Newco new start but big question remains

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A bit surprised that Dave King’s gunboat diplomacy saw an agreement with Sports Direct, which will see the retailer’s interest in Newco end next year.

There is little prospect of Newco making much additional income from this over the next 12 months, as this period is where Sports Direct will receive all compensation for curtailing the period of the deal. But a year out, should they still be around, they will be able to negotiate improved terms, presumably with a different kit supplier.

You can ignore the grandiose bluster from some in the media, this will not in any meaningful way narrow the financial gap between Newco and Celtic, the more important question is why Mike Ashley chose to take an early exit. Maybe taking a limited dividend over the next 12 months is a better bet than hoping for a long-term return from a five-year-old business. Ashley’s people will have run various scenarios.

The important medium-term objective for Newco will be to reduce the dependency on shareholder loans to keep the lights on. They are not a millions miles away from this, and with a premium kit deal it should be possible from season 2018-19, but the central question you and I have pondered occasionally over the last five years remains:

Is a ‘Rangers’ football club commercially viable earning £50m less than Celtic and trailing hopelessly in their wake? I really hate the ‘know your place’ sentiment, but we’ll not have an answer to that question until self-awareness dawns, and there is a realisation that second placed cannon fodder is the best they can hope for.

Aberdeen have lost players (sorry about that) and are likely to be weaker next season. Hearts Cathro experiment looks unlikely to make any sort of challenge, so the Best of the Rest opportunity is wide open. Dream time, for those at Ibrox.

Get involved with the Foundation

There’s a great opportunity to get involved with the Celtic Foundation coming up in October with the Great Scottish Run. Each year the number of Celtic fans who get the trainers on and sign up for this event grows.

It is a magnoficen magnificent thing to do, great for you, and you get to do your part for the Foundation.

Go here for sign-up information. See you there!

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347 Comments

  1. Opening weekend fixtures

     

     

    05/08/17

     

    Celtic v Hearts 05/08/17

     

    Dundee v Ross County 05/08/17

     

    Hibernian v Partick Thistle 05/08/17

     

    Kilmarnock v St Johnstone 05/08/17

     

    Motherwell v Rangers 05/08/17

  2. thetimreaper on

    Hearts home

     

    THistle away

     

    Killie away

     

    St Johnstone home

     

    Accies away

     

    Ross county home

     

     

    First 6

  3. AN TEARMANN on 23RD JUNE 2017 1:22 AM

     

    When does Brunei beckon?

     

    ——————————————

     

    Sorry AT I fell asleep. Brunei bound at the beginning of December. Newcastle bound for 5 months. Mrs PMTYH not a happy bunny. Hopefully take in some European football at CP.

  4. thetimreaper on

    Considering we will be concerned about CL qualification early on, the opening set of fixtures are reasonable for us.

  5. SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 23RD JUNE 2017 8:58 AM

     

     

    It’s interesting how complimentary he is about Plod’s investigation.

     

     

    That gives a bit of credence to the rumours about the allegiance and motivation of those in charge of the investigation.

  6. Unionist Lynch

     

     

    That gives a bit of credence to the rumours about the allegiance and motivation of those in charge of the investigation.

     

     

    The jurys verdict gives gives more credence to the investigation than your windaehingin, fake deductions, gossip inspired non fact based rumour you are implyin about your fellow unionists like king

     

     

    HH

     

    HH

  7. thetimreaper on

    And Dave King has praised manager Pedro Caixinha for his ruthlessness, insisting the Portuguese coach stuck to his principles in the 5-1 defeat to Celtic in April in order to find out which players could play in his system. (Scottish Sun)

     

     

     

    —–

     

    It was all part of the plan, honest guv.

  8. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    Word of The Day<Glibby’s last few days)

     

     

    vainglory

     

    /ˌveɪnˈɡlɔːrɪ/ 

     

     

    noun

     

    1. excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements, abilities, etc.

     

    2. empty pomp or show.

     

    3. boastfulness or vanity

     

    4. ostentation

     

     

    Word Origin and History for vaingloryExpand

     

    n.

     

    c.1300, "worthless glory," waynglori, from Old French vaine glorie, fromMedieval Latin vana gloria (see vain + glory (n.)).

     

     

     

    KTF

  9. POGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILES

     

     

    Och thats a shame that your going to catch some games early in the season

     

    :-):-):-)

     

    Hopefully bump into you at one.

     

    HH

  10. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    TAL,

     

     

    Beautiful tribute to your late mother.

     

     

    May she Rest in Peace.

  11. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    TAL, condolences. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

     

     

     

    KTF

  12. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    Re the fixtures, it’s interesting to see how Sevco have been aided with extra income in the coming months:

     

     

    AUGUST

     

    12/08/2017 15:00 Rangers v Hibernian

     

    19/08/2017 15:00 Rangers v Heart of Midlothian

     

     

    SEPTEMBER

     

    09/09/2017 15:00 Rangers v Dundee

     

    23/09/2017 15:00 Rangers v Celtic

     

     

    OCTOBER

     

    21/10/2017 15:00 Rangers v Aberdeen

     

     

    They get the 4 largest travelling supports at home early in the season!

     

     

    As Jim Royle would say “random my arse!”

     

     

     

    KTF

  13. traditionalist88 on

    VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on 23rd June 2017 9:50 am

     

     

    ah come on now don’t be so paranoid, they’re selling plastic ducks for £6 to the People, things are looking up at Ibrox!

     

     

    HH

  14. traditionalist88 on

    Absolutely beggars belief if we agree to a match on the 14th in Belfast with no support present.

     

     

    Talk about Linfield having their cake and eating it.

     

     

    Why are we even considering this? Our away record anywhere is not good enough to throw away any perceived/slight advantage we can use(within the rules).

     

     

    If our safety can’t be guaranteed on the 11th, 12th or 14th the tie should be switched to a neutral venue.

     

     

    HH

  15. Mmm,

     

     

    Seems Hamiltontim88 doesn’t work….how can I buy you a pint tomoz C ;-))

     

     

    FTSFS & FTDUP

     

     

    H.H.

  16. FOR A PEOPLE AND A CAUSE on

    With all these Mexicans heading down Govan way who is going to make the first gag about the Alamo

  17. AN TEARMANN on 23RD JUNE 2017 9:33 AM

     

     

     

    ‘The jurys verdict gives gives more credence to the investigation than your windaehingin, fake deductions, gossip inspired non fact based rumour you are implyin about your fellow unionists like king’

     

     

     

    ###

     

     

    I fear you’ve rather missed the point.

     

     

    I daresay that isn’t a novel experience for you.

  18. Re the Linfield away tie, the safety of Celtic supporters cannot be guaranteed whilst travelling to the match and in and around the city during and after. There is also the potential for a 17th century slanging match within the stadium amongst other things. The risk to Celtic supporters and to the reputation of the Club is high. The first step of risk management is to eliminate the risk if possible. Refusing tickets would be the correct decision i believe.

  19. Any european qualifier game played…..outwith the 11th & 12 th…..is Linfield’s problem….let them go to UEFA and explain their bigotry…..

     

     

    FTSFA & FTUEFA

     

     

    H.H.

  20. FOR A PEOPLE AND A CAUSE on 23RD JUNE 2017 10:09 AM

     

    With all these Mexicans heading down Govan way who is going to make the first gag about the Alamo

     

     

    ###

     

     

    I was wondering whether we’ll see the Daily Record sombreros from Seville making an appearance at the next Old Firm game.

     

     

    Not that the Old Firm exists anymore, of course. Though the pricing policy for tickets is remarkably similar.

  21. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again re Linfield game

     

     

    Take our allocation. Transport to and from ground is easy, local Bhoys (including myself regularly) have no hassle in doing so. Advise non local supporters well in advance of where in town to avoid.

     

     

    The possibility of my beloved team playing less than 2 miles from my home and not be able to go watch is seriously p***ing me off.

     

     

    Mini rant over. Off to Monaghan for the weekend, enjoy yer weekend folks.

     

     

    HH

  22. Ernie,

     

     

    When are you going to refer to Celtic as we…..;-))

     

     

    FTSFA & FTDUP

     

     

    H.H.

  23. THELURKINTIM on 23RD JUNE 2017 10:20 AM

     

    Ernie,

     

     

     

    When are you going to refer to Celtic as we…..;-))

     

     

    ###

     

     

    Maybe when the Celtic Board do something that make me feel like saying it again.

  24. traditionalist88 on

    Panda Hands on 23rd June 2017 10:18 am

     

     

    Spot on. Absolutely shocking cave in if rumours are true, pandering to a bigotfest and Linfields hopes for a bigger payday. They’re the ones with the issues staging the tie and we’re putting ourselves at a disadvantage by switching to a Friday(less recovery time for the 2nd leg) AND with no supporters in attendance, sickening.

     

     

    HH

  25. Ernie,

     

     

    So…..I have my doubts about our Board….but you’re looking at….never ?

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  26. Bankiebhoy1,

     

     

    Ment to ask…..are you claiming the thumbs 2nd against engerlund….;-))

     

     

    voodooCSC

     

     

    FTSFA

     

     

    H.H.

  27. TLT……………..

     

     

     

    Yes of-course matey…….

     

     

    PositiveMentalAttitude CSC

  28. Unionist Lynch

     

     

    Reading unionists like yourself wriggle/infer/gossip/imply and augment RUMOUR as fact is not a novel experience, neither is typing the bs from your point of view.

     

    Good day I have a poison glen to toddle bout.

     

    HH