TALK is cheap, actions can prove costly and with the lack of real action on the Ibrox front, there has been a lot of talking going on of late, not very productive or instructive talk at that.
But, homo sapiens loves to chatter, so, we had better get used to it. Throughout the entire Rangers crisis, the Rangerstaxcase blog has been to the fore in explaining events and explaining possible scenarios; yes, it is a fact that the guy behind this blog is a Celtic supporter - that much is acknowledged - but, this hasn't stopped it being the first port of call for anyone wanting a true steer on events.
There have been no new posts displayed on RTC since 5 May, over two weeks ago, but there has in that period, been over 7000 comments posted on the site. Clearly events at Rangers remain the talk o' the Steamie - as is shown here. We now really need something to happen, before we all go crackers.
Mark Daley's BBC Scotland documentary, due to be aired tomorrow night, ought to receive the biggest-ever audience for a Scottish-produced programme, if the on-line interest in Rangers is any guide. Let's hope he comes up with some real meat for us to get our teeth into - although, the most-hyped TV programmes often turn-out to be the most-disappointing. Daley needs to have found some new and damning evidence of lengthy wrong-doing at Ibrox, not re-hashed the same-old, same-old.
It would also be helpful if the result in the Big Tax Case was to come-out sooner rather than later. HMRC is on-record as saying that First Tier Tribunal outcomes are normally given within two to three months of the completion of the evidence-taking. We are now into the fifth month since the last piece of evidence in the Rangers' case was taken; this demonstrates the complexity of this individual case. However, given the hysteria which has surrounded Rangers' off-field problems, the pressure to properly complete this complex matter has grown and now needs to be released quickly.
I might be an old cynic, but maybe HMRC is waiting for England's first stumble during Euro' 2012 - then, while the world is calling for the heads of Roy Hodgson, Stevie Gerrard, John Terry et al, they can quietly release the verdict. It will have to, I feel, come out in the window between now and 12 July - well, it wouldn't do (if the verdict is bad for the club) to upset the Rangers family while they have their sashes and bowler hats on, would it?
With the lack of real hard news, all sorts of things have been siezed upon. Poor Neil Doncaster of the SPL said nothing very much on Monday, but has seen his utterances forensically (well ripped to pieces) by everyone and his granny.
Let's be clear on this - whether rescued via a CVA or post-liquidation by the formation of a Newco, Rangers, if playing next season, will still be Rangers. The club will be, either way, under new management - no Craig Whyte, no Sir David Murray. It will still play at Ibrox, it will wear the new strips which were first worn against Linfield.
If the CVA goes through, Rangers carries-on in the SPL under the handicap of the no-signings measure. If a Newco, while the new owners will have the ground and the history - which they have bought - then it ought not to be able to carry-on within the SPL, that much is certain. Liquidation should revoke Rangers FC's right to play in the SPL, Dundee ought to be promoted to fill the vacancy, with (I think) the losing finalists in the Division 1/2 and Division 2/3 promotion/relegation play-offs moving up to create a vacancy in Division 3 of the SFL.
Filling that vacancy should be the target of the management of any Newco Rangers. BUT, the fact that Mr Doncaster is floating the notion of the newco going straight into the SPL is confirmation that this scenario has been discussed within Hampden.
If it happens, then they (the SPL clubs) can scream, shout and yell all they like, but they will have trampled all over what little integrity their cosy wee cabal still has left.
The decision isn't Doncaster's to take, but you can be certain - he wouldn't have floated the notion of Rangers continuing in the league post-liquidation without the say-so of the other 11 clubs - and in particular of Celtic.
I have said before and doubtless will do so again. Rangers' biggest crutch in all this discussion about continuation in the SPL has been Celtic. The other clubs might struggle, they may well have to down-size, but, they will survive without Rangers. I do not think that could be said of Celtic.
They need Rangers more than any other club and they will do all they can to keep Rangers alive in the SPL, for without them, without the wee arrangement whereby the Old Firm always vote together on the big issues - they are vulnerable.
No comments:
Post a Comment