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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Parkheadcumsalford Good Mhan these complaints will not change things overnight but they do not like them. Much the way they love the plaudits they hate complaints. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Snake Plissken
11:43 on 11 June, 2014
Nat Know
It is however rather apt that someone who sells fantasies to children is playing to that very same audience who like to be kept adult children looked after by their big brother in England.
I wonder if the media will attack her like they did the Weirs or fawn all over her as they did with Bowie delivered third hand through an ageing model?
BBC Scotland doubtless heading out for a week of pro-Union interviews as we speak.
At least YES have Alastair Gray, James Kelman, Liz Lochead, Irvine Welsh and until very recently the great Iain Banks- you know real writers, not genre writers for children.
Put it this way it’s rather apt that someone immersed in a fantasy world who makes their living writing about it is giving money to an organization living in a fantasy world with a title of mass self delusion.
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Just catching up. You’ve got me confused – you seem to be arguing that because she writes in a certain genre then her opinion on politics should be disregarded? All of the writers you mention have written fantasy fiction in the past. But that doesn’t mean that can’t reach a reasoned conclusion about the indy debate.
James McMillan (who has declared he will vote No) recently pointed out that a number of artists who intend to vote No have stated to him that they will not go public with their opinion for fear of reprisal. Not just people sending them nasty messages (though that is apparently to be expected) but also because they fear that funding for arts project in which they are involved would be cut or there would campaigns against their work as a punishment for not voting Yes. If those are the kind of people that might lead us then God help us.
BMCUW
when the whole thing reared it’s ugly heid I was Nae sayer (hence why I used the phrase ugly heid).
I then decied at the beginning of this year that if I was going to vote in the referendum I should at the very least vote from an informed position.
It took me around 2 weeks of reading to change my mind, firstly starting with the white paper then moving onto both campaigns information held on the ether.
It is now a no brainer for me because I looked.
I cannot imagine there being anyone out there who does not have a
current self serving MP’s
directors of big organisations who make money from Scotland in the UK
loyalists
a Scot living in England
etc, who if took it upon themselves to look at the information available from both sides could come to any other conclusion.
The only person i refuse to listen to in the debate is Tommy Sherridan. i have no time for him or his views even if on this occassion they are aligned with mine.
This post does not require a smiley, imaginary or real.
MWD says AYE
So it would appear the war is nearly over and the Spivs are in pole position .
The dye is cast and Newco are consigned to obscurity .
You can only have so many share issues .
Banks are not lending to football clubs , except those who can prove financial stability.
Oh dear oh dear , the knuckledraggers are have a time of it!!!
Get it right upem
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD
If the SFA decide to play hardball on Hampden,I think that the Scottish Government should be reminded of how much money they-that’s us,of course-put in to the project.
Aye,it was a disaster from the start,but it was bailed out by public money in order that Scottish football had its traditional home.
The SFA is,itself,bailed out by public money. If they reckon that leaving Hampden is an option,they should be told in no uncertain terms that it isn’t.
Should it happen,of course,QUEENS PARK should simply sell the site and move to Lesser Hampden. Pocket the money and tell everyone else to eff off.
And once we see how easy it is to redevelop a site of cultural importance,I wonder where might be next?
kokkola
jeunesse d esch-twice
hail hail
I hope England win the world cup.
That should swing the vote in favour of Independance for a few.
MWD says AYE
KITALBA 1422
Hmmm,you and I are gonna have to work harder about things to disagree on,bud!
Brave post,and I totally concur.
I think wee Jo Rowling is a ‘real writer’.
Good children’s fiction is difficult to write; and she is single-handedly responsible for
getting a whole generation of children [ mine included] back reading.
The level of intolerance to sincerely held opposing views in the whole independence debate is very depressing.
What if Queens Park sell off Hampden and, with the proceeds, become the 2nd biggest club in Glasgow and our main rivals?
Are they Proddy amateurs or Kafflick amateurs?
MOONBEAMS WET DREAMS
As you know,I totally respect your opinions,and those of most people on here.
That you took the time to look into it and then changed your mind is worthy of the above.
I am still of the same beliefs as before,not because I haven’t looked,canny be bothered,etc. But because I don’t think the time is right.
Heyho,there will be some disappointed people in September. I hope that it doesn’t descend into bitterness or worse.
Either you or I will lose the argument,and we will be fine about it. Others,maybe not so.
Which for me is a concern,but I’d rather that the vote took place than simply be talked about and kicked into the long grass.
MWD and BMCUW
Interesting to hear how and when you made your decision. Would be good to chat with you both over several pints though I doubt we’ll get the chance prior to the vote.
Burghbhoy
Yeah…how many pesky share issues can they actually have? Surely it’s like slicing up a pizza again and again and again and again….? (You’ll have guessed I’m no accountant!)
Kitalba
The queen. Interesting point. I always say that we’re born trapped into our own histories and should struggle in life to break out of them….her visit to Ireland and speech in Dublin a couple of years back were things I couldn’t have imagined as a kid in the 70s.
HH jamesgang
No matter what happens at Hampden and the SFA there’ll always be a hun gallimaufry leeching in Scotland, always. Unless….
Dontbrattbakkinanger
There are some belting childrens books around. I was an avid reader as a child and read a lot of Roald Dahl books. Still relevant today. CS Lewis wrote some crackers as well and I read a few of Jules Verne’s novels.
I was reading books that my parents wouldn;t even read as an 11 year old. The lack of decent TV programming helped. I loved to read and still do when I have the time.
All children should read books. I will encourage my son to do so when he can read and until he can I will read to him.
JK Rowling wrote books that were very popular. I read the first one whilst bored at the pool while I was working in India many years ago and must say I wasn’t overly impressed. I believe the later novels are better but it wasn’t my scene. Good luck to her though and if she is encouraging kids to read then good on her. What she votes in the independence debate and who she gives money to is irrelvant to be honest. She is English and I doubt many English people would want independence for Scotland. Doesn’t matter if she gives them £1m or £100m. If the Scottish people want it to happen it will happen. I don’t see it though. The scaremongering will go into overdrive in the next few months.
LB
JAMESGANG
A kid in the 70s?
Hmmm……
jamesgang:
There are a lot of people in Scotland who hate the queen because of her religion. That requires thinking about.
The Kingdom of Strathclyde preceded the establishment of the Kingdom of Scotland and may have lasted as long a period of time.
If the Yessers win in September, I will start an immediate campaign for the return of our traditional boundaries. We may have to make Dumbarton the capital but we will make it part of Greater Glasgow anyway.
I will begin work on the manifesto and The Freedom Declaration just as soon as I can find anyone who still speaks Cumbric.
Our new slogan will be Cumbric Ya Bass
DBBIA
she stays in Edinburgh. They urny Scottish through there so shouldny be allowed a vote anyway.
MWD says AYE
BMCUW
pot, kettle – you choose….nah, you’re both!!
born in the summer of 69 like the song says and was an absolute geek/bore in primary school so was already pondering and worrying about current affairs!!!!!
kitalba
I doubt she’s very religious in truth. English Anglicans are much less likely to be fussed about religion in my experience!
4 weddings and a funeral and all that……
Let’s get her to the Commonwealth Games and fire one of these new tartan tops in her direction. and her hubby must have been a fan of old Sammy!
;-))
HH jamesgang
Livibhoy- are the views of an English person who lives and works in Scotland for many years [ and Shangri La is well stocked with them] of any less value than those of a Scots person who hasn’t lived or worked in Scotland for a similar length of time?
JAMESGANG
Kidding,bud.
Who am I to rib someone about their age?
My Dad turned up to the dayoooooot in September and everyone asked me who my boy was.
And they need nae think it’s forgotten,btw!
LiviBhoy
There is a Facebook Page for English people who favour Scots Independence (and not in a hell mend ye way). John Prebble was English and a prominent Nationalist supporter. Billy Bragg is in favour, as is Ken Loach. So too are Sigur Ros but they aren’t English basturks, I grant you. They’re probably still after our fish, though.
Bobby
yer dad just had an easy paper round cos you were such a good son to him.
let that be the official story……
and having met you I can imagine you’re slow to forget but quick to forgive your pals!
OilOfOlayCSC!
HH jamesgang
SFTB
rather than go through all that I” jsut extract your toe nails and poke the raw flesh with a hot iron. Ok! Deal?
MWD says AYE
kitalba
14:43 on 11 June, 2014
jamesgang:
There are a lot of people in Scotland who hate the queen because of her religion. That requires thinking about.
———————–
I think views have changed Kit. I know many people who dislike oul Lizzie but wouldn’t go as far as saying that they ‘hate’ her.
Of those who dislike her intensely, it’s more to do with her wealth, her position, as head of state and not head of the CoE and the money paid for the upkeep of the Monarchy.
Sure, Michael Fagan thinks she’s just swell.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
Anyone who has a vote is alright by me. I don’t care where they were born. I would suspect most English though will vote for the union.
Everyone who gets a vote deserves it and they can vote anyway way they like. Personally I may risk my livlihood but I have decided to vote yes.
What will be interesting though if the English decide they want to go it alone. What happens then?
LB
I prefer HMQ to many of her democratically elected Prime Ministers.
How does T.Blair sleep at night?
MWD
“rather than go through all that I” jsut extract your toe nails and poke the raw flesh with a hot iron. Ok! Deal?”
That sounds like a declaration of War by the (putative) Kingdom of Alba against us Strathclydians.
It’s the 12th century all over again.
When will we be free of these Alba basturks?
My ol Maw always thought the queen looked lovely in her outfits, bless.
A good watch.
http://thelaughbutton.com/television/world-cup-starts-week-john-oliver-enlightens-americans-problem-fifa/#!XpNkR
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar:
She is not responsible for her wealth, and I do know this having lived in England for fourteen years, the thing they dislike most about Celtic supporters in not their affiliation with Irish Republicans, the majority have a soft empathy for that, but most so their dislike is a product of Celtic supporters ridiculing of ‘their’ queen by taunts of Michael Fagan.
Walk a mile in their shoes.
But apparently Pince Phillip was a chante rastling basturt, whatever that means.
SFTB
ALBA for ever.
WE will free her from the BBC.
MWD says AYE
Dontbrattbakkinanger
14:49 on 11 June, 2014
‘Livibhoy- are the views of an English person who lives and works in Scotland for many years [ and Shangri La is well stocked with them] ‘
###
Maybe that’s what all they windmills are for?
Come the glorious day all they English basturts will be tied to the blades and wheeched back over the border.
Which is as rational a justification for the monstrosities as any of the others I’ve read.
I once walked a mile in an Englishmans shoes.
They were to small though. hurt like hell.
WMD says AYE
ernie lynch
15:09 on 11 June, 2014
Dontbrattbakkinanger
14:49 on 11 June, 2014
‘Livibhoy- are the views of an English person who lives and works in Scotland for many years [ and Shangri La is well stocked with them] ‘
###
Maybe that’s what all they windmills are for?
Come the glorious day all they English basturts will be tied to the blades and wheeched back over the border.
Which is as rational a justification for the monstrosities as any of the others I’ve read.
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Images of the video for Duran Duran’s “Wild Boys” in my head now. Not one of their best…
Out of interest and this surpriosed me.
The 3 English people I knwo who are resident within the borders of Scotland are all Aye’s like me.
one in particular is a mad ranting Aye and thinks any Jock who doesn’t wish the opportunity to break away from Westminster control has to be one stadium short of having had played for a stadium.
MWD says AYE
kitalba
15:05 on 11 June, 2014
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar:
She is not responsible for her wealth, and I do know this having lived in England for fourteen years, the thing they dislike most about Celtic supporters in not their affiliation with Irish Republicans, the majority have a soft empathy for that, but most so their dislike is a product of Celtic supporters ridiculing of ‘their’ queen by taunts of Michael Fagan.
Walk a mile in their shoes.
———-
Seriously?
Kit I’ve worked and lived in England and still visit regularly and I’ve never heard of that.
When Leeds Utd sang to the Celtic support in a pre season friendly, “Can you hear the Ireland sing?” I don’t think it was instigated by Michael Fagan or any song concerning any relations he may have had with oul Lizzie.