I received a text early evening on 18th August last year: “Gongalves starts”. Former Hearts player, Jose Gongalves, was one of a handful of players FC Sion signed illegally in the summer 2011 transfer window and he had been named to start against Celtic in the Europa League qualifier, first leg.
As a contest, the tie was over. There followed two matches with considerable effort and drama from both teams but the eventual outcome was, literally, never in doubt, the courts would have their way. Sion would be expelled from the competition and Celtic would progress to the group stage.
Today Celtic’s only remaining competitor from the chasing pack for the SPL title is up in court to face the HM Revenue and Customs. The courts will have their way again but although you may feel the outcome of Rangers tax case is inevitable (I do), the impact on this season’s league championship is less assured. Should they lose, Rangers have the option to appeal, postponing any negative impact on the company until next season at the earliest.
If Rangers have, or can generate, enough cash to keep the lights on this season the league will be nip and tuck until the end of the season. The tax case will attract most attention but if you are looking for indications of how the season is likely to go, keep an eye open for cash related incidents.
Well done to Rangers’ broadcast partner, STV, for their story this morning on SPL discipline. They report the Ibrox club have the worst disciplinary record in the league, having accumulated a total of 41 bookings, contrasting starkly with the cool class at Celtic Park who are best behaved in the league with only 20 bookings.
With Beram Kayal out for the season Ki Sung-Yeung is the Celtic player closest to a suspension, a further three yellow cards would put the Korean over the threshold. Rangers have Lafferty one booking, Edu and Bocanegra two, with Goian, Broadfoot, Bartley and Whittaker all three away from a suspension. Lee McCulloch has only been booked twice this season but shows enormous potential.
You can order a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 5, with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing. Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to elsewhere. Click on the link below to order.
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Bawsman
The debt, if the FTT comes down on the side of Hecter will be for Tax & fine (expected 24M tax cheared plus 12M fine). The penalty will be negotiated at a new tribuneral. This was at the request of Rangers/MIH and is expected to fall anywhere between 12M and 15M.
MWD
.
Bourne..
What is the Guiness World record for People in a Phone Box (The Red UK Ones)..btw the Yanks Hold the Record..So think About it..
Summa ft AmericanSquashCSC
up_over_goal says:
16 January, 2012 at 12:27
I would assume for an individual that would be the case but for something on this scale and the time that it’s taken to get it to court then it could be what Paul67 has stated.
If it is an Edinburgh jury this could get interesting. Can you get a not proven verdict in a tax case?
LB
Vogue
Rutherglen sized.
DBBIA
Parsnips again yesterday Christmas really is beginning to drag now
Paul67
Nefarious
Craig Whyte and Rangers. Never!!!
MWD
Summa
Ha – that’s a trick question
*buys time to google*
STV is showing part 2 of daft detective series feat Kelly Reilly at 9pm this evening.
Thanks Moonbeams………………….Tough eh? ;-)
I’d have thought all parties will have a fair idea of the outcome by Wednesday PM
Does anyone else think (like me) Whyte will fold before 31st Jan?
Paul 67
Now have all 5 copies of CQn magazine and I feel I must reiterate earlier comments on 1 to 4. Fantastic quality and quantity and the MSM (sic) are
quite clearly just hanging onto your coat-tails
Well done to you and all involved and very interesting that CFC advertise in the mags :-)). They must know a winner when they see it!!
Can’t wait to see the next step for CQN
BRT&H Used your excellent link for the text donation service
Sydney Tim I posted the other night and not wishing to rake over old ground but you said “the huns were only 2 points behind” however
it was not that long ago our young hoops were 15 behind them so IMHO not a bad effort for a team sceaming out for a CF & a CH
#justsayinlike
#17pointswing
Come on you Bhoys in Green
Hail Hail
Stephen with a “ph”
Parsnips sont les courgettes d’hiver.
Maks sense tae me, and it maks sense tae Mo.
Paul67
I posted a piece yesterday on the Rangers players closest to a suspension
By my calculations Edu will be suspended for Hibs visit to Ibrox on the 28th having accumulated 6 bookings which automatically incurs a 1 game ban?
Paul67, HamiltonTim et al – plus the right to appeal is not automatic and it can be denied by the First Tier Tribunal if it is deemed to be purely a stalling tactic. As I recall the basis of the appeal must be due to technical errors in the original case. I think this may be one of the reason HMRC have been proceeding quite slowly. Making sure everything was ‘right and proper’ and ‘on the level’, as some might say.
hamiltontim says:
16 January, 2012 at 12:15
‘Paul67
I thought that if they lose the tax case then HMRC will demand instant payment. Rangers could and would appeal but they would have to pay the debt immediately.’
If HMRC win they can insist that the disputed amount is lodged on deposit before an appeal is allowed to proceed but they don’t normally insist on this if it would result in the party becoming insolvent.
I suppose they could ask for a smaller amount to be lodged.
Maybe a pound.
Paul67
As a further aside, Goian is also 1 yellow away from a ban
More from last nights Golden Globes
Paul67
When rangers were 15 points in front the HMRC case was never mentioned and the Laptop Loyal fell over themselves to congratulate the players for not being distracted by off-field matters.
Now that we are in front, they print a story every day about the HMRC case and money problems.
No matter what happens, if Celtic win the League Neil Lennon will never receive the acclaim due.
HH
dontratt –
I thought parsnip was when Dunfermline recently reduced their ground capacity (then quickly restored it when they saw the colour of our Celtic money)
can you forward me your moby number by text
John
Inter bid €25m for Tevez
Anybody else done the survey on the Official Celtic Facebook page?
It would appear that they are finally looking at creating a fans forum. There is also a opportunity to rate the current website and add comments.
Celticquicknews also gets a mention when the question is asked on the forums you view.
I would suggest all supporters take part. It’s our club. You can also win a signed jersey.
LB
Estonian right-back Enar Jaager, 27, jetted into Glasgow determined to land the biggest deal of his life at Rangers. The 84-capped defender is a free agent after spending last season with Norwegian side Aalesunds.
I assume he has never been paid more than a Grand a week before… :)
.
Bourne..
*Waiting*..Call a Friend..? No Dibbia will be Busy..
Summa
Son of Dan It we win the league Lennie will get the acclaim of the Worlwide Celtic support and Neil will be delighted with that.Outside the Celtic family he will never get any acclaim even if we won the Champions league so no point worrying about it as it has allways been that way and allways will be that way in this Bigoted wee Country.H.H.
ASonOfDan says:
16 January, 2012 at 12:46
Nah, he’s also a part-time tax litigation expert.
McCart delight as young Celts sign new deals
By: Mark Henderson on 16 Jan, 2012 08:40
THE Celtic Youth Academy is delighted to have secured two of the club’s brightest prospects on professional contracts.
Michael Miller, a regular at right-back for the Under-19s this season since moving up from the U17s, has penned a two-and-a-half year deal.
And Jamie Lindsay, who remains eligible for the U17s but has been involved in U19s squad, and played in games for the Development Side, has signed a three-year contract.
Both of the youngsters have been part of the club’s Academy since the age of 10, and Celtic’s Head of Youth, Chris McCart, was thrilled that they have agreed to continue their development at the club.
Speaking to the official Celtic website, he said: “They have signed their first professional contract so we are delighted.
“Michael is an under-18 and Jamie is an under-17, but both have been in our Academy since the age of 10, so we’re delighted they have made the progress through.
“Michael has progressed into the NextGen games and played all the U19s games this year.
“Jamie has been consistent with the 17s and has been involved with the 19s, and he’s also played a few Development side games recently. So they are two exciting players we are delighted to have signed up.”
The announcement follows the news that young keeper, Robbie Thomson, has agreed a new two-and-a-half year deal.
Last month, Joe Chalmers, Marcus Fraser, John Herron and Paul George also extended their stay in Paradise for a further three years.
Fraser, George, along with Dylan McGeouch and Filip Twardzik, also earned their first-team debuts recently.
Delighted by those developments, McCart also praised the manager for giving the young players their opportunity.
“It’s a very good batch of young players who have all been involved with the 19s, the Development Squad and have had a taste of the first-team as well,” he said.
“The Academy is a strategic part. We have to develop the players and move them on, and the manager has been fantastic by giving them opportunity to train with them, and putting them on the bench. He has given also four young players their debut this year.
“So there is real light at the end of the tunnel in that they know if they put their head down and work hard and catch the manager’s eye, then they could get an opportunity.”
However, McCart stressed that the players need to maintain that same work-rate and commitment to make the next level.
“When young players get either their first or second contract, they are on the second rung of the ladder and the next phase is probably the most crucial,” he explained.
“They need to start working on getting their next contract. It’s the same with all young players. They can’t rely on what happened last week or last season, they need to make sure they keep on progressing.
“But they all seem to be very sensible with a great attitude and technically they are very good. We hope this commitment from the club will give them the assurance and belief to develop along the way and hopefully progress into the first-team.”
Having Academy graduates becoming key members of the top-team squad remains the ultimate objective, and McCart believes the example of James Forrest serves as a marker for the next batch aiming to make the breakthrough.
“We’ve got a real good group now starting to come through,” he said. “We just hope they can emulate a James Forrest. It’s great they are making their debuts and getting involved.
“But you really need the consistency – making sure they can be an actual choice in the squad, playing every week for the first-team and racking up their appearances – that’s what we are looking for.
“James Forrest is in that process just now, where you can say he’s an integral part of the first-team, and that’s what the young players have to try and emulate now.”
Joe Filippis Haircut
Very True.
Anyone got an idea what the hell is going on here? I am positive Lomas stated that rangers had contacted Sandaza direct through another Agent. It seems Mr Jagger wants a slice of the pie right now…
Francisco Sandaza has not turned down a pre-contract offer from Rangers, because they are yet to make him one, according to his agent.
Clive Jagger told BBC Scotland on Monday no serious contract talks have taken place with any club.
“I’m meeting the player and his father today in Spain,” said Jagger.
“He can’t reject something he hasn’t been offered. I’ve had a couple of chats with Ally McCoist and he asked if Fran would be interested in signing.”
Jagger added that it went without saying that his client would be interested in a move to a club of Rangers’ stature.
Son of Dan
Nobody cared that we were in the grubber in the 90’s when the majestic super Rangers were romping to titles.
They can dress it up all they want but it will be our victory. I would go after the tainted titles too. If it took millions of pounds I couldn’t care less if justice was done.
LB
Summa
12?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS – And here was me presuming you were pleased at my perspicacity in procuring a plethora of podium prizes. (thumbsup)
Let me know when the BBC are reporting that Southampton have met our £35,000,000 evaluation of Gary Hooper.
NotforSaleCSC
On the “appeal”.
My understanding is that there are two issues arising out of an appeal.
1) It has to be based on a point of law. In other words, they can’t just appeal cause they didn’t like the result. They need a solid point of law, some kind of defect in procedure, or the appeal will be dismissed almost immediately as frivilous. The RTC guy believes they amount of of slithering they’ve done over the Wee Tax Bill will cause judges to examine any appeal with great skepticism.
2) Craig Whyte has now twice hinted that there will be NO appeal.
Why am I inclined to believe him on this? Simple. it is not in his best interests to stay here beyond the end of the season. He is already running out of the money he needs to keep Rangers afloat. They will, in all likelyhood, not qualify for a European license next season regardless of the FTT outcome. It is in his interests that this is not blamed on him, and so he will want to speed things along.
He is already angry the FTT did not declare already. Had they done so at the start of the year, as they were reported to be ready to, until the delay, things would have crystalised already and he could have used the January window to sell players and raise the funds needed for his own escape.
Now he’s praying for a verdict one way or the other by season’s end, and he would prefer he knew the outcome before the end of this month.
This guy does not WANT this issue dragging out over another year. He needs closure. Every day he spends at the helm, he is pouring money down the drain.
philvis
some nifty new nicely done alteration there (ツ)
There’d be no need for the Shame to formalise the relationship with Shortbread, even allowing for the odd huff and pantomime flounce, the people and ‘understanding’ are already in place there, has been for decades……where would the incremental commercial benefit be?…..
The tie-up with RTV tho’ – odd.
First time poster, long time reader.
Livi Bhoy:
Well said. We’ll never get them, no chance, but doesn’t change the fact we should.
Still staggers me the amount of orcs who cant seem to see how they literally cheated their way into those titles.
Personally I’m just looking forward to a broken forces of darkness crest being on the front page of the laptop loyals own pages.
I might get it laminated.
Hail hail
LiviBhoy
It is the ONE thing I really want, is the Five titles to be stripped from along with one of their tainted stars…
I wonder, when the tax case finally nails Them, how the MSM will report it.
I wonder if it will be suggested that they ‘only’ cheated to the tune of the £24m assessment?
I wonder if it will be reported that to provide a like-for-like take home pay to players, they would have had to pay out nearly £50m more than they did during the EBT period?
I wonder if it will ever be mentioned, at all, that They accrued much higher figures than either of those above from Champions League participation due to the alleged EBT scam?
I wonder if any MSM outlet will mention that other clubs, across Europe as well as Scotland, have been denied vast sums of money (totalling well over £100m) due to the alleged misuse of an EBT?
I’m thinking the answers, at best, will be: yes, no, no and no. In that order.
ASonOfDan says:
16 January, 2012 at 12:59
‘…Five titles to be stripped…’
—
6 or 7 perhaps?
Remember, this is not their only piece of tax dodging shenanigans since Wim the Tim.
James Forrest is Lennon – He is already running out of the money he needs to keep Rangers afloat
I find that hard to believe.
Does Craig Whyte not own a £5m castle?
Does he not dine exclusively on the very best items from Tesco’s Finest range?
Was he not, alongside Michael Caine and Steve Martin, one of Monaco’s most irrepressible entrepreneurs?
No, I find it very difficult to believe that the ocularly protuberant Motherwell-born tycoon could be an impecunious fabulist or, in the vernacular, a chancer.
He didn’t flinch when he bought Govan’s greatest institution for £1 and I understand there’s several more where that came from. (thumbsup)
SonofDan
I think Aalesunds FC is about the size of Falkirk, maybe Motherwell …
From an Orcs’ point of view it might be ‘important’ that the team’s colours are officially orange and blue …
Otherwise, there seems a strong possibility that he’d only be under consideration because he doesn’t have an agent who understands English, so is unaware of the excrament presently drifting towards the air conditioning down Govan way …
I’m clutching at straws with this one, but I notice also that name is an anagram for Rang Jeer.