The football turned out nice again this weekend, with Celtic overcoming Ross county 3-0, the first clean sheet for about six months, and Hearts winning at home to “rangers “.
That eases any pressure that had built up over the winter break as it now means that although “rangers ” have a game in hand over Celtic, they will have to play their joker to get double points to overtake Celtic.
| HOME | AWAY | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POS. | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Celtic | 22 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 47 | 58 |
| 2 | Rangers | 21 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 8 | 42 | 53 |
| 3 | Motherwell | 23 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 41 |
| 4 | Aberdeen | 23 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 3 | 37 |
| 5 | Livingston | 23 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 26 | 4 | 31 |
| 6 | Hibernian | 23 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 21 | -6 | 29 |
| 7 | Kilmarnock | 23 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 20 | -10 | 23 |
| 8 | St. Johnstone | 21 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 19 | -18 | 23 |
| 9 | Ross County | 22 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 21 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 24 | -23 | 22 |
| 10 | St. Mirren | 23 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 18 | -13 | 20 |
| 11 | Hamilton Academical | 23 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 21 | -17 | 18 |
| 12 | Heart of Midlothian | 23 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 19 | -16 | 17 |
“I’ve said it many times how good Odsonne is, and, again, he showed his value to the group when he came off the bench and changed the game within five or six minutes… and he got Man of the Match!
“He was excellent, he took his two goals really well and he just gives us another focal point up there when he plays. He’s so good, even in the build-up to the goal, he comes and he’s got nice soft feet to set it for Broony and he’s got that hunger to go again and get on the end of it, so he’s a real to, top player and we’re delighted to have him.
“He’s obviously a delight for us to play with. He comes in and plays in the wee half-spaces and you just give it to him and nine times out of 10, he keeps it and does something special. So for us, as midfielders, it’s a dream to play with that.
“Obviously, Griff has started the new year really well since we’ve come back and he’s got his two goals and looks a threat again. And to be able to bring Odsonne on from the bench is an incredible option. And Patryk and Bayo are working well in training as well, so they’re pushing the guys to keep the level up, which is what we need as we go into this final stretch of the season.
Edouard is the leading league goalscorer in Scotland just now, and has attracted attention from elsewhere, especially in light of stories he wants away, and Tottenham were among the scouts watching yesterday, and if you’re into conspiracy theories , then perhaps they weren’t there to watch him, but to make sure he didn’t start and scupper any deal they are making…
If you’re not into conspiracy theories, then clearly Lennon is a tactical genius who utilised the strengths of his two main strikers separately instead of continuing with two up front after seeing 3-5-2 work so effectively at Rugby Park in the week.
St johnstone are next during the week, and Celtic have managed to hit the ground running, well, sort of running, and now are back in pole position for nine in a row.
Filip Benkovic, who is apparently open to a loan move back to Glasgow may well be the next one in, although the club are discussing a new deal with Jozo Simunovic, as his recent return to action means he needs to get it sorted before he’s injured again.
We’re into the last week of the window, so no doubt the imaginations at the Fat controllers headquarters will be going into overdrive, bit don’t worry.
The imaginations they have there are monochrome compared to ours here at Etims.
The Five Way Agreement, a deal struck between those with a vested interest in keeping some form of Rangers FC alive and kicking in Scottish football has been the talk of the steamie today, with online publication beating the mainstream media after a seven year battle to secure the rights.
This is the email that although sent to Peter Lawwell, and Eric riley, concerning the document Lawwell denied seeing or reading or being in anyway involved with.
So it does seem rather odd he’d be included in the list of recipients. Especially as everyone else mentioned is on the SPL board of the day, and he isn’t…
Subject: Rangers – strictly private & confidential
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:01:21 +0100
From: Neil Doncaster *********@scotprem.com
To: Eric Riley (Celtic) *******@Celticfc.co.uk; Steve Thompson (Dundee Utd), Duncan Fraser (Aberdeen) ******@afc.co.uk ; Ralph Topping (Chair) , Michael Johnston (Kilmarnock ) *************@kilmarnockfc.co.uk Peter Lawwell (Celtic) ************@celticfc.co.uk (not to his PA)
CC: Rod Mckenzie *****@harpermacleod.co.uk ; TomThomas ***********@harpermacleod.co.uk (SPL Lawyers) Iain Blair ********@scotprem.com ; Michele Shields *******@scotprem.com (SPL)
(e mail addresses reduced)
Gentlemen,
Attached are a five-way agreement and a separate letter of undertaking in respect of Rangers. Work is continuing on the rights agreement with the SFL.
Subject to SPL Board and sub-committee approval, it is intended that these documents be signed tomorrow, with a view to Rangers FC being able to play in Sunday’s SFL Challenge Cup game at Brechin.
The overall effect of the attached is that we will ‘exchange’ signed documents tomorrow, but ‘Completion’ will take place at an SPL General Meeting next Friday 3 August (this meeting has already been notified to clubs) to approve a transfer of Rangers’ share to Dundee. This will create a window of six days within which we can charge Rangers in respect of the EBTs. Subject to SPL Board consent, it would be our intention to serve Rangers Oldco and Rangers FC with an EBT charges complaint in the form already circulated on Wednesday or Thursday next week.
You will recall that ‘oldco Rangers’ is the current holder of the SPL share. Sevco is the new company that will be re-named as Rangers upon transfer of the membership.
The key points in the attached documents, from an SPL point of view, are:
– Sevco becomes liable for all football creditors (including the SPL itself, Hearts, Dundee United and Aberdeen)
– Oldco waives all fees due to it from the SPL, which will be distributed as fees to SPL clubs this season as additional fee payments
– The SPL waives claims against Sevco – it is oldco Rangers and Rangers FC that we will pursue in respect of the EBTs and it is this process that we will commence with a charge to be issued next week
Additionally (but not specifically relevant to the SPL):
– Sevco accepts a year’s transfer embargo from 1 September 2012
– Sevco will pay fines totalling £196,063 to the SFA
We would also intend to announce tomorrow that “the SPL is reserving its position in respect of alleged breaches of SPL rules in respect of EBTs. We expect to be in a position to make a further announcement on this issue within the next week” or something similar. I will circulate a draft before it is finalised.
The above is not a totally perfect solution from the SPL’s perspective, since oldco Rangers may potentially raise issues regarding the power of the SPL to pursue oldco for breach of the SPL Rules after oldco ceases to be a shareholder in the SPL (and Rangers FC cease to be a member of the SPL) in relation to pre-cessation events. This would be an issue for our Commission to take a view on, should the point be raised. Any such challenge to the jurisdiction of the SPL would be strenuously resisted on the basis that both oldco and Rangers FC were subject to the jurisdiction of the SPL when the EBT events occurred and that the SPL as the competition owner and organiser is the only party with jurisdiction to prosecute alleged breaches of its own Rules.
However, we are advised that such risk as is present is substantially mitigated by the SPL charging oldco and Rangers FC prior to the transfer of the share (on 3 August) whilst both are still members of the SPL.
The attached documents offer a number of other key advantages to the SPL – particularly a timely start to both the SFL and SPL seasons 2012/13, the payment of the Scottish Football debt and the securing of the SPL position regarding the non-payment of further sums to Rangers (which is worth over £1m to SPL clubs in season 2012/13 when finances are most under pressure). If the five-way agreement is not signed there is a real possibility that a separate accommodation will be made with the SFA and SFL which will not include the SPL and that the SPL will not get the benefits set out above which would be accorded by the five-way agreement Our recommendation is therefore that the attached documents are approved for signature.
Rod Mckenzie and I are available for any clarification that any Director or member of the sub-committee would like in respect of the above or the attached.
Please confirm by 10am on Friday 27th July that you agree, or otherwise, with the SPL signing the attached documents. I will assume that you are in agreement unless I hear otherwise by that time.
Kind regards,
Neil
Neil Doncaster | Chief Executive
The Scottish Premier League Limited
Already some are denying that it is legitimate, and we must take that into consideration when we analyse it, and of course, it’s meaning.
What is notable is that no one from Celtic , and we hear they are aware of it’s publication online and the ramifications of this, has commented.
The five Way agreement may not even exist. It may well be an urban myth, yet it has never been exposed as one, nor investigated as a reality.
If it does, however , and it seems more than likely that it does, then it is reasonable, given the source, to assume that this is part of the paperwork which was circulating during the discussions.
At the AGM Lawwell, although as you can see it is addressed to him, and Riley, just in case Lawwell missed it, denied having seen it. The five Way Agreement, that is, which is in itself possible.
He could have read the email and not bothered with the attachment..
After all, Peter is an honourable man, and he may well have felt that it did not concern him. Thus allowing him plausible denial should it ever come back to bite his bottom.
Which he may well yet use as a defence.
It’s worth noting that the Five Way was never made public, and the reason for this is not known.
What is known are the consequences of those actions, and what is also known is that there will be more.
Rangers , according to the media, didn’t go into liquidation after all. It was all just a bad dream.
The Old firm is back, and as it was back then when Lawwell and Bain put their heads together to try to get into the English league set up, it is now with Celtic turning a blind eye to similar on and off field shennanigans that we saw in the run up to their financial collapse.
It’s going to happen again, they have flaunted all the rules in the same way that they did, though to a lesser ectent where tax is concerned, but the morality is the same.
A convicted fraudster is in charge, one who is cold shouldered by the worldwide financial community, and no one in authority has given or appears even now to give a damn, although he has apparently agreed to quit , sometime this year, though no doubt he will have conditions attached.
For the last seven years, the authorities have pandered to a club/company and it’s support, presumably to keep the box office attraction for tv companies alive, and therein lies the major concern for shareholders and supporters alike.
As we see it, we can say that the email above was …
Sent to SPL Board Members.
Sent To Eric Riley Celtic’s representative on SPL Board.
Sent direct to Peter Lawwell and not his PA.
PL not an SPL Board member but appointed to SFA Professional Game Board in previous year July 2011
Attachment was final draft and agreement assumed next day if no response stating otherwise.
It enabled SPL to charge Rangers in respect of ebts as they were still an SPL member
This led to LNS Commission on lesser charges of registration breaches and from which status of unlawful DOS EBTS treated as lawful but in line with PL letter of 25 May 2012 to S Regan cc Infantino wanting a thorough enquiry.
It waives claims against Sevco, it is “Oldco AND Rangers FC that will be pursued (the separate undertaking letter) which begs question why were TRFC (Sevco/The Rangers FC Ltd)charged with noncompliance in May 2018?
Although language talks of oldco AND Rangers FC (that were liquidated ) as separate entities BOTH are subject to SPL rules so can be pursued under them.
At the 2019 Celtic AGM Mr Lawwell was sked if he or anyone from Celtic had been involved in constructing The Five Way Agreement and when he replied “no” the questioner followed up by asking if Mr Lawwell had seen the document to which he responded “No”. the only way that can be true is if he (or Eric Riley) never looked at the attachment.
If Celtic recipients did not read the attachment they are guilty of negligence that saw representatives of Resolution 12 (2013) shareholders down a path that was not the SFA’s to follow because of the CAS referral clause in the 5 Way that has allowed the matter to be parked by the SFA.
If recipients did at any time before November 2013 read the 5 Way, and it was rehearsed at an SPL Board meeting in 2014 that Eric Riley attended, then shareholders were deliberately led down a path in 2013 that prevented establishing if UEFA licence 2011 was granted properly under UEFA rules.
Ralph? Could you please admit that you are not sure how to spell Odsonne’s surname…..Signed I never saw a thing Peter L.
SG questioning his team about their bottle,Celtic bringing in players with more to come,Huns are skint and still we have Celtic supporters stating the bleeding obvious that Scottish football is/ was bent.Either participate or don’t pay into it,it’s pretty simple and will never change…..
P.S.If Peter resigned,who would we get to replace him?
P.P.S.I believe Barcabhoy,the e-mail is a total stitch up…
Barcabhoy is wrong. 100%. He bases his challenge on how e.mail addresses were rendered anonymous, not on context and timing and content of e mail.
Who would create such an e mail and why?
Its existence was known before the questions to AGM were made but NOT to the questioner so no question of a set up.
If e mail is fake so too is the mountain of evidence on https://www.res12.uk
Who would create such an e-mail? One that shows certain people at Celtic being complicit in the corruption of Scottish football? Can you think of any persons/organisations that would love to knuckle drag Celtic into such a situation?
Neil Doncaster?
sevco kumbaya FC.
How about some answers ?
Above all, how about the truth ?
“I see no ships” Horatio Lawwell
Lawwell has tried to hoodwink us all, I don’t trust him for a minute. Could barcabhoy actually be Pinocchio Pete’s nom de plume?
Hate basketball but vale Kobe Bryant
It must be painful this ongoing saga of deception swept under the carpet. I’m ashamed to admit of having scant interest and I’ve admiration for auldheid et al for their efforts. It’s almost a prerequisite to being a true fan to keep up the fight. Hope for a fair outcome. In another note for all their recent dominance of us the ‘rangers’ are now wilting it may be a shroud of guilt that’s hampering their progress. It’s almost like the cheating wife who gets the kids and are allowed to flourish because of the tainted laws that omit natural justice. They eventually fall on their sword and karma does it’s job. I feel another treble afoot. Anyone else feel this way ?
A huge month coming up and with only 2 home games this could go a long way to decide the title.
3 tough away fixtures and the bhoys have to win them all.
Nothing else will do.
Far too early to celebrate and the huns have 3 home games which you would expect them to take maximum points. It’s in our hands again.
Let’s see your courage bhoys. HH
Right on Jimmybee, really pleased with yesterday’s outcome, Odsonne is priceless over the next 2 seasons, hope that doesn’t mean he is on his way. There is something missing can’t put my finger on it but lots of chances and thanks to Eddy they are being taken. Hearts guy told me on Friday “I think
we will do a turn for you on Sunday.” It’s a start but really it’s down to us. Jonny was off the pace yesterday hope he sorts that.
I don’t think the Huns have the staying power to see them over the line. Hearts harried them didn’t give them room maybe a lesson here. Stendel may be a good manager he’s dropped leveins favourites and bought a proven striker always rated Boyce anyone who scores that many goals for Ross county must be good.
Legitimate or not,that is the gist of their long game and they stand to deceive.
This is by design,false reality.Strap in.
Flout ffs,flout not flaunt.
Haw-haw haw! Ha-ha ha!
Meltdown goosebumps.
LAWWELL OUT
I concur Monti.
“The actus reus was said to be the series of acts and omissions with mens rea covering the initial stages.”
Who would take his place? Not so long ago the Huns were whining(imagine that) about PL running Scottish football and having too much power….
KevJungle
_________
Let’s stop all the talk….
Empty the park, or suck up PLC lies.
Empty the park till DD’s share value hits the floor, then he’ll leave.
Give the keys to, Jeanette Findlay.
Let her recruit a hierarchy of, left wing socialist rebels, who won’t be mugged off by, cheap punks.
And let the good ship Celtic sail on!
Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips for Boyd,McCann & Tanner.
Re the attachment, it’s very easy to find out if it had been open , I would be certain that a document of such sensitivity would be sent with sent,open,read. The proof will be there (am certain PL is lying) it just needs an honest journalist to investigate.
I hasten to add we won’t find one in Scotland so how about inviting yon lad who exposed FIFA or the lad that caught Lance Armstrong out.
Great thread on Follow Follow about coke snorting amongst the Ibrox support. Does it increase gullibility and make you vulnerable to fantasies I wonder? Does El Duffelo have a wee side line going?
What’s great about it?
In my experience it makes you an unfunny prick who thinks he’s Robin Williams.
its not just them…
ruins lives that crap..
https://t.co/9i86oMJsnl
a posted a video ae the liam boyce goal in the first hawf yesterday that wisnae offside and akismet blocked it now why would they do that ur they the bbc
I think defensively we’ve improved out of sight Rodgers neglected this and had average players trying to play out of the back, however Rodgers has it all over him during a game. He’s light years ahead in his decision making. Lennon’s signings have been his best asset. He’s no Klopp or in a league of great managers. But his heart is big. He’s learning. He does have a bullish and astute application towards European ties. Club game apart he’s been faultless.
Cluj
Rodgers was an opportunist it was a thought out decision to join a club so far ahead of the rest. Always a stepping stone back to England. If Lennon was offered the Norwich or another bottom feeder clip in the press he’d be for the off. Money too good to knock back. Maybe it’s a good thing to have an ambitious coach or manager. The pommy league is where the action is and if you’re sacked you’re made for life
It is what it is a game of opportunism. I’d rather an old head like huffing or old Roy running the team. They’ve made their dollars but still have the pride in wanting to win and the wherewithal to offer security to us. The fickle nature of managers and players mean a culture of getting what they can while they can.
Lennon would still have his sights of boosting his resume and moving on for bigger incentives. Don’t be fooled if an offer came along Lennon would be off
Hiddink * Roy Hodgson
You think Lennon wouldn’t take a better offer ? You’re dreaming. You’re detached from reality to think otherwise.
It’s a money game and we’re paying the money for their hedonistic lives.
livi away? scum at home? not learning from the cup game?
he’s been far from faultless, the next 3 games are massive
counter argument that wont fit your agenda is the other teams have got worse
I still know who I would have ahead of the current manager
I’m pretty sure most (all?) non-Celtic fans would rate Rodgers far higher than Lennon.
A simple Celtic comparison can only realistically be done after 3 years when hopefully we’ve done another Treble Treble and qualified for CL Group twice.
Wrong for reasons already given, whether you’re listening or not.
Other fans will not be agenda driven.
It’s irrelevant what they think but Rodgers record elsewhere will be used.
Do you actually think before you post?
Presumably you also consider Gothenburg and the Faroes at home, so how do these affect your impartial analysis?
Neil Lennon has everything to prove & you are being a bit arrogant to suggest ANY Celtic manager has ” nothing to prove “.
One question i would like answered is this, after a two week training camp in Dubai, i presume to work on things tactically, fine tune & bit of recuperation, why is it after all that, Ross County open us up at will, every time they came forward?
I’ll tell you one thing Neil Lennon has to prove, can he spot a left back to replace Tierney? Coz he hasn’t fkn done it yet!
Charlie,
You say Celtic are better than last season. Using your data they are 10 points better off. However, using your data, Sevco are 11 points better off from last season, possibly with 1 or 2 games in hand. That is the important point! Analyse all of the data. As Disraeli said, “You are using stats as a drunken man uses a lamppost, for support rather than illumination!”
Rebus
Rebus,
🙂
He’s learning ?
Do you think PL and co were happy to have Newco out of top flight for a few years and eventually join us in SPFL by which time the fans would “stomach” them having been “starved” of a derby rival?
I think PL and Celtic should go back and just brand it as the “old Firm” game as for all intents and purposes that’s how they seem to be viewing them and zero care/consideration/fcuk’s for the fans that paid in to a rigged game.
he wanted them straight in with points deductions for 3 years
that’s a fact
celtic the last team in the league to say voting no
Nas,
Well said!
Is it to much to want, an open, honest, transparent game, a level playing field? We don’t want any special treatment, we don’t want any favours, just the right to know that when our players compete on the field of play, that the game is not rigged or biased in any one clubs favour. The 5 Way agreement is an abomination, it signals the end of fair play. It is also a recognition from the governing bodies that Sevco is the team that we face on the pitch, “Rangers” died in 2012. Good riddance.
They may have died but their ghosts are presenting a real challenge. Well maybe not so real. Getting caught up in the past is deadly. And you’re right the game isn’t straight. Lennon has to manage a wee bit better and stop experimenting. Experimentation comes when it’s a forgone conclusion. I think he’s lost the plot and doesn’t put the right line up at times that’s a lay opinion obviously. Mickey Johnston isn’t ready to represent future champions and for me the jury is out with frimpong. El hamed when fit is easily our best right back. It’s a lottery btw who should partner Jullien. Ajer or Jozo. Jullien is the man. Taylor or bolingoli or Hayes. That’s a hard one personally don’t have faith in any of them. We should have decent full backs without the conundrum. Taylor for me. Just .now is the time to settle on the right team going forward.
Constant changes fuck the system. Rogic and arzani should be given the mantle. My opinion. Don’t know about the pole yet. Look at Liverpool they’ve got a settled team with slight tweaks.
Absolutely brilliant diary.
From Day 1 I asserted that Lawwell could not possibly be in the dark about this, effectively a
6 (six)-W-A with the 6th too ‘smart’ (slimy, sneaky) to be openly involved. What a tangled web indeed, Peter!
I have now procured my own copy of the Final Draft of the “6-W-A” but haven’t had time to properly scrutinise it; it’s 18 pages long and full of obfuscating legal speak. But I’ve already noted some very dodgy parts of it. More to come on this.
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE, (if the bastards don’t get to you first) 🙂
FC not PLC
HH
So what is the 5 Way Agreement, its a document stitched together to ensure that there should be some form of “Rangers” playing in Scottish football. The earlier draft that was published on the internet included “stripping the titles and trophies”. It seems that Charles Green used his influence behind the scenes to his own advantage. He must have played a blinder. Perhaps it was a case of timing it right when he had suckered the governing bodies into keeping Sevco with its rancid followers spreading their bigot pound around Scottish footballs various grounds, that was his bargaining chip. From the little I know it was only the later editions that had the title stripping removed. But “Going for 55” with their hollow men is the poison chalice and the price that all the Scottish clubs have to pay, is it worth it? is it? my answer is no.
Charlie, there was the proper option: tell the Truth. Charge them for playing illegally registered players for all those years and re-write the record books appropriately. Tell them it was Sir David Murray’s fault (and all his Board), as it was. They’d have turned on Murray and all to vent their spleen. Let them start again by giving them a leg up and letting them join SFL 3 as it was then. Remember they weren’t even a football club. Sevco was a ‘basket of the dead club’s assets’, I repeat,NOT a football club. They could’ve genuinely clawed their way back and gained some respect for doing so. THEY are the real losers, and if they don’t drop all the entitlement shite they always will be. TV money,BTW, isn’t thast much in Scotland anyway. We could’ve binned fucking Sky and the like and done it all ourselves. Regan, Doncaster, Petrie, Lawwell and all the rest of them made a complete cunt of it and it’s coming back to bite them. Wait and see what happens next.
FC not PLC
HH
CS, the MANNER of PTL’s exit will not be lost on anyone thinking about filling his boots. Nor on Desmond.
ALL these scummy, capitalist, tory bastards are nothing if not self-serving, self-aware, self-promoting and self-preserving. They’ll think twice on Lawwell’s demise.
I’ll just celebrate it!
WE’VE GOT THE POWER.
HH FC not PLC.