s East Coast history. I knew the man was genius. We now know why having been born and raised in two different places! Doh!
WEET WEET WEET
So sad to hear that news
RIP Jaqueline
Just going to pick up my wee princess shortly i’ll need to
give her an extra wee kiss after reading that.
BMCUW
Sorry about your bad news hope your Da’s cousin recovers.
H.H Mick
Weet Wet Weet
So sad to read of your loss.
May she remain cherished forever in your heart and your family’s.
MELBOURNEMICK
Thanks,mate. Star man. I’ll make sure he sees that.
HH.
Weet Weet Weet,
So sorry for your loss. Can’t begin to imagine how you’re feeling.
Thoughts and prayers for you and all your family, and for your dear wife.
While the club receives the award on behalf of the best fans in the world the ethos of the club is slowly chipped away again as cask is king in pointing fans down the road of financial ruin by signing a deal with an online casino.
What is it with the club and it’s addiction to gambling sponsorship alliances?
MWD
Weet weet weet.
In my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
RIP JACQUELINE.
keep those around you close.
Weet Weet Weet,
So sad to read about your loss.
Thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
RIP Jacqueline.
Weet Weet Weet.
So sorry to hear your devastating news.
May that strong love you found,help you through this sad and very difficult time.
Hail Hail
Weet Weet Weet
Utterly devastating news for you. I’ll have a group of children in Glasgow praying for you and your wife this morning.
Weet Weet Weet,
My heart goes out to you my friend, may your beloved rest in peace
YNWA
H.H.
Morning, well done to the best SUPPORTERS in the world .CCB prayers and thoughts with your wee cousin, by the way hope your daughters enjoyed Madrid great city
Good morning CQN from an overcast and mild East Devon.
Weet Weet Weet
Sorry for your loss, can’t begin to imagine you pain my prayers and thoughts are with you.
MWD,
You need to calm doon…..it’s not our fault that we hope to maximise revenue streams…..it’s just business, not personal….if that means an odious collaboration with betting sites & brewers…..so be it…..it’s the world we live in…..
H.H.
MWD
I’m sure the question was rhetorical but I’d assume Mr Desmond is at the root of the sponsorship alliances!
RIP Jacqueline and may eternal light shine upon you
Good Morning CQN
Weet Weet Weet.
My thoughts and prayers are with you this morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMMjAbH_W8c
Weet Weet Weet
I am so very sorry for the loss of Jacqueline.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
You take care.
HH
CRC
Weet Weet Weet,
Sincere condolences on your devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
RIP Jacqueline, eternal rest grant unto her Oh Lord.
Weet weet weet , so sad to read that , takes guts to post that at this sad time , thoughts and prayers with you
Weet Weet Weet
I’m so sorry for your loss.
RIP Jacqueline.
Bobbio
Prayers for your auntie and love to you and CCB.
HH Jamesgang
here is how the evening times and the record report the fan award
headline (not the fan award)
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15614958.Celtic_have_say_on_hate_chants__Club_claim_new_laws_and_police_actions_bad_for_football/
stewart paterson
lower down (the fan award)
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15614655.Video__Celtic_win_FIFA_fans_award_for_Lisbon_Lions_display_at__unsafe__flares_match/
martin williams
the record throws in this
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/samuel-etoo-cant-stop-laughing-11396876
the ten in a row year should be interesting reading …….
Weet Weet Weet
Walk the rest of the road with the blessings, happy memories and the love shared with Jacqueline – and be sure that you will never walk it alone.
Condolences, my friend.
THELURKINTIM on 24TH OCTOBER 2017 12:00 AM
Big Jimmy….as requested…..you can even karaoke it ;-))
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZCZ1pl37Ag
H.H.
……………………………………..
THELURKINTIM on 24TH OCTOBER 2017 12:00 AM
Big Jimmy….as requested…..you can even karaoke it ;-))
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZCZ1pl37Ag
H.H.
Thank you LURKINTIM….Yer a GOOD Man.
I.m just back on the Blog this morn as I had a wee few drinks last night….and yesterday lunchtime….and mid afternoon “HIC”.
God Bless you and your family and the Auld ‘Tic.
Lurkintim
I’m quit calm. Thanks.
MWD
Weet weet weet – Eternal rest grant into her O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Jaqueline rest in peace.
Bmcw & CCB, thoughts and prayers for your Margaret will be said this morning.
BRTH – Top post and a lovely poem.
Slainte
Tony
FAO Weet Weet Weet,
My sincere sympathy for your loss
Jacqueline R.I.P.
FAO BMCUWP & CCB
Thoughts and prayers for Margaret.
God Bless
WEET WEET WEET
So sorry to read the sad news of your devastating loss this morning.
May Jacqueline rest in peace.
God bless.
BBC Scotland news at 8.
Not a mention of the award.
Typically insular and socially backward Bonnie Scotland preferring to wallow in bad news, especially anything involving us.