bluebear54

Frankie hit the nail on the head IMO. Could be a clear out, but done totally by the book, and therefore with no redress for legal action. Protracted legal action would be the last thing we needed.

So, to cut to the quick, Uncle Peter's saying, "Look Roy, we're going to lose £350k out of this and you're going to earn shitloads more. Celtic are just going to lose out of this, but we're absolutely desperate to give that £350k away now. However, if you don't get on board now, we might not be in a position to offer it again, and we'd have to keep it. That would be disastrous for Scottish football, and for Celtic, 'cos we'd have £350k more each year"

Much as I think that's fair, and much as I think we should try to ensure a fair deal for us - who probably provide 50% of the viewers (somebody could kindly provide the correct estimated figure) I don't think we can be seen to be playing hard ball. We would be refused a license. What we should be doing is showing some solidarity for once, with Club, Fangroups, forums et al, and saying, look, we are not going to pay for SKY Sports or BT Sports. We are going to recommend that all RFC fans do not subscribe, and the reasons are that we are being stitched up like a kipper. By all means, have your sponsorship, your media deal and your brave new world, but don't count on the blue pound. Combined we are the biggest single source of revenue in Scottish football. Combined, we could move mountains.

I can't ever remember seeing anything as patronising and condescending as that in the context of Scottish football. Thats quite shocking by any standard. I don't think that's the best way to go about persuading someone.

Good strong statement in my book. Might be wrong, but this should neutralise a lot of the innuendo etc in the meantime. We're basically saying that WE will find out all the facts - not the press, not the SFA but us. I personally think this is a first class way forward. I'm sick of trial by media or cabal. This is going on to the front foot and dealing with things in the correct manner. I'm happier.

The other thing is that we're the only show in town. Now - like everyone else I can see heads-on hatred of us in the media, however, every outlet in the media in being challenged these days. A story that rumbles on about Rangers sells copy like no other. Rangers fans buy, Sellik fans buy and a good many others too. Some out of fear and some to gloat. So, what I'm trying to say that is more than one agenda out there and, in more than one way, I think we're a victim of our success. But the timing of these stories has always been suspect. This latest more so than others.

Great stuff dB Many thanks.

If there's a possible police investigation for blackmail (as I've heard) on top of the outstanding one (ones?) is this not all subjudice with regards to being discussed in the media and being scrutinised by the SFA?

Agreed. All the more reason for not allowing any of the SPL cabal anywhere near a driving seat. They've already crashed one car. Good governance of the whole game should be the key agenda. And I don't see anyone who's presently involved as having any credentials in that area.

Quote ABERDEEN FC chairman Stewart Milne today confirmed Rangers won’t benefit if the SPL’s revamp plan gets voted through. Opponents of the proposed 12-12-18 league set-up have expressed concerns that it could lead to the Gers being fast-tracked up to the division below the top one. But Milne insisted that won’t happen. He said: “Rangers would have to earn the right to reach the top division, the same as anyone else.” Milne also reassured Aberdeen FC fans their club would survive if the plans are rejected when the SPL clubs meet at Hampden on Monday. i read this as a subtle bit of bullying to the 17 clubs who will be in the bottom 18. Vote for this and you'll have Rangers there with you and the big pay day and sponsorship it'll bring. By virtue of the fact he reassures fans that AFC will survive if the plans are rejected says the opposite to me. I think the top Clubs are bricking it. I think any reconstruction that involves guaranteeing Rangers matches for SKY is all they want. It would suit their purposes to pay us a pittance for this, creaming off the lion's share for themselves. The SKY deal is key. Without it there is no sponsorship. Like others, I'm pretty sure this is meant to be a takeover, and that they will form a newco to escape their legal bills and what comes out of the Hood court case. Without reconstruction (read newco SPL and a SKY deal) there will be Armageddon. I can't remember anyone saying this would also be in Rangers' interests. For a Club whose revenue generation is essential to everything, an outsider would find our omission in all of this extremely strange. But there again, what we are about to witness is a right royal shafting by any other name.

Fair enough you can accuse me of being deluded. My take is that the most important skill needed in a CEO is that of being a class man manager. When you can manage your staff effectively you need little other skills. You acquire the skills you need and you manage them to achieve your objectives. My opinion is that Walter's man management skills are of the highest order. He commands great respect in the game and is a savvy media manipulator. He lives and breathes Rangers. All of the above are qualities I fail to see in CG.

Time to back Rangers, I say. Time to bring together a fractured support and time to repair the fractures within Ibrox. Our enemies are many and while we are so divided, we are easy prey. I can foresee a summer to match or better the last one. Not that there was anything good or enjoyable about it. In this present situation, I think CG is damaged goods, and is now unable to draw on unified support. There's only one man I can immediately think of who could draw our support together and circle the wagons. Walter to be CEO, chief strategist and sole spokesman. Time to back Rangers.

There is lot of speculation going on - and I'm not entirely sure any of it is well informed. One thing I will say is that this is the worst possible timing with regards to reconstruction, finding sponsorship and a media deal.

Nice to see the neutral SFA facilitating by bringing their thumbscrews along.

Was anyone at the SFA or SPL knowledgeable about any of this? If so why didn't they either stop it or report it to the authorities?

I think that's part of it. But I think ignorance and sheer bloody mindedness is the major factor. Unless the SPL have visions of starting a Newco pronto, and reneging on existing liabilities.

Scottish football is quite literally jaywalking in front of a bus. Truly eye watering how these past couple of years have turned out. The laughable thing is when Scottish football as we know it folds, the media will also end up in front of the bus. That these eejits can't see what they're doing to their own futures beggars belief.

You can get one from Toffs for a wee bit over £40. http://www.toffs.com/Blue-White-and-Red-Cashmere-Scarf/productinfo/CSBWR/ Not a bad price

Why is Spiers so bitter and twisted? Why does he feel the need to alienate the Rangers support? He's presumably had an expensive training in objective journalism but what has caused a semi-bright guy to morph into a one sided opinionated caricature of himself? I don't get it. Unless he's been bought and paid for.

I guess it's pretty obvious that most are just happy for the stability and the status quo in the meantime. At times last year was a very close run thing that none of us want to experience again. From guys I speak to, there's far from a feeling of solidarity with the present custodians. I'm not well connected club wise, so don't know how much is true and how much is media driven. Let's just say that I have concerns. So do some others I know.

Apologies for jumping on this late. I take my hat off to you Zappa, and you have said a few things that have needed to be said. Green has been leaving a sour taste in my mouth to as of late.

He doesn't even look like an accomplished fouler. I'd rather see him going to Nonce FC

Football in this country stinks to high heavens. A blind man could see that all this is leading to some kind of blackmail, when we consider the SPL threat too. Absolutely disgraceful. And Regan had the cheek to say "let's put everything behind us" or suchlike, a couple of months ago. Let them weep for their sponsorship and their media deal. I'd rather stick hot needles in my eye. Scottish football is dead.

This is actually embarrassing.

You couldn't make this up. If it ends up as blackmail, it's a different situation than last time. We've proved that the Blue pound is the biggest thing in Scottish football. They need us.