Chris Mackie: LibDems 1 Labour 1 in Rangers roundup
Proof, if proof were needed, that the pervasive influence of the Old Firm extends into every nook and cranny of Scottish life reached us this morning as politicians began to wade into the ongoing travails of Glasgow Rangers FC.
The LibDems were first, calling on Scottish Secretary (and Celtic fan) Jim Murphy to intervene in the situation that has seen a representative of HBoS placed on the board of the Ibrox club to monitor spending.
Tavish Scott (bizarrely, a Liverpool supporter) said all football fans - even those of a green and white hooped hue - would be concerned by reports that the club had been threatened with administration by a bank substantially helped by the use of taxpayers' money.
“If the Lloyds group can take down Rangers, there won’t be many professional clubs left in Scotland," exclaimed Tavish excitedly.
Improbably, he was joined by Labour's Frank McAveety, who crossed the Glasgow divide to offer his support to the Teddy Bears, noting gravely: "Anyone who cares about Scottish football should be concerned about the financial difficulties experienced by one of our biggest clubs."
Despite The Steamie's enquiries, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party have, perhaps surprisingly, declined to become embroiled in the row. And we didn't even phone the Greens.
The LibDems were first, calling on Scottish Secretary (and Celtic fan) Jim Murphy to intervene in the situation that has seen a representative of HBoS placed on the board of the Ibrox club to monitor spending.
Tavish Scott (bizarrely, a Liverpool supporter) said all football fans - even those of a green and white hooped hue - would be concerned by reports that the club had been threatened with administration by a bank substantially helped by the use of taxpayers' money.
“If the Lloyds group can take down Rangers, there won’t be many professional clubs left in Scotland," exclaimed Tavish excitedly.
Improbably, he was joined by Labour's Frank McAveety, who crossed the Glasgow divide to offer his support to the Teddy Bears, noting gravely: "Anyone who cares about Scottish football should be concerned about the financial difficulties experienced by one of our biggest clubs."
Despite The Steamie's enquiries, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party have, perhaps surprisingly, declined to become embroiled in the row. And we didn't even phone the Greens.
Labels: Celtic, Chris Mackie, Frank McAveety, Jim Murphy, Lib Dems, Rangers, Tavish Scott
posted by Administrator at
15:52
2 Comments:
As this subject snowballs on the slightest of gradients , i have yet to find a journalist with the requisite "gentleman's baubles" to play devils advocate . You , Mr Mackie , also appear to carry that same , broad , yellow streak .
The news of this institution's potential demise , is , in fact , the long awaited "shot-in-the-arm" that Scottish football and football in general , requires .
FIFA and UEFA currently spend millions of pounds/euros/dollars around the globe , fighting the social blight of racism . They have had minimal success but are determined to strive and push their campaign to make the football-following troglodytes finally stop this mindless filth .
In the past eight months alone , Glasgow Rangers Football Club have had their name dragged through the mud and the world's press , twice , for their fan's racist behaviour . The first , ironically broadcast by IRISH media-company Setanta , was their brand of anti-irish racism , encapsulated by the "Famine Song" . The aforementioned hilarity (i use the word 'hilarity' quite wrongly ) was beamed into the sitting rooms , pubs and clubs of people across the planet , whether they wanted to hear it or not .This kind of behaviour is not what potential buyers would call "condusive to good public-branding"
Only last week , yet another few self-appointed representatives of the Glasgow giants , humiliated the club even further , by racially abusing their OWN black player after their team's dullard performance in the Champion's League . That HAS to have eliminated ANY chance of a potential buyer/investor of a less than British appearance , to even considering opening their wallet .
These damning indictments , are bad enough , but if you add that abhorrent nonsense to their attempted destruction of large parts of the city of Manchester and the attempted murder of one of their fine and upstanding young officers , you find a big club , with even bigger debts , that any multi-millionaire/billionaire with a proton of moral fibre , would touch with a barge-pole . Does anyone REALLY think that these events had absolutely NOTHING to do with Mr Murray's departure ?
Sir David put a lot of time and money into the club and may have made a few bad business decisions in his decades of tenure , but this is one problem that both tarnishes and devalues the club and also , is a problem that no amount of money can sort , no matter how hard you throw it .Sir David just ran out of throwing power . Simples .
So , it is with heavy heart , considering the current financial climate , that the only recommendation you can give is to let the club go under . It is an institution that has a cancerous growth that cannot be treated . If it was your dog , you would have it humanely euthanised .
With a reported debt of £35m , falling attendances , less than average squad , constant bad press and their erudite fans showing off their double-digit IQs abroad with such literary classics as "Nakamura ate my dog" emblazoned on one of their only two clean curtains , i would question anyone's political or moral stance and their business prowess for even considering throwing a copper coin at this club .
The kind of favour they , the club , are trying to curry is embarassing . The government have far more important things to be dealing with on the back of our taxes . The bank bail-out was meant to stimulate economic recovery , throwing money at the ailing and the failing is not good business sense . Rangers put themselves in this position and its up to Rangers and their fans to sort it out . (recent rumours of a big money stadium renaming , The Nick Griffin Arena , are unfounded ) Failing that , there is nothing else to say but........
"Good-night £35m of debt , good-night racism in our game and good-night Teddy Bears"
On a more important note , can anyone tell me how to cancel a bid on E-bay ?
I've just bid for a Mickey Mouse outfit and i'm only six minutes away from owning Rangers. HELP !
Big business has been the downfall of Scottish football and Rangers, Celtic and the SPL have become big business. Everything that these three organisations do is designed for their own economic growth, whether that be courting potential broadcasters/investors or just sucking the life out of other Scottish clubs.
The SPL is a complete turn off and laughing stock, and with only two clubs ever capable of winning this league, anything that will change this situation is to be heralded.
What's the worst that can happen? Rangers go bust and can only afford to play Scottish players? That would be progress and might actually improve Scottish football.
Post a Comment
<< Home