WEE Michael Johnson, the Kilmarnock Chairman hit the nail on the head this week, when he described the SPL's dilemna over whether or not to allow any "newco" Rangers straight into their league in the terms I have used as this post heading. Dundee United boss Peter Houston has already predicted losing the Rangers income stream will cost his club £600,000 per year - it's almost as if the ground is being prepared to keep Rangers in the tent - because they are "too big" to be allowed to fail.
It's all pish, of course, under the rules, if Rangers are liquidated - and that is still the most-likely outcome to their current deep crisis - then any "New Rangers" which emerges from the rubble should have to apply for membership of the Scottish Football League, have that application succeed, then fight their way up from Division Three to the SPL. How the SPL fills the vacancy in the short term is their business; they could keep Dunfermline Athletic in their league, they might promote Dundee - indeed, given that Dundee has potentially a bigger fan base than the Pars, that was the likelier outcome to this hypothesis, even before John Yorston was interviewed for today's Scotland on Sunday.
But, as we all know, the SPL is all about pigs having their snouts in the trough and, while all pigs are equal, two pigs are bigger than all the rest and have to be kept sweet. The SPL has long been described as: "The Greed is Good League", I can see financial considerations winning and to Hell with fair play and integrity.
Cyber-warrior Celts have been particularly insistent on Rangers receiving the maximum punishment, a stance which, for all the club hierarchy will bluster, deflect and deny, is diametrically opposite that of the money and management men inside Celtic Park. If the SPL needs Rangers, newco or oldco, none of the 11 clubs needs them more than Celtic.
With Rangers, the Old Firm can stand together against demands for financial fair play, they can continue to enjoy the largest slices of the cake. Without Rangers, Celtic will be the 1 in a 1-11 vote to change the way the cash is doled out; but, as I've said before, it all comes down to 11 men suddenly growing a pair before Monday.
IN YESTERDAY's (Glasgow) Herald, there was a piece, by a specialist business reporter, on the possible ramifications of the Miller Plan for Rangers' rescue; in today's Scotland on Sunday, the Vice-Dean of Strathclyde University Business School has a piece on Bill Miller and his business modus operandi. And it's good to see the respective Sports Desks finally summoning-up specialists.
The BIG question remains: Why is an American self-made millionaire, with no prior history of getting involved in football and no discernible Scottish ancestry getting involved in Rangers? But, if we leave that to one side, as the SOS article explains: Miller's method of turning around ailing companies - in which he has an impressive track record, would seem to make him an ideal new owner.
However, his method of working will be bad news for Alastair McCoist. Coisty is, as we all know, primarily a Rangers fan; but, let's be honest here, his managerial track record isn't great and, in particular, there is no evidence of him being the sort of manager (or more-properly) coach, who looks likely to achieve success with a team of kids.
We are also aware of the Alan Hansen doctrine: "You win nothing with kids" - this, in common with a lot of the smooth pundit's pronouncements, is bullshit. Kenny McDowall has some kind of track record of success with young players, so he will, IF Rangers do have to go down the road of playing-on with a very young squad, become a key member of the management team.
If we assume Miller wins control, the signing ban remains in place and Rangers have to carry-on with a young squad, a scenario which would fit nicely into Miller's cut costs first modus operandi, then I don't see McCoist being there. I may be wrong, his loyalty to Rangers might keep him there, but, if it does, he will be taking on the biggest challenge of his life.
I should say here, if Miller wins control and insists on pruning the overheads and cutting costs drastically, the back to SFL Division Three option makes even more sense. By the time Rangers had fought their way back to the SPL, the kids would have grown-up together and be a formidable squad, used to winning.
THERE is another good reason for relegating Rangers - it might, just might, help cut-out the cancer of sectarianism from Scottish football. Let me say, right here, sectarianism is not and never has been, a soley-Rangers problem. It is a Scottish problem and has been for longer than we have had organised football in this country.
I honestly believe we will never cure it - because it mainly stems from the home - but, we could make a start by doing away with separate schools. However, that will demand the political will and that is nowhere to be seen, so, we are stuck with it.
But, I have a feeling, just maybe the hard core of Rangers bigots might not be so-willing to come across on the ferries from Ulster to watch a bunch of kids taking-on Annan Athletic, or Elgin City, or East Stirlingshire, than they currently are to watch Rangers v Kilmarnock, St Mirren or St Johnstone. Cumnock, Kilwinning Rangers, Larkhall Thistle, even East Kilbride Thistle and Cumbernauld United might find their crowds rising as Ra Peepul melt away.
Of course, that will still leave the Celtic bigots to be dealt with, but, I have a feeling, should the expected Celtic cruise to victory after victory, by rolling-over the rest, come to pass - repeated success might not sit too easily on a support who revel in being the underdogs.
This, however, is just conjecture - something we will have plenty of time for as the lengthy process of allowing Miller's preferred bidder status to proceed. I have a feeling, once he actually starts looking at the books, and discovers the toxic atmosphere into which he is descending, Miller might decide, this is one wreck he will not tow away for repair.
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