You have been presented with a narrative that we should collapse the Scottish Premier League this summer and have the SFA register a new, two-division, league system to resolve the problems inherent in having too many bodies running our game. This is complete nonsense.
Those pushing for a SPL 2 are, perhaps with good intentions, trying to pull a deal together to reduce the impact of the demise of Rangers FC buy allowing a phoenix the chance to gain entry into the league structure two levels higher than what they now face.
It’s a stupid proposal.
As things stand, there is no chance of a Newco getting access to the SPL next season. Despite Neil Doncaster heavily advocating the notion, the idea is simply undeliverable. Our club has been committed to opposing the proposition from the beginning, while many others now realise they have to observe the strong feelings of their own supporters on the matter.
Doncaster should have realised this was a campaign he could not win before he boxed himself into a corner over it. SPL 2 is an attempt to address the ‘No to Newco’ concerns while bringing the income some in the game hope Newco will deliver.
The unnamed SFA source who briefed the BBC on this topic last week made no reference whatsoever to Newco, their focus was all on the administrative challenges of having multiple bodies in charge of the game, but this was disingenuous. If there was a prospect of Newco getting into the SPL we would not be having this debate.
Tell us the truth, be honest, and these random, ill-considered, notions will perhaps be received in a better light.
The hope is that fans of the former club, Rangers, bring their cash along to watch Newco, which would play SPL 2 football next season and would be subject to whatever penalties the various independent bodies impose for years to come for the illegal actions of Rangers. This would allow Newco to claim the history of Rangers, would perhaps maintain the existing BSkyB TV deal and would meet the ‘No to Newco’ demands.
There are several huge obstacles to overcome. The SFA will soon instruct Lord Carloway’s Appellate Panel to consider a new punishment for ‘Rangers’ for misdeeds during the Craig Whyte era. I expect him to suspend the ‘club’ for 12 months. A new independent judicial panel will consider the case against ‘Rangers’ for subverting our game for over a decade through the illegal registration of players. If/when the First Tier Tribunal finds against Rangers a fresh wave of charges will be brought against any club claiming to hold that identity – as a guide, think of the punishments for the Craig Whyte era multiplied by 12.
These three independent judicial panels will destroy whatever is left of what we used to call ‘Rangers’ and there is nothing the football authorities can do about it.
Sevco, who own Ibrox and have applied for SPL access, already face an enormous challenge to meet trading costs for a year, even in the SPL, never mind a lower league (as Dave King correctly concluded). They are prime candidates for another insolvency event any time soon. Best of all, a Celtic fan has now bid for the assets (more on this later)!
Even if Newco overcame these enormous challenges, the SFA and SPL executives, having realised they cannot convince fans of 11 clubs to hold their noses and put up with a Newco-Rangers, will now try to convince former Rangers fans to cough up cash to support a Newco that will be rendered impotent by the most severe penalties in the history of our game.
I cannot see former Rangers fans accepting their role as cannon fodder for St Mirren, Motherwell and (cough) Kilmarnock in a league where the Mighty Celtic romp home by 30 points.
I don’t have an objection in principle to a two-league SPL but plan it properly, don’t allow knee-jerk reactions to dictate thinking. There’s no point in us getting paranoid about this, it’s not some attempt to help the remnants of ‘Rangers’, it’s just a stupid proposal from people who have yet to see the big picture.
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I consider myself fortunate indeed to have lived through two of the greatest events in Celtic’s history………….1967 and 2012.
kayal 33
I am intrigued by the ‘one off payment’ inducement to the 30 SFL clubs. Who the hell would be footing that bill?
starry plough
Read a couple of hun articles last couple of days and they still giving it we ur the peeepul and how they will regain their ‘rightful’ place at the top of scottish football.
As I said to one, rangers won one league title the 10 year before Murray arrived, he then used the Bank Of Scotland and EBT’s to win trophies. They have not been ‘rightfully’ at the top of Scottish Football since the 1970’s…
When they are voted out the SPL they are gone. A SFL chairmen said yesterday they would not get voted into Division 3 as it would be logistical nightmare trying to host them and the police costs would probably bankrupt clubs.
Charlie to RFF
gony geez rat money, naw, oh jist geez it, naw a said, keepit then
Sone, gony geez some mair money
naw
oh gony
weeminger on 22 June, 2012 at 11:07 said:
No sense of anything at all, stuck in the bambox of hunnic indoctrination!
My younger brother Brian died in October 2005 and my older brother John passed away in March 2010. They were both Celtic season-book holders. John was born the day Celtic beat Motherwell in the 1951 Scottish Cup Final. He is the most diehard and devoted Celtic supporter I have ever known. He followed Celtic everywhere, no matter the competition, the opposition, the venue or the weather. He ate, slept and breathed Celtic. He died on his way to a Celtic match.
I remember him during the centenary season 1987/88 when we beat Rangers at Ibrox. During that evening’s celebrations in the Railway Tavern in Motherwell, he hugged me and shouted, “We’re gonnae send that mob down to the second division where they belong.”
I remember smiling at the absurdity of his forecast, but allowed him his Celtic-reared fantasy. I think of John and Brian all the time now as I watch the daily demise of “that mob” as they slide inexorably into the abyss “where they belong”.
Oh how my brothers would have loved these times. Oh how I wish they were still here to witness it. In fact there cannot be many Celtic supporters, on CQN and beyond, who do not think of a dearly departed friend or family member who would have savoured these momentous days.
I will shed a tear at the start of the new season when the flag is unfurled and there is no Rangers. I will also raise a glass to both my late brothers, and all members of the Celtic family throughout the world who did not survive to see it.
Hail Hail to every last one of them.
I am with those who say we should keep our own counsel on this. Peter Lawwell has already said all that needs to be said. We don’t need them. Don’t let the MSM deflect attention away from their favourite dead club.
I don’t want them playing in the pub league never mind Div 3.
I don’t want them playing on planet earth never mind Ibrox.
I suspect it will be a while before another club comes out with a NO to NewCo.
In effect, the next club to say “No” gives the rest of the clubs in the league an effective power of VETO and greatly increase the stakes in an already pressurised situation.
Stephen Dobbie,Dexter Blackstock……..they wont get us to CL.
And Celtic are right to keep quiet for now. It ought not to be seen as an “Old Firm” issue.
Are we still at three?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Tyrone Smith @TyroneSTV
Stewart Milne: ‘Contrary to reports, AFC has still to reach a final decision regarding the 4th July vote on the Rangers newco’
Hmmmmmm
Perhaps we were premature.
Fassreifen really wants to see padlocks on Ibroke:
I work with a Forrest fan and he’s “sick” at the prospect of Blackstock leaving. He knows that any bid received will be accepted, such is the predicament the club are in, so expects that if the rumours are true, Blackstock will be ushered out the door.
Reckons Blackstock wont be a 20-30 goal a season man, but will help Hooper get 30+. Describes him as a great target man, strong and willing.
Described Forrest’s form with Blackstock in the team (high flying, beating Newcastle at St James’, scoring, good football) to without Blackstock when he broke his leg (cannon fodder, relegation certs, unable to score). Says it’s no coincidence that on Blackstock’s return from injury the team found it’s way again and survived after going on a run.
He reckons he be excellent in the SPL.
Stewart’s also got houses to sell
Perhaps Celtic should be the sixth club to vote no.
Then again, maybe the fifth would be better, with Neil Lennon making the announcement. Hee hee.
ASonOfDan on 22 June, 2012 at 11:10 said:
They have been brainwashed and drip fed that nonsense by Murray and his jackals ably assisted by Jabba, Chico, Keevo, Darro et al for years, couple that with an organized campaign of faux patriotism and loud military music at their ground and the handing out of dinky we flags( aways works with a crowd control agenda) it’s actually no wonder that ra berrs think the way they do. They been programmed over the years of the false success and most off them now don’t even know or understand what is happening, like rusty little malfunctioning robots they can only trot out the party line fed to them by Ogilvie, Bain etc etc.
I would feel sorry for them if I didn’t know deep in my heart that they bought into it willingly, they wanted so much to be the people, to lord it over us and now I hope each and every one of their fans who stood by while they sang the Famine Song and were up to their knees in our blood is suffering.
To them I say bye bye I hope it’s really sore!!
Snake:
Contrary to Tyrone’s assesment he should read their blogs; they have decided.
I have long felt that the only way forward for the “Real Rangers Men” is to buy another club, SFL 1 would be best, and label it as Continuity Rangers. If they get the right backing, Cardigan, Sally etc, this pig might fly. A lease of Hampden in the interim and purchase/lease back from Green when he has had enough of Ibrox would provide a base. The existing players of the purchased club supplemented by some buys at the right price and promoition should be possible in a year, maybe two. An affordable and credible solution. Step forward Cowdenbeath, the club with no home and a sympathetic owner and Charman.
kitalba
Good but that is a quote from Milne himself which should be concerning unless he is playing politics.
Tom McG
Great post and a fitting tribute.
optimistic little soldier on 22 June, 2012 at 11:22 said
Thanks for that. Interesting! SSN says we have made a verbal bid. Treat with caution of course.
Did Jim Spence confirm this morning that Aberdeen is voting NO.
HH
Tom McLaughlin on 22 June, 2012 at 11:15 said:
remember them.
great sentiments.
get a lantern over the weekend.
I appreciate that mate but their supporters are singing
No go for newco, newco mchun, I just don’t think you understand
If you let in newco, newco mchun, your gonna have a riot on your hauns
I am just wondering if our custodians are playing a clever game or not!!! By saying nothing they have given newco enough rope to hang themselves. Other clubs have stated their objectives and i think our silence is a good thing! However given that celtic and the now defunct Rangers have been unusual bedfellows is it possible that celtic could vote for NEWCO or just as bad abstain if they can do that. Is the vote public in that we get to see a transparent process or is it private where no one will know who voted for and against.
We had 3years of incompetence from the board allowing rangers to win a treble (i know all is forgiven because Rangers cheated) lets not have short memories the board failed us over those years and have their get out of jail free card now. We win the league and season book prices have gone up, thats great so we will be buying top players in the summer and the quality of our team will match the spend!!! I think not, I don’t trust the board and PL who must be rubbing his hands at the goings on. I can just see the headlines now celtic have to cut their cloth no more than free transfers etc etc and with less wages and less transfers the bold Peter will be on an even bigger bonus!!!
I can’t believe there are supporters out there insisting that Celtic make a statement regarding their voting intentions for 4 July.
I mean seriously, do you guys honestly believe there is any possibility of Celtic voting anything other than NO?
Celtic don’t need to say a word in public. We were worried about how the other SPL clubs might vote. We are now being reassured on that score and it looks like NewCo are doomed.
There is no need for Celtic to make a statement at this juncture. In fact their silence is a dignified one and it should remain so, until the time is right.
Anyone who comes on here and criticises the board for not speaking out now have their own agenda.
So, that’s three clubs saying “NO ” to Newco with Murderwell balloting the fans, so I’d imagine the that’s four if my maths are correct. I do think the fans should have a say mind you as there is less chance of them being corrupt if you see what I mean.
Would it not just be great if we could hammer in the final nail – As Hilda Ogden would say, now that’s pathetic justice.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly on 22 June, 2012 at 11:08 said:
I consider myself fortunate indeed to have lived through two of the greatest events in Celtic’s history………….1967 and 2012.
Glendalystonsils
I can add another to that 1957 Hampden in the sun Celtic 7 Rangers 1
MT
Hail Hail
Tom McLaughlin on 22 June, 2012 at 11:34 said:
I can’t believe there are supporters out there insisting that Celtic make a statement regarding their voting intentions for 4 July.
I mean seriously, do you guys honestly believe there is any possibility of Celtic voting anything other than NO? – It is a possibility, they have shown in the past all they care about is money1
Celtic don’t need to say a word in public. We were worried about how the other SPL clubs might vote. We are now being reassured on that score and it looks like NewCo are doomed.
There is no need for Celtic to make a statement at this juncture. In fact their silence is a dignified one and it should remain so, until the time is right. – Does that mean the other clubs coming out are being undignified?
Anyone who comes on here and criticises the board for not speaking out now have their own agenda. – Its called free speech and btw we all have ur own agenda
starry plough
Totally agree, I told a story on here a wee while back about my first job and the abuse I took for being a Catholic. I have a big cheey grin when I picture their faces and imagine the hurt they are going through…
paolosboots –
Ok I’ll bite. Why do you think Peter Lawwell would vote for NewCo, or indeed abstain, apart from making people like you deliriously happy?
What possible benefit would he or Celtic gain from such madness?
Take your time.
paolosboots.
Words fail me. The board failed us did they? Are we solvent? Are we champions? Do we have a club playing in the SPL guaraunteed next year with an unbroken history?
On your submission the board ought to have taken more financial risk to keep up with a doped up competitor. A doped up competitor whjo is likely to have those titles stripped from them. We lived within our means and played within the rules. Failing to do either in order to secure football bling is what got thems in trouble in the first place. The Board failed us, nonsense!
Celtic have met the Celtic Trust, CSA and Green Brigade. They KNOW we would never stand for a YES vote. Green Brigade only renewed their season tickets after a meeting with PL and the only topic of conversation that day was the Club12 vote.
greenjedi said:
It’s called free speech
Oh well, I am delighted that you finally get it.
Or does “free speech” not apply to me then?
Tom McLaughlin
Celtic are and always have been in a catch22 situation regarding this. It is assumed by many (probably correctly) that we will be voting NO but it is incredibly important that we respect every other clubs right to make an informed decision.
If we had come out at the start to say that we would be voting NO, everyone would have been up in arms and other clubs may have felt unable to declare what there intentions were for fear that they would be described as just following our lead or worse that we had somehow bullied them into making a decision.
There may also have been stubbornness from some who might have said, “If Celtic say NO, then we’ll say YES.”
Our board have played their cards very close to their chest throughout the whole situation going back to Peter Lawwell’s statement that “we don’t need Rangers” before they even went into administration. I would presume that he knew that was imminent and timed the statement to perfection and having said nothing officially since administration and subsequent death, Celtic are in a great position to negotiate secretly with other SPL teams about what they want from this situation.
We all know that without the other teams there would be no league but in all seriousness, is it important commercially to us if these teams we play on a regular basis are Hearts, Dundee United, St Johnstone etc or Falkirk, Partick Thistle, Airdrie.
A new TV deal outwith Sky/ESPN would be a good start and for Celtic to say that we will agree to a fair equal split of all commercial monies coming into the SPL would be a good start. The money we would lose from this arrangement would be negated by additional European money, but the benefits it would bring to others would be much greater.
Celtic have played this game brilliantly so far. I hope we don’t blink and do something stupid too quickly.
Mort
Aberdeen today joined Hearts and Dundee United, who made their views public yesterday, in indicating they will block Rangers’ readmission to the SPL, telling BBC Scotland that their decision was based on maintaining the integrity of the competition.
Motherwell have said they will hold a ballot of supporters to determine which way the club should vote on the issue when the application of Sevco 5088 Ltd is considered by the SPL.
The new company needs a minimum of eight votes to gain admission to the league.
Celtic and Hibs are both expected to vote no, with Hibs chairman Rod Petrie having previously declared: “Integrity is beyond purchase.”