Let’s be clear from the off, Craig Whyte is not your friend. He was not the man who “murdered” Rangers any more than Alasdair Johnston, his accuser, who was paid to ensure the club was run in an appropriate manner in the years prior to its crash into liquidation.
If Whyte has your job, your pension or your wellbeing in his hands, you would likely fair no better than those who have had the misfortune to be vulnerable to his exploitative nature before. He is the worst manifestation of our corporate system.
As yesterday’s verdict at Glasgow High Court established, he was merely a collaborative player in the drama which saw Murray Group shed its liabilities to Rangers fans into an all-too certain, and limited, future.
The SFA were right to quickly fine and sine die Whyte, despite the fact that he has no inclination to become involved in football again. What the Association must now do is examine the role of those who had explicit and executive oversight responsibility of managing Rangers through the process of its decline and sale to a character with a lengthy corporate irresponsibility charge sheet.
Whyte was not in any way a bad choice for the job required at Rangers. For those with most to gain, he was the perfect choice. He was, in fact, the only choice, if the desired result was to be delivered – and it was.
No one else would have had the stomach to pick up a corporate basket case, manoeuvring bank debt, securitising years of ticket sales, brazingly stiffing public service funding, and in doing so, freeing Murray Group from a disabling liability.
What do I care? I predicted, then watched, Rangers inevitable crash into administration and liquidation. Patience and thick skin was all that was required through the years of bravado from Ibrox. Those who shouted down the glaringly obvious in support of these charlatans have been shown up as malleable accomplices.
There is one outstanding matter I do care about. In my opinion, Sir David Murray did not discharge his duties as the ultimate controlling director of Rangers FC in a responsible manner. If there is one issue which every Scottish football fan can unite on, it is surely this.
The deplorable sequence of events at that club, from it’s exploitation of the Employee Benefit Trust scheme to pay millionaires tax free sums through a system which was designed to allow employers to aid staff through periods of hardship.
To its submissions to the SFA on taxable overdue. To the shredding of correspondence, and failure to disclose other correspondence.
Rangers were a huge influence on our game; on the SFA, the SPL, the media, and more. The executives concerned had placemen who protected them. The SFA must now charge those responsible for bringing the game into disrepute.
More sine die punishments would mean little to men who are already finished with the game, but it would be a hugely significant act of faith towards the paying public, of all colours. It is time for us all to unite against the men who really did sell the jerseys.
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I’m with you Starry, but I would say if you don’t think any of the candidates is worth voting for you should at least go down to the polling station and spoil your ballot paper. Maybe if everybody did this the politicos would get the message.
That the Earth is flat is also an opinion ( and the Flat Earthers even offer proof) :
” If Earth really was a globe, rivers such as the Mississipi would have to flow uphill to reach the sea – flowing uphill 11 miles in its 3,000-mile length.
The railway from London to Liverpool is 180 miles long. If Earth really was a globe, it should be 5,400 feet high over Birmingham. ”
Cheerio for now,
JJ 0:-))
MOONBEAMSWD on 8TH JUNE 2017 9:15 AM
‘No candidate or any of their campaigners in my area had the nouse to once chap my door.’
###
Are you house bound?
Have no interest in getting involved in a Tory/Labour debate. Needless to say I would much prefer Corbyn to May as P.M. but I have zero hopes of that happening.
Just spotted a bit of to and fro about Dianne Abbott getting her jotters but I thought I read recently that she was suffering from a serious medical condition and that is the reason she has been sidelined.
I have an interest in the vote which unfortunately takes place in part of my Country and am keeping my fingers crossed that Sinn Féin will pick up a seat or two.
Probably won’t happen but I would absolutely love if John Finucane son of the murdered legendary Solicitor Pat Finucane could unseat the arch bigot Nigel Dodds.
As I said I think Dodds will hold the seat but I expect a great vote for John.
Sinn Féin Abú,
IVERPOOL last night dramatically pulled out of the race to sign Virgil van Dijk which casts doubt over Celtic cashing in on their former player this summer.
An incredible day began with sources on Merseyside claiming the club were prepared to pay a world record fee for a defender of £75million for the Dutchman.
Had this gone through then Celtic’s ten per cent clause would have kicked in earning the Scottish champions a cool £7.5m.
from todays HERALD.all wetting themselves.so no other club will sign him.
I THINK THEY WILL. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ernie
You telling me I should search them out?
I’m not canvassing their vote!
MWD
Fav uncle
The sell on is 15% of the difference between what Celtic sold him for and what he moves for. Think Celtic sold him for 13million
Hope there are no scientists lurking this morning…..
Cheerio Jim
MOONBEAMSWD on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:04 AM
I just wondered if it had occurred to you that you might have been out when a canvasser called.
I suppose they should have waited for your return.
Maybe they just don’t realise what a truly special person you are, deserving of personal attention.
Anyway
Now been and voted.
Only one guy standing outside polling station canvassing votes, well making himself and his party seen as I don’t think they can legally canvas today, and he wasn’t a unionist.
I was tempted to vote for him as he at least was determined to stand in the pushing rain for his party.
I Ruthlessly voted for Corbin.
MWD
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 8TH JUNE 2017 8:59 AM
Fantastic post. Unfortunately apathy, ignorance and the inability to think for oneself will probably leave us with a Tory minority government in the UK. This will, IMHO, be partly down to the drive in Scotland to have the SNP represent us in Westminster in the hope that there is a second referendum in the near future. (As Jim Royle would say “once in a generation my arse!”)
Much of this blame is at the door of recent Labour leaders and policies in the UK, though I exempt Jeremy Corbyn from that criticism. His type of ideology is the reason I joined the Labour Party around 40 years ago; and why I am still a member today: he’s a decent man looking to do his best for society.
What has pleased me and shown that his message is getting across is a conversation I had with my grandson last night – his 16th birthday and he was asking why he couldn’t vote at this election. We have had a number of debates since the referendum on independence where (as a 13/14 year old) he firmly supported the SNP; however, over the last 2 years he has gradually become disillusioned with their arguments and in the last year he has become increasingly enamoured with the prospect of a Labour Government under Jeremy Corbyn. I asked him last night: “If you could vote tomorrow, do you mind telling me who you would vote for?” “Easy” he said “Jeremy Corbyn; he’s a good guy!”
Hopefully the young can become more involved in the Labour Party again and pull us back from the brink.
As for the odious Laura Kuenssberg, I don’t think I have ever seen a more manipulative and mendacious BBC reporter ever before. She has orchestrated a vile campaign against Jeremy Corbyn from day one; I pray that today evidences that it hasn’t worked!
KTF
Ernie,
I have been sleeping on my door step waiting. But alas!
I have asked the neighbours who are generally always around as they are elderly and don’t really get out out and about. They have informed my position.
Lazy politicians.
Likely because my constituency is viewed as a lost cause to the unionists and safe as houses for the independant.
MWD
CORKCELT on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:00 AM
Doesn’t matter if they pick up seats or pick their noses.
No point to voting for them if they don’t take their seats.
VFR
Once in a generation was blootered out the water when unionist parties sold us out of EU they promised we would stay in if we voted unionist.
It’s quite simple to understand. No?
With regards Indy. I want one more referendum. Actually I want 2. I am with the lib dems in that we are the people who should have the final say on the negotiated Brexit settlement.
I also don’t believe the Brexit settlement should be negotiated by one party. It should be a cross party negotiation with the best minds (if in fact there are any) from all political persuasions being represented.
Come on the Greens.
Donald Duck the Tories and all the low life’s who vote for them.
MWD
QUONNO on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:33 AM
CORKCELT on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:00 AM
Doesn’t matter if they pick up seats or pick their noses.
No point to voting for them if they don’t take their seats.
###
Wouldn’t it be interesting if the support of the SF MPs were needed to secure a Corbyn Government.
ERNIE LYNCH on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:38 AM
QUONNO on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:33 AM
CORKCELT on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:00 AM
Doesn’t matter if they pick up seats or pick their noses.
No point to voting for them if they don’t take their seats.
###
Wouldn’t it be interesting if the support of the SF MPs were needed to secure a Corbyn Government.
Ernie,
I had in mind the occasion that abstentions by Irishmen Gerry Fitt and Frank McGuire brought down Jim Callaghan and opened the door to Thatcher.
Where has Jim the Tim been for the last six weeks?
I would be surprised if the state of the parties was much difference from going into the election. So a small majority Tory Govt – Under our first past the post system labour’s only chance would be a minority govt supported by the SNP.
Anyway off to do my constitutional duty and support the actions of our forgotten suffrage’s.
CORKCELT, 10:00 AM
If Finucane wins in North Belfast the contents of Dave King’s wine cellar wouldn’t begin to sate my thirst.
That last bastion of old Unionist Belfast, the foundations long since gone, the cracks getting ever wider by the year.
Bring those walls tumbling down
About to kick off.
Oz V Saudi Arabia.
Vital game for Oz.
Go Tommy Rogic ( starting ) and Jackson Irvine.
POGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILES
I mean’t give the blog a miss as my blood pressure was going through the roof:))
I’m not registered to vote in Britain, I haven’t had a British passport for years now!
Have a good day everyone.
May Miss May’s next jobby be hedgehog..
MOONBEAMSWD on 8TH JUNE 2017 10:34 AM
I don’t agree that the “once in a lifetime” referendum decision was kicked out because of Brexit. The question was never “do we support independence in Europe but go for another referendum if it’s a NO vote and the UK leaves the EU?”
There was info info available at the time to clearly show that Scottish membership of the EU was never guaranteed and some EU politicians said they would actively oppose it.
So in my opinion, there is no cast-iron requirement to have a second referendum on independence; so much so that even Nicola Sturgeon won’t commit to one. Is that because she is unsure that she would get a YES vote if it were held now? (Answers on a postcard please…..)
As far as a referendum on the Brexit negotiations is concerned: I voted to leave (there are very solid socialist arguments for leaving the EU) and still think that is the correct decision; however, I do agree that negotiations should be cross-party and there should be some form of consultation/referendum before an agreement is signed.
KTF
STARRY PLOUGH on 8TH JUNE 2017 11:01 AM
That’s a bit harsh on hedgehogs!
KTF
Pretty good campaign against the odds-well,the media-but a lot of that good work looks like being undermined by a traditional enemy.
The weather!
Torrential here!!
Work shortly,my polling station is across the road so I’ll get that done first.
Back to
fantasyreality. It seems that the Govan galactic are looking to sign Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi. He is a £33M player (means he must be nearly 3/4 of the player Moussa is) so I can see that happening.Wait, it’s a loan deal so it must be feasible then; he’ll come to The Crumbledome for £8K a week rather than the £150K (plus) a week he is on). Wait, what’s that I hear? Chelsea will pick up the bulk of his £8M a year wages? That seems reasonable I suppose………….
Nurse Ratchet ……………..
KTF
Quonno,
Absolute Boll***s.
Apart from those in Government, the vast majority of M.PS achieve feck all in Parliament. The vast majority of their work for constituents is done away from Westminster.
In any case Sinn Féin’s focus is quite rightly on Ireland and not the UK.
We do not want to be involved in UK Elections or UK Parliaments. Unfortunately because of Historical events & mainly the Plantation of Ulster whereby UK Protestants were shipped over & given the land of dispossessed native Irish Catholics the present position has been foisted on us.
Because we did not want to legitimise Westminster Rule we opted to abstain from attending their Parliament.
That is our right, maybe you might not agree with it but like the wearing of prison uniforms in the H Blocks, we stand by our Principles.
It may not matter to you whether or not we pick up extra seats but I can tell you it matters a lot to the Irish Republican Population who by the way are for the most part strong Celtic Supporters.
I’m sorry if you as a UK citizen feel we are demeaning your Parliament, but as I said previously we would be very glad to walk away from ye, if ye would just kindly reciprocate & walk away from us.
CORKCELT on 8TH JUNE 2017 11:12 AM
Given how enmeshed SF now are in running things under the aegis of the British State, and given the concessions over the people of NI having a veto on reunification, the refusal to sit at Westminster looks like tokenism.
ERNIELYNCH
It might have more to do with the oath of allegiance.
TREBLEWINNINGCAPTAINS
Invincibles t-shirt just been delivered thanks , nice timing for holiday to Corfu on Sunday ! Off out now to vote for Jeremy HH !
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 8TH JUNE 2017 11:22 AM
They’ve swallowed a donkey, no need to strain on a gnat.
Maybe tokenism to you Ernie and there may well come a day when the strategists decide that our interests would be better served by attending Parliament.
If and I hope it doesn’t happen, this comes around in my lifetime, they will be losing the support of this Republican.
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821
The Hedgehog would of course be a volunteer!
We haven’t swallowed anything Ernie. We fought for our people with both the Armalite & the Ballot Box.
What else could we do.
The 6 Counties is a much changed place since the Sixties, we have Peace with for the most part Justice and you might remember that was always the slogan.
A lot has been done, a lot remains to be done, at least content yourself that if Finucane was to beat Dodds there would be one less Tory in the House.
VFR
I will credit you with the intelligence that you understand and understood the EU scaremongering that went on with regards Scotland’s position in the EU during the Independance campaign to realise this did indeed have an impact in the eventual result no matter the narrow question asked.
One of the many scaremongering tactics employed during the campaign.
MWD
THE BARCAMOLE’s cousin wrote a book about the murder of Pat Finucaine. It’s still proscribed in the UK.
Recognising the Dublin Parliament was hard enough for the Shinners. That caused a split, recognising Stormont was hard one for a lot of Shinners to take but the feel good factor from the peace process got that one over the line.
Entering Westminster ( unarmed mind you) would probably be a bridge too far even for the bearded machivaeli
VFR
I mean the promise by the unionists that Scotland would safely stay in the EU.
MWD
Ah Bollix, why did I allow myself get drawn into a debate, the smart arsed post from Quonno pissed me off & just a little scratch like that set me off.
At this age of my life I should have more sense but there you go.
I’m logging off to avoid any further temptation.