We are all familiar with brinksmanship; adopting what seems like an uncompromising position despite acute potential consequences. Correspondence recently released around the goings-on at Rangers International and associated companies suggests at least two combative parties have been edging towards the brink since last year. Now it is clear they are both well over the brink, it’s too late for either to back down.
The conclusion of Pinsent Masons’ report was released to the stock market this morning and found “no evidence that Craig Whyte had any involvement with Sevco Scotland Limited (now called The Rangers Football Club Limited), the company which ultimately acquired the business and assets of The Rangers Football Club P.L.C. from its administrators; nor which would suggest that Craig Whyte invested in The Rangers Football Club Limited or Rangers International Football Club plc”.
All of which, sharp-eyed observers will note, is exactly what Mr Whyte is so animated about.
Let me run through that list of companies which Mr Whyte was not involved with again:
Sevco Scotland Ltd: check
AKA The Rangers Football Club Ltd: check
Rangers International Football Club PLC: check
Sevco 5088 Ltd: wait a minute, they missed out Sevco 5088 Ltd!!
This is where the project resembles trying to push water uphill:
Rangers International plc claim Sevco 5088 Ltd is a subsidiary of theirs.
Mr Whyte claims to be a director and beneficiary of Sevco 5088 Ltd.
Pinsent Masons’ report’s published conclusion fails to comment on Mr Whyte’s status in connection with Rangers International’s claimed subsidiary company, Sevco 5088 Ltd.
The SFA prohibited the new associate member club from having any connection with Mr Whyte. Last week the SFA chief executive acknowledged the seriousness of the club potentially breaking the conditions of membership, but said the Association would await the outcome of the Pinsent Masons’ report. The published conclusions of which does not address the question.
Rangers International have just dared the SFA to act. They are familiar with the tactics of brinksmanship, however….
Just in case you are new to this subject…..
Hell will freeze over before any football association with Campbell Ogilvie as president will act on this matter. “Heavily conflicted” Campbell will ensure his board take no action.
I was delighted to read one man who knew exactly what he was dealing with when he took on the SFA. Echoing the comments made here yesterday, Fergus McCann said:
“Filling Celtic Park against Barcelona or Spartak or Rangers is the easy part.
“The part that really counts is consistent support at every game at Celtic Park and that will deliver the top-level matches.
“My time at the Croy CSC reminds me of the importance of dedicated support.
“The members knew that their role was vital, especially in the hard times.”
The future of our club is very much in our own hands and these are important times to fill out Celtic Park.
Waterstones, Stirling, 5-7pm TODAY!
I’ll be at Waterstones, Stirling, with Willie Wallace from 5pm until 7pm this evening. Willie will be available for photographs and signing copies of his autobiography, Heart of a Lion. If you’re from the area, call in, I’ll see you there.
Many thanks to all who bought tickets for the Celtic top signed by the Seville squad, we sold out last night. Thanks also to those who are bidding on the fabulous signed Messi top, you still have a few days left to get involved. The spirit of Walfrid is alive and well 125 years on.
Heart of a Lion:
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THE EXILED TIM
I knew you would get it, cos you have it in spades !
Stokes is not only a good goal scorer but an excellent assister. Over the last 3 seasons he has scored 31 league goals and assisted 24, Russel has scored 30 and assisted 11 (which would probably increase as he gets older, and also playing in a better team may up his averages).
Hooper by the way over the last 3 seasons has scored 63 and assisted 21.
League stats only from ESPN.
Pabloh
It’s not just the big names, I didn’t see the point of Barry Robson signing but I thought Fernandes from Livingston was a freat move… Luckily I don’t scout for Celtic…
From Ma seat in the Bleachers:
Celitc ,wull Choose..
Johnny Russel as Master Hoopers Replacement
IF… HOOPS taks a Seidlitz.
Johnny has Four of the Five Tools.. that Ah demand a Capable Celtic Striker Must
Have.
Four oota Five.. Ain’t Bad.
In case ye ur Wonderin’?
Johnny , is Lackin’ in the Stature .. Dept.
Anyway
If Ah wur King..
Ah wid Sign Him.
Should.. Hooper dae the … Hop.
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
very funny on Twitter today.
Chris Graham made the schoolbhoy error of engaging with our very own James Forrest.
You can all guess the conclusion. Mr F dismantled him. Graham attempted to be a smart Alec and only proved that he was miles out of his depth in intelligence and literary skills.
If asked I’d say 5- 0 to James.
Seville67
Russel is mediocre – at best; if that is the height of our ambitions then in the immortal words of on Martin ” climb in the hearse, strap yourselves in, get a couple of bottles of port and whisky… because were going no where fast”
Brinkmanship;
1) RIFC Plc v Sevco 5088 Ltd
2) SFA v all of the other stakeholders in the Scottish professional game!
It does not please me that in some form we are back to the situation that Scottish football faced last summer, but again, Celtic fans will likely need to apply pressure upon their own club in order to ultimately force any appropriate action from the football authorities. Other clubs fans will be similarly tested.
The RIFC Plc are about to hide behind their requirement to defend imminent legal action, and will attempt to refuse to provide information and answers which may in turn prejudice its own position in such a defense. The SFA will point to this as a reasonable basis to delay indefinitely their own investigation, and the only way to protect the ‘rights’ of their associate member.
The timing of all this is no accident. Craig Whyte submitted 330pages of extremely damaging evidence to ensure that his LBA carries all of the weight which his LBC threatened it would. He was also very clearly focused on his own ‘end game’ – to extract as great a price as possible in exchange for his silence. His timing, critically, ensured that the very source of any potential compensation that he may receive, was not mortally wounded by his actions. Killing RIFC by forcing the SFA’s hand, and making them act to suspend or revoke membership, was never his plan.
RIFC Plc will no doubt soon trumpet this success as a way to kickstart the sale of season books. Their only real hope being that their business will limp forward and give false hope to their support (inclusive of those at the SFA) that normality is in reach. It is not! Normality has no place in their future, nor has I been a part of their past. They remain a fatally flawed, morally bankrupt business with some tenuous ties to a once ‘great’ Scottish institution, baggage and all.
When will this saga end?
WGS
Miku, no tae pit Too Fine a Point oan it..
is
a
Bum!
He wiz/is a Complete Waste o’ a Guid Joisey.
Bringing him tae Celtic.. wiz a Blunder of the Foist Magnitude.
We may as well hiv j Thrown a Bundle of Five Pound Notes.. intae the Clyde.
fur Kicks.,, tae watch ’em Float!
Kojo
Still..Laughin’
WGS:
That oracle of football said the same about Neil Lennon and Scott Brown. He also encourage Celtic Supporters to throw in the towel prior to ‘Helicopter Thursday’
Oh how I laughed after we won that league. After all those ‘epiphanies” and the promotion of towel throwing.
Ever since that day, and maybe before, since he asked me not to be too hard on him, I’ve thought the guy… well not to put a finer point on it… clueless.
Gedinte – 15:29 on 30 May, 2013
Great post. succintly put.
The only way this will end is if the fans of the other clubs force the SFA to take action.
But despite wishing it different there seems no desire to kill them off.
kevjungle – murdo’s 4-2 winner = the best since lisbon
13:24 on 30 May, 2013
Sorry, had work to do.
I liked the old Jungle too, but it’s gone mate.
We are where we are, we either get on and enjoy what we have, or jack it in.
I’m enjoying myself, the atmosphere at Celtic Park is no where near as bad as you say, nor was the atmosphere in the 1980’s as good as you remember.
In the big games its as good now as it has ever been, and we have the GB to keep it going for the lesser ones.
Live for today buddy, yesterday is gone.
25thmay1967
Delighted to stand corrected, Sir.
Marian Price released from prison
the exiled tim
15:01 on 30 May, 2013
Barbie is built now, need to make a grill and have run out of welding rods, ah well, looks like no barbie tonight <{
————–
You could always use Ken?!
HT, brilliant.:-))))))))
PMSL
The Walter announcement is up on the LSE site.
Fishal.
Just when you think you can’t laugh any more.
The Cardigan non exec Chairman of Sevco.
Yorkbhoy
True, I try not to get too excited about transfer speculation these days! The ones I get most excited about either do not sign or flop!
dancingbhoy 15:38
and Gedinte – 15:29
Yes, well put, the both of you.
I do, however, live in hope that one day, something really will tip them over the edge. It need not even be a big thing. One day, something will befall them and Campbell Ogilvie will say: “Sorry, I can’t help this time. It’s over.”
Wonder who Sevco II will wheel out come season ticket renewal time next year – Paul McKenna as Head of Ticket Operations?
#Won’tGetFooledAgainCSC
Does anyone know whether Sandazza took SevcoFC to court for unfair dismissal or was he given a payoff?
~SPF~
ENGLISH STANDARD GRADE
Close Reading—Text
There is ONE passage and associated questions.
Read the passage carefully and then answer all the questions, which are printed below.
You should read the passages to:
understand what the writer is saying about the Investigation (Understanding—U);
analyse his choice of language, imagery and structures to recognise how he conveys the
writers’ points of view and contributes to the impact of the passage (Analysis—A);
evaluate how effectively he has achieved his purpose (Evaluation—E).
PASSAGE 1
An official spokesman, writing to the Stock Exchange, delivers Rangers International Football Club plc’s non-executive directors assessment of the independent legal investigation concluding that there was no evidence Craig Whyte had any involvement with the Rangers football club or the associated legal entities despite his claims to the contrary.
On behalf of Rangers International Football Club plc, the non-executive directors of the Company (the “Investigation Committee”) engaged the law firm Pinsent Masons LLP to investigate the connections between Craig Whyte and former and current personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Investigation”).
The Investigation was overseen by Roy Martin QC.
The Investigation concluded on 17 May 2013 and Pinsent Masons and Roy Martin QC have reported to the Investigation Committee. The Investigation Committee is satisfied that a thorough investigation was conducted despite the inherent limitations of a private inquiry.
Based on the assessment of the available evidence, the Company considers that the Investigation found no evidence that Craig Whyte had any involvement with Sevco Scotland Limited (now called The Rangers Football Club Limited), the company which ultimately acquired the business and assets of The Rangers Football Club P.L.C. from its administrators; nor which would suggest that Craig Whyte invested in The Rangers Football Club Limited or Rangers International Football Club plc, either directly or indirectly through any third party companies or vehicles.
On 28 May 2013, a letter before claim was sent to (inter alia) The Rangers Football Club Limited and Rangers International Football Club plc on behalf of Craig Whyte, Aidan Earley and (purportedly) Sevco 5088 Limited. The Rangers Football Club Limited and Rangers International Football Club plc will be preparing a robust response to the letter before claim. However, given that legal proceedings are threatened in the letter before claim, it would not be appropriate to make public any further content from the report or to comment further about the contents. Pinsent Masons’ and Roy Martin’s reports to the Company are confidential and legally privileged.
Questions on Passage 1
When answering questions use your own words as far as is reasonably possible and do not simply repeat the wording of the passage unless asked for a specific extract.
1. Paragraph 1 sets out the terms of reference of the “investigation”, “to investigate the connections between Craig Whyte and former and current personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Investigation”)”
Does the “statement” satisfy these terms of reference? If not in what respect(s) is it delinquent?
(10 Marks)
2. Show how the writer’s use of language attempts to convey the investigation has been thorough despite references to lack of access, actual or contrived, to relevant parties and information.
(5 Marks)
3. What conclusions do you think should be drawn from the facts that this statement has been issued by the company as their interpretation of the lawyers’ findings with no comment confirming or otherwise from the lawyers themselves?
(5 Marks)
4. Why do you think there is no mention of Sevco 5088 Limited until the last paragraph which references the “letter before claim”?
(5 Marks)
5. What purpose do you think is served by the use of the “letter before claim” to embargo any further content disclosure from the report?
(5 Marks)
6. Do you think the Scottish Main Stream Media or the SFA will have the gumption, motivation or sheer wit to pose these questions or will they accept what they’ve been told?
(20 Marks)
Lots of boredom already now season over..
Russell from what iv saw is good player who can play striker or left mid..will cost around 800k and wages wont be much. Id bring him in and give up on lassad and miku.
Lassad i liked but one of those signings that wont work out.
I hope hooper signs new 2yr deal on better terms and gives it one last crack with us.. Same with vic and FF. thats assuming they are considering moving on..all young enough so another season do no harm.
Keep stokes, i think not giving him contract earlier scared him into releasing after celtic its all down hill.
I need to chuck my two pence worth in as regards whether someone is a Celtic man or not….. If you read this blog almost daily and are concerned for the best interests of all thing Celtic …. For me that’s all that matters….
Through our lives , circumstances / finances/ locations and therefore priorities change all the time these may effect outwardly how much we are able to support our team but nothing changes how we feel in our hearts about Celtic !!
Anyhoo that’s my opinion and why I try not to judge others as I do not know how things are for them at any point in their lives
Hail hail and KTF
celtic_first
15:49 on 30 May, 2013
dancingbhoy 15:38
and Gedinte – 15:29
One thing that might well finish them of is their own fans not renewing season tickets.
The spivs will only stay interested if there is money coming in.
Rumour also this morning from Gregory Ionnadis(spelling?) that UEFA are starting to take an interest, words like fairness and justice being used.
the spirit of arthur lee
15:40 on 30 May, 2013
Marian Price released from prison
/–
Great news.
Heard colin duffy aressted again.. Disgrace what he is being put through.
Tony Watt :
“I’ve not been playing to I feel I need to prove myself all over again. I’m hoping I get the chance in pre-season games. Being left out of the Cup Final was a low for me but it’s just one of those things. What was said between me & the manager, will stay between us. Could I be doing more? I don’t know. That’s not for me to say. Hoops & Stoksey tell me to keep my head up, they’ve really helped me improve myself.”- Tony Watt.
HT
I wondered who would be the first >}
Just going to get one made instead, a tenner and a beer, should be ready in about an hour.
Barbie is back on !!!
HH
So, walturd is non-exec charman of sevco now …….. They got £10m for season tickets last year, so, circa the same this season …… With operating costs of £12m alone, will be interesting year ahead……
STV Sport @STVSport 3m Via @STVRaman Malcolm Murray to remain on Rangers board as a non-executive director.
So have Myth and Murray just swapped places ? Joke of a club.
yorkbhoy
Harald Brattbakk played 155 times for Rosenborg and scored 146 goals. That is a phenomenal record and if we were linked with a player with a similar goalscoring record, we would all be slavering over the possibility of this player signing with us.
He also had a pretty good record when he returned to Rosenborg, 104 in 127 games.
Henrik Larsson on the other hand scored 42 goals in 149 games with Feyenoord although his record at Helsingborgs was much better with 51 goals from 61 games.
Had it been a straight up choice, I think most would have went for the Norwegian goal machine.
Not scientific but it does seem that some players just fit in at certain clubs and its where they are meant to be. Gary Hooper may take some time over any decision he has to make as he may never have it as good somewhere else.
Mort
hailhail Paul
I am a Croybhoy and thanks for the mention in today’s blog.
There were no doubt some great supporters who went to every game no matter the situation. Yhes they are the True Supporter. hail hail
this is what david murray has been at all along, his his puppet
has now been put in place and will be guided by it’s master till
the new king is installed and the 20 million owed to dave would be king will have been settled.
Anyone going to renew their season ticket or going to Celtic park for any other reason,London road has reopened again, just in time for the close season
If HMRC win at the upper tier tribunal, it would be advised to take a close look at Craigy’s 300-odd pages of evidence. The Scottish media might not bat an eyelid at the SFA pretending all is well, but if HMRC get a sniff that assets worth millions were incorrectly transferred out of Rangers before it died and may still belong to the liquidated club, it may go back into battle.
Anyone looking to relocate their seats can do so as of this Sunday.
TO is open from 10am-4pm.
~SPF~
TSOAL Delighted with the news, it goes without saying that she should never have been imprisoned in the first place. For her own sake I hope she comes South and lives out her life in peace. If she stays first opportunity they get, they will pick her up again.
These players are all the same hair today gone tomorrow.