Schisms, corralling the message

Aberdeen are on the kind of downward spiral which is difficult to arrest, but there’s more going on that we know about publicly. I would be amazed if their recent run, four defeats and a draw in five games, after winning their opening eight league games, was all to do with matters on the park.

They are a team who look to be in schism. If so, Celtic Park is the perfect venue to pull together. You raise your game at Celtic Park in a way which isn’t likely in Dingwall. Whatever differences that exist will be set aside, we’ll need to be on our game to win.

Craig Whyte’s bankrupt, unable to pay Ticketus the £18m damages they won against him. Craig’s financial strength was plain for all to see, as he made regular trips north on Easyjet in his worn-out attire, owning up to the fact he couldn’t fund the bank repayment, until a clever knight put him onto Ticketus.

Charles Green was equally transparent. Relying on shares-for-backing deals with pliable ‘legends’. Now we have Dave King, overwhelmingly dependent on PR and a compliant media, while the rest of the world is sticking dates in the calendar. The most common question I’m asked these days is “When’s it going to happen?” It’s no longer a matter of “if” it’s going to happen.

The re-writing of history, evident today, will be rolled out again in due course. “We told you about him”, they will scream. Aye, sure you did. You also made it all possible, just as you did with Green, Whyte and Murray.

The trade in favours, exclusive stories, substances and team-handed loose-limbed 60 minute acquaintances, deployed to sustain the project and corral the message over the years is legend. Truly legend. Fraternity on this level takes more than money, a business lunch or a game of golf.  If that’s how you think the game is played, these guys will leave you standing.  Shed tears for none of them.

The books which will be written when the guilty are dead will sell millions.

Ghirls for Good

Ladies, sign up for this year’s Celtic Foundation Ghirls for Good Christmas lunch.  I’m told it’s a riot and one of the best days of the year at Celtic Park……  More here.