Despite Walter Smith urging “Rangers fans to get fully behind the resolutions which last week were presented to the Board and shareholders”, which include sacking chief executive, Craig Mather, he added, “Craig Mather, as I have said before is doing a good job. It is unfortunate that this has happened but when change does come I hope he’ll be allowed to continue the job he has started”.
Smith is clearly close to, but not in tandem with, those who requested an Emergency General Meeting.
As well as support for the chief exec, on the manager, Smith says, “As for Alistair McCoist, it is important that we all appreciate that no other Rangers manager has had to work with poorer or more trying circumstances. It is my fervent hope that when the dust settles and Rangers have a clearer path and future he is given the chance to manage under conditions similar to those which were afforded his predecessors.”
Here we get to the crux of the problem. Rangers International face enormous financial challenges. With a half decent football manager, they would be able to win promotion from the third tier of Scottish football with a football budget of around £1m, or several times that of their nearest rivals. If, as the Herald suggested this week, there is not enough money to finish the season, the most immediate responsibility of the directors is to cut costs accordingly.
Cutting costs is not the reason anyone gets into football, and it is certainly not what Walter Smith knew in his time at the Rangers group of clubs, but at times it is absolutely necessary. The non-executive directors of Rangers International would serve their fans interests best by telling this unpalatable truth.
Failure to do this will pale in comparison to some other potential consequences. In setting his stall behind McCoist, Mather’s team building exercise and the EGM protagonists, Smith has almost ensured collapse if those demanding change cannot command the support of 51% of shareholders. To succeed, Paul Murray will need to demonstrate the leadership and deal management skills which were lacking a year ago.
Meanwhile, John Brown’s warning about Green turning Ibrox to dust hangs over the place, a bit like dust.
There is one overarching concern, however. Green is critical to fending off any impending action by Craig Whyte. His evidence will be necessary to explain how Sevco Scotland Ltd assumed the irrevocable entitlement of Sevco 5088 Ltd. Even with Green on-side, this looks like a challenge, but if the main protagonists in this action are separated from those who will have to defend any action, you suspect Whyte will be enormously encouraged.
When Whyte believed he was double-crossed he went nuclear. All Green would need to do is corroborate a sliver of Whyte’s evidence to bring Whyte’s legal challenge into sharp focus. For this reason, Green has to be part of the picture going forward. Demonising him is tempting, and may be deserved, but it’s self-defeating – and these people know all about self-defeating.
Section 111
Two weeks ago I said “place your bets” on what would happen after Celtic issued their “final warning” over a number ongoing issues in section 111. No one was in control of the situation, not Celtic, and not members the Green Brigade, who I believe had nothing to do with several of the issues.
Since then I’ve watched the debate. Some, like Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, attempted to inform on the debate, interviewing handicapped supporters and independent safety experts. Anticipating this day would come, I thought about interviewing the Council, but decided against, not wanting to draw them into making a public stance they would be unable to back down from.
Yesterday felt as inevitable as what’s going to happen next in Govan. Can the situation be rescued? Of course. Will it? Place your bets, people…
I’m not a regular newspaper buyer but the front page of one of today’s is a keeper. Celtic have a lateral movement issue, which dominates the front page, when the utter implosion at Ibrox is relegated to a side column. It’s a testament to our age. We will survive. I can’t say that with any certainty about the other lot.
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Partizan 1-0 down with a minute left.
They are almost certainly out as well.
Jude
did he give you my email addy?
Partizan 1-0 down with two minutes to go, is that them out??
https://twitter.com/Coroweee/status/364844085980315648/photo/1
A tim amidst a sea of huns .
Nat Know Ta.
Did they find him in the bowels of doomdome?
A trip to Eastern Europe very much on the cards if we get through tomorrow.
brnobhoy
You have mail. :)) Soooooo looking forward to seeing wee Charlie’s new top. Cannot for the life of me think what it is. Hahahaha
Weefra HH
starry plough
Yes that is Partizan out. Ludogorets of Bulgaria take their place in the unseeded side of the draw.
Medication time. My medication costs are £3.35 for a tall glass of black medicine, with a cream coloured top on it.. Don`t know if I`ll have to spend seven seventy or ten oh five tonight.
Honours even in the battle of Britain
B R
Nope. Have I came into some money?
What’s the odds Fatbake will be lauded for beating an EPL team tonight?He really is a promising young manager. Handsome too.
APOEL Nicosia out away goals beaten by Maribor
Partizan Begrade out beaten H &A by Bulgarians Ludogorets
Kazakhstan side Karagandy through
This means Dinamo Zagreb are now one of the 5 seeds
All this means is that Celtic final qualifying round opponents (if we get there) will be
Austria Vienna or Icelandics
Maribor
Legia Warsaw or Molde
Ludogorets
Kazakhstan team Karagandy
Anyone bar Kazakhstan
Ten Men Won The League
Good result for the Bulgarians, Lyon have just scored late in Zurich..
DontPatmadug, Brilliant pic, I love stuff like that.
Hunbelievable
Had a five timer on, only a few euros, but a good return.
Stevenage
Morcambe
Burnley
Burton
And Newcastle
A mugs game, so close, but so Forfar >}
Curses ,the fellow neds have equalised.
Kazakhstan would be a nightmare trip.
A 9 hour flight each way for starters.
What difficulties has McCoist encountered managing sevco
He has been given the second largest playing budget in Scotland
The fact that all and sundry are defending him is great …if you’re a CFC fan
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
21:39 on
6 August, 2013
Nat Know Ta.
Did they find him in the bowels of doomdome?
I understand he came out front to address them. I was disappointed they didn’t even try to tear at him and eat his flesh. Apparently they’re not even very good at being zombies…
corkcelt
21:43 on
6 August, 2013
Me to :)
Hello this is WEE BGFC. What is the sevco score
Kazakhstan would be amazing. I have not been there but have met some of the people. No need to be frightened about such a draw. Remember Ireland played Iran and won 2-0 I think so travel should not dictate a result. Celtic need not fear anyone.
Squire- If Dinamo Zagreb get knocked out I think this would promote Austria Wien (or Legia Warsaw) as seeds.
Ten Men Won The League
21:44 on
6 August, 2013
Would be the same for them except they would be going back to Kazakhstan at the end of it. :))
squire danaher
21:42
Anyone bar Kazakhstan
—
I said that to myself in 2006 and was glad when a team called Artmedia put the old Cossacks out. Learned my lesson that summer, and no mistake.
Dontpatmadug, It is seemingly a beautiful place! One of the largest countries in the world. However first we need to take care of the Swedish mediocrities.
Weefratim
You have mail
It’s not the one you think it is :)
HH
Brnobhoy
Whats the score at stink dome?
John O Neil
21:47
Ireland won the home leg of that play-off 2-0, but lost in Teheran 0-1.
Davie Weir follows Sally’s lead by getting Sheff Utd papped out the LC in the 1st round.
Good ol Morecambe.
Plenty to think about if and when Celtic get through. And at this stage, any of us would take any draw. Any draw is better than not being in the hat.
Come on the Hoops.
Did they Celtic first? I thought they won. Oops. Sorry about that. That blows my argument away.
Celtic_First
Indeed. Getting knocked out by the joint 6th placed team in the Swedish league would be a humiliation.
brnobhoy
Nothing here yet. :)
Weefra HH
I’ve not had a chance to be on CQN for the last few days. From speed-reading, here is some replies. Sorry to any I’ve missed.
Doc is Neil Lennon @ 23:23 on 2 August, 2013
Thanks for that. Even I was starting to doubt my memory.
iki @ 23:24 on 2 August, 2013
Thanks!
A Ceiler Gonof Rust @ 23:35 on 2 August, 2013
;)
Thanks for the donation to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/morrissey23rdskydiveforstiliyan
I don’t pull the rip cord. I have to rely on somebody else doing that. Not great for a control freak.
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far. I passed my medical yesterday. Two and a half weeks of worry before the jump.
Doc is Neil Lennon @ 23:41 on 2 August, 2013
Did I not just write ‘the other day’? I wasn’t that confused. The confusion followed.
Glad I can safely meet Cowiebhoy again.
Fortunes Favour Mibbes @ 02:33 on 3 August, 2013
Great post.
THE EXILED TIM 13:35 on 3 August, 2013
Apathy is the problem. I don’t see that changing.
lazydynamite @ 12:29 on 6 August, 2013
It is sad that distractions prevent us from being fully focussed on what really matters and to enjoy the present the way we should be.
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam) @ 12:31 on 6 August, 2013
It great to know Celtic are capable of making statements and taking action. I look forward to seeing their support regarding the attack on their fans by the government, Police Scotland and MSM. I also look forward to hearing about all this behind the scenes stuff they have been doing regarding the cheating from RFC/SFA.
yossarian67 @ 12:34 on 6 August, 2013
and vinniethedog 14:16 on 6 August, 2013
The breaking up of the GB is political. Shame more fans don’t see that and give our fans support. Even worse is the demonising of some of our support by some our support.
Doc is Neil Lennon ‘ 12:35 on 6 August, 2013
Hear! Hear!
Paul67 ‘ 12:42 on 6 August, 2013
I also find it a concern that Celtic supporters pay for anti-Celtic media. Hopefully that will continue to dwindle.
Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly @ 12:45 on 6 August, 2013
Well said.
corkcelt @ 12:45 on 6 August, 2013
Well said.
Stairheedrammy @ 12:55 on 6 August, 2013
1,2 and 3.
….PFayr @ 13:44 on 6 August, 2013
Hear! Hear!
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 @ 15:16 on 6 August, 2013
Great post as always.
connaire12 @ 15:52 on 6 August, 2013
Excellent point.
Celtic_First @ 17:04 on 6 August, 2013
;)
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 ‘ 17:57 on 6 August, 2013
Because his paws are dirty?
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam) @ 18:49 on 6 August, 2013
;)
fergus slayed the blues @ 18:51 on 6 August, 2013
Great, eh? No shock though.
Monaghan1900 @ 19:15 on 6 August, 2013
and notthebus @ 19:34 on 6 August, 2013
I noticed that too. Chuckles is fantastic!
Auldheid @ 20:18 on 6 August, 2013
Good. I am worried they will get away with it.
dessybhoy @ 20:24 on 6 August, 2013
Yeah. I suspect they will get away with it.
twists n turns @ 20:46 on 6 August, 2013
I once had Geese and after keeping them safe from dogs, etc. Some of them drowned themselves! Good luck!
jude twas a one all draw.