Vladimir Romanov has grown bored of his Hearts experiment as an investment of tens of millions of pounds failed to change the side from mid-table strugglers into a team capable of something Motherwell seem able to do on significantly less.
Romanov wanted to transform Hearts into the biggest club in Scotland but failed to address the structural limitations of the club. While Hearts may be the biggest team in Edinburgh, Edinburgh is a net exporter of football fans, Tynecastle is squeezed into a cramped corner of the city and provides very little opportunity to harvest corporate income, and, in case you haven’t noticed, there were two well-established competitors in a larger, net-import city with ample corporate income opportunities.
Various Hearts boards have looked to relocate the club or extend facilities at Tynecastle without much headway being made. A bid of £22m was received from a house builder for the stadium some years ago but without a viable alternative the deal stalled.
A viable alternative could come onto the market soon.
If Rangers go out of business Romanov is in a unique position to take advantage. Craig Whyte holds a floating charge on Ibrox and Murray Park but any bid in excess of his liability, which would be considerably less than the value of the properties, which have a book value of £139m, would secure both pieces of real estate.
Hearts could sell Tynecastle and Hearts training ground, raising enough funds to considerably offset what they would need to pay to secure Ibrox, if not provide a surplus, and establish foothold in the Glasgow market to complement their historical Edinburgh fan base. One club would have a pull on a huge proportion of Scotland’s two largest cities.
At a stroke Romanov would ensure his club were for all time, at the very least, the second largest team in Scotland, and, eventually, could push Celtic for top spot.
It would be a ballsy move, but if you want to create a super-club you need to think a little creatively.
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Can someone tell me who
Is on the list can read it iPhone ?
Please let elbows be on it!!
Shocking news about Paul McBride.
You just never know whats around the corner.
35 years of age.
Shocking.
RIP
Twisty
I worked with an oul fella on the sites, think ive spoken of him on here before, anyways he was a wonderful man, when he spoke you listened, he didny really say much at the best of times but when he did well…
in the bothy on a monday and someone mentions the rampaging hordes had caused bother somewhere (whats new) the site agent says “theyre more to be pitied than scolded!!”
The oul fella never takes his eyes off his paper and says, “nah they shouldny be pitied they should be scalded”
Exit one site agent as the rest of us collapse in heaps.
He stood up and was counted
Some thought he didn’t care
Telling it just like it was
When most folk wouldn’t dare
A man of decent principles
He would never back away
Standing in the forefront
Relishing the fray
He stood up and was counted
Was part of our folklore
Someone irreplaceable
We will miss him all the more
RIP Paul McBride
Man Marking at corner fails again ! Rooney scores.
Sad sad news… Thoughts and prayers with the McBride family.I had a phone conversation with a friend earlier, and he hit the nail on the head, We did not know Paul on a personal level, however both of us are saddened by the news.
Early days, however maybe we should all pay tribute to a fellow Celt and push to name the cup final in his memory?
HH
Serenity,
fine stuff and welcome back you’ve been missed
Che
Sparkelghirl.
Bingo !
HH
Shocking and sad news about Paul McBride QC.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.
(thumbsup)
The way I see things taking shape in the future If RFC goes out of existence and a credible Newco can’t be formed is that, in the short term, Celtic will play to apcked houses at away grounds. I think that with nothing to do on a Saturday and Celtic visiting their town supporters of the former RFC will swell the ranks of the home teams and vent their bile at all things Celtic – much in the way that Motherwell’s ‘fans’ did on Black Sunday in 2005. I don’t really see these local clubs gaining a great deal of ex-RFC fans at other games in the short term.
However, in the middle to longer term, if there is no RFC second coming, then I can see youngsters who are interested in football wanting to go to see their local team and their dad’s being co-erced into taking them along to the game. This might take a few years to gain momentum but I think eventually there will be a redistribution of fans amongst the provincial clubs with perhaps some of the more rabid ex RFC supporters showing some allegiance to the likes of Hearts, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Motherwell.
Interesting times lie ahead.
Stunned by the news of Paul’s death. Rest in peace.
And thanks for everything you did for our club.
YNWA
Serenity on 4 March, 2012 at 17:05 said:
Welcome home Serenity, you’ve been missed..
rest in peace, paul
Very sad news regarding the passing of Paul McBride. Tragic loss, and thoughts and prayers are with his family.
He put up a very sound defence of Neil and Celtic last year. Did not agree with everything he said. However, he was a vocal supporter and defender of Celtic and will be warmly remembered by many for his public support.
Che
a wise ould fella!
R.I.P. Paul Mcbride Q.C
I know you will defend us
upstairs .
If rANGERs are to be docked further points this season (60 points was being mentioned yesterday for yet another misdemeanor), surely this could cause a complicated situation regarding the “split”.
If the points deduction happened before the “split”, they would take their place in the bottom 6 (probably in last position) and would have to fight to avoid relegation.
If the points deduction happened after the “split” surely they they would simply be eliminated from the competition leaving matches between the 5 top teams (who would all benefit from 3-0 wins for their games versus RFCIA), and matches between the bottom 6 teams?
Even apart from points deduction like the 60points one mentioned, if they are liquidated at any time, how will the split be organized with only 11 teams?
What a mess…
Can I Have Raspberry On That on 4 March, 2012 at 17:04 said:
Can someone tell me who
Is on the list can read it iPhone ?
Please let elbows be on it!!
………………………………………..
He is. Papac, Bocanegra, Wylde, Neil Alexander, Kherkar and some others
Can I Have Raspberry On That on 4 March, 2012 at 17:04:
Elbows is on it along with Papac, Aluko, Alexander, Wallace, Bochanegra, Healy, Wylde, Kerkar, Perry and Little…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just watching the last race at Sedgefield.
By ‘eck,that ground is cutting up some!
It looks like the pitch at Pittodrie………..
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 4 March, 2012 at 17:21 said:
http://i54.tinypic.com/23wn1vt.jpg
Many thanks
Serenity on 4 March, 2012 at 17:05 said:
Good to see back Serenity,you’ve been missed.
Daylight robbery from Man U,and schoolboy defending from Spurs.
Not The Bus
Was that for real?
Old Firm Hooligans indeed!
But enough with the cliches….
Good morning from a toasty Californian coast! Another day of spontaneous demented chucking, following Phil’s Twitter and CQN’s myriad of viewpoints and opinions.
Off to Mass to bless myself repeatedly, with a grin on my face. My priest knows very well what I’m smiling about. He pretends to disapprove.
Terrible news on Paul McBride, one of Scotland’s most brilliant young minds, someone who lifted the profile of Celtic FC in the eyes of the watching international world.
He was one of these guys that when he appeared on TV I immediately stopped what I was doing to listen intently to what he had to say, and what was said was always delivered so succinctly and so clearly.
The Celtic family is a poorer place tonight.
He will be sadly missed. My condolences to his family.
Utd 3-0 Young
An update on rangers financial crisis coming on next ssn
ianinascoli on 4 March, 2012 at 16:56 said: Sorry Jimbob71, I meant to write Hotel Cosmopolita. :-/Rooney scores!
Cheers Ian,
And how did you know that’s my surname?! ;-)
DJBEE
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/4170801/New-bigot-laws-kick-off-just-2-fans-get-carted-off.html
SSN
Mar 16th is deadline.
Significant interest.
Cost cutting necessary.
So…..no news
No update then.
Jimbob71
You ignoring me?
About time Spurs gave their fans something to cheer about,this is a shocking display.
Fae BMCUWP who has a few quid on 3-1….
Sir Paul..
Must say the the Sudden Death of Paul McBride. ..is a
kinda.. Wake-Up Call..
Can’t believe.. He Died in his Sleep?
No warning signs?
His Family must be Paralyzed with Total Shock..
My Prayerful thoughts and Sincere Condolances, go out to them.
Requiescat in Pace.. Paul McBride. Queen’s Counsel.
Noo…. aboot that Suggestion ye offered, in yer Leader..
‘Fraid.. Rommy.. is in deep Do Do,already… Financially speaking,of Course!
He is . Wan Zloty..Short ..and a Day late.. in Peying his Ain Debts ,already.
The Big Bad Bankin’ Wolves are at his Door….and beginning tae Puff ,thur Cheeks.. Threateningly..
.and.. tae mak maitter woise…
The Financial Hoose He hiz Builded..
Is made o’ Straw and Tottie Peelins’!
Na …No Succour nor Solace..wull be coming forth… fae THAT Sucker..
Fur the Ibrox Mendicants!!
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’ like Heidi!!!
Woo-hoo for BMCUW!!
Jobo
RIP Paul McBride QC.
A vital part of the Celtic family seeking justice for our cause.
He will be sorely missed, and thoughts and prayers go to his family. Terrible.
If i can move on to football matters now, does anyone kow roughly what date the season will end? I am due home from Uni in the States around early May, and would love to catch the last game against them depending on how the split is managed (I know we usually get them early).
Are they any Internationals or cup weekends that might ensure the season finishes a little bit later.
It doesn’t really matter wherever you are though, as there is always jelly, ice cream, and champers wherever you are so that we can celebrate a great year for our beloved club.
Hail Hail,
CB