I’ve spoken to a few Rangers fans over recent months, the base line of acceptability has been redrawn many times. If you read back on what was presented as reality on 13 February, when Craig Whyte announced that while it was “business as usual” he applied to the court for a 10 day period to appoint an administrator.
Back then, administration was abhorrent, but suggestions of liquidation were regarded as outrageous. On 22 February Celtic Quick News asked questions about Improper Registration of Football players, was it possible that Rangers results would have to be re-written as 3-0 defeats for a decade or more?
In March Rangers director (still, I believe) Dave King sent out a new baseline, liquidation was inevitable but there was no question that titles would be taken off Rangers. Even this concession to liquidation was disputed by the Blue Knight and Duff and Phelps. Publicly, both still hold to this line, although Duff and Phelps use some creative ideas to get there.
Most now know that liquidation is inevitable. A few understand that the SPL inquiry into player registration is likely to result in five or more league titles being reallocated to Celtic, but I don’t hear anyone accepting the reality of the situation.
Rangers don’t have a buyer, primarily as the administrators don’t have a stadium they can sell. Even if they try to remain in administration for next season, Ticketus own the majority of their income. It will cost countless millions to pull a deal together, much more than the £11.2m Bill Miller considered putting on the table, and no one is coming up with that kind of money.
In the unlikely event these problems are resolved, whatever club emerged would have to deal with the fallout from players refusing to join a Newco and becoming free agents, football fines debts from Oldco, SFA penalties, Newco penalties if preferential treatment is provided in order to get them into a higher league, and SPL penalties for Improper Registration of Players.
There are two simple solutions. Form a new club, ask to share Firhill or Love St – or better still, rent Cathkin Park (reset ambition for Rangers as the new Third Lanark), and apply for entry to the Scottish Football League. Alternatively, co-opt a lower league club, maybe Airdrie United could help, rename it and spend however many years as it takes trying to acquire whatever parts of Ibrox survives liquidation.
This is a controlled and predictable way forward, a concept not delivered by Duff and Phelps, totally in the control of whoever wants to harvest fallout from the demise of the Rangers brand.
You can buy a hard copy of the new issue of CQN Magazine via Magcloud here.
The graphic below is just for a flick through, to read the magazine go here to it’s dedicated site.
1,122 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 30
- »
Awe_Naw – nothing has happened yet. What are the board to comment on? NewCo being readmitted to the SPL? Nobody has even applied for a share transfer, they don’t even have a preferred bidder anymore to set up a NewCo to instigate a share transfer.
Are the Celtic board to put out a big statement detailing their view on every possibility for the situation?
Celtic will make a statement, and take action, when it is time to do so.
Nothing has happened yet…..
If you spent any time at all on their sites you will see that even an Irishy sounding name and a vocation are enough to get you onto a list. Naming people you suspect of being anti-Rangers is a good way to see their names added to their – to contact – lists. I kid you not.
The way it seems to be unfolding, I believe that there is little need for the hierarchy at Celtic FC to become too robustly and publically involved in the car crash in Govan.
Irrespective of any input we may have to offer at the moment, Der Hun are over halfway along their particular plank, and the sharks are circling hungrily beneath them.
There will be ample time for our Board to take them to task should the unlikely happen and they look like avoiding the inevitable lingering death. But for now I am inclined to give them plenty of rope to hang themselves, and simply enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of the Winners Enclosure.
RogueLeader on 9 May, 2012 at 11:08 said:
With the utmost respect If you don’t read my posts or can´t retain what I have said or fail to seek clarification from my recent posts then there is no point to debate.
HAil Hail
Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy – the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.
Eric Hoffer
miki67 on 9 May, 2012 at 11:00 said:
Monaghan1900 on 9 May, 2012 at 10:14 said:
>>>
FollyFolly types are mentally regressed after years of swallowing the bile that has its roots in the ethos of the shankhill butchers mindset.
And for Glasgow City Council to continue to allow Orange parades to flourish is a disgrace and shows up Scotland for the backwater it is rapidly becoming.
This blatant,and apparently acceptable anti-catholic/irish bogotry is on a par with the worst excesses of racism.
Re. Orange parades and G.C.C.
Excellent point.
How dare they?
Auldheid
There is little that we as fans can do to stop this. The SFA/SPL will ensure that Rangers will still be in the SPL next season and UEFA will do nothing to stop it.
The football establishment will do what is necessary to protect Rangers.
I personally doubt that there will be sanctions of any significance.
I could not understand the rejoicing over Millers withdrawal because it effectively lowered the price for other bidders.
I am enjoying laughing at he current situation albeit tempered with a realisation of the outcome.
I’m afraid at the end of this process a lot of Celtic fans will come to earth with a bump when they realise what is going to happen. Rangers will walk away from their debt, be in the SPL and may not have any meaningful sanctions.
They may have to operate at a level below the past but that will not mean winning the league is out of the question.
kitalba on 9 May, 2012 at 11:08 said:
Really hope I`m on their list.
A badge of honour.
Before we get too carried away, it looks like that Sun article may be close to the truth after all … the next 24-48 hrs crucial in this gameplay
Paul 67
“I Would Love It. Just Love It!”
If, You are right.
But, This is Nazi/Scotland and, we’re the Jews!
To think of this backwater place with, NO RFC(IA), would be like trying to picture this place with, NO Orange Walks in July ?
Oh, btw….I think the RTC ghuy is…..Gerry(James McGrory-Medal) McNee!
Hail Hail
Brilliant stuff Paul, but do you really think they will be totally gone. My feelings are that the rules will be changed to accommodate them in the SP Hell.
Also a million congrtaulations to Lenny, Charlie and wee Jamesy, oh how desreved is that.
What a team ,eh.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Awe_Naw – I do read your posts. In your last post to me you said “the board need to communicate”. Hence my post. There is nothing to communicate about yet
Craiginho- HMRC must be interested in Millers’ spokesman alluding to Duff & Duffer not telling him the full extent of the damage.Trying to sell a pup to a potential buyer at this stage of the game? They might try and get these clowns removed asap.PS-Personally i think they are doing a fine job :}
Maybe huns can be re-branded as Rancid Disunited
KINGLuBO
In the past week it has been very clear to all and sundry that certain supposedly neutral folks in the world of Scottish fitba have been “preparing the ground” to accept a newco into the SPL
Financial reality is more important than integrity, being the reasons given.
Neil Doncaster of the SPL is one of the ground preparers
Michael Johnston the Killie chairman is another prominent advocate
There are a few more in positions of power and just about every single pundit and know all in the MSM joined in the clamour.
The Board of Chairmen, of the SPL had a meeting to discuss newco rules
I stress at this time that the newco rules were not special rules for RFC1872 they were to be newco rules for future liquidation events that might affect any club.
However RFC1872 declined to attend and the mighty board of the SPL apparently agreed to delay their vote, for two reasons
1) So that the responsibility for any rule changes could be transferred from a committee to all of the clubs. Since the rules were not specific to RFC1872 and applied to all newco applications RFC1872 were entitled to contribute to that debate.
2) So that RFC1872 could participate, although I cant understand that, since they were already invited to attend and had declined.
It looks to me that in their undue haste to prepare the ground for a hun newco, they have been left quite exposed with their knickers doon and you have got to consider their credibility (as if they ever had any to begin with!) They will all be remembered as the folks who placed cash over integrity, (sounds a bit like MPs expenses) as they chased the orange bigots pound. But the Orange pound didn’t arrive did it……
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 on 9 May, 2012 at 10:19 said:
>>>>
What a post! That was absolutely brilliant,man. You epitomise all that is great about us.
I am always proud to be known as a Tim when I travel,and where I live,and am always,yes always,greeted with welcome & warmth.
Sometimes this can still surprise me as it is still a different matter in Glasgow,and growing up there,a Tim & a Celt,could be hazardous.
Even now,when I visit Glasgow,I am careful.
However,your post has made my day.
Maximum respect to you.
RL
You have made me think
I think this is the tenth time I have posted this and never got a reaction
Is it the English maybe ?
I dont see what is wrong in asking for more clarification from the authorities when obvious rules are broken and exceptional activities arise. Putting it on the record so to speak. But no it is clandestine politburo stuff. To do so would be the correct thing to do an it would help to communicate our position without saying much at all but we are not even afforded that respect Why ?
Leading to the inevitable perception of unnecessary subordination. Confidence is gone forever with regards the footballing authorities. They will be wishing for the good old days of the referee strike.
Celtic keeping quiet until the ftt good. Ftt going into Millers/Ng CVA pot bad.
Voting in an election that is a tax fraud and a big un .
CELTIC ARE YOU KIDDING ?
Hail Hail
monteblanco
If its won fairly and squarely why should there be any measures to stop that happening?
As soon as it is apparent any newco hasn’t enough time to set up for next season I would go to a 14 team top league asap.
The perception of our game is bad enough and when one of the ‘big two’ goes bust it will nosedive further.
Living out of Scotland has made me realise that there are actually people out there who are of the mindset that any competitive football that takes place in England must be of a higher standard than anything in Scotland. Why is that?
Take one look at the Championship, League one and League two. There are 24 teams in each division, some of them must be good! In reality theres a lot of dross on offer in the Premiership outwith the top 6 but glamourise it a bit and look what happens.They certainly sell their product better(League two being the old Division 4, remember) whilst we have stood still.
A 14 team top league with a split after 26 games wouldn’t solve all the problems but would provide a bit of variety and help improve the perception of our league as being ‘small’ and inconseqential. At least try it for a couple of seasons, because when the huns go bust something will have to be done to offset the damage to the league, perceived or otherwise.
HH
leftclicktic on 9 May, 2012 at 10:23 said:
Two BELTERS from RTC night shift posters. :)))))
from FF earlier (oh how i wish I could have claimed copyright on this) Nuff n Helps!
………………………………………………..
Has anyone nominated RFC(IA) and it’s fans for the Darwin Awards yet?
Natural Selection at it’s very best.
========================================
Never mind nominated, it should be given to them in perpetuity and “retired”!!!
I don’t think the board ‘need’ to communicate, but I think it would be of value and comfort if they at least came out in public and stated that they were ‘one hundred percent behind sporting integrity’. It is not as though they haven’t said it before.
aldersyde avenue on 9 May, 2012 at 11:13 said:
That scenario would not be accepted by Celtic supporters in general if this blog is a reasonable guage of the depth of feeling of our fellow Tims.
I think it is.
O.G.Rafferty on 9 May, 2012 at 11:14 said:
Before we get too carried away, it looks like that Sun article may be close to the truth after all … the next 24-48 hrs crucial in this gameplay
————————————————————————————————-
I would of course qualify my comments on discussing any article in the Sun is of course that is will be a load of bull****.
However if I was CW I would get one of my cronies to submit a bid now at the last minute. They could then put a CVA proposal together that would obviously fail and move on to a liquidation saying look we tried to save it but failed. On to newco scenario.
Same result the big L but coming out as a hero not a villain.
Ray wilkins charged with drink driving today
wee turd !
O.G.Rafferty
Expand please por cierto…
http://sport.stv.tv/blog/98845-celtic-honour-andre-blackman-after-unintentionally-taking-out-neil-lennon/?
Brogan, Rogan, Trevino and Hogan at 10:19
Another belter. What a way you have with words, sir. Brilliant, truly brilliant.
Awe_Naw – I understand your viewpoint, and I see what you are posting but….
We are literally talking about a hypothetical situation.
No vote has been made or proposed yet. No share transfer requested. Nobody, including D&P, even know if any of that will happen, a situation no clearer than Feb 14th. It is looking more remote by the day. FTT hasn’t returned. SPL investigation hasn’t completed.
Genuine question, what do you want the Celtic board to say? What situation are they to communicate on?
Once the tainted titles are stripped I will feel justice has been done.
If they go bust they go bust. Looks like it will happen now.
I suspect there will be some kind of Zombie Rangers but they will take years to even get to where we are maybe even decades.
What is vital is that the years of cheating using EBT’s must be punished. I was 10 years old when Celtic won the double in 1988. It was an amazing experience. I didn’t miss too many games and was loving the whole experience of Celtic winning trophies. I went along to the Wildcat ‘Celtic Story’ at the Pavilion theatre with my parents and we were there the night after we won the Scottish Cup. It was fantastic. I thought this is how it would always be.
You only got highlights on the TV if it were a big match so I wanted to be there every week and I was. 1989 was not a good year but it wasn’t too bad. We won the Scottish cup and stopped Rangers from winning the treble.
Never in a million years could I have imagined the pain that followed. 6 years of nothing. 6 years of Rangers gloating. 6 years of standing up for myself and supporting the club to the hilt to laughter and wads of money being waved at us on motorways whilst travelling to see my beloved Celts.
That one cup win under Tommy Burns. The pain of Raith Rovers was nothing compared with our club almost going out of existence. We knew the good times were coming back we just had to be patient.
The 9-in-a-row. More pain!
We finally excercised the demon under Wim and won the league but even that success was short lived as he left the club soon after the league was sewn up!
I was now 20 years old and saw my club win the league twice in a decade. Did my passion for Celtic waver? Did I consider not going? Did I give up my season ticket when we were signing nobody? When we were losing games regularly and finishing 5th?
We have come through much worse. We have suffered more than any other football fan in this country. We support a team who should win trophies yearly but in the last 25 years we have probably lost more finals than any other club. We are still there.
It’s apparent that our rivals haven’t been playing by the rules. They have been spending money that is not theirs. Referees have given many a questionable decision against us but we are still there.
We are there because there is a passion for a football team that play in a hooped green and white jersey. It’s a feeling that can’t be described. Only a Tim can feel that shiver down their spine when the team runs out at Paradise under the floodlights against a European giant.
We do NOT give up. Our club will never walk alone. We will always be there. I have heard all this before from supporters of our club. We had 50 members on our bus the season we were going to stop 9-in-a-row and we failed. 60% said they wouldn’t be back. The next season I called our AGM and we had 60 members. People always say they are not going back but do. There is a magnitism to this club. It draws you in. You try to forget about Celtic for 3 weeks in the summer and you can’t. It draws you in again.
Who are we signing? When are the pre-season matches? Is there a new jersey out? Let’s drive up to Paradise to mill around.
Don’t worry about a smaller crowd at Paradise. The fans will always be there.
Justice must be done though for the pain of my teenage years and of a decade and more for everyone else. The cheating must be recognised. It must be corrected and more importantly we want an apology.
The SFA MUST apologise.
The SPL MUST apologise.
Rangers (IA) MUST apologise.
The Scottish game was dragged through the mud and they must be punished and apologise for that.
I remember rejoicing when they lost to Marseille and then the charge of Marseille cheating was mooted by Rangers. It sounded like they were gutted they hadn’t thought of it themselves.
We must never let the club down and I know that people will be back next season. Don’t go to away matches if you choose not to but get behind the Bhoys at Paradise!
LB
Por Cierto, 11:26
It’s as the Sun said, more or less. He’s in talks about a CVA with English-based business men
With apologies to Mister Zimmerman:
Everybody’s waiting to see this Celtic team,
Some are praying fervently, some just stand and scream.
Everybody’s in despair
Every ghirl and bhoy, but when
Vic67 runs out,
Everybody’s gonna jump for joy.
Come all without come on the ‘Tic,
You’ll not see nothing like the
Mighty Vic.
Shoulders hewn from ancient rock,
Legs like a rhino bull
Heart of a lion, heart of an ox,
Tall as a tower block.
Everybody’s in despair
Every ghirl and bhoy,
But when Vic67 runs out,
Everybody’s gonna jump for joy.
Come all without,come on the ‘Tic
You’ll not see nothing like the Mighty Vic!
HH
M
A request please.
Will you lot stop going on about your gradfathers being in lisbon and Milan, I was there and you’re giving me a complex.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Just found out my brother Dave has Alzheimers. Hope it doesn’t run in the family because my brother Dave has it as well
What a momentous day….one we’ll never forget….bookmarked for ever….when my grandkids ask me “Where were you grandpappy the day RogueLeader bitch slapped Awe naw no annoni oan anaw noo?”
Re Cathkin – I wonder if R@nkers already own the land as I remember in the late 60’s it was Lawrence who built the surrounding houses
Song for next week
“There’s no team CALLED the Glasgow Rxxxxxs ……”
Liquidation definately
But Whytey will come back to front a newco with no debt albeit not much of a team but still in spl
No one will buy them with all this debt but we are kidding ourselves if we dont believe there are people out there who wont buy a debt free hun for £30/35m Whytey leaves with £10m and new owners can spend £6/7m a year on new players
It wont take them long, 2/3years , before they are strong again
Just my take on situation !
A lot more to it but essentially it’s right.
Whyte’s knights
By KENNY McALPINE and ROBERT GRIEVE
Published: Today at 00:00
CRAIG WHYTE was last night on the verge of striking a deal with a wealthy British football consortium.
SunSport understands the businessmen are now front-runners to land Rangers — after US tow-truck tycoon Bill Miller pulled out.
We can reveal majority shareholder Whyte, 41, WILL deal with the consortium, made up of a number of people with experience from clubs in the Premiership.
Sources say they DON’T want to liquidate the club and plan to exit administration through a CVA.
An insider said: “The consortium is being led by football people with experience at the highest level in the game. They’ve serious money and most importantly it looks as though they have the blessing of Whyte.
“Talks took place all yesterday afternoon and things have been moving quite quickly.
“It is understood an agreement with Whyte is 90% in place.
“The people involved know about Rangers and their history and liquidation is not what they want. They want to exit administration through a CVA.
“The most important thing is that is seems Craig Whyte is keen to work with them.”
The surprise bid does NOT involve Brian Kennedy or the Blue Knights.
Kennedy — in New York on business — was last night stunned by Miller’s withdrawal.
The Sale Sharks chief told SunSport: “I’m speechless. I need to take time to reflect on things.”
Duff and Phelps revealed two other foreign bids have been lodged as they chase a buyer for the club.
Miller’s exit has left them under serious pressure to deliver.
Tennessee-based Miller yesterday insisted a supporters’ backlash was a major factor behind his decision to walk away.
And his advisor Jon Pritchett last night told SunSport: “The negativity wasn’t the only reason but it was a contributing factor.
“I know it’s a minority, but a group of people have used email and other social media to make it clear that they don’t want Bill involved.
“I’m talking about things like: ‘Yank go home.’ With the expletives that were included, I think that surprised Bill.
“I liken it to a situation where your house is burning down, the fire truck arrives and you yell at the fireman to get off your lawn as it’s your property.” Club9 Sports chief Pritchett slammed claims Miller had no intention of following through with his bid.
He said: “I just don’t know how anyone in their right mind could say he wasn’t serious.
“He hired quite a few advisors and spent quite a bit of time.
“He’s just bought a brand new yacht, but put off a trip to the Caribbean so he could work on this.
“I don’t understand anyone who would criticise a man who decided to spend six-eight weeks working day and night to determine whether or not he wanted to sink a lot of money into the club and turn it around. Doing it in Scotland wouldn’t have been any more valuable than doing here in the States.
“Bill is big on not wasting time on ceremony, speeches and appearances. He’s a direct guy. He’s about doing the work.
“His view was that until he was satisfied, there was no reason to go over for the pomp and circumstance of an appearance.”
Miller’s withdrawal left Gers skipper Steven Davis stunned — and fearing there could be even MORE problems at Ibrox.
Davis said: “Maybe he’s seen something the rest of us don’t know. Time will tell.”
“Hopefully we can get some kind of conclusion before we break up for the summer on Sunday.”
SPL chief Neil Doncaster also pleaded for clarity — but said the SPL were powerless.
He said: “Control is in the hands of the bidders and Duff & Phelps. The 11 clubs and the SPL would clearly prefer clarity.”
The public reaffirmation of one’s commitment to publicly promote and protect a virtue is in itself a virtue. Nobody, without malice, could belittle a statement by confirming their lifelong dedication to the concept.
BTW… What is Leggat on about when he says that Celtic’s Lawyers (on the behest of the SPL) are actively probing the extent of the abuse of EBT’s?
Craig Whyte can’t come back with a Newco football team in Scotland; he’s banned sine die.
Kit
He is referring to the fact that the lawyers commissioned by the SPL to investigate the allegations have represented Celtic.