Rick Roberts

3 hours ago, Gaffer said:

What a bizarre motion!?!  We have hundreds of issues we are facing in this country and yet this is worthy of a motion.  This just shows how deep his feelings are against Rangers and I really wish others would see right through this pathetic abuse of our political system.  I realise there are bigots on all sides, but we really do seem to have more than a fair share of them taking shots at our club.

 

I'm not for or against any particular political party, but when I see the politicians we currently have I'd be happy to vote for Trump if he promised to build a wall around Holyrood, without a door to let any of them escape.  These people are too stupid and too dangerous to allow them out on to our streets, never mind making laws and setting policy.

Does he ever get dug up about these things? I assume he just passes the blame to "a member of the public asking him to"?

On 22/11/2019 at 21:03, Gonzo79 said:

Do you think when the coefficient is suitably improved, the clubs qualifying for Europe could put some money aside to assist all top flight clubs to have natural grass pitches?

 

 

How much does a good grass pitch actually cost to install and maintain? I have no idea of the numbers. The clubs would then moan about loss of income etc.

A well organised and well led governing body would make grass pitches mandatory, but could certainly centralise control and maintenance of pitches for those that need it.  

14 hours ago, Bill said:

If there was concrete evidence available I doubt we would read it on that blog first. However that doesn't mean there isn't real value in doing what he does or the way he goes about it. Nor is there any harm throwing a likely name in the ring - many an effective exposé has started by speculating in public and if he's prepared to take the defamation risk then why not? I've noticed it's become almost de rigueur in some quarters to belittle this particular blogger as somehow less worthy but I think he deserves at least some credit for continuing the fight when many have long ago given up.

It's all good. It all brings minds back on to it. Maybe someone remembers something or maybe other names are brought forward. If it turns out that Ted, Dougal and Jack at the HMRC were the ones who called the shots on all things Rangers then it strengthens the case to have it looked at probably.

1 hour ago, BEARGER said:

Some people are more interested in attacking political opponents than they are in seeking justice for the victims.

Unfortunately he holds some of the keys to that justice. 

He's fantastic. He's worth two players to us on the pitch. I hope we keep him as long as possible. 

14 minutes ago, Tannochsidebear said:

After reading the Times story about the HMRC, and given how much BBC Scotland across all platforms gave so much air time, website space etc to chastising our club about our tax bill and the company's liquidation, it is absolutely no surprise to see that there is absolutely nothing, nada, zilch about this story on their website today.

 

The biggest story in Scottish news and sport today is clearly this huge story about the country's biggest club being incorrectly chased and subsequently relegated due to a huge debt which it appears was now nowhere near as huge or terminal. You would think it would be all over it in the interests of balance and fairness.

 

Not a thing.

 

 

Maybe one day, just maybe, they'll do us the service of having a Rangers supporter present and discuss our news.

They've had a rare old time at our expense and they've got (are getting) away scot free. 

1 hour ago, Bluedell said:

Just to clarify that HMRC have dropped the £24m penalty charge and submitted an amended claim for £68.3m. It's not £20m.

 

There are further appeals in place that could see it drop to £20m, but The Times don't give any suggestion as to who it it that thinks that.

Do statute of limitations apply to these things? 

On a separate note i've seen a few tweets about behaviour of people within HMRC (leaks etc). Can't remember it ever making any news. Also, i'd like to have thought club would be aware of all of this stuff as soon as it'd happened.

Great article Bluedell.

One thing that's notable is the lack of coverage that Sport Direct get for their actions. I guess club are limited in what they can say and everything else has been said over the years, but i'd still expect it to get more airing. After all this is a football club being severely held back by open and deliberate badness from SD. I know fine well why our press don't mention it but can only imagine the coverage it would get if celtic were being disadvantaged.

Another thought is on the investment and energy from the board in rebuilding the club. It's hypothetical but cant help think there must have been a different and easier way 8 years ago. Doesnt matter know of course. Maybe no-one else had a chance, and maybe the club and support are better and stronger for this anyway. 

I'd complained questioning the tone of their recent coverage on the rehash of the Neely story. Questioned inconsistencies and their innuendo and level of suggestion against third parties that had been missing in any other article on the subject.

Here's their formulated response to the issue.

On 13/10/2019 at 09:30, compo said:

The mention of Whyte makes me wonder what the rascal is up to these day's. 

Spooky lack of interest from our media. Totally off the radar, even. 

On 27/09/2019 at 06:05, ian1964 said:

 

Good read that. And what most folk have known for a long time, one side spinning the life out of one story and keeping the lid firmly shut on the other.

"All SFA member clubs (and this includes Rangers) should be ashamed of themselves."

I cant help but agree with this line. Rangers have a duty to protect itself, write its own history and set the record straight on many subjects. We lost 4 years (minimum) no amount of dignified silence will buy that back. 

22 hours ago, Bill said:

Absolutely right. As things stand in Scotland today the SNP will move heaven and earth to protect their votes from those elements of Scottish society that identify or sympathise with Ireland and it's deep-seated animosity towards England. The separatist movement is profoundly dependent on its association with republicanism and the Irish-leaning community - without it the SNP wouldn't be in government at Holyrood.

 

To be seen to expose pillars of the Irish community in Scotland to the proceeds of justice would severely weaken the SNP, whether that involves the Catholic church, Celtic FC or the various Irish republican organisations that seem to think they need to be in Scotland rather than Ireland. All of which leaves the tail wagging a rather smelly dog and IRA parades being sanctioned by SNP politicians.

 

It's going to take someone fearless to push on with this. For all Tomkins good work am i right in saying that it hasn't been official raised in Holyrood yet?

If anyone remembers John Lamonts well intended and correct input on the schooling system and the reaction it received, you can only imagine how hard they'll kick back on this. 

On 03/09/2019 at 12:32, compo said:

They will not be punished by the football authorities. 

It's not even being talked about. Which is absolutely the way they want it. I cant believe no one has the fortitude to start directing conversations that way. 

The following aren't mutually exclusive:

Best way to stop Rangers having to fight fires over bullshit like naughty songs is to light them over there.

Best way for Rangers to make gains on celtic is to maximise the backdraft on this subject.

The Best way for the victims to get maximum leverage and quickest possible closure is for everybody to start talking about extreme punishments, and titles-stripped and license being withdrawn. 

Listened to last night Sportsound (after enjoying Tuesdays so much ?) 

Any mentions were fair enough and complementary, as they shouldve been.

Big problem was 90% of coverage was on Aberdeen's disaster.  A huge game a mile away from their studio and a massive result and performance for a Scottish team and they weren't able to comment, even if they'd wanted too. Embarrassing stuff.  

22 hours ago, ian1964 said:

They should never, ever, be welcome back to Ibrox! I don't get why Rangers FC should ever feel the need to? we don't need them!.

As they are at the moment, i agree. But if the set-up can be changed (or forced to change), then its too useful a tool to ignore or overlook.

15 hours ago, cooponthewing said:

Forgive me I’m not enthused that they have been strong armed to approaching one programme offering parity of coverage?

This is it. They could flip to totally fair coverage from here on in. Just pretend everything else hasnt happened. It doesnt undo the years of muck we've been served up, or the fact that the people serving it are still running the show.  

1 hour ago, 26th of foot said:

This season, Dowden has traveled with Pat Bonner to Sarajevo, Estonia, and Romania. If Sellik survive to the CL group stages, the budget will be increased to facilitate Dowden, Bonner, and Tom English. There are already voices inside PQ noting the continuing rise in the Irish colony. I think we should hear voices from all over the British Isles, but it's becoming noted there is a distinct lack of Welsh, and English regional accents being broadcast.

 

I have heard there was seething rage at last week's Rangers supporting blogger pulling out, claiming he was duped. It reminds me of a dozen years past with the RST's David Edgar. An arranged tete-a-tete with Spiers and Edgar in the studio was deliberately pulled forward. Edgar was in central station, constant tannoy announcements running interference, the rush hour, ....etc. Spiers sat in the studio and took advantage.

It would be interesting to see the total £s spent on this, between clubs. The money spunked on coverage of celtic (manpower and travel) must be huge. Is this covered by FOI?

Likewise, their signing policy. I don't have a clue who or how many work in PQ. But it's notable that certain bloggers and faces seem to be picking up work and are prone to errors. Obviously Steven Thompson has his uses. 

4 hours ago, Bill said:

If only they could apologise without admitting guilt then Celtic would have been wallowing in the shared victimhood of this tragedy. Celtic and its wider community must be the most sordid, squalid, contemptible infestation ever to poison a decent society.

I've said this before, cant remember where, maybe earlier in this thread. The Rotherham enquiry strongly condemns the environment that enabled and allowed the abuse to continue.

This truth being pointed out in a public enquiry is just one of the hundreds of reasons that many do not want one.

When football tribalism, is compounded by political and religious tribalism (from a religion with stake in this game) then the result is toxic. And dangerous. 

24 minutes ago, Bill said:

The only thing missing is the continuing efforts of the appalling SNP to suppress any formal public investigation.

Absolutely. All's went quiet there. Did Adam Tomkins ever get it raised at Holyrood, put on public record in parliament? 

Response from Scottish government – Minister of Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing (Joe Fitzpatrick)

The Scottish Government unreservedly condemns the abhorrent crime of sexual abuse.

Experiences of sexual abuse in Scottish football will have a profound and long-lasting impact on those who were abused. Ensuring children can enjoy taking part in sport in a sport in a safe and secure environment – as well as giving parents confidence about the safety and well-being of their children – is a priority for the Scottish Government.

You may be aware that the Scottish FA announced the terms of reference for an independent review of non-recent sexual abuse allegations in Scottish football on 2 February 2017. The interim report was published on 26 July 2018, allowing the Scottish FA to address some of the recommendations before the final report is published when current on-going legal cases are concluded.

The Scottish Government will consider next steps when the final report is published.

Notable recent tact seems to be to hide behind SFA report, which will be a whitewash.

16 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

I think we are forgetting our experience of last season. After every game, no matter who referees, BBC Scotland's Michael Stewart will re-referee the match.

 

Who will be the first Rangers player highlighted by Michael to be cited by the Compliance(Compliant) Officer this season?

Correct. Suspect refereeing, doubled down with very suspect (inexcusably so) retrospective action. 

14 hours ago, MacK1950 said:

Ah well first yellows and red of season no doubt from the hobbitt.

12 mins into the season last year for Clancys red (later rescinded). 

I'm sure Collum will try his best to better that time. 

24 minutes ago, DMAA said:

Apparently there are links between Ashley and Desmond. He's apparently played golf with him in Barbados, he appointed one of his closest long term associates to the Newcastle board. It seems every deal/contract Ashley tied Rangers into with the help of fraudsters like Green were designed to cause the ultimate harm to the club. £1 for the Ibrox naming rights, 7 year notice period, almost all profit for shirt sales going to SD. How isn't this a police matter? This isn't just a clever businessman this looks like a coordinated attempt to sabotauge Rangers' recovery.

It's painful and frustrating to watch. Especially when we're then told we have to play by the rules to get back to normality. Like someone said before, Mike Ashleys business world, its laws and the people in it, is a swamp. 

As a club and support we need to learn from this.