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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Just a wee point on Scottish referees in relation to the article where BR says the refs are endangering players. Pretty much every Scottish referee has a curiously high tolerance for players jumping for headers leading with the arm. It isn’t anything new either:
– Daniel Cousin on McManus
– McCulloch…well there are various but I remember one from the match Raith Rovers beat Sevco in the Scottish cup where he went into the back of a players head with his forearm then stood on him for good measure.
But from more recently:
– Jayden Stockley on Tierney at Pittodrie
– Jayden Stockley on Tierney at Hampden
– Jayden Stockley on Bates at Ibrox (oh, wait, no he was actually sent off for that. Strange)
– Cardoso on Moult on Sunday
– Bowman on Cardoso on Sunday
Sometimes players get caught by arm by accident but too often players are doing deliberately and it needs to be addressed. Some seem to think/know they will get away with it.
WEETWEETWEET
So sorry to hear of your loss
I should point out that the Cousin and McCulloch examples were just what sprung to mind – not picking on the sevvies – they’ve suffered enough…
Weet Weet Weet,
Very sorry to read of the loss of Jacqueline. Anyone who learns to love and be loved in this life is truly blessed.
CQN and it’s contributors will be here for you 24/7.
I’ll say a few prayers for you today and over the next few days.
CCB,
I’ll light a candle for your cousin and the family in St Peter’s, Drogheda this afternoon.
HH
Weet Weet Weet.
Condolences to you mate on your sad sad loss, prayers offered .
###############
CCB.
Prayers offered for Margaret,
################.
H.H all
Weet Weet Weet
Thoughts and prayers with you and your family
God bless
Bobby just saw your post to Kev , scrolled back but can’t find your original post. Hope nothing bad has happened in your family as well.
Weet Weet Weet
Condolences on the loss of you wife, may she R.I.P.
Cosy Corner Boy
Wishing you’re wee dance partner all the luck in the world
Word of The Day (Pedro’s 11)
pusillanimous /ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/
adjective
1. characterized by a lack of courage or determination
2. lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
3. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.
Derived Forms
pusillanimity (ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪtɪ) noun
pusillanimously, adverb
Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin pusillanimis from Latin pusillus weak + animuscourage
KTF
I received a message of congratulations this morning from Jorge Sena e Silva who is the general manager of the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon. He was sending congratulations and support to all Celtic fans on behalf of himself, The Director and all the staff at the Jamor sports complex where the stadium is situated.
He expressed the stadium’s delight at seeing Celtic fans voted the best in the world by FIFA and wanted me to pass on his congratulations, best wishes and assurances that Celtic FC and their fans will always hold a special place in the heart of everyone at the Jamor.
A copy of the official post from the Facebook page is below.
Hail Hail.
https://www.facebook.com/CentroDesportivoNacionalJamor/
BRTH
WEET WEET WEET
So very sorry to read your dreadful news.
May God give you strength to cope with your loss.
May Jacqueline rest in peace.
YNWA
WEET WEET WEET, very sad news indeed. Both you and your darling wife are in our thoughts and prayers.
May God give you strength to deal with the next few days and weeks.
God Bless.
KTF
CORKCELT
The original post was from my Dad,COSYCORNERBHOY
His much loved wee wee cousin and former competition dancing partner,Margaret,has suffered a “massive” stroke
She’s the size of tuppence-used to take a lemonade crate into Somerset Park to watch her team!-but has the strength of Hercules.
She’ll be fine,I’m sure of that. The thoughts prayers and candles from here and elsewhere will surely help.
HH
BMCUWP, your dad, Margaret and your family are also in our thoughts and prayers.
Speedy recovery to wee Margaret!
KTF
For Cosy Corner Bhoy and his wee cousin..
Get well soon Margaret.
https://youtu.be/gLzn8nDVSo8
BMCUWP
My best wishes to Margaret and indeed for a full recovery
Give your Dad my best , also please.
HH
CRC
Further message from Jorge Sena e Silva in Lisbon.
I will post it in its entirety but should explain that this man told me in Lisbon that while he is the technical manager of the Jamor sports complex and the Estadio Nacional, his background was in sports administration, overseeing drug testing and regulatory matters elsewhere in Lisbon, and as such he was not really a football fan. Basketball and watersports yes, but football? Not really his bag.
Until he was persuaded to become involved in the preparations for one day in Lisbon!
His message in full:
Dear James
Thank you for your kind words !
As a former and very different American president would say, “Ich bin ein Celtic !!” As so are we all here at Jamor !
Looking forward to see you here again !
Cheerio the Noo!
Jorge Sena e Silva
Técnico Superior
CCB/BMCUWP
Thoughts and prayers with you guys too. Wee prayer said.
MWD
WeetWeetWeet
Very sorry to read of your devastating loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Puts all the other nonsense into perspective.
CCB & BMCUW
Thoughts are also with Margaret and her family, I hope for a good recovery for her.
HH
WEET WEET WEET
Heartbreaking news. You are in my thoughts
It is with a heavy heart that I have to relate that Wee Margaret,The Dancing Queen,passed away
I know that every fond wish expressed here will have been well-received upstairs,so a smooth passage is assured.
I’m none too fond of funerals,especially family ones,but I will be at this one.
I really can’t express enough my family’s gratitude for all your intimations. There was nothing Margaret liked better than Ayr beating Celtic. Except them beating some other mob.
She’s had a life well-lived. And that is what we will remember when the day comes.
R I P,Margaret. I’ll always remember that lemonade crate,your doll collection-I’m sure some of them dresses could have fitted you!-and kicking a ball out your Mum’s back door in Afton Road.
We were the same size then!!!
BMCUWP
Sad news pal!
Hugs for you and your Dad on 11/11.
Prayers said for all her family and friends.
Rest in peace The Dancing Queen.
Near the end, just scroll down and see the best example of an elbow from the master, Elbows himself, no card, nada, some of the other stuff takes your paranoia to new levels…..
http://itcantbeparanoia.blogspot.com.es/
BobbyM
Sad news.
RIP Margaret.
HH
YNWA
BMCUWPs/CCB,
Thoughts and prayers for Margaret and the family at this difficult time.
HH
BMCUWP,
I am so sorry for your family’s loss
HH
CRC
Bobby, CCB.
Thoughts and prayers to yourselves and family at this time.
RIP Margaret.
BMCUW
After the sunshine comes the rain.
Sad day on CQN after the high of last night.
Condolences on the loss of wee Margaret, and please pass on our thoughts and prayers to your Dad and the rest of the family.
What a sad place this is today
RIP Margaret
BMCUW and CCB…so sorry to hear your dreadful news…shocking–coming so soon after Weet’s loss.
My 99 year old mum is poorly at the moment, so, I’m feeling quite sensitive about these kind of moments.
I wish you strength-both of you and Weet in the coming days…
Just sent the following to BBC news. Self explanatory.
Hi
I have been watching BBC 2 this morning (Victoria Derbyshire & BBC Newsroom live) and one of the lead stories on the sports news portion of both programmes, is the FIFA Best Awards ceremony held yesterday. The BBC report covers a Portuguese player (Ronaldo) winning Worlds best player and a Dutch player (Lisa Martens) winning best female player.
At the same awards ceremony the fans of Celtic FC were awarded the best fans award. Should the BBC not mention this. If the fans of Manchester United or Chelsea had won this award, would BBC news report this?
Viewers in Scotland pay the same licence fee as other areas of the U.K., and Celtic are the third best supported club in the U.K.
I am curious as to the mechanics of the editorial decision that the FIFA Best Awards should be covered by the BBC, but mention of the only British winner of one of the awards should be omitted.
Regards
My Real Name
Downright sinister imo.
prayers for you and family ccb and bmcup
Hunderbitds
Noticed the same – couldn’t believe it – well actually I could
new article posted.
Weet Weet, and BMCUWP/CCB
Just saw the sad news for both of your families. condolences, thoughts and prayers from Toronto.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS
My thoughts and best wishes are now with yer Wee Mammy.
I hope she hits the century,and does a Mrs Doyle-go on,go on,go on.
HH,Bruv.
MIKEINTORONTO
Thanks,mate.
HH