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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twists
Was that in a sober moment??? :((
Weefra HH
jungle jim
22:33 on 6 August, 2013
Can`t say I have much respect for the opinions of those who quite obviously cannot see the quality of Efe Ambrose. I did not feel we would miss Victor ( I still don`t) ; I did feel we would miss Hooper ( I still do); I certainly feel we would miss Efe. Thankfully, the “report” of interest from the EPl looks like unfounded guff.
—
JJ, we all have opinions which we should all respect if made in a respective way. So not sure why you should bring emotion into your comment.
For me Efe makes far too many basic errors to be regarded as a player of the quality Celtic should be utilising. Cash in now before he moves on for free.
Butcher deserves a good last payday….he’s earned it imo
THE EXILED TIM
Don’t know if there is any truth in it to be honest but the chap works there in FINANCE!
Cynically said they can get rid of Sally now that the season books have been sold.
jungle jim
22:33 on 6 August, 2013
Can`t say I have much respect for the opinions of those who quite obviously cannot see the quality of Efe Ambrose. I did not feel we would miss Victor ( I still don`t) ; I did feel we would miss Hooper ( I still do); I certainly feel we would miss Efe.
Football may be a game of opinions, but the above is insane.
To think before Vic left that we wouldn’t miss him is either untrue or lacking any objective basis. He was our best player, a driving force, a goal threat from inside and outside the box, could play in midfield or defence.
Efe, on the other hand, isn’t our best central defender and, in fact Big Vic was a better defender than him. Efe is a liability. He cost us in CL last year. He demonstrated in several games that he switches off- he has already done again so this season, presumably with NL’s warnings still ringing in his ears.
In short, he thinks he is a better player than he actually is. Probably the opposite to Vic, in fact.
If a PL team offers 5m for Efe, bite their hand off.
HH
CRC,
pearl already on Sammi and 2-0 to us @ 35s!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Chuck interview…..must watch tv.
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/235255-charles-green-tells-stv-his-consortium-would-sell-rangers-stake/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
brnobhoy
We will feel so privileged the fact the wee mhan wants to come here at any time. So, he can wear whatever top and number he wishes. HOWZAT. :))) As long as it’s not the …….. Ach you know.
Weefra HH
estorilbhoy
“we all have opinions which we should all respect “.
With respect, I disagree.
JJ
zbyszek
After seeing that clip I am worried .
Sammi to score and us 2-0 @35’s sounds reasonable, for CowieBhoy to celebrate a Sammi goal, 500-1.
celticrollercoaster
Hey, mate. Not in the best mood due to the family issues but will be ready for soft hooliganism in city of Warsaw and hopefully Glasgow. Noboby can stop us doing lateral movement through the cities.
borgo67
That is why I said be careful with the tackles etc. Refereeng in Russia and in England differs. Spartak fans love Aiden’s play with tackles and fights but I think the supporters of the other clubs don’t like Aiden for that play.
JJ, that’s better :)
T3
Pearl?
HH
CRC
Pearl Diver!
Now I have found out I will be working tomorrow night and will miss the game. This self employed malarkey can really be depressing at times .
Twitter.
Look how disfunctional that lot look.
This picture picks itself for the papers http://t.co/bOZfmrxXHB”
winning captains
Makes sence, but I can’t see Chuck weighing in with over a mill to get rid.
he may well sack them, but not a hope in hell he will pay them off, no way will he sanction over a mill pay off, that would eat too deep into his pocket.
More court cases, or admin, whatever comes first.
HH
borgo67
That was most controversial decision and not the example for his typical work. I would not worry much, but Celtic players must be carefull with tackles.
Re. decision. Rosetti gave excuse that the defender kept Anzi player.
crc,
refer to doc’s post.
HAIL!HAIL!
Token
Tomorrow’s game is huge. There’s a question mark over both Wilson (homesick) and Ambrose (brilliant, looks composed but every so often, KABOOM!). I’ll go:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Forster :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lustig ::::::::::::::: Ambrose ::::::::::::::::: Mulgrew :::::::::::: Izaguirre
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: Brown :::::::::::::::::::: Ledley ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: Forrest :::::::::::::::: Commons ::::::::::::::: Samaras :::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Stokes ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Doc is Neil Lennon
22:57 on
6 August, 2013
£2 on the nose pls, I can sense that Cowiebhoy is turning!.
HH
CRC
CRC, he is still resisting. He knows the truth, but still can’t bring himself to admit it.
estorilbhoy
That made me smile 0:-)
Anyway, tired out after a too long 72 miles on the bike today so it`s off to bed for me.
I hope Efe scores a hat trick tomorrow and clears a goal bound shot off the line.
Dexter
” Football may be a game of opinions, but the above is insane”
No point in a response to that .
JJ
zbyszek
Those Russians are just big softies at heart -:)
Disfunctional = dysfunctional
celticrollercoaster
1:1 against Molde in Norway was not bad result for my Legia. I’m confident we will beat them tomorrow. When I read Legia website I noticed that Celtic is the last team Legia supporters want to meet. I have ambivalent feelins about possible draw.
Any news on Dirk Bogarde being fit for tomorrow
JJ, hope you’re right, then sell him for 20mil :))
Just as well I’m in Manchester you pair.
& just for clarity, I celebrate all Celtic goals and scorers ?
Sami still on the wall :-)
Wits, oot injured.
So it was Wattie who said this is the worst Rangers team ever….oh dear…oh dear oh dear.
estorilbhoy
22:50 on
6 August, 2013
How is the recovery for CQN 5s coming along?
HH
CRC
zbyszek
Thanks , I think I am just getting nervous now .
Last week I was telling everyone how relaxed I was feeling about the tie.
These qualifiers are torture.
Doc/crc,
methinks the attention the elves (mirkwood version rather than the Lothlorien variety, ie dirty sneaky bassas!) gave to Sammi suggests they see the big mhan from Olympus in a higher regard than Cowiebhoy……….silly bhoy that he is!
HAIL!HAIL!
Token
Nite Timland
Take care and god bless.
A comfortable win the morra will go down a treat.
HH
KTF
Morrissey the 23rd
I have not forgot about you bud will get daughter long enough on thurs to help :))
—————-
NegAnon2
What will be will be if we are going out we will know when the final whistle blow, up until then I always expect a piece of magic or a lucky break to be enough to get us over the line.
Enjoy the journey expecting the best ithas made things a lot better for me.
I think we are too good for them but then again i’m betting Efe to score anytime in 90mins.:))))))))
CRC,
Feart to come back. You looking for bodies/ casualties ? *delete as appropriate :)