Scottish football shouldn’t feel so self conscious about having very little money. It should just shrug its collective shoulders and make the best of what it has.<\/p>\n
Take David Cameron, for instance, who travelled north to Aberdeen yesterday. His government has been financially crippled sending troops to fight \u00a0over oil in the middle east, so the disagreement with Scots over the North Sea supply has been downsized to a train trip and some sandwiches.<\/p>\n
Cameron had been warned before that it would be cold up in the Granite City, and with his popularity being \u00a0questioned, advisors made sure he was suitably attired for the visit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Celtic are also in Aberdeen today, and as satellite television isn’t showing the game, those who want to see it will have to wait until the delayed transmission at ten o’clock on BBC Alba, which is free to view.<\/p>\n
Or , you could head to the game.<\/p>\n
Which, of course, isn’t possible for everyone. Aberdeen is very far away, near where the polar bears live, and difficult to access by public transport, which only operates in the summer month. With added problem of having to work, it means that live coverage is restricted to the internet streams, complete with adverts for dodgy sites, or the radio, complete with adverts for dodgy presenters.<\/p>\n
Except Radio Scotland, which just has the dodgy presenters.<\/p>\n
But the delayed transmission has given me an idea…<\/p>\n
BBC Alba is essentially a channel for Gaelic speakers, or Scots , and often features football documentaries, which , hazarding a guess, do wonders for their viewing figures.<\/p>\n
Instead of receiving a pittance from Sky for subsidising the English league, how about putting games on Alba, with a massive drive for sponsorship, either live once a week, or one match delayed on a Saturday, followed by an extended highlights package of all four divisions, edited to make it look and sound exciting ?<\/p>\n
This is one of those ideas that goes into the diary in a raw form which is then refined by the various comments from the readers.<\/p>\n
We could even have analysis from journalistic types, instead of ex footballers. After all, I never saw a horse commentate on the Grand National.<\/p>\n
The money saved by supporters who then cancel Sky Sports could go towards going to the game. Those outwith Scotland could watch, granted a delayed broadcast, on tv as normal. Lets face it, those in the USA or Australia get up at ridiculous hours as it is, so a delayed broadcast might actually benefit them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you can put together a video of Rafael Scheidt and sell him for \u00a35m, then I’m quite sure enough interest could be generated to encourage the next generation of fans to attend games.<\/p>\n
Above all, it will get kids watching Scottish football, on a Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
Whats wrong with a bit of optimism. ? Look at Roy Hodgson, he’s thinking about hiring a sports psychologist to help him with the problem his players have with penalty shoot outs.<\/p>\n
Thats optimism. He thinks they’ll be in a penalty shoot out.<\/p>\n
Actually anything that stops anyone watching the dreadful dirge that passes as Saturday night entertainment is a bonus. Shows such as the Voice, where despite my flood of emails, contestants are not sent plummeting through a trap door when they fail to be selected, and the Jeremy Kyle spin off Take Me Out, where dozens of young girls decide whether or not they want to go out with a young man for some chips somewhere. They then hope to have a relationship which leads to an appearance on the daytime show -probably because it turns out they were brother and sister-which itself is designed for people who have to attend court that day to give them an idea of what to wear. I watched it this morning. There was a lass on who wanted a sex change and the NHS would let her have one.<\/p>\n
Jeremy told her to grow a pair.<\/p>\n
So, to tonights game.<\/p>\n
But before we do, theres sad news from the world of entertainment;<\/p>\n
Director Harold Ramis, best known for his work on hit comedy film Groundhog Day has died aged 69.<\/p>\n
Director Harold Ramis, best known for his work on hit comedy film Groundhog Day has died aged 69.<\/p>\n
Director Harold Ramis, best known for his work on hit comedy film Groundhog Day has died aged 69.<\/p>\n
Aberdeen are a little bit annoyed that the record previously held by Bobby Clark, who is as close to a legend as anyone can be in their eyes, has been taken by Fraser Forster. And they want to punish him for it.<\/p>\n
The Dons have already put Celtic out of the Cup, and are confident of another good result tonight. A big crowd is expected, and it could be another great game.<\/p>\n
Celtic manager Neil Lennon isn’t taking the game lightly;<\/p>\n
\u201cAberdeen are second, we are away from home and they are the only team to score against us in the last couple of months \u2013 and the only team to beat us as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a bit of steel about them this year that has been missing for the last few years and there is a good blend.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe clean sheet and unbeaten record can go at any time and this is the biggest test we may get. It\u2019s a really good game to get our teeth into.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Cup defeat still on the players minds, there is no real need for the boss to fire them up;<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a freshness with the cup game being so recent. We didn\u2019t play well on the day and we get an early chance to rectify that.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are concerns that Leigh Griffiths isn’t paying attention during team talks, but it looks like the other players covered for him.<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BhP4p-pIMAAR9oT.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Griffiths should be awake in time for tonights game, and fellow strikers Amido Balde and Teemu Pukki have been reassured that they, too, still have a part to play. There were apparently offers to take them on loan by some clubs during the last window;<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was plenty interest but we wanted to keep them here. They will play more of a part between now and the end of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmido made a contribution for Teemu\u2019s goal. I want to give him more game time but the team is playing really well and it\u2019s difficult for him to get in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know both have the talent but they may have found it difficult to adapt to the pace of the game or the expectations of the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lennon revealed Stefan Johansen is struggling for the trip to Pittodrie while Leigh Griffiths is also a doubt.<\/p>\n
Lennon added: \u201cJohansen got a knock but we\u2019ll give him every chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Griffiths, there was a bit of fatigue in the calf and we were worried it might be a slight strain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Judging from the picture, its not just the calf, its the whole bloody cow.<\/p>\n
Speaking of pictures, Griffiths upset a few Hearts fans with his celebration the other day after he scored at Tynecastle. One supporter was particularly moved to make a gesture which showed his feelings, and we are wondering if anyone reading this can identify him. Gary Locke, the Hearts manager might find him familiar. As should his Mum.<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BhPWd6-IEAAV-yZ.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A little piece of history has gone. The old school, so long a feature of the Celtic Park landscape has been pulled down to make way for some trees and a bit of pavement.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-frc1\/t31\/q71\/s720x720\/1974420_732641720079163_1568088194_o.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
That monstrosity across the road is the new velodrome, which is where cyclists can pedal away to their little hearts consent, although there has been disappointment from some of them that there isn’t a pavement around the track for them to ride on.<\/p>\n
Nothing is forever I guess, but it feels like a little bit of my childhood-and adult hood-has just died. I know it might look like a slicker, cleaner area now, more in line with other modern venues, but I kind of liked it the way it was.<\/p>\n
Its not the only thing thats changed. Ally McCoist, the manager of cash strapped minnows Second Rangers, has disovered he can’t get by on his paltry \u00a3850,000 a year, and has been forced to take a night time job to help make ends meet.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BhOsSGpIAAAzIZ1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
And we also have exclusive pictures from his audition at Britains got talent;<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BgNWEH8IgAE5bGW.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He’s not the only one worried about money down Govan way. Well, this guy is a bit more concerned about his money which is owed to him from down Govan way<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This is Imran Ahmed-Charles Greens “little paki friend ” , who has asked the courts to ringfence \u00a3500,000 which is the amount he is seeking in unpaid bonuses from the clubs carcass. Well, its not quite a carcass yet, but the vet has already prepared the solution which will end its suffering.<\/p>\n
His reason for the request is simple-he thinks the club are trading while insolvent. Thats nonsense, and its fair to say that whatever that club is up to, it certainly isn’t trading. Not in the sense that others understand it, anyway.<\/p>\n
The first day of the Big Tax Case Appeal saw a bit of a surprise when the original jdge, Colin Bishop, was replaced by Lord Doherty. Presumably the name Bishop was judged to be a bit “feniany ”<\/p>\n
Still, they’ll be delighted with Doherty, pictured here in his study.<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BhRkKjFCAAArppq.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The hearing is expected to last ten days, which is probably longer than the new club will, as the cash crisis deepens, although the directors are discussing entering talks with a supporter they saw carrying a ten pound note.<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BhRhNgdCUAEozgw.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
But, theres no need for supporters to worry. Keith Jackson is on the case;<\/p>\n
I think we are about to see why the Record, and its sister paper the Sunday Mail, have just lost another ten per cent of their readers.<\/em><\/p>\n RANGERS chief Graham Wallace was back in the firing line yesterday after confirming he has agreed \u00a31.5million of loans to keep the club out of short-term financial distress.<\/p>\n Fans reacted angrily as details emerged \u2013 with hedge fund outfit Laxey Partners set to rake in \u00a3150k for lending just \u00a31m for less than six months.<\/p>\n Here Record Sport\u2019s chief sports writer Keith Jackson asks the Ibrox CEO to explain what is really going on.<\/p>\n Of course he does. He’s won awards, you know.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n KJ: You do appreciate the fans will be hugely concerned you need to raise this \u00a31.5million in the first place? They are repeatedly told there is no need for alarm but you must see why they would be so jittery. The need for this new money \u2013 just a year after raising \u00a322m in IPO cash \u2013 doesn\u2019t suggest the healthiest of financial positions, does it?<\/p>\n Wheres all the money gone, and why do you need more ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: The money raised through the IPO has been spent in a variety of ways. But that\u2019s in the past. I can\u2019t respond in detail as to how those monies were used. What I can do is look at the Fuck knows. Its all gone, and we need some more. But no-one will give us any.<\/em><\/p>\n We need time for people to see how the business is being Which , lets be honest, won’t make any difference at all.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: But you are getting a hard time about this loan from elements of your own support. Many of them ask why Laxey and why the Easdales? Why were other shareholders not invited to loan the club their money?<\/p>\n Shouldn’t you have asked all the other shareholders their opinion ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: The board looked at a long list of alternative sources of short-term funding. The club, through its adviser, thought this opportunity made the most sense. A third of the money is coming totally interest free. No costs, no interest and no cost to the club to service the facility. That\u2019s the cheapest money you will ever get and if there is a long list of people wishing to support the club to that level then I\u2019d like to talk to them.<\/p>\n No. Fuck that. They might want to know why we’re paying 30% interest on two thirds of the money, and why we’ve mortgaged the car park and the main building. But if anyone wants to give us some money, we’ll let them.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: Haven\u2019t you created a potential problem with other shareholders or would-be About Dave King-or on behalf of him ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: The board has had a dialogue in recent weeks with Dave King. He has not been rebuffed by the board. He is not currently a shareholder. He has indicated he\u2019d be an interested participant in a future equity raising at the appropriate point in time. Our shareholder base has also expressed willingness to invest in fresh equity.<\/p>\n Dave King has not come to the club with an offer, other than an interest in participating in a future equity.<\/p>\n Will you give it a rest about Dave King. He’s not interested in paying for the club. and he isn’t going to get it for nothing.<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: Just to be clear, are you saying Dave King has not offered the club short-term funding?<\/p>\n You can imagine this question asked in a high pitched wail<\/em><\/p>\n GW: He has not done that, no. Dave is not a shareholder and he has not made the club any offer of financial assistance. That\u2019s not a criticism of Dave King. I have not met him but as a board we have had some dialogue to try to understand his intentions because there has been a lot of talk about his interest in investing. There has been no other proposal made by him at all.<\/p>\n Bloody hell.\u00a0<\/em>Take your head out of your arse for a minute. He’s waiting for us to bump it so he can get whats left for nothing. Except we won’t be leaving anything.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: At the time of the agm, the board said there were a bunch of investors lining up to plough money into the club. So were they there at all if ultimately this money has had to come from the Easdales and Laxey?<\/p>\n Were you lying to everyone at the AGM ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: The board did consider a range of alternatives from a mix of shareholders and other sources. It was an extensive process and the facility received the support and sign-off of the company\u2019s NOMAD as an appropriate facility and one which was arrived at in the right way.<\/p>\n If I keep talking loike this you’ll have no idea what I’m saying, never mind if I’m lying or not.<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: How difficult would the financial situation have become without this investment?<\/p>\n Is the club fucked ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: Football is a very cyclical business, with big incomes generated early in the summer which progressively run down. So this is not a crisis move. It\u2019s not a last-gasp policy.<\/p>\n We have some fairly significant income streams that will arise in the summer. So this is just a short-term facility. We have no bank debt, no overdraft and a balance sheet which is probably the envy of a lot of football clubs but yet consistently everybody talks about us being in a crisis.<\/p>\n More than likely won’t see Easter.<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: If there\u2019s no crisis then the financial situation will not impact on Ally McCoist\u2019s budget then?<\/p>\n So, Allys warchest is okay ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: People laugh when we talk about putting in place a medium-term strategy but when you are signing a player on a long-term contract it\u2019s a significant financial obligation. So we need a clear idea of what the financial outlook looks like.<\/p>\n We are looking at this summer\u2019s window and beyond, over the next 24 months. But it\u2019s too premature to say right now what the outcome of that will be.<\/p>\n Warchest ? Er, aye, its fine.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: Will his budget have to come down this summer or not?<\/p>\n Has he got a budget to work with ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: Player costs are not surprisingly the biggest aspect of the business. We\u2019ll look at what we need on the football side and what ongoing costs are. We\u2019ll do it in a very considered way. There will be no knee-jerk reactions. Fans will expect us to take a medium to long-term view.<\/p>\n Don’t talk shite. He won’t have a club to work with soon.<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: The trust of these supporters is crucial to the club\u2019s financial position. Do they trust you?<\/p>\n Do you really believe the fans trust you ?<\/em><\/p>\n GW: I have said the club needs to engage to a greater extent with the supporters and I mean it.<\/p>\n But people require a period of time to form a view on what is being done. I don\u2019t expect them to instantly accept what we say. All I ask is for a reasonable period of time to get the business refocused and to demonstrate that we are listening to them. We have to show that we are doing things for the right reasons \u2013 for the greater good of this club.<\/p>\n I doubt they even know who I am. They are past caring.We just need to hope they are stupid enough to buy season books again.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: You\u2019re bang on there, given the behaviour of some individuals around this club in the last few years. You have to be seen to be acting in Rangers\u2019 best interests.<\/p>\n I mean, you have to act in Rangers best interest.<\/em><\/p>\n GW: That\u2019s right and I can say from the time I have been here people are 100 per cent focused on doing the right thing for Rangers. It does take time to demonstrate that. We\u2019ll be judged on our success and on our ability to do things in the right way.<\/p>\n When you hear external comment about the club teetering on the verge of administration or whatever, some of it is quite irresponsible. There is no way this business was ever going to go into administration again because the fundamentals are too strong. Some of these stories will quite naturally have alarmed supporters given what they have come through. But hopefully, in time, the supporters will recognise that the board and myself are doing the right things for their club.<\/p>\n Like you have to be seen to ask the right questions….<\/em><\/p>\n KJ: But then they see Laxey picking up \u00a3150k for giving you a secured loan, doesn\u2019t that smack of the previous regime and people with their noses in the trough?<\/p>\n Like this one-come on, you are all still at it.<\/em><\/p>\n GW: I can understand why people might look at it this way. The other way to look at it is it\u2019s no different from any other commercial organisation which would make loan capital available to a business. There is a level of return that they would expect for their money.<\/p>\n The cost we\u2019ve agreed with Laxey is deemed appropriate in the market. I don\u2019t think there should be any concerns about the level of commerciality on that.<\/p>\n Absolutely. The clubs dead, no-one tried to save it, and we’re just feeding off the bones.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I thought I’d help to clarify it a wee bit.<\/p>\n There were some amusing replies to the three childrens characters possible link yesterday, the correct one was that they all scored against Sevco, but there were better ones in there than that.<\/p>\n Bob Pet Ta.<\/p>\n Jeez.<\/p>\n Anyhoo, whats the occasion here ?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scottish football shouldn’t feel so self conscious about having very little money. 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\nbusiness as we see it now and how we are going to move it forward. The need for a financial facility is no different for Rangers than for any normal business.<\/p>\n
\noperated and for people\u2019s trust in Rangers as an organisation and trust in the credibility of those who are running it.<\/p>\n
\ninvestors who might ask why they weren\u2019t invited to make a similar loan? And I\u2019m talking here specifically about Dave King.<\/p>\n![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BhRLDA6CIAAl2xa.jpg\")
<\/p>\n