Getting Off At Paisley

LAST night I logged-on to the Rangers Tax Case blog, to learn the anonymous blogger has decided to pull the plug; he feels his 17-month mission is over. I believe, sterling though his or her efforts have been,  he or she has called the whole thing off too-soon, in West of Scotland patios - he or she has "Goat aff at Paisley". Not all the shit has hit the fan, far less fallen to earth; this car crash hasn't run out of momentum just yet.

But, before he or she comes back for his or her encore, I am on my feet applauding a job well done. RTC shed light into areas which we in the Scottish football media had preferred to keep under wraps, for which he/she deserves all the kudos and awards which have accrued.

That said, the job is far from done. Rangers may well be in Division Three of the SFL, but, the Rangers "brand" is still a huge money-maker for the rest of Scottish football. Anyone who doubts this must have noticed, that while the SPL were falling over themselves to kick Rangers into the long grass, they were equally-determined to make sure that the TV and media money which that brand, toxic though it remains, can still generate.

I have no remit to speak for Rangers, but, surely anyone with a modicum of decency can see the hypocrisy of a body (SPL) throwing-out a founder member, then falling over themselves to profit from the fact that the entity they have discarded is more-capable of bringing money into the game than any of them can.

I am no fan of Charles Green. I don't think he had a clue what he was getting into when he formed Sevco. I think he is struggling to gain acceptance from Ra Peepul; he is being badly-advised when it comes to dealing with these peepul; certainly the "decent Bears" still have not bought into his vision. I am still unconvinced of his separation from Craig Whyte's interests.

That said, the opprobrium which has come his way since his Brechin bigotry blast has been worrying. Let's be honest, bigotry has never been the exclusive property of Rangers and Rangers fans. Let's be equally honest, some of the relish with which fans and (in horse racing terms) the connections of some of the other clubs have sought to put the boot into Rangers has been disgusting.

Green has been, for whatever motives, we don't know why he got involved, is still the only show in town as regards Rangers. The way the deal was struck may be questionable, but, he saw it through when others pulled-out. He has every right to be puzzled by how things have unfolded, by the stick he has taken, even from among the "Rangers Family". I feel, there will be nights when, as he prepares to switch-off the bed light, he asks himself: "Why did I get into this?"

He has a right to free speech, to express his disquiet and wonderment at the ways of these wild Scotsmen.

But, such is the over-heated climate surrounding this entire issue - he is roundly criticised on all sides. The ranks of the unco-guid have closed against him, Vincent Lunny is being briefed.

It is all quite sickening.

I have said before and will no doubt say so again. We need a Truth and Reconciliation Tribunal to sort-out the whole business. The trouble is, I don't know where we could find a sufficient number of independent persons able to sit in resolution, in Scotland.

We've been awash with hatred in Scotland since the Reformation - that hatred will not end soon. Particularly where Football is concerned.