It appears that the so-called spivs are once again the only people likely to put their hands in their pockets to fund the coming season’s shortfall at Newco Rangers. There has been a campaign for much of this year to drive the club into the gutter, although on this occasion no one has accused Celtic fans, the SFA, HMRC or various imaginary enemies of acting in an underhand manner. These moves were all the work of formerly loyal Rangers men, who wanted ownership of Newco on the cheap, or some kind of influence thereafter.
The ‘spivs’ have not been intimidated or been blackmailed into handing over the club to hostile forces. Instead they are prepared to invest again, stay the course and see a return on their money.
‘Spivs’ is an unnecessarily pejorative term but if money comes in from the variety of hedge funds and offshore entities it will not be a gift. Neither was the initial investment of £5.5m, or the subsequent monies raised at the IPO.
It’s too late to complain about who owns the club, or that a collection on wealthy fans could have bought the assets of Rangers on the cheap when Charles Green stepped in. Campaigns to undermine the club will not bring about a dramatic change, they will only weaken an already painfully weak entity.
Two years ago someone inside the game told me ‘the Rangers you know are dead, whether they phoenix or not.’ The outfit which exists now will forever be a bit-part player, which even Dave King recognises is an untenable commercial proposition.
Remember, Tommy Gemmell, Bertie Auld and John Hughes will be signing copies of their books at the Celtic Store in Argyle St from 1pm until 4pm on Saturday. Take a camera.
And before that, Bertie Auld will be live on CQN from 1pm this Friday. Expect anecdote overload.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.
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***The winners of the Lunchtime Quiz – Extra time is a tag-team effort of Gary67 and SFTB***
Congratulations bhoys, a nice wee couple of hairy coconuts winging their way to you both.
Sevconians say they’re delighted with the idea for their new SAS style camouflaged home kit.
BMCUWP- it’s not just principled; I have reached page 800 of ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’ by ole Charles Dickens.
Only 160 pages to go.
Hairy coconuts? First time I’ve heard them called that …
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
11:48 on 11 June, 2014
Nat Know
Though I am still 95% opposed to the signing of Craig Gordon, I will admit the situation is complicated.
His previous football behaviour or allegiances do not concern me one bit, I am concerned only about his fitness and injury record and whether he is still a good enough goalie. That is where it gets complicated.
I will always defer, to the opinions of the expert and, in Stevie Woods, we have someone who is much better placed to evaluate the fitness and readiness to play than I am. I also do not know the terms of the contract that CG is seeking so we might be getting a good keeper on the cheap or an expensive punt; those are the elements I don’t know but which are necessary in order to arrive at a definitive view.
However, I note that CG did not sign any short term Pay-as-you-play deal with either Dumbarton or Sevco where he trained, in order to earn a longer contract or to put himself in the shop window for a bigger team. That suggests to me that he is still worried about his fitness for the rigours of competitive goalkeeping. I don’t know if any trial evaluation of a goalie’s fitness will be as rigorous as a game situation and whether CG is not cute enough to hide any aspect of his injury that is still giving him concern.
Add to that, whether he is good enough. Yes he was a fine Hearts keeper and a Scottish internationalist during a fairly undistinguished period for the National side, but, despite winning save of the season, he never came close to justifying his transfer fee to Sunderland fans. After two to three years out will he even be back to Sunderland levels of form next season?
I have two further concerns. Our club has had a bad record with taking punts on players with bad injury records. Both Moyoukolo and Boerigter are very good players and, if even one of them, had recovered full fitness, we would have been justified in taking those punts. But,a s both have been failures thus far, we are not in a good position to risk getting it wrong a 3rd time in quick succession. Especially, as these players tend to look for the security of a long term contract before they really put their body on the line for a club and then, if he breaks down, we are forced into an expensive extension to our treatment room.
And finally, even if he is fit and back to semi-decent form, is he really a better bet for Celtic over the next 5 years, to challenge Fraser Forster or our new No. 1 (because, no way, will we accept that CG is FF’s replacement) than are our reserve keepers, Fasan, Hart or McCabe, or even the Fulham reserve that we sourced to play CL Youth football this year? Is he a better bet than the Ghanaian keeper from Stormgodset or whichever younger version of CG is available from places with a good record for producing keepers, such as Poland and Uruguay.
So, no apologies but maybe a clarification of why I am highly sceptical about this being a good move. If the boy comes, he will receive my full backing but my doubts will remain .
————————————————————————
I wasn’t really looking for or expecting an apology. When I suggested Celtic might look at Craig Gordon you were scathing and I was genuinely suprised that your mind was so firmly closed. Of course he has had a terrible injury receord and hasn’t played much football recently, but players don’t become bad overnight because of an injury. No matter – Celtic are looking at Craig Gordon as I suggested. I’ll repeat what I said at the time – if they feel he’s worth a punt they’ll calculate the risk and build it into any deal. I am happy that Celtics medical staff will assess him properly. Glad your mind has creaked open a little. ;-)
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
13:35 on 11 June, 2014
“Today we are run by Catholics who hate Scotland.”
The number of Nae Sayers on this wee blog? He defo has a point – ‘
####
Interesting that you equate voting no with hating Scotland.
Do you realise how scary that is to normal people?
Ernie Lynch
If I thought there were normal people on here I might not have said it that.
MWD says AYE
Fergus has renewed his four investment season books even though he never uses them for himself
Do I really need to put a smiley on every single post I type right now?
Really?
Think I’ll stick to Tuna and Banana pizza.
MWD says AYE
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
13:44 on 11 June, 2014
You sound like a fanatical weirdo.
I’m sure you’re not really a fanatical weirdo, but you do sound like one.
It’s the close season FFS!!! :-)
MWD says AYE and NAE SAYERS should be kicked oot ma country.
Monaghan
“Today we are run by Catholics who hate Scotland.”
——
“It’s not just the people in control. I’ve argued for years now that this has been going on and my wife, family etc look at me like I’m some sort of nut job. But as you say, if we were to get a bit of leadership from those in charge, then maybe, just maybe, the “people” might start fighting back.”
—————-
Is Muppet 2 suggesting that he’s being bossed around by his Catholic wife and she looks at him like he’s a nut job and why aren’t the dodgy handshake boys coming around to help him escape his perdition?!?!
They’reNoVeryCleverCSC
That said it’s an interesting contrasting viewpoint ref media, football authority and govt domination to the one you often read on our side of the fence….
HH jamesgang
darwinsbeautifulidea
13:46 on 11 June, 2014
‘Fergus has renewed his four investment season books even though he never uses them for himself’
###
Would he not be better just making a donation, maybe to the charity foundation?
I’m sure if there was a big game he wanted to attend someone would probably help him out with a ticket.
squire danaher @ 13:27
Dinamo Zagreb 63-4
————————————–
Now that’s what I call a hammering! Even NFL might have scored in that kind of result!
HH JamesGang
hi bobby things are fine with me personally, just still pashed off that I couldn’t really chat with anyone at the hootenanny (remember my hearing aids packed-in on the wat there grrrr) however Charlie jnr has not had his problems to seek. his wife miscarried and a week later totalled their car (no fault of her though) wee jr jr Charlie was in the car but no 0ne was injured, bet yer sorry you asked lol……..I see you’ve been gallivanting quite a bit mair power to yir elbow h.h.
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
13:47 on
11 June, 2014
Do I really need to put a smiley on every single post I type right now?
Really?
Think I’ll stick to Tuna and Banana pizza.
MWD says AYE
————————————–
You pure bassa you….I’ve been feeding that to the family every Tuesday for weeks now! and now you tell me it was all a big ;-)
aaaaah!
HH jamesgang
MWD
if you are free Friday pm I’m sure we could have a wee debate in BV….
or just a chat about Celtic…..
DONTBRATTBACKINANGER
Good going,bud!
Dickens always bored the Nicholas Nicklebys off me.
If you have 160 pages to go,I suggest you go for some sponsorship as an impetus to get through it.
Otherwise,avoid razor blades.
monaghan 1900
Your efforts to give us a laugh are much appreciated .
When the guy says , they have infiltrated media. , councils and government , I presume he means they have got jobs. Who are these people , sally demands their names.
Hairy coconuts, should be milked for all their worth.
Afternoon all.
I mentioned yesterday that the programme about Mr Stein on BBC Alba would not have been produced by BBC Scotland’s Sports Department. Earlier today someone on the last blog mentioned who should be contacted at BBC Scotland to complain about this. I was otherwise occupied at the time so could they republish the name, as I would like to make a complaint.
CHARLIEBHOY
Blinkin’ flip,that’s a shocking run of luck,mate.
I hope they are all beginning to get over it-as much as is possible to do so.
I’m not gonna offer a cheap platitude,their pain must be dreadful.
I’m back home in October,reckon a quiet night might be in order if you can make it.
I’ll mail you later,mate. Meantime,well. You know what to do. So does yer lad.
Parkheadcumsalford
http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/whos-who/tv/network-tv-contacts/scotland/ewan-angus.shtml
I believe this is the gentleman you seek…
HH jamesgang
ernie lynch
MWD is a fanatical windup merchant , he doesn’t even have to put any bait on the hook to get people to bite :-))
Parkheadcumsalford the name you are after is Ewan Angus give him both barrels. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Boris Johnson says he is prepared to stand in front of a water canon to prove it’s safe .
Who wants to switch it on?
BT, I may pop in for one.
You know I love talking about my Ltd. Company.
MWD says AYE
Four Green Fields
Shhhhhhhh!
MWD says AYE
If the new shares are more than 1 pence,Sally and the Myth might find them a wee bit pricey…….
borgo67
14:07 on
11 June, 2014
Problem might be trying to persuade someone that it should be switched off again.
moonbeams wd. wee oscar’s our bhoy and kano’s our mhan.
:-)))
Ernie perhaps it would be better to refrain from advising Fergus how to spend his money unless you know that the 4 seats are in fact empty or maybe he has let a charity use them. Perhaps he also donates to the CCF, I just don’t know but if you have this info please share it with us then we can all make a reasoned comment. Hail Hail Hebcelt
hebcelt
Fergus should never have to pay into Celtic Park in his lifetime.
If Rod Stewart and Billy Connolly can have free seats for life so should the man that put their seats there.
LB
moonbeams wd. wee oscar’s our bhoy and kano’s our mhan.
13:50 on 11 June, 2014
It’s the close season FFS!!! :-)
MWD says AYE and NAE SAYERS should be kicked oot ma country.
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi,bud.
As you know,the reason why I generally avoid the whole independence debate is because I don’t have a vote.
Plus,an esteemed CQNer handed me my baws in a sling when I attempted it about a year ago!
I was just wondering though….
Are you a convert to the cause,or have you always held those opinions?
hebcelt,
Complaint made. They are an utter disgrace. Yesterday, when it was suggested that the SFA may no longer use Hampden, which ground was shown on national TV as a suitable substitute? Wee clue: it’s sited in Govan.
LiviBhoy I concur Hail Hail Hebcelt
PCS
The Ants?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS:
I don’t live in the country either, but I’m still a Scotsman and I’m still Celtic daft. I don’t think there are too many on here that are more anti-royalist, republican, than me, but I do genuinely like the queen, I can’t bring myself to hate her the way others hate the pope just for hates sake.
I’m a Scotsman living outside of the country, that’s not to say that one day I won’t return, but I am a Scotsman and I am entitled to my voteless opinion.
Without equivocation or doubt I would hope that Scotland stays in the union. For the love of mine own I hope it will be so.