{"id":15591,"date":"2020-04-25T09:10:29","date_gmt":"2020-04-25T08:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15591"},"modified":"2020-04-25T09:10:29","modified_gmt":"2020-04-25T08:10:29","slug":"celtic-diary-saturday-april-25-captains-and-mismanagers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15591","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Saturday April 25: Captains and Mismanagers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scott Brown has been on the telly, and he spoke calmly, maturely and with an air that contrasts sharply with one or two others who have had things to say during these strange days…<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously our preference is to play the games because we want finish the season. Everybody wants to play, it\u2019s our job and what we love to do,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want the season to finish so we can play out all the games and we can get the trophy. We think that if we continue playing the way we were playing, we could extend our lead at the top.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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We are trying to stay as fit as possible and doing the programmes that the club has been sending us and trying to stay as safe as possible like everyone else.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a terrible situation we\u2019re in, but we\u2019re all trying to stay as positive as we can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With all the brouhaha around alleged misgovernance at the SPFL, and UEFA trying to find a solution that suits everyone, it’s perhaps been forgotten that this squad will miss out on legendary status which would have come with a fourth consecutive treble.<\/p>\n

Heady days indeed, but thats not going to happen on the pitch, and the Scottish Cup may never be played to a conclusion.<\/p>\n

In fact, one would wager that it will be declared null and void and perhaps there will be more than a glint in the eye and a smile on the face of whoever from the SFA who gets to announce that.<\/p>\n

Brown deserves credit for not ranting hysterically or even bemoaning the loss of a chance for a couple of memorable days , merely sticking to the facts.<\/p>\n

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Over in the Netherlands, the league has been declared finished, with Ajax and AZ 67 equal on points, no one has been declared champions, and both clubs will feature in whatever form of the champions League takes place next season.\u00a0 This has prompted some commentators to announce the season as null and void, but as European qualification has been won, thats not the case. There is still some debate as AZ 67 will have to play a qualifier, but the main point is that their season is over.<\/p>\n

Whether or not there is a pay off at a later date to decide who wins the title is unclear, but in this case the final standings would suggest that is only fair.<\/p>\n

In Scotland, the gap at the top, thirteen points, means that the situation does not in any way compare to the one in the Netherlands, and it appears that after the vote taken by the SPFL among their 42 member clubs, only “permission ” from UEFA with no effect on European competition status or eligibility stands in the way of Celtic becoming champions.<\/p>\n

Thats despite efforts from “rangers ” to stop it from happeneing, for reasons they won’t elaborate on, but its clear to all that nine is hurting them, and the prospect of ten is going to kill them.<\/p>\n

The SPFL launched an independent investigation into the allegations of wrongdoing during their completely legal vote, and auditing firm Deloitte reported that they had carried out a forensic investigation, and found nothing.<\/p>\n

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As usual, “rangers ” and their support found something to moan about there as well… they focused on Christopher McKay, who used to work at Deloitte….<\/p>\n

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Some of you may remember Deloitte….<\/p>\n

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After Deloitte reported, the countdown was on for another statement from the pen of PR man David Graham, and he didn’t disappoint…<\/p>\n

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Oh, hang on, that was the first draft…it was later edited to this…<\/p>\n

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RANGERS, alongside other Scottish football clubs, have submitted a Members\u2019 Requisition to the SPFL.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The requisition requests that a General Meeting of all 42 member clubs be held to consider calling an independent investigation into:<\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. The preparation and content of the briefing note and papers sent to member clubs with the resolution;<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. The decision to announce the result of an incomplete vote before all votes had been received;<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. The decision to disregard the vote submitted by Dundee FC and allow them to vote a second time;<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. The appropriateness of communications between the Executive of the SPFL and other football governing bodies in relation to completing season 2019\/20;<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. The interaction of SPFL executives with clubs during the voting process including the disclosure to clubs of how other member clubs had voted;<\/em><\/li>\n
  6. Compliance by the SPFL\u2019s directors with the statutory and common law duties owed by them in relation to the resolution; and<\/em><\/li>\n
  7. Any other matters which the independent expert considers relevant.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We have received the SPFL\u2019s open letter referring to the narrow scope of their investigation which alarmingly failed to examine wider fundamental issues.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Rangers have made it very clear that we have a dossier of evidence which we will make readily available to an independent investigation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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    As yet, there is no evidence that any other club has submitted a similar request, but adding that to the introduction deflects from the simple fact that “rangers “, for reasons we are all fully aware of, are in this on their own.<\/p>\n

    As for a meeting involving 42 club chairmen, that can’t happen unless its a video conference, which means that they are expecting it to be turned down.<\/p>\n

    Curiously, no one has pointed out that they are accusing the SPFL board of cheating, and they have their own man, Stewart Robertson, on the board , who surely should have resigned in protest if they feel that strongly, and then he could have detailed all the things he has been hearing while he’s sat in on their meetings.<\/p>\n

    That would constitute evidence.<\/p>\n

    That would show they are sincere.<\/p>\n

    But it’s not about that, as we know.<\/p>\n

    It’s about the fact that they have failed to stop nine in a row, and have little hope of stopping ten.<\/p>\n

    In short, they have failed miserably and need to find a way of blaming someone else for their shortcomings.<\/p>\n

    All of this while facing an insolvency event that will surely see their support asking questions of them that they simply have no answers to.<\/p>\n

    The media aren;t talking about this, and just as in a previous event at Ibrox, they will do their best to hide the truth , because second time around the need for the Ibrox support and their money is perhaps even greater than the first time.<\/p>\n

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    There will be no football this calendar year, it’sjust that no one wants to be the first to say it. Even behind closed doors games will not be permitted, and another catch 22 situation will rear its head when desperate hacks report on Celtic fans congragating to celebrate nine in a row, which will prompt police to petition the government for stronger lockdown initiatives, which in turn will lead to that statement about it being too risky to hold behind closed door fixtures, as people will gather to watch on tv….<\/p>\n

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    In that context, it’s better to just call it off, and wait until it’s safe to start properly.<\/p>\n

    Celtic , as we heard yesterday from the ranch, are preparing for that.<\/p>\n

    “rangers “, however, in a marked contrast in style and context to Scott Brown, had Steven Gerrard offering his tuppence worth…<\/p>\n

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    “I want to be back to work, I want to carry on with this season and I think with the majority of the players and the coaches, there\u2019s a real will to finish the season off.<\/em><\/p>\n

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    “Unfortunately, that\u2019s not the same case with the governing body who seem to me to be desperate to finish everything off and move on into the next season.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    I think the pandemic also has got something to do with that…<\/p>\n

    “Around the world and around Europe, especially down in England and in Germany, there\u2019s a big will to continue and get back playing football and try and finish it off.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “These governing bodies are connecting with the teams and there seems to be a lot of chat and a lot of meetings in terms of \u2018how can we at least try and get football back?\u2019 and have a plan A in place, a plan B, a plan C.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “If we can\u2019t and we\u2019re told we can\u2019t, there\u2019s got to be a point where you hold your hand up and it can\u2019t possibly happen.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “The disappointment from our point of view is that there doesn\u2019t seem to be that energy and that will and that determination up in Scotland.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “It seems to be the complete opposite: \u2018let\u2019s move on as quick as we can\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “From a Rangers point of view, we want to get back to playing football when it’s physically safe to do so.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Presumably he means when they’ve relaid the pitch they tore up…<\/p>\n

    Still, you know what they say about liars, and how they have to remember what they’ve said previously…<\/p>\n

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    In Scotland there is a realisation that football is not dependent largely on television money, and the desire to get games played however impractical and unsafe that may be, is not under serious consideration.<\/p>\n

    At Ibrox, they’re up to their knees in brown sticky stuff, about to surrender and die.<\/p>\n

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    Gerrard sounds and talks like a man who is fed up. He was denied further advancement at Liverpool, who though in a similar position to Celtic regarding winning the title he never ever talks about, which meant he grabbed the opportunity at “rangers “.<\/p>\n

    Having spent millions and with no chance of funds for next term, he clearly dreads the prospect of being in charge for a third disastrous term, and will get out any way he can.<\/p>\n

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    I’ll bet that hurts…<\/p>\n

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    Clubs are now starting to take stock of their own situations. Celtic seem prepared for a long lay off, others will no doubt follow their lead and we will all just have to look forward to the first game back, whenever that may be.<\/p>\n

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    Oh, then again, there will be a ninth title to celebrate, perhaps we could all stand on our doorsteps and clap, sing and raise a glass or two….<\/p>\n

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    Thats if we cant go to the pub, there is growing concern the closure if affecting the national health…<\/p>\n

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    Yesterday, we had this…<\/p>\n

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    alzyerpal<\/em><\/div>\n