Theres talk of a possible glamour friendly between Celtic and Barcelona in Dublin sometime in early August, which will give us a chance to get a look at them before our annual pairing in the group stages of the Champions League. Even the friendlies are geting repetitive these days. Talks are said to be at an advanced stage at bringing the two clubs to Irelands capital, though whatever squads turn up will depend on how the World Cup goes. A Honduras v Nigeria final could be calamitous for Celtics pre season.
With Barcelona staffed by Spanish and Argentinian players its fairly certain they will be involved in the latter stages in Brazil, so it probably won’t be a full strngth side, but its a day out in Dublin, and thats the important thing.
According to Ronnie Cully in the Evening Times, Celtic are “sizing up ” a bid for Robert Snodgrass, who has helped norwich to the brink of relegation from the English Premiership. apparently he was on the wanted list in January but the asking price of £6m was too much then. Now, with division One-or the Championship, or whatever its called, beckoning, Snodgrass could be tempted north.
He’s “understood ” to be willing to take a pay cut, as he is a Glasgow boy, from the Gallowgate, and is a Celtic fan. With Norwich having sacked Chris Hughton and Snodgrass having just twelve months of his deal left, it makes him an option. Not an exciting option, but he would at least play for the jersey.
There may be a lack of competition at senior level in Scottish football, but the U-20s league is proving to be a bit of a battle. Celtic lost 2-0 to Hibs at Cappielow yesterday, which means the Edinburgh side are now three points clear with the young Celts having two games in hand.
With youngsters appearing in all the Premier sides this season, the knock on effect is that kids now feel they have a genuine chance of a first team spot, and the U-20s seem to have reacted positively to this, not just at Celtic , but elsewhere. It’ll be interesting to see how the league pans out.
West Bromwich Albion could be ready to raid Celtic Park for a couple of players. Well, try to, anyway. Liam henderson has been watched by the midlands club, and they were also looking at Efe Ambrose earlier this year. Both players have the same agent, which means it could be just lazy reporting.
Or a lazy agent.
Still, West Brom are a glamourous club. Look at the delight on nicolas anelkas face when he signed for them.
Celtic don’t have a game tomorrow, which means we’ll have to find another way to spend the day before the wife thinks of one for us. Mine has been pointing to the lawnmower, pointing to the lawn, and pointing at me. she’s probably trying to tell me something, and I’ll have to have a sit down and think about it soon.
However, Sky Sports will be showing the Scottish cup semi final tomorrow between former Celt Jackie MacNamaras Dundee Utd and plucky third division minnows Second Rangers. MacNamara has been handed a touchline ban after he forgot to tie his shoelaces, or something, but will appeal and should be able to take his place at the side of his team.
Second Rangers will be without keeper Cammy Bell, who banged his head, as well as an assortment of first team players. More call offs are expected as the game draws nearer and the hapless huns realise that they are out of their depth for this one. Fortunately for the Ibrox side, Bobby Madden, the refereee, has declared himself fit and raring to go. Madden once sent an entire Celtic team off for not wearing the same colour boots.
The new club had their most recent accounts out in the public eye yesterday.
Scott McCulloch in the Record takes up the story, the mood of which was set by the accompanying picture;
Presumably the photographer fell over laughing when he saw the figures…
The Rangers Football Club Ltd (TRFCL) has reported an £18.19 million pre-tax loss for the 13 months to June 30, 2013.
The company, with operates “a professional football club in Scotland, together with related commercial activities”, reports it owes parent company Rangers International Football Club Plc (RIFC), £16.16 million.
TRIFC notes the amounts owed to Rangers International “are unsecured, repayable on demand and do not accrue interest.
It adds: “The parent company has indicated that it has no intention to recall the balance in the foreseeable future”.
Last October the parent company, RIFC, which describes itself as “the holding company for the Scottish football club ‘Rangers’”, reported operating losses of £14 million for the 13 months to June 30 after raising more than £35 million in finance in the year, including a rights issue last December.
In March, RIFC reported losses of £3.5 million for the seven months to December 31, 2013 and its auditors warned a fan boycott of season tickets could jeopardise the clubs ability to continue trading.
In accounts now filed with Companies House, TRFCL has reported operating costs of £35.3 million for the 13 months to June 30, 2013 on turnover of £17.6 million, with the first team wage bill for the year having come in at £7.8 million.
TRFCL also notes “other operating charges” totalling £11.89 million for the year, which includes matchday costs such as policing, stewarding and pitch costs.
The tactic of reeling of figures is designed to make Ibrox fans stop reading. In fact its designed to make us all stop reading.
The last full-year accounts filed by oldco Rangers ( now called RFC 2012 plc – in liquidation) for the 2010 year, show ‘other operating charges of £13.59 million, when Rangers had played in the top flight of Scottish football and had participated in the UEFA Champions League.
Mentioning liquidation means that no true bluenose will get any further than this paragraph. So its time to chuck in a directors wage.
Total staff costs for the 13 months to June 2013 ran to £17.61 million, with the highest paid director taking home £933,376.
TRFCL notes the wages to turnover ratio for the 13 month reporting period was “99 per cent”.
Wow, thats at least an “A” plus. Well done.
Creditor amounts falling due within one year total £30.7 million, including £16.1 million owned to the parent company, £8.15 million in deferred income, £1.8 million in tax and social security, £1.82 million in accruals and £464,000 to “other creditors”.
Tax and social security ? Changed days indeed. Oh wait, its a different club.
The company notes the amounts owed to the parent company, Rangers International Football Club plc are “unsecured, repayable on demand and do not accrue interest”.
“The parent company has indicated that it has no intention to recall the balance in the forseeable future”.
Even if they did they wouldn’t get it. But since its only money and they’re all pals its not a problem.
TRFCL also notes it paid out severance payments totalling £468,000 post year-end, and notes two directors having resigned after June 30, 2013 – former chief executive Craig Mather, who stepped down in October 2013 and former finance director Brian Stockbridge, who left in January, 2014.
So theres actually more to come on that one.
TRFC notes it expects to see “modest increases” in season ticket sales for 2014/15 “and beyond”.
Good luck. a recent poll an a Rangers website indicated that over 90% were more than unhappy with the way things are going at the club, with around 77% unlikely to renew…
The company intends to introduce “progressive increases in season ticket prices as we move towards the Scottish Premiership, while still remaining below those when the club was previously in the SPL”.
The company’s auditors, Deloitte, have included and “emphasis of matter – going concern” qualifications in the accounts.
Deloitte notes: “The company has made key assumptions in relation to the timing of season ticket monies, the volume and pricing of season ticket sales, increased matchday income and sponsorship, the timing and value of dividends and further cost reductions”.
The auditors have taken into account the timing of receipt of season ticket monies, along with assumptions relating to growth in season tickets, sponsorship, hospitality and commercial revenues “reflecting customer confidence returning”, and “further cost management measures” being implemented.
Deloitte notes, based on the information provided, “indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and therefore that the company may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business”.
Theres the warning. Deloitte thinks they are full of shit as well.
The auditors have also notes a further emphasis of matter relating to the “uncertain outcome of potential litigation”, which relates to letters before claim issued by Craig Whyte, the previous owner of RFC 2012 plc (now in liquidation) and his business partner, Aidan Earley.
Deloitte notes despite the company having conducted an “independent investigation”, and despite the “inherent limitations of a private enquiry” from which the company concluded the claims has no legal merit, Deloitte notes the “ultimate outcome cannot presently be determined, and accordingly no adjustments have been made”.
Whyte is claiming legal right to the Rangers assets as oldco Rangers administrators, Duff & Phelps, had entered into a binding agreement with Sevco 5088 in May 2012 to sell the Rangers assets in the event of a CVA being rejected.
The assets were ultimately transferred to an unrelated entity, Sevco Scotland Limited, now The Rangers Football Club Ltd (TRFCL).
TRFCL notes at the foot of the 2013 accounts, under related party transactions: “On 14 June 2012 Sevco 5088 Limited entered into agreements for no consideration to legally reassign its beneficial interest in funding placing letters held and novate the trade and assets purchase agreement with RFC 2012 plc (in administration) to Sevco Scotland Limited (now the Rangers Football Club)”.
TRFC notes, based on the assessment of available evidence, “RIFC plc considers that the investigation found no evidence that Craig Whyte had any involvement with Sevco Scotland Limited (now called The Rangers Football Club Limited) which ultimately acquired the business and assets of RFC 2012 plc from its administrators; nor which would suggest that Craig Whyte invested in The Rangers Football Club Limited or Rangers International Football Club plc, either directly or indirectly through any third party companies or vehicles”.
The note adds: “On May 28, 2013 a further letter before claim was sent to (inter alia) The Rangers Football Club Limited and Rangers International Football Club plc on behalf of Craig Whyte, Aidan Earley and (purportedly) Sevco 5088 Limited.
“The board is of the view that the claims set out in the letter before claim are entirely unsubstantiated based on legal advice received to date by the board and the outcome of the investigation”.
TRFCL also notes a claim raised by former commercial director Imran Ahmad has “no substance” and “no obligation to pay a bonus arises”.
Ahmad has raised a claim for £500,000 in lost bonuses – which is down from the £3.4 million figure he had initially intended to pursue – and that case is still to be heard in the Court of Session.
All of which effectively means that the club thinks they will be fine, and Deloitte doesn’t. but lacks the proof to say it. Effectively the club has told the auditors they will be fine, and used their predictions of incoming season book money to play down the impending financial crash. Deloitte have said that they aren’t so sure.
Noticeably, there are no questions to anyone involved at the club about these accounts. And no attempt to explain them to the masses. ( they hate being called that )
Journalism at its best.
It looks like i wasn’t the only one with a horrible taste in my mouth at the mention of Atletico Madrid yesterday. Former striker Dixie Deans came down off the fence to ad his tuppence worth.
“You can’t help yourself if you lived through that match. I hope those bastards lose”.
“They had three players sent off for violent conduct and received a total of seven yellow cards. But I felt myself losing the plot in retaliation from time to time.
“I seem to remember Davie Hay and me finishing up scrapping in the tunnel at time-up with one of their players, Ruben Ayala.”
“There was a lot of frustration because no one could understand why Atletico would want to come to Celtic Park and conduct themselves the way they did.
“The most galling thing was that, even though they were down to 10 men, we still couldn’t stick the ball in the net.”
Er, it was actually eight. Which probably won’t make him feel any better.
Dixie continued;
“Those were less sophisticated days then, so you didn’t know as much about foreign teams as you would do now.
“They had a big South American influence, Ayala included, and that produced fiery consequences.
“Davie and me slapped him about a bit but just to keep him awake at that time of night.”
And he wonders why the Spanish public didn’t take to the players when they arrived in Madrid for the return. Death threats, fans outside the hotel all night. Probably not the best away trip.
Deans remembered;
“We only went there to protect our club’s good name. There was no way we were going to walk off that pitch having won the return leg, and the Celtic players knew that before a ball was kicked.
“We were confined to the hotel for three days and only allowed out for training.
“Fans would gather in their hundreds outside the hotel in the early hours of the morning to make noise and put us off our sleep.”
There are four teams left in the UCL. Only Bayern Munich would be popular winners.
There were some rather rude suggestions-though nonetheless funny-to yesterdays caption competition. If you haven’t seen them, have a look.
Today, with the Celts having some time off, we can’t find any pictures of them so, a blast from the past…
Whats upset Gordon ?
Wow, first on!
Great diary, and I listened to the podcast the other night, hilarious; your pleas for the young rookie manager of Scotlands newest club to be given more time certainly chime with me. Three cheers, a pay rise, and a big sing song for Super Ally, tactical genius. I only watched the extra time the other day but I was gob smacked at how pitiful this 2nd rangers lot are. They are truly reeking, that big fruity looking centre half (not elbows, the other big fruity looking one) is unable to pass a pall five yards. Oh to be a Dundee Utd fan tommorrow ( actually I will be), wonder will Utds players be allowed into the members lounge tommorrow after the game to hear Ally’s great version of “We’re simply depressed”?
Many years ago I joined in with great gusto to sing “two Andy Goram’s” and “Gazza beats his wife”. Now away from football both domestic abuse and laughing at mental health problems are abhorrent, but something about the group dynamic whilst at the football has you say and do things you wouldnt normally. I thnk Griffiths is guilty of this- I m not condoning what he doid – the song is wrong, but to talk about sacking him or banning him for months without bearing in mind the context and how long he actually was supposed to be doing it for is unfair. Amaouso of our ersthile enemies once called a player a “n” word while playing a European game. Rangers released a statement where they said ” we dont condone his action” that was it – no condemnation, no fine, nada,. Not wanting to make any comparrison to them, but lets get some perspective on the seriousness of what he did – warn him, fine him, but rehabilitate him rather than boot him out for a very brief error of judgment. And thsoe who want to crucify him might do well to refelct on some of the things theyve sung at the football, imo.
Anyway, with no Celtic to cheer this weekend, Come on the Arabs!!
Has wee Gordon just noticed Aidan Mcgeady has joined Everton?
“Aw naw, another centre forward is injured! That means Chris Killen is gonny have to come on!”
I think Barca could have done worse than getting Dixie in to do their pre-match and half time team talks the other night. Mind you, I don’t know how a Pasleyegian accent would transfer to Catalonia. “Kick thur rottin’ cheatin’ arses til they bleed ya bassas.” I can picture the horrified looks on the faces of Messi & Co.
Let’s see how the inquest into Leigh’s supposed indiscretion pans out. If he is found guilty and id indeed join in the chant with gusto it is hard for me to see a future for him at Celtic Park. Comparing him to an Oldco player is pretty pointless because we all know what their thoughts on such matters of non-WAPS were or are. Leigh has previous form in these issues. “F*ck off back to your own country” anyone?
Looking forward to Phil Mac getting hold of those numbers and explaining them, and their consequences, in the plainest of english for the Sevconian hordes.
Did Deloitte not mention the big tax case appeal, or has that died a death.
I hope there is a Dundee United Aberdeen final. After all it has been these two clubs that have been foremost in wanting to get Rangers punished. Far ahead of our club, who are run by beancounters and want them back so they can make more beans.
Good to see uefa telling Chelsea who wanted £3 million if there loan player wanted to play against them.
Uefa said no team can tell another team who they can play no matter if they have a private agreement, so special one get it right up you,& why no mention or fine about the sprint out of technical area then instructions to players after 2nd goal did Lennon not get pulled up for leaving tech area. Might be wrong.
Ralph, it all makes sense now… with the delay in the wangers accounts, cause Deloitte must be frustrated with the information provided as being utter nonsense, unprofessional and a pack of lies!!!
Great to see the usual daily rags have not mentioned this due to their team being in a cup semi this weekend, but Jackie’s suspension is every where???
Ralph,Snodgrass is not an exciting prospect ? He might not be a Lubo,granted.But,he has a great left foot.Have you seen the free kicks he scores ? He takes all the set pieces and is very creative.He is in the mould of Commons,and can eventually take over from Kris.
I was never a Snoddy fan,but watching EPL games over the
past few seasons,he has matured into a right good player. Add
in the fact,he will give his all for the Hoops,it’s a no brainer,especially as he has only one year left on his contract.
Snodgrass would give us more in terms of effort,than Pukki,Balde and Boerrigter put together.Although,that wouldn’t
be hard.
Upset him? I thought it was him cum face.
Gordon: I can’t even sing BOTOB and the polis are on my back.
or
Oh no I’m going to have to pit my wits against that managerial colossus McCoist. Tell Peter Lawell to rip up my contract.
that policeman has just stuck his baton somewhere
Dixie Deans -Legend
But utter pish talk about Ath Madrid, its was 4 decades ago FFS!! 30 yrs earlier Real Madrid were the murdering General Franco’s team but we cannie wait to get them in the CL group draw.
AM were more than worthy of the semi place, and when did overachieving against teams wi far more resources become bad ?
I think he is watching Du Wei make his debut
Aw naw big Arturs gone and blessed himself again !!!!
re Griffiths, as elcomarco says, we’ve all took part in singing songs at football matches that in the cold light of day we probably shouldn’t have – how many games against oldco at CP have the vast majority of us sang “” cheer up alec mclesh (ally mccoist / walter smith / whowever)oh what can it be, to be a right orange bastard with a shite football team”” – or words to that effect?
Can I ask a really serious question – how many of us were really seriously upset by the famine song? Were we really upset or just using our indignation to have a go at oldco?
Is the famine song any more obnoxious than Derry’s walls, the sash, no surrender, the billy boys, no pope of rome etc etc – all their songs are obnoxious – was the famine song any more obnoxious or just a chance for us to get uppity?
If you joined in the singing of ” cheer up ” then you are just as guilty as leigh Griffiths when it comes to objectionable songs – let him who is without sin cast the first stone