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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WEET WEET WEET,
Sorry to read your sad news.
May Jacqueline rest in peace.
MARRAKESH EXPRESS,
RS have mentioned the award but neglected to say it was for the best fans IN THE WORLD.
WEET WEET WEET
Heartbreaking news for you
I’ll light a candle at St Simons tomorrow lunchtime
CCB
I’ll also light one for Margaret’s recovery..
Callum McGregor song is same tune as a hymn
Abba Father
You are the potter , we are the clay, the Work of your hands..
I’m suite Jobo will confirm..
https://twitter.com/ndcsc/status/922141440460967936
Weet Weet Weet
There are no words that will comfort you mi amigo.
May Jacqueline rest in peace.
HH
YNWA
Weet Weet Weet
Very brave and Jacqueline will be proud of your beautiful words this morning
May Perpetual line shine upon You Jacqueline, and May your Rest In Peace
Thoughts and Prayers with you Weet Weet Weet, and with all your family
YNWA
Morning all
Nothing to say except to offer my coondolences on the loss of his beloved Jacqueline RIP
Jimbo67
Gooood Morning CQN, all to the Best Fans in this World :-)
Great to see some posters return to this Blog as well
BRTH, thought it was only a week you were away – will drop you a text later to see how things are
Oh and BT, can’t believe the choice of a hymn for CMcG, you will not get that on his phone :-))))
Hail Hail, better go to work now, still smiling
Weet- Jim, i’m so sorry for your loss, RIP , stay strong big guy.HH
Bada @ 08.23
Brilliant :-))))))))))))))
Weet Weet Weet…so sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family…
The reaction to our best fans award on the bbc sports comments section and other places gives us an insight to how these organisations react to public pressure.
I wonder if there is some sort of orc 24hr call centre contacting any news agency that says something positive about Celtic
My sincere condolences too WEET WEET WEET.
May perpetual light shine upon your Jacqueline.
RIP.
I will post my thanks to all who ‘answered the call’ later re my wee cuz.There have been so many I will be all morning listing them but list them I will.Thank you all.
Weet Weet Weet – Thoughts and Prayers offered for your wife Jacqueline, yourself, family and friends at this sad time.
Weet Weet Weet
I am so sorry to read of your loss. I can’t imagine how difficult this time is for you but I am sure you have many years worth of happy memories with your wife to help keep you strong.
RIP
Headlines to DR article on NewsNow
‘Celtic fans follow up FIFA award with annual food bank push’
Has someone had a word ?
weet weet weet
Terrible news and I offer my simple condolences.
These are times of heartbreak that test our endurance. May you find some comfort in your memories.
Just read back. Sincere condolences to weet weet weet. My thoughts and prayers with you
CCB…I’m not a praying person but I wish the best for your ‘wee cuz’…
Weet Weet Weet
My sincere condolences on your sad sad loss, my prayers are with you and your family at this time, may you find comfort in each other.
SP
WEET WEET WEET may your beloved Jacqueline rest in peace and peace be with you too. To lose your other half must be the saddest part of life. Take care of yourself mate.
WEET WEET WEET
So sorry to read the sad news of your sudden loss this morning. May she rest in peace and may your great memories of her comfort you in your pain as time goes by.
weet weet weet .condolences stay srong.
Weet Weet Weet
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this devastating time.
Take care until you meet again.
Just thought l would have a look in before heading out
To make arrangements .
Putting it on hold for half an hour to compose myself
Was in floods of tears at the many kind and thoughtful posts
Surprised,no
This is CQN
God Bless You All
Weet Weet Weet
Condolences for your devastating loss – May Jacqueline rest in peace – You will both be in my prayers.
Off blog for past 24 hours. Logged in to join fun ‘re winning fan award. However reading back CCB’s post & then the heart breaking news from Weet Weet Weet has knocked me for 6.
I am so so sorry Bhoys, I will pray for Margaret & Jaqueline & for their loved ones.
God Bless & Comfòrt Ye during this dark time.
Weet Weet Weet
Very sad news on the passing of Jacqueline, may she rest in peace.
Weet Weet Weet.
Condolences .
R.I.P. Jacqueline.
according to Boydachenko
“There’s one thing about a Rangers team, they would always stand up to the fight. That’s just not Rangers.”
So you finally admit it – they’re died mate now beat it
Weet Weet Weet
_________________
That’s shocking news fella. So sad.
Thoughts and Prayers for Jacqueline
and all who new her.
Jacqueline RIP.
Weet Weet Weet
May Jacqueline rest in peace and may those she loved find strength in one another at this very sad time.
You will never walk alone .
NB
The wee lassie, Kelly Anne Woodland
who reads oot the news on, Scotland Tonight STV
could scarcely conceal her delight as she read oot the news about the best fans in the world award last night.
Guid tae see.
Weebawbabbity – keep it lit mate.
Real Jungle rebels know the score ;-) YNWA.
…..oot.
KEVJ
Thanks for your kind words overnight. Just off the phone to my Dad,who also expressed his thanks.
He’s compiling the dreaded “list” at the moment,I tried to help-had the posters from 16 ROADS to ALMORE when my phone packed in!
We’ll get there,one and all.
HH.
There are some sad words in the world. Surely none more so than
To make arrangements
YNWA
Weet Weet Weet
Very sorry to read of your loss.
Joe
Weet Weet Weet. May Jaqueline rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her.
WEETWEETWEET
Very sad news, and my thoughts are with you.
There are hard days ahead and the loss will always be felt, but in time your love for Jacqueline, and memories of your time with her, will warm your heart.
Stay strong.