This season, Gary Hooper has looked well below form of last term; his touch, movement and goals record don’t match up, but he came off the bench on Thursday to score a truly excellent goal. Controlling a difficult ball in the centre circle, with defenders in close attendance, he picked out Giorgios Samaras before sprinting past his markers and finishing.
The winner against Motherwell was less spectacular but required sharp movement and spatial awareness.
Footballers cannot always play through bad form, sometimes they need a break, even for an hour on the bench, to get a different perspective on how they and the team play.
Despite his return to form I would retain the same 4-2-3-1 formation against Inverness next time out.
Issue 4 of CQN Magazine is out next week, let me know if you would like to advertise, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
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thomthethim says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:27
‘Let justice be done though the heavens fall’
Just as long as it’s only the ole contestants
Good afternoon ( again ),
Can I just stress a couple of things about all of this controversy surrounding Phil’s article. I am not getting into the “He said, She said” kind of debate as to who is right or wrong here. Clearly Phil says a decision is made to support Rangers in some form of Phoenix application, Paul says not so!
Can we just stop and think where things stand at the moment and avoid the most obvious falling into the trap of poor and lazy journalism that this blog is founded upon.
What do we actually expect to happen?
Right now a Tax tribunal is deciding whether or not Rangers PLC has broken then law and is due a huge sum in tax, penalties and interest. The position of HMRC is not even being contested by Rangers PLC, but instead by lawyers acting on the instructions of Murray International Holdings.
One of the main issues will be the behaviour of the former Directors or Rangers PLC ad whether there has been any wrongful trading. If so then anyone– note anyone– who was a Director of Rangers PLC prior to a liquidation may well find themselves with a personal liability. In other words the former board can be sued personally if HMRC are not paid in full.
Now when the decision comes out of the tribunal, it can be appealed. That might keep things as they are for a year or so legally with no need to apply for any licence at all.
At this time, Rangers PLC have a licence from the SFA and are allowed to play in the SPL.
If the company goes into Administration then the SPL lays down an automatic 10 point penalty– for going into Administration— nothing else. Of course Rangers PLC can go into Administration without any finding of an Tax tribunal!
So let’s presume there is administration– and ten pointes deducted– where does that take us?
Rangers PLC has to get out of Administration and the day to day running of the club is now the responsibility of the Administrator who has duties and whose performance is governed by law. He cannot run the company at a loss– he must cut his cloth and make profit and try to bring the club out of administration by reaching a deal with HMRC amongst others. As Rangers run at a substantial loss where is the money coming from to pay HMRC or anyone else?
Do you think Craig Whyte will put in more money and does he have the money to put in?
My view is no. So what does our Administrator do? No one will buy the existing company and its debts so he can only sell assets.
That would include players. It would include Ibrox. It would include Murray park although it is likely that Murray park will no longer be a Rangers asset if the Landlords choose!
Who does he sell these assets to and what for? No new company has a licence to play football– anywhere.
If an application is to be mae by a new company then that is an application for an SFA football Licence— not an application for an SFA/SPL licence. It could mean you play in division 3.
So who is going to front this company and show that it has a sound financial base as is required by the SFA in considering any application?
Craig Whyte? ah well you see there might be a problem there on two counts. 1 he has already been struck off as a Director and in terms of the rules he may still fail to meet the criteria 2. He would be someone who was a Director of a football club when it was the subject of an insolvency event. Maybe not him then. Well who?
Also how do you show you can run Rangers at a profit when no one has ran Rangers consistently in that way for twenty years. The last twenty years show a loss of something like £150MILLION– and that is not including the tax case. So how do you demonstrate that? Must be a whole new ball game surely? Especially as there is no Europe fpr three years?
But let’s say it is Whyte and it is a phoenix job. Eh all we have touched on so far is Administration and liquidation. Could there be more for the SFA/SPL to consider? Could there be more for anyone to consider?
Ok how about this. What if, the real contracts for Rangers players were never shown to the SFA or SPL even though it is a requirement to do so? What if the Rangers submissions and assurances to the authorities turned out to be one big whole tissue of deception? Would any governing body be justified in administering the minimum punishment for simple insolvency in such a situation– as opposed to a determination that reflects constant and ongoing deception of a EUFA affiliated body– designed to gain an advantage over every other team affiliated to that body?
Would that be consistent with Platini’s fair play schedule?
Remember also that the existence of the EBT’s only came to light after a police raid on Ibrox.
The evidence that emerges from the Tax enquiry will raise questions as to what the SFA/SPL were doing all the time that Rangers were cooking their books so to speak. There will be loads of very uncomfortable questions to ask and answer after that tribunal has made its decision. How come those bodies supposedly knew nothing of what was going on despite being in possession of accounts and cashflow which should show all payemts made by the company to anyone?
Right now, no one knows who can make an application of any kind whatsoever under as yet unknown circumstances and the whole thing is undoubtedly frought with legal difficulties.
Anyone who thinks that they can sit down at the moment and strike a deal on any final determination of how all of this is going to play out is not only diluded and in need of medical care, but also ignores the fact that some other bodies might just have something to say about the matter.
For example– a Liquidator can “undo” any commercial transaction going back 5 years from the date of liquidation and that can include all sorts of transactions.
Sorry but there is far more to all of this than a simple deal in a smokey room whether anyone likes it or not.
timbhoy
u19s
next game is v Killie at Lennoxtown this Sunday in SFA Cup
still awaiting kick-off time yet
cheers
TC
thomthethim says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:27
Let me put it another way then.
Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
bjmac says:
8th November, 2011 at 14:59
I am choosing to assume Phil really has a source at the club for his story and can “stand it up”.
However, I am also choosing to believe Paul’s assurance that the Celtic will not vote in favour of letting a phoenix Rangers back in to the SPL after liquidation with only a 10 point deduction. I think Paul67 has better sources at the heart of Celtic than Phil, who seems to pick up titbits from lower down the Celtic foodchain.
To put out a story that you know to be untrue even if for a noble cause is a total breach of journalistic ethics and totally compromises anyone who does this if they admit to it or are found out doing it. eg Johann Hari at the Independent.
Another example was during the Spanish Civil War when Claud Cockburn famously filed reports for the Daily Worker about Republican battle victories. Some were totally fictitious.
He claimed afterwards this was justified because he was just playing his part in the fight against fascism.
The problem for the reader is that when a journalist knowingly puts out a lie, or fabricates a story, for no matter how noble a reason, you can then never be sure of the truth thereafter.
It’s one thing for someone like a politician to fly kites to see what reaction it gets, it’s quite another for a journo to make stuff up.
I still trust Phil, I’m not accusing him of it. As someone else pointed out, he seems to have better sourcs about what’s happening at Rangers than Celtic.
New choon for the ole Gazebo jukebox
The great Steve Cropper lifted the opening guitar figure for ‘I’ll Take You There’.
hamiltontim says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:31
thomthethim says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:27
‘Let justice be done though the heavens fall’
Thank you and Amen to that.
BRTH – Outstanding as usual my good man
From, like, 3 pages or so ago… something must have happened!
Oglach, always happy to agree to disagree. Hope Pauls comments are re-assuring. To pick up on Celtic4me (sic) it’s best we wait and see. What’s most galling about so much of the online rumours is how quick we are to turn on our own… and not based upon much.
Estadio/Hamiltontim
Am I kidding myself on/were they better times? I’m sure there was a time when CQN was full of Celtic fans who were happy no matter – it was just a privilege to chat amongst like minded types.
I think I’m kidding myself on. However we should determine to enjoy ourselves, after all do we not quite like supporting Celtic, and what on earth could replace it?
Celtic have to be the most powerful force in scottish football when the oldco goes down the pan .
We may only have one vote but we should be the major player in shaping the future of football in this country.
Brogan Rogan:
You are fast becoming the guy to read on this blog when it comes to this situation mate.
Brilliant again. Once more, you’ve reminded some that this isn’t going to be as cut and dried as the press or others would have you believe.
This is a legal minefield with risks everywhere for anyone who doesn’t want to follow the rules as laid down.
What IS happenin’ at the oole Celtic?
Emb’dy?
I always had a great disdain for those who collaborate with the enemy, nothing worse than a collaborator in my book.
Just try it Celtic.
BRTH
Another expert post on this matter. I wholeheartedly agree that there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge on this case.
I look forward to your further musings on this subject.
HH
Secret location for the tax case !
That means only one thing….
they will come up smelling of roses, as per usual.
Haha.
It’s so boring and predictable !
Right now in some damp basement toilet of some damper, darker LODGE, there are legal “professionals” shuffling and waffling.
Same same. Move along, Timothy.
This happened once before
When I came to your door, no reply
They said it wasn’t you
But I saw you peep through your window !!!!!
Jungle Jim says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:15
I sent one earlier and it got bounced, which email address are you using?
Hope you’re well!
hh
bjmac
DBBIA
Meanwhile back at Countdown
Brogan rogan trevino and Hogan
Thanks for the enlightenment about what goes on when a company goes into admin etc.
I have a question or two about the administrators duties if you don’t mind
You mention that it’s the duty of the administrator to run the business while making a profit
Is a profitable RFC the only way that the taxman will get some cash back (ie some sort of paying up scheme at 1 million quid a year ) or would the taxman happily sink them and sell the players and the park
I maybe wrong, lord knows I have been wrong before (once) but haven’t rangers been making a profit over the past few seasons and have paid off a small amount of their debt?
If RFC is not being run profitably then will the admin man sell the players and the park etc? and if so is CW a secured creditor ahead of the taxman.
Sorry if the questions sound naïve, but id hate the thought that we have downsized for a decade only for the huns to get off scot free
Br\o/gan R\o/gan Trevin\o/ and H\o/gan says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:32
‘Remember also that the existence of the EBT’s only came to light after a police raid on Ibrox.’
I don’t think that’s correct.
I think what the dawn raid discovered was evidence that what were meant to be discretionary payments were in fact contractual.
Disturbing to read Phil’s article but am trying to keep the belief that a Celtic Board would not destroy our history by forcing us to withdraw our support from them because they supported a tainted Rangers. Surely this wont’ happen?
Hi ghuys
I have a source at Celtic – I won’t say who he is, for fear of exposing his identity – but he told me the following:
* NO deal has been made to buy him a new collar or leash, despite the current equipment dating back to when The Broons was a fresh new comedy sensation.
* He is sick of being made to eat Chappie while Peter Lawwell dines on finest Pedigree Chum.
* He knows what Fergus did to Vince the Parrot and is prepared to reveal all in a tell-all expose if the club don’t meet his demands.
* He likes you all a loater.
(thumbsup)
Top Corner-agree mate,best we can hope for is 10 point penalty and no European entry for 3 seasons.All existing rules are made to be broken.HH.
According to the Dawyll guy on talksport this morning ranglers have done nothing wrong and they fully expect to win their case with taxman.
They only did what thousands of other companies did and it was not against the law . Even Celtic did it with Junino!
If by some bad luck they lose the case they might have 10 points taken away.
BRTH
“As Rangers run at a substantial loss”…Do they?
hail hail
Estadio
The rangers supporter was soundly beat on a level playing field on Countdown.
philvis
TopCorner says:
8 November, 2011 at 15:45
‘Secret location for the tax case !
That means only one thing….’
Eh… naw.
It’s ‘secret’ because the judge agreed to the huns request to hold the tribunal in private.
To my mind the fact that the hearing has been private makes it easier for the tribunal to deliver the death sentence out of the glare of publicity and any adverse consequences from the hun hordes that might result.
Bontybhoy. My post at 14.55 was meant to be in response to you. Apologies for not making that clear.
!!Bada Bing!! 8 November, 2011 at 15:49
“Top Corner-agree mate,best we can hope for is 10 point penalty and no European entry for 3 seasons.”
That’s the worst that we can hope for surely.
I think in this scenario you have ignored that whoever buys a phoenix club will have to stump up more than 20 million for the club. Raise another >20 million to run the club for the rest of the year. All of this without European income and without season ticket money as that is gone for this year. The year after that, the season ticket money will have to make up for the lack of European football when their customer base got their season tickets nicked the year before and their best players sold to make up for the shortfall. The year after that the same thing. Even phoenix rangers are a busted flush.
where can i find phils article that is causing such a stooshie?
–
Phil has put a story up prompted by unattributed comments made to him. Fair enough, I’m sure he will justify or validate the story in due course.
In the meantime, two other well placed people have contradicted Phil’s story with comments from sources close to ‘the horse’s mouth’.
Other folk have pointed out that no decision is due or even imminent, although that ignores the likelihood that discussions have been taking place informally for some time.
Others again have pointed out the regulatory obstacles to such a decision in any event.
My feeling on it is that Scottish Football is facing a unique set of circumstnaces, where two big clubs are in imminent danger of collapse, with others horridly extended already. Scottish Football is paralysed with fear of what might happen, and has no idea how to deal with it. It hasn’t happened before, wasn’t foreseen and hasn’t been provided for. Consequently any and all suggestions are on the table.
My own suggestion would be to deal with the fear first by looking at the facts, and then make a plan accordingly.
Is that asking for too much from the Leaders of Scottish Football?
DBBIA
Just listened to Sheryl Crow.
I tell you Bhoy, I am reborn. Up and down that old dining room (scullery) like man possessed to something called Santa Monica Boulevard.
Hips swivelling, stepping forward, then back, alternate hands pointing and pumping out cheeks. Bending at the hips and shaking shoulders. Hip thrust here, hip thrust there…..This is what it’s all about…..all I need now is a bit of ‘boogie woogie bugle bhoy of company B’
Off for the next lesson.
Hail hail
Estadio
BRTH, superb piece earlier on Smokin’ Joe and equally superb piece on administration!
Keep up the good work
SFFS
Bogan Rogan Hogan and Trevino, Salve salve;- right on cue, thank you for your most illuminating posts on this subject, you sir are a diamond of this site not only for the wisdom you impart on this subject but for all the other subjects for which you share with us. Your posts may be long sometimes but they are always interesting and well crafted and not just a shovelful of words thrown at a page resulting in a boring and obscure diatribe like some of the stuff we are afflicted by.
Once more sir, I thank you
Greenwells
Pacta Sunt Servanda
Honest Mistake-thanks for reply,I was meaning the best Celtic can hope for ,without going in to the doomsday stuff(hopefully) any newco will have to put up with HH.I have little faith in us getting any real justice btw.
Estadio -she’s a one hit wonder.
Is PhilMac’s blog an indication of a political struggle going on within the corridors of power at CP? PhilMac may be getting used to build a case for those who don’t want to bail out the foe malign.
HH