Martin O’Neill, alongside several other Celtic managers, worked against an Oldco Rangers who had a finger on the scales. Between 1999 and 2011 over 50 players had second contracts which were hidden from HMRC, and in breach of football regulations, not submitted to the Scottish Football Association or Scottish Premier League.
Rangers did not pay Income Tax or National Insurance on these hidden contracts. The contracts were found when Ibrox was raided by City of London Police, and after a lengthy legal process, the Supreme Court ruled that Rangers were due back tax to HMRC which they could not pay. As a consequence, the club went into liquidation in 2012.
Newco Rangers were formed (as Sevco Scotland, they received permission to change their name to Rangers later that year) by football entrepreneur Charles Green, who saw the potential in harvesting revenue from thousands of fans without a club. He bought what was referred to in court as a ‘basket of assets’, including Ibrox Stadium, then applied for and received SFA associate membership.
Sevco Scotland’s application to join the SPL was rejected by 10 votes to one (Rangers supported their application, Kilmarnock abstained, all others voted against). They were subsequently accepted into the Scottish Football League, in the fourth tier of the professional pyramid.
I have spoken to several players who lost trophies to Oldco during that period and who are very aware their medal haul and win bonuses are lighter then they should be. Martin lost two league titles during his tenure as permanent manager, one on goal difference and one by a single point, both won by Rangers teams full of players with hidden contracts.
Celtic former players and managers are not alone. The fans endured difficult times. For you and me, that might feel like a long time ago, but the consequences of those times cannot be overstated. Nothing has been the same since, even Sunday’s game will bristle with the echo of that era. For Martin O’Neill, this is the first time he is up against Newco Rangers. I would not bet against him.
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Deniabhoy,
I think KT has done well.Linked up with Tounetke as has Sarrachi.This is a new KT.
When playing for Scotland he was terrific playing left mid with Robertson.Both interchanging,overlapping.Coincided with our great run of results at the time.Very intelligent player,a fact I think a lot don’t realise.I said earlier,its crazy to lose a good player to play another.
Steve Clark came up with the way to play both.
had a mad dream last night
johnny kenny hat trick.
right off to the game
some feckin dafty on clyde last night
o neill couldne beat mcleishs rangers
forgetting the fact they had 13 ebt players and coches and owner
Sarrachi way better at left back than KT as an attacking option.
However he’s nailed on to get a red card in this fixture whilst Ratskin and co will foul with no punishment.
I really wish we had a player in our squad who just put the boot into the wee Belgian fud.
ONENIGHTINLISBON 12.19
I’ll put the boot into the wee fud free of charge. For starters. 😁
bigrailroadblues on 2nd November 2025 12:27 pm
Join the queue!
One of the most detestable players….
Raskin isn’t half as sleekit as Diomande. The two of them should have had red cards in recent games against us.
CELTIC: Schmeichel, Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi, McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.
Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, McCowan, Osmand, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney
Today’s team
https://x.com/celticfc/status/1984965212089237520?s=48&t=l3Iz-LETWh_FyswyaJ_gzg
HH
Team is
Celtic: Schmeichel, Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi, McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Tounekti, Maeda, Kenny
Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, McCowan, Osmand, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney
Here’s hoping Maeda is back to something like his old hunskelper self.
Anyone here with inside information know why Bernardo is not getting a decent run this season ?
DeniaBhoy on 2nd November 2025 12:52 pm
Here’s hoping Maeda is back to something like his old hunskelper self.
One way or another it will keep Tavpen worried.
Madra – I’d certainly rather see him on the bench than Yang. We are starting with two wingers, why do we need another three on the bench? Two is enough, surely?
DENIABHOY.
Agreed !
live updates up
Cmon Celtic Let the people sing.
Any kind of win will do. HH
Maeda on the right? Has he ever performed well there? Let’s hope he does today. If he’s got over his disappointment about not leaving in the last transfer window, he will at least help out tremendously by harassing them and forcing them to make mistakes. But really hope he can contribute to the attack.
MON the HOOPS.
JUST DAE IT CELTIC.
HH.