Do you remember the early days of Celtic Quick News when one wit suggested this was a blog for accountants? Our early years did a great deal to bring a wider understanding of accounts and finance to Celtic fans – which was a good thing.
Today your fan of Scottish football needs to know about more than the game and amortisation, a semester or two in law school is an enormous advantage. We touch on legal matters here but last night I enjoyed reading the forensic analysis on the wonderful Duff and Phelps on the Web 3D Law blog. It’s worth 10 minutes of your day, each day, the most recent blog especially. I also assume you are all keeping an eye on the substantial thoughts on Paul McConville’s blog. If not, I want to know why.
So much for accounts and the law, today I want to discuss philosophy with you.
When football-types talk about morality and hypocrisy they are usually worth listening to, if only for comedic value. Anyone experiencing the Scottish media will not doubt that morality is subjective and chameleon in nature. This question has exercised great minds for centuries, if only they had the benefit of our effervescent radio luminaries.
Despite being metaphorically surrounded by morally opportunistic hypocrites, Ally McCoist felt so secure in his demands for Rangers that he didn’t dodge the issue yesterday.
When asked if Rangers should be kicked out of the SPL he accepted it “might be the right thing to do morally and people will have their own opinions on it, with differences far and varied.
“There’s an argument the right thing to do is for Rangers to go down to the Third Division and that might be the case if it’s a Newco after liquidation.
“But is it the correct thing to do for Scottish football? Probably not. Everybody’s got a dilemma and that’s why there are so many opinions on it.
“Whether people like it or not, Rangers and Celtic are different because of the size and magnitude of the two clubs.
“Supporters of other clubs and some Old Firm supporters say you can’t have rules for some clubs and not for others.
“In an ideal world, that would be 100 per cent correct. I would absolutely and totally agree with that.
“But the fact of the matter is we’re asking if it would be good for the rest of the SPL if Rangers went down to the Third Division? The answer has to be no.
“I don’t envy the people who have to make that decision. I can understand the hypocrisy of it but Rangers and Celtic are different.”
Rangers are different – no dispute about that, Ally. Celtic are different again, but if it is hypocritical and morally wrong to provide support for these clubs which has never been extended to a smaller club, we cannot subvert our sport – and remember, the word SPORT implies that outcomes are determined on a level playing field – Rangers must be treated no differently than Gretna.
And just one correction for Ally: liquidation-and-phoenix would not see Rangers drop to the Third Division. A Newco in the Third Division would not have dropped from anywhere, it would be a new company and new football team. Rangers would, in these circumstances, go pop!
One* team in Glasgow,
There’s only one team in Glasgow.
One team in Glasgow,
There’s only one team in Glasgow.
*excluding, juniors, youths, lower leagues, amateurs and Celtic Ladies.
Pop! And they’re gone!
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For once the SFA seem to have been telling us the truth about the refs. My condolences to Craig Thompson on the loss of his mother.
Planes, banners and tainted titles.
How ironic that they should choose to do this on the day we (hopefully) win it without the 10 points.
Stupid stupid huns.
TheonlytaintedtitlesaretheonesyouwinbycheatingCSC
Can anybody tell me if Clyde do live commentary of the game?
Or a good radio app that will do live commentary,the bbc never works for me anymore.
Much appreciated.
Sincere condolences to Craig Thompson and his family and friends.
Sometimes I just can’t be bothered anymore. Sometimes the flame flickers and dies and that expectation, ambition and even enthusiasm seems somehow a muffled echo searching for a way out of the catacomb.
Sometimes I wake up on the day of the game and stare at the ceiling, knowing that I’ll go but knowing that if a more inviting invitation to share dish washing duties came up, well I might take that.
Sometimes I stick my head back under the pillow and just wonder ‘it’s all pointless’.
That was me this morning.
“Someone”!! however had a different plan.
At 10.30 the telly was switched on (against all the rules of my house I might say) and on came a recording from yesterday. I didn’t record it so it must have been part of a greater plan, a born-again plan and Damascene renewal.
The first notes of the opening credits of the Magnificent 7 drifted into the bedroom.
Like a shot of high octane adrenalin I was on my feet, showered, shaved and shod. Stomach pulled in, hoops draped over my pulsating muscular frame and best foot not so much forward as half way down the London road.
My Celtic Mojo has returned and I am about to hit the east end.
Thankyou Celtic, Thank you Jinky, Thank you Henrik and Thank you Elmer Bernstein….
PA-PA-PA-PA
PA-PA-PA-PA-PA’
PA-PA-PA-PA
PA-PA-PA-PA-PA’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PETEgnaXcg
I’m alive again. Bring it on!
Hail Hail
Estadio
It’s getting near team time. I don’t expect surprises – Kayal and Watt on the bench I think. And Scott Brown back in if he is fit.
The biggest decisions might be where Charlie Mulgrew plays and who is up front. I’m expecting Charlie at left back to give more height in defence,assuming Rogne and Loovens are both fit. And I think Stokes will miss out with Hooper and Samaras both starting.
Wan ae ma fav tunes an apt
Just about to get going.
Think we should just sing Cheerio Cheerio Cheerio to their “traditional” dirges today.
Here’s Bleacher Report on the five men who killed Rangers:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1164625-glasgow-rangers-the-five-people-most-culpable-for-the-demise-of-a-scottish-inst
Kitalba – I’ve often thought that people in general are just as intelligent and reasonable as they need to be. rangers fans and manager, given their intense experience of entitlement and favour, have never had much use for either.
Is it a bird, is it a plane??
Naw its Estadio on a horse galloping down the London Road :-)
Estadio
One of my favourites.
“I’ve been paid a lot for my work, but never everything…’
U
Heading off to the game on this beautiful sunny day, full of excitement to see the hoops and can’t wait for the party atmosphere.
Hail Hail
Indio
#ChampsVsTramps
And so it starts…
Celtic-Mad @celtic_mad Reply Retweeted Favorite · Open
Tims should avoid driving past The Lincoln on Great Western Road. Car already attacked, Celtic fans now in A & E. The Huns are losing it
Retweeted by CraigWhyte’s no1 Fan
Stay safe Bhoys and Ghirls..
Lennon n Mc….Mjallby on 29 April, 2012 at 11:30 said:
TuneIn Radio
Standing in the door of the Pink Flamingo Crying in the rain It was a kind of so so love And I’m going to make sure it never Happens again You and I It had to be The standing joke of the year You were a sleep around A lost and found And not for me I fear
I tried to make it work You in a cocktail skirt And me in a suit (Well it just wasn’t me) You’re used to wearing less And now your life’s a mess So insecure you see I put up with all the scenes And this is one scene That’s going to be played my way
Take your hands off me I don’t belong to you, you see Take a look at my face For the last time I never knew you You never knew me Say hello goodbye Say hello wave goodbye
Under the deep red light I can see the makeup sliding down Hey little girl you will always make up So take off that unbecoming frown What about me- well I’ll find someone That’s not going cheap in the sales A nice little housewife Who’ll give me a steady life And won’t keep going off the rails
Take your hands off me I don’t belong to you, you see Take a look at my face For the last time I never knew you You never knew me Say hello goodbye Say hello wave goodbye
We’ve been involved For quite a while now And to keep you secret has been hell We’re strangers meeting for the first time, okay?Just smile and say hello Say hello then wave goodbye
Say hello then wave goodbye (x3) Say hello wave goodbye Say hello then wave goodbye Say hello say goodbye Goodbye Say goodbye Say goodbye
Goodbye…
So thats what they mean when they say ‘The Rangers End’!!!
Celtic Football Club @celticfc Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Champions starting XI: Forster, Matthews, Loovens, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Brown, Wanyama, Ledley, Commons, Samaras, Hooper. (PC)
The Team
Celtic Football Club @celticfc Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Champions substitutes: Zaluska, Cha, K. Wilson, McCourt, McGeouch, Stokes, Watt. (PC)
The Reserves
Loovens WTF???????????
Hail hail
You’re not signing, you’re not signing
You’re not signing anymore
You’re not signing anymore
Have fun everyone.
Time to exit my country home for the game.
Stay safe My 2 boys are gonna be there so hopefully they get right result and home safely
Anyone who wants McCourt in starting 11 must be having a laugh
Yea he made good pass for Cha’s goal but he didnt have to track back or tackle
I want to see a team full of players who will be here next season and will take club forward and McCourt is none of above
That’s the team for me!
Good luck lads, play well and victory will be secured.
Safe day everyone.
starryplough
if that’s the formation, i’d hope samaras and commons switch positions early on, commons doesn’t have the fitness to play wide and samaras prefers playing wide to playing in the middle
not too chuffed with loovens either but it looks as though there’s no-one better on the bench
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 29 April, 2012 at 11:43 said:
Nice. Say hello (hello), wave goodbye.
Johnny Doyle
Cheers and do you know if Clyde 1 or 2 do the game?
See Elbows is spouting his usual tripe,he hopes the player stick with RFC(in Admin) for next season,take a huge pay cut and help them win the league next season.He is one of two things either an super optimist our another stupid hun.I go for the latter myself
Come on the boys in green 3-0 at least
Shimmies33 – I’m with you amigo, win the battle then the match. Getting ready to head to the Celtic club, enjoy the game lads and stay safe:)
slainte
tony
More info abt the Mass at the Little Sisters in Royston today at 3. Its to celebrate the Sisters coming to Glasgow 150 years ago not 100 years as I said last night.
pggtips2 on 29 April, 2012 at 11:50 said:
Commons in behind Hooper and Sammi wide left would be my hope, I guess Big Rogne must be injured.
I back big Glen to score today!!
SP
Lennon
All Clyde do is give you updates. Full commentary on BB Scotland on 8.10mw and 94.45 fm sometimes.
Catching up…….
That Bleacher Report is good……
But, in other ‘news’ poor Andrew Smith still can’t face it…….still can’t quite get the words out……
still wheelin’ out the same old guff…………..
Hell mend them.
ibleed
Wd you prefer Wilson??
This grotesque pantomime is exposing the true character of many in our sporting media. Faced on radio with a no-brainer on whether McCoist’s appalling incitement to the mob should be condemned, fat boy Traynor and ugly stick Young abandoned any pretence at integrity and sought to make the most risible of the indefensible. The contrast with Glenn Gibbons and Andrew Smith in The Scotsman is stark. The support from large elements of our press for Rangers interests, irrespective of fairness or justice, is an embarrassment to our country. These journos demonstrate the same clientilismo mentality seen in banana republic dictatorships. Now that’s really disgusting. And – in the words of the moronic Sandy Jardine – their lack of integrity won’t be forgotten or forgiven once the coffin lid comes down on RFC. This is karma!
Andrew Smith in the Scotsman…
“But Scottish football doesn’t need a strong Rangers so much as it needed a Rangers who paid their bills and played by the rules.
And, instead of supporter demonstrations on Hampden, boycotts of away grounds and name and shaming of those bearing the brunt of the fact that the good football citizen down Ibrox way hasn’t existed this past decade, those who value Rangers’ name might want to replace their haranguing with humility.”
Cmon Bhoys let’s humiliate them.
Im not happy that for some reason we have gone back to deploying Samaras up front.
If hes not up front and is out wide – then im not happy about going 1 up top.
After the cautious approach we took to Ibrox – on what was their swangson and cup final – id rather go out in a blaze of glory today.
Throw caution to the wind – lets go out with the mindset that the only objective is to destroy them today.
Forget 1-0. Today is not a 1-0 occasion.
Bankiebhoy
Really ?
I think he doing well.
By ANDREW SMITH
Playing the victim card does little to help the Ibrox club’s reputation
RANGERS’ financial crash has served us up just about everything. Except, that is, much in the way of contrition from those at the heart of it. With his egregious and excruciating demand for the naming of SFA Judicial Panel members who had imposed sanctions on his club, Tuesday found Ally McCoist in full, unedifying, confrontational mode. By the time he had worked his way round to his press briefing at Murray Park the other day, the Rangers manager mercifully was cutting a more conciliatory figure, on an afternoon when the final Glasgow derby was merely an afterthought.
The 12-month ban on Rangers signing players, which the club will appeal, brought an outrage from McCoist that seemed to relate more to the predicament of the Ibrox side than the actual punishment. He maintained that “everyone is guilty to contradiction” when it comes to the situation Rangers find themselves. A situation McCoist sees shame in over the fact there are no guarantees a club struggling to avoid liquidation will pay in more than £3 million of football debt to other clubs, and up to £120m of other liabilities. With Rangers having recruited players they may not be able to pay for, and so potentially having obtained an unfair sporting advantage, what sanction did McCoist expect this week?
“I would have appreciated the opportunity for a potential new purchaser to pay our footballing debts,” he said. “Pay all our debts, in an ideal world, but especially debts to other clubs. It embarrasses and upsets me we owe money to other clubs, not just in Scotland but wherever. That embarrasses me and hurts me. I don’t think the punishment has helped us in any way, shape or form to recover from that.” McCoist went on to say the panel members were on “a hiding to nothing”, the SFA were an organisation “doing their level best” whose decisions will ever please everyone and who he just happens to finds himself in disagreement with. “It goes with the territory and you have to accept we are all big boys and we are all entitled to our opinion and to make comment.”
His tone was far removed from the “these people could kill our club” provocative language of earlier in the week that, whatever he might have subsequently said, played to the “lunatic fringe”. He at least could not be accused of that in respect of his stance on Scottish Premier League meeting tomorrow at which clubs will vote on new fair play rules.
Voted on will be various proposals. The two germane to Rangers are that clubs in administration would be docked whatever is the greater of 15 points or a third of their previous season’s tally, and any newco formed from the ashes of a liquidated club would be docked ten points and lose 75 per cent of their SPL payments for two years. It is not expected that these will receive sufficient support to be carried, an 8-4 majority required, but McCoist chooses his words carefully in questioning the time of the would-be rule changes.
“The timing is really sad and unfortunate,” he said. “Decisions on clubs going into liquidation, clubs forming a newco and all that kind of stuff, should have been down a year ago or whenever. I don’t know when it should have been done but no matter what happens now, it looks as though it is a reaction rather than proactive. With the ten points for going into administration we know the rules, so that’s fine. No problem with it. Whereas this is different and again it will please some of the people and other people will think it is [unfair].”
More disturbing than McCoist’s comments this week was the reaction to them from large sections of the media. Rangers, in part, are in their sorry mess because even when they haven’t been in the right too often they have been presented as wronged. Their sense of victimhood is too often willingly stoked. God knows, the team from the other side of the city play the victim card plenty. But when Celtic have claimed referee bias or SFA persecution, they have been rightly mocked and taken to task. Contrast that with the extension to the season Rangers were granted in 2008, the policing in the Manchester riot that year, the FARE investigation into the club’s sectarian singing, and now these SFA sanctions. In all such cases, there has been a willingness to look beyond the Ibrox club for the crux of any problems.
McCoist pulled back from that on Friday when asked again about the division of responsibility relating to Rangers being punished for their owner Craig Whyte’s failure to forward PAYE and NI contributions from the club’s employees. “Again, it’s a really fine line and people will have their own opinions of it,” he said. “I am just of the opinion that the people who haven’t done anything wrong are getting battered, be they players, members of staff, supporters. Listen, I am not daft enough to think we don’t deserve to be punished for our wrongdoing but I am deeply saddened that people who are getting hit most are the people who haven’t done anything wrong and really don’t deserve it.”
But what Rangers would deserve if the current club ceases to be is what is beginning to exercise minds. McCoist, again to his credit, doesn’t fudge what outcome should serve natural justice and sporting integrity. “Whether you are a supporter of Morton or Kilmarnock or Inverness or whoever. I could totally understand their fans saying ‘och, it should be the Third Division if they are liquidated and they are a newco’ because it’s fair. It might be fair, but is it the right thing to do? It’s probably not. It’s not a fair world, that’s what I am saying. If it was a fair world we would get the same punishment as Livingston for example. They got liquidated and ended up in division three so if it’s good enough for Livingston it should be good enough for Rangers but is that good enough for Scottish football?” The fact the answer to that is “no” tells everything about what a broken, dysfunctional environment the Scottish top flight is. Clubs wouldn’t debar a newco Rangers from the SPL as they would a newco Livingston because the reduction in revenue following the loss of the “Rangers brand” could take them down too.
We need look only to the banking crisis for parallels. Small banks were allowed to go under. Large banks were unfairly propped up with massive public subsidies because of the threat of contagion. McCoist presents his club’s case for “special treatment” in the event of liquidation as a necessary evil for the greater good.
But Scottish football doesn’t need a strong Rangers so much as it needed a Rangers who paid their bills and played by the rules.
And, instead of supporter demonstrations on Hampden, boycotts of away grounds and name and shaming of those bearing the brunt of the fact that the good football citizen down Ibrox way hasn’t existed this past decade, those who value Rangers’ name might want to replace their haranguing with humility.
starry plough on 29 April, 2012 at 11:57
loovens’ best asset is his ability in the oppositions penalty box at corners and free kicks, a goal or two from him would be most welcome (=