How many times have we been here? Miles ahead in the league, League Cup in the bag – or as often, only a minnow to take care off in the final, when some bright spark realises we’re only a handful of wins away from an elusive treble.
Celtic have had more than three great teams in the last 70 years, but anyone with a grasp of history will tell you that trebles are hard to get, particularly for a Celtic team who occasionally have to play teams at Hampden where outfield players are granted goalkeeper rights.
The ’67 team won the League Cup and Scottish Cup before anyone knew where that season would end. Rangers were still very much in the hunt for the league, while only the hearts of Celtic fans believed they would win the European Cup.
By 1969 the league title had become the formality it is now, as had the League Cup – Jock Stein won his first five League Cups as Celtic manager. A Scottish Cup final against Rangers was all that stood in the way of Celtic’s second treble. Big Billy, George Connelly and our own John Fallon with a man of the match performance destroyed our old, old-enemy 4-0.
Only a fool or a liar would tell you Martin O’Neill would overcome a +20 deficit in the league and take both cups in his first season in charge of a rag-tag looking Celtic in season 2000- 2001. It wasn’t so much winning the treble that made this special, or, indeed, the football we played, but the incredible leap forward we made between Martin’s appointment in May and that Glorious Six in late August.
Everyone was stunned, including Celtic fans, although not as much as some others. In a unguarded moment that season, one Rangers fan said to me, “I don’t think I can take any more of this”. All the old certainties came crashing down. A domination, which for the financially blind looked like it would continue for decades, was over.
Martin had the Midas Touch, for a while, anyway, and the treble was secured, but although his team continued to improve for a few seasons, that would be our last full house.
Brendan and the players are new to this. With faith in each other they may well be prone to getting ahead of themselves. There is a lot of work to do to win the Scottish Cup. Should we get past Queen of the South or the Rovers, the trip to Pittodrie will be difficult. And if we cope there, Tynecastle will be equally hostile in the quarter final.
So spare me talk of trebles until May.
Every pantomime needs a baddie and this year’s is Ally McCoist, who, against all precedent, finds his secret ballot activities for a resolution at Newco’s AGM public knowledge. It’s astonishing that we know how McCoist did or didn’t vote. In any other country, ‘news’ like this it would be a story in itself. It’s something private that we just shouldn’t know.
But when the clarion call goes up in Scotland, “”Who are these people” who failed to support us?”, the answer surely follows. Whatever reservations McCoist has about the current regime are his business until he says differently. Behind the headlines, there is little analysis about why he would jeopradise his reputation in order to inhibit King.
There’s the story.
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Follow Follow’s thread on the FFP story is rather funny. They just can’t accept that they will not meet the criteria.
They don’t seem able to link the fact that their resolution 11 failed and the FFP requirement that the owners of TRFC need to cover losses above €5m (over a 3 year monitoring period) via equity investment.
The DR’s SFA source cites other clubs that have been granted special dispensation. These clubs are predominantly ones from bigger leagues that can prove that future income will improve their financial situation. TRFC cannot prove this – they are pretty much at their peak in terms of income and still run at a deficit.
Chain Of fools …aretha
Ha ha your dead …Green day
Everything is broken…betty lavette
Terrible lie …nine inch nails.
There’s millions the dj could play ….
Rangers will only be able to play in Europe next season if UEFA grant special dispensation over Financial Fair Play rules
The European governing body’s club licensing rules say losses over three years must be no more than £4.265million – and Gers’ figures significantly exceed that.
By Grahame Ewing
06:00, 30 NOV 2016Updated20:15, 29 NOV 2016
Rangers have arranged with UEFA special dispensation to play in Europe next season due to their failure to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.
Club licensing rules state that losses over the most recent three-year period shouldn’t exceed £4,265,000 – and Gers have lost £18.9million since 2014.
UEFA do allow a deficit during that time frame to reach £25.9million but only “if such excess is entirely covered by contributions from equity participants and/or related parties”.
Chairman Dave King claimed at last week’s AGM that “securing European football is critical”.
But Darryl Broadfoot confirmed that UEFA would be unlikely to do so because Rangers can and probably will reduce their losses and continue as a going concern if they qualify for Europe.
He said: “I suspect that UEFA would grant special dispensation to them because Rangers are a big draw in Europe and although they are feeling the pinch, a draw against Rangers could stave off bankruptcy for lesser clubs.
“What they would certainly do is ask Rangers to provide SFA approved, detailed information about their finances as well as their rigid plans to become financially sustainable , which will include a good run in Europe and that will happen”
Rangers’ latest accounts disclosed they had required only £2.9m in soft loans this year from directors since the end of the financial year and that more will be needed to complete the current campaign.
Further losses could be incurred, with Mike Ashley taking the club to court in London tomorrow and Friday, claiming £1m in damages for an alleged breach of contract with his Sports Direct outfit.
Rangers’ situation wasn’t helped when, at last week’s AGM, they failed to gain enough votes to pass a special resolution due to Ally Mc Coist not voting which would have allowed them to raise fresh funds by selling additional shares to outside investors without first offering them to current shareholders.
In March, Galatasaray were banned from European competitions until 2018 for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, but they are Turkish and have a poor financial reputation
RICHIE
Howdy,sir. You popped over the for the extravaganza on Friday?
Aye,it’s a belter. Got it on 12″ somewhere,and hopefully in better nick than one I gave to Natknow a few years back. I blame one of my hun mates for wilfully damaging the legendary “Why don’t Rangers sign a Catholic,by Pope Paul and the Romans”
Have fun on the dayooooot,I’ll be the Jealous Guy stuck in Swindon.
In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if the “SFA source” is a peice of fiction designed to put pressure on the SFA when the time comes.
Auld Tam 08.47
I could be wrong, but I thought FFP rules were based on clubs only being able to spend a certain percentage of their income generated in commercial ways.
I.e.gate receipts, shirt sales ( I know(:-)),Media revenues, Pie sales etc.
I did not think that refinancing the club by issuing new shares would be allowed to be taken into consideration, to meet FFP rules.
Does anyone know if this is actually the case?
TT
TinyTim
If the owner of a club can cover the losses in excess of €5m within a monitoring period (3 years) via equity investment (up to a max loss of €30m) then UEFA will allow the club to have a licence.
Can shareholders of TRFC invest £13m by the end of the season to meet this criteria? After Res 11 failed, no.
Davidopoulos
Thanks.
TT
There is no let up for the orcs in their hellish torments.
BMCUW
Luckily my leave coincides with the do. It will be good to see some of the well kent. Awrabest to you and Pop!
AULD TAM @ 8:47 AM & DAVIDOPOULOS @ 9:05 AM,
Interesting that the article should appear in the DR and now.
Got to agree that the failure of their Res 11 and the need for supporter funds must have been a significant factor.
DCK call to all that European Football was a must for survival and now introducing the Jeopardy factor to focus minds and wallets.
But it has to be said, as many were Cynical about our Res 12, that the pressure the ghuys have bought to bear has made it very difficult for Newco and the SFA to dream up some smokin’ mirrors and technicalities to allow rules to be ignored.
It seems that the SFA have said no more “special” treatment. Hence the campaign in recent weeks to have the SFA personnel replaced.
All does not augur well for the new Club.
Just need Hearts to inflict more ache this evening:)
Hail Hail
CHAIRBHOY on 30TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:35 AM
DCK call to all that European Football was a must for survival and now introducing the Jeopardy factor to focus minds and wallets.
———————————————————
This in itself is damning evidence for the SFA to judge that Sevco cannot alone sustain themselves in domestic football.
Anything other than a complete rejection of the SFA for the zombie tribe to paddle around liquidation lagoon again, is unacceptable.
See according to Rhebel Rhebel Sevco going for 7 in a row (providing they get past Murderwell) ……….. of home draws in the Scottish Cup.
Stats for 4 teams illuminating to say the least re home draws v away draws. Understand what people say about the financial benefits or not BUT would anyone deny that a home draw is a disadvantage to the home team?
HH
ST STIVS. 901
Lovely wee punchline you sneaked in there,kwalityman!
Chairbhoy on 30th November 2016 9:35 am
How can you say that when the main negotiator of the 5 way agreement is now president of the SFA and Resolution 12 has been “stookied” AND by our Permanently prevaricating PLC for 3-4 years ?
Every single creditor was stuffed except football creditors ( all under the auspices of UEFA) the SNP and the SFA and without a murmur
It is akin to believing that Peter Lawwell would get on the SFA gaming board and then just give it up without as much a s a shoulder shrug
HH
RICHIE
I’ll pass on your kind regards. He’s on his way to Largs for the golf,bliddy madman.
Where,I may add,he won’t have any bother wi dropped balls. Not in this weather.
AWENAW
“Every single creditor was stuffed except football creditors”
That’s a bit of luck,we got our £42k back then? Pretty sure we didn’t,and are still listed as creditors.
How strange…
BMCUWP
Do we want our 42K back ?
Plainly NOT
HH
From that (M) Eweing article
In March, Galatasaray were banned from European competitions until 2018 for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, but they are Turkish and have a poor financial reputation.
Dwarrell Bwoadfoots comments interesting as well…call to arms.
Could’nt burn their feckin necks with a blow torch.
HH
GEAROID1998 on 30TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:04 AM
But in the establishment’s view, Rangers – the new club who retain the oldco dis(honours) – have an unblemished 4 year financial track record.
Dwarrells comments
But Darryl Broadfoot confirmed that UEFA would be unlikely to do so because Rangers can and probably will reduce their losses and continue as a going concern if they qualify for Europe.
“He said: “I suspect that UEFA would grant special dispensation to them because Rangers are a big draw in Europe and although they are feeling the pinch, a draw against Rangers could stave off bankruptcy for lesser clubs.
“What they would certainly do is ask Rangers to provide SFA approved, detailed information about their finances as well as their rigid plans to become financially sustainable , which will include a good run in Europe and that will happen”
Haaaaaaaa haaaaaa
Anyway Rangers might have been a big draw in Europe but don’t know about Sevco cause they have never been there.
Going by the latest news on FFP,it will only be Hearts,Aberdeen,maybe another who will be affected if the Blazers pass the Huns .Lets see the stink they kick up.Its always our team our fans want to do the shouting.Lets see the others affected do it.
Mmmmm
A club totally reliant on soft loans without a credit line from a bank……..
Anyway HH all Aff oootttt. Keep the faith.
The precedent that the SFA will stuff other Scottish clubs to their financial detriment and to the benefit of Rangers without any dissenting voices from their subservient counterparts has been well and truly established. If you don´t know that then you don´t know your history.
HH
GEAROID – you’ve been Awe Naw’d!
KTF
Not for one minute do I believe the “SFA insider”exists.The article in the Times was written by a Hun with a typewriter,Graham Ewing.His drivel about other teams getting an exemption is wishful Hun thinking.
Funny how a so called reporter on Scottish football,does not mention the couple of Scottish teams that would be disadvantaged by this ruling.
I wonder if we might be seeing an EGM from them in the next few weeks. They really, really need the Res 11 facilities. A few more stories like this might sway the vote.
FTSFA
TURKEYBHOY on 30TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:15 AM
Funny how a so called reporter on Scottish football,does not mention the couple of Scottish teams that would be disadvantaged by this ruling.
——————————————-
Yip. Sporting advantage ad infinitum.
If by hook or by crook a 2nd Rangers sneaked into European qualification, would it be funny againt to watch them fail at the first stage against a team from luxembourg or somewhere.
Its not as if it will get them any real money.
Like their home draws in the cups, its more costs than income.
PS – I still hope they dont make top 6. Once the points deduction happens.
BIG PEAT OF ISLAY @ 9:41 AM,
Well exactly, the whole point of the FFP is to ensure that Clubs are “living” within their means.
Newco’s “special dispensation” argument seems to be…
Although we are not a solvent business/club if we have European Football we will be!?
A complete nonsense argument, which get more ridiculous when you consider no one is guaranteeing them…
a. A top three finish in the SPL
b. The Scottish Cup
c. Nor Qualification to the “money” stages of the European Competitions.
AWE_NAW @ 9:44 AM,
If the impression given is that I in anyway, shape or form support the set-up at the SFA let me make it clear I don’t.
It seems obvious, the SFA were full of Ibrox placemen and those willing to do their bidding… i.e. The 5 way agreement.
Although some have moved on many are still in place.
My point is that because their position is untenable and the pressure that’s been brought to bear by many not least the Res 12 ghuys has made it next to impossible to do Newco’s bidding.
That makes them flawed in the eyes of the majority of stakeholders and useless to Newco.
Now, if Newco is so keen to get rid of these guys it won’t be to restructure and rebuild (say along the lines Auldheid was proposing). It will be to go back to the Peat, Smith, Ogilvie…. days.
So for now, maybe better the devils we know until the place can be thorough cleared, an thorough investigation into the whole sordid affair and a proper restructuring.
Hope all’s good…
Hail Hail
weeminger
But even if an EGM approved the resolution, would they be able to raise £13m of NEW money? Forget their directors putting any new money in as they will just be converting loans to equity.
They don’t have a hope in hell of meeting FFP requirements.
CHAIRBHOY on 30TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:31 AM
Did you note that in his AGM speech, DK made a point of stating that relations with the SFA were not what they once were?
DAVIDOPOULOS on 30TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:35 AM
Probably not, but without it, definitely not.
Oops…….gone fishin’…….
Actually, it would be closer to £15m. My bad.
Will it be even more by the end of the season?
As for dispensation for clubs. Here is a little summary of recent special dispensations:
http://www.uefa.org/protecting-the-game/club-licensing-and-financial-fair-play/news/newsid=2366661.html
Have a look at the conditions imposed by UEFA – break even by a certain date, limits to players it can include in squad for UEFA comps, plus withheld prize money/fines.
To break even TRFC would have to downsize – the zombies won’t like that. It flies in the face of the deficit funding statement made by the Lying King.
Withheld prize money – what’s the point in competing to not earn any money? Particularly if your get well plan includes a reliance on UEFA prize money?
Zombies eat brains but don’t seem to get any smarter…
TURKEYBHOY 1010
Aberdeen have already drawn attention to their adherence to FFP,and I think Hearts have too.
Dundee Utd,before they imploded,were also vocal about it.
It’s not just us,I think a fair few clubs are pissed off about things.
Fool me once,etc.