SFA McGlennan resigns, Celtic season tickets Sold Out

SFA Compliance Officer, Tony McGlennan, has tendered his resignation, just weeks after issuing a Notice of Complaint over (Oldco) Rangers over their application for a Uefa licence for season 2011-12.  The issue relates to Rangers failure to pay tax relating to the Discounted Options Scheme, active during Sir David Murray’s  reign.  Murray ditched this scheme in 2002 when he plunged the club headfirst in the EBT mess which ultimately led to liquidation.

Craig Whyte’s trial last year at Glasgow High Court heard evidence which contradicted the club’s submission to the SFA in 2011.  McGlennan investigated and recommended the SFA act.  An independent panel will now have the task of deciding what action to take.  Newco Rangers are on the hook for Oldco’s football punishments, as determined by the Five Way Agreement between the SFA, Scottish Premier League, Scottish Football League, Rangers and Sevco (now Newco Rangers).

The investigation into Rangers 2011 submission took eight months and was not published until the new SFA chief exec, Ian Maxwell, was in-situ.  The SFA still work in the shadow of Ally McCoist’s “Who are these people?” veil, so it may be wise for McGlennan to move on, before a suitable punishment for misrepresentation on an application to gain access to a competition worth tens of millions is declared.  Celtic were denied a place in the 2011 Champions League qualification competition due to Rangers’ submission, an issue which led to the Res 12 campaign.

It is quite unbelievable that the season ticket Sold Out notices went up at the Celtic ticket office today.  53,000 season tickets to see 8-in-a-row, with a waiting list for those wanting to see our 9-in-a-row record matched.  While Champions League money is the salt on our chips, the club’s long-term financial stability is underpinned by season ticket sales.  The paying public is the most important revenue stream at Celtic.  These figures also underpin merchandising and commercial deals.

Well done to all season ticket holders!