The Rangers Ownership Pantomime

[Frankie 8,145]

Has it really been almost a month since news broke of the proposed Whyte consortium takeover? Amongst the tepid stickiness of premature welcomes and the excitement of tabloid transfer war-chests, as ever there was minimal meat on the bones of this story from the outset. And there's even less now as we approach Christmas, the suggested date of deal conclusion from those 'club insiders' that are oft-quoted but rarely named.

 

Of course we've been down this road before over the last year or so. From Graham Duffy (the alleged fan buyout champ), to Dave King (the alleged financial innocent), to Andrew Ellis (the alleged Murray 'shill'); the cast of this particular pantomime is varied and about as 'A' list as Elaine C. Smith in Mother Goose. 'Yes, we are interested in buying the club', says their statements to the stock exchange. 'Oh no you're not', says Alastair Johnston and much of the fan-base. Hilarious, if you're a 5 year old kid - less funny if you're a Rangers supporter anxious to hear more about the club's long-term future.

 

To that end, the information vacuum surrounding this issue is making it difficult for the average bear. Sir David Murray (he's behind you!) seems more interested in garden proposals for Ratho and stadiums for Edinburgh rugby teams than his >90% shareholding in Scotland's most successful club. Alistair Johnston (he knows all the big stars) enjoys making 30min long bland AGM statements but appears mute from the comfort of the USA the rest of the time. Meanwhile our fan groups (containing more than a few panto dames I'm told) profess inside information but only relay rumour rather than offering tangible guidance. Is it any wonder we're easily beaten off-the-field by more organised clubs?

 

Obviously we all understand that there are legal restrictions in place surrounding such matters but given it won't be long before the club are selling season tickets to us again, I'd like to know what I'm buying. I'm all for ongoing debt reduction and financial prudence but I also expect the club to remain competitive personnel wise. If a purported Champions' League bounty of �£20million can't reduce the debt to a fair degree while also ring-fencing some money for a new player or two in January, how do the likes of Whyte et al intend financing their plan in the longer term?

 

Surely we're all a bit sick of asking the same questions and not getting any answers except the well remunerated Martin Bain expecting praise for NOT selling a key player half way through the season. Gee, thanks for that Martin - here, have another half a million and a French vineyard for your trouble.

 

The script is all too obvious and just a bit boring. �£20million+ transfer war-chests; G51 super-plans; stadium upgrades; new found respect for supporters; oversight committees to make recommendations. Blah, patronise, blah, prevaricate, blah, boast etc etc.

 

And this is where people like Bain are treading on thin ice this winter. By all means, play the prudence card to avoid further debt. Please do play hard-ball with any player you feel is asking for too much money. Yes, ensure we avoid censure from shadowy kangaroo courts eager to feast on the anti-sectarianism sham. But, please don't treat us like mugs. Show us a bit more respect and we'll continue to show our unwavering commitment to our club.

 

Of course, the vast majority of our fans buy a ticket again next season; most probably with league title win garnish, new ownership cherry on top or not. But cancel the ownership pantomime now as we're not interested in being served up condescending clap-trap without substance. if people are really serious about becoming genuine leaders of the Rangers, do so through the correct channels - not a nudge to Jim Traynor here and wink to Darrell King there.

 

Yes, we're all intrigued about SPL reconstruction and we appreciate that will play an important part in our club's future. But we're more interested about our club in a specific sense. In a period where you're releasing statement after statement about our supporters' alleged 'Unacceptable Conduct'; well I'd like to remind you that allowing external parties such as banks, objectionable people within football authorities and the media to dictate our future, whilst the people who pay your wages remain uninformed is also far from satisfactory.

 

Will you work with us towards a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year or will you allow the Scrooges you're associated with to continue the 'Bah Humbug' attitude of the club to its loyal fans?

[wabashcannonball 0]

It should be renamed the great Rangers fakeover mk2.

[26th of foot 5,827]

Pantomimes are meant to be entertaining, the long running Rangers production has become tired and uninspiring. When Lord Jasper enters stage right, the Bears can no longer be bothered to boo. The main cast remains the same, the extras ie Whyte, Ellis, and Duffy seem unable to both stimulaste and hold the audience attention.

 

I like the Elaine C(for Sellik)Smith analogy, presents an ideal opportunity to remind Gersnetters of a review she received in the Times for her performance in a Panto at the Kning's Theatre, Glasgow several years past : "Elaine C Smith dominated the stage the way Mussolini dominated Abyssinia". Most apt.

[Frankie 8,145]

 

I like the Elaine C(for Sellik)Smith analogy, presents an ideal opportunity to remind Gersnetters of a review she received in the Times for her performance in a Panto at the Kning's Theatre, Glasgow several years past : "Elaine C Smith dominated the stage the way Mussolini dominated Abyssinia". Most apt.

 

It was either her or Gerard Kelly...

[CumbernauldGers 0]

Good post, think we all just want this to end one way or another. Hope it ends with new owners but really not sure it will.

[Zappa 0]

I only want the ownership panto to end if it's going to be good for the club & it's future.

[rbr 1,247]

The worst bit is the usual suspects are trying to find a cupboard to hide in yet again , hopefully this silence is a good thing after all the bluster and pish talked via the media . The fact the press dont know anything is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment

[maineflyer 0]

Two problems ..... Murray and a lack of any credible supporter voice.

[Totti 0]

Everything about our club is slow and tedious and has been for some time.

 

Any business transaction involving this club is protracted, embarrassing and messy

[CumbernauldGers 0]

Everything about our club is slow and tedious and has been for some time.

 

Any business transaction involving this club is protracted, embarrassing and messy

 

Spot on mate.