The New Rangers Thread

[Jockstar]

From the Sun

JUST who is Neil Lennon trying to kid?

The Celtic manager has come out and said that my old club should lose their championships.

But he knows himself that you can NEVER take away the feeling of winning the SPL — or even walking up the steps of Hampden to lift a cup.

People seem to want to take yet another kick at the club and I agree with Ally McCoist that enough is enough.

Everything has been agreed to get Rangers their SFA membership but there is still talk of taking the titles away if an investigation goes against them.

It would be a symbolic move but what’s the point? What does it achieve? NOTHING.

When you win a title or lift a Scottish Cup it’s all about the memories and that’s something that can never be erased.

You can’t turn back the clock and tell people they didn’t win something even though they got their hands on the trophy.

You can get the Tipp-ex out and change the record books but what you can’t do is take away from the supporters the way they celebrated on those occasions.

And the players who won those titles won’t suddenly feel like losers because a bit of paper has been changed to say they haven’t won it after all.

For me those titles were won fair and square.

I saw someone compare it to drugs cheats in the Tour de France but that’s rubbish.

What Rangers are accused of is trying to dodge the taxman, not cheat the opposition on the park. It would be a different story if it was match fixing like we saw in Italy — but this was nothing to do with the team, it was accountants and lawyers.

Having a tax scheme in place didn’t make the players run any faster or shoot any straighter, they still had to go out and beat the opposition.

The titles issue seems to be the thing that held up Rangers’ SFA membership and I would expect Ally to continue fighting the SPL if they persist in wanting to take anything off the club. Ally wasn’t happy on Friday night and he has made his feelings known.

I completely agree with where he’s coming from.

Jockstar, would like to know the author of this in the Sun..

But if taking them away doesn't change things for the payers or fans, why fight the situation so much?

"Having a tax scheme in place didn’t make the players run any faster or shoot any straighter, they still had to go out and beat the opposition."....

The point of this is that, by not paying the tax, they were at an advantage in relation to the monies available to them when it came to offering wages / salaries. Therefore, they would not have been able to afford the type of player they fielded for those years.

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/4460523/Its-joke-to-strip-Gers-of-titles-and-Neil-knows-it.html

[Jockstar]

Another Sun article.

Dumping Gers in Div 3 was fools’ goal!

DAVIE PROVAN

Published: 40 minutes ago

0

SCOTTISH football history is littered with idiotic decisions but the men who voted Rangers into the Third Division have just won the gold medal for stupidity.

In their stampede for the moral high ground they’ve bankrupted top-flight football in this country. Take a bow gentlemen.

Are we to believe a sport that sees players routinely dive, cheat and con referees has discovered integrity? Have the internet revolutionaries become the moral guardians of the game? God help us.

It’s difficult to know who to blame most. The cowardly owners of the SPL or that sanctimonious collection of SFL chairmen who sealed Rangers’ fate.

What is certain is that the club’s demotion will cripple our biggest teams for years.

One lower-league chairman wanted the resignations of Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster for attempting to parachute Gers into the First Division.

That pair were guilty all right. Guilty of having the brains to recognise the financial carnage we’re about to witness.

Thompson ... United chief will soon regret pursuit of 'integrity'

PA

Their plan to put Rangers in Division One might have preserved broadcasting contracts, kept sponsors onside and slaked the thirst of those demanding blood from Ibrox.

Instead, we’ll have a one-horse title race for at least three years, crowds will plummet and sponsors will run for cover.

In a year, the Clydesdale Bank’s £10million sponsorship of the SPL expires. How is Doncaster expected to find another backer? Will the chocolate gladiators of cyberspace have a whip round?

In case you hadn’t noticed, top-flight football in Scotland is hurting. Most SPL clubs have the bank on their case. How will they manage when Gers’ demotion is predicted to suck an annual £20m from the game? They won’t.

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour reckons half-a-dozen top-flight outfits could go bust.

Our full-time clubs have already shaved squad numbers, slashed wages, cut jobs and still struggle to meet interest payments.

Rangers’ punishment will be the tipping point. Administration and part-time football is inevitable for some. Youth development will be the first casualty throughout the game, so excuse me if I don’t raise a glass to sporting integrity.

Hibs’ Rod Petrie was first on that moral bandwagon, telling us sporting integrity is beyond purchase.

Rich coming from the man who hosted a rebel squad meeting behind boss John Collins’ back?

With internet Bolsheviks threatening boycotts, Petrie was soon joined by Stephen Thompson, Stewart Milne and Vladimir Romanov. Only Kilmarnock’s Michael Johnston could find the balls to stand his ground.

[ScotsExpat]

Another Sun article.

Dumping Gers in Div 3 was fools’ goal!

DAVIE PROVAN

Published: 40 minutes ago

0

SCOTTISH football history is littered with idiotic decisions but the men who voted Rangers into the Third Division have just won the gold medal for stupidity.

In their stampede for the moral high ground they’ve bankrupted top-flight football in this country. Take a bow gentlemen.

Are we to believe a sport that sees players routinely dive, cheat and con referees has discovered integrity? Have the internet revolutionaries become the moral guardians of the game? God help us.

It’s difficult to know who to blame most. The cowardly owners of the SPL or that sanctimonious collection of SFL chairmen who sealed Rangers’ fate.

What is certain is that the club’s demotion will cripple our biggest teams for years.

One lower-league chairman wanted the resignations of Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster for attempting to parachute Gers into the First Division.

That pair were guilty all right. Guilty of having the brains to recognise the financial carnage we’re about to witness.

Thompson ... United chief will soon regret pursuit of 'integrity'

PA

Their plan to put Rangers in Division One might have preserved broadcasting contracts, kept sponsors onside and slaked the thirst of those demanding blood from Ibrox.

Instead, we’ll have a one-horse title race for at least three years, crowds will plummet and sponsors will run for cover.

In a year, the Clydesdale Bank’s £10million sponsorship of the SPL expires. How is Doncaster expected to find another backer? Will the chocolate gladiators of cyberspace have a whip round?

In case you hadn’t noticed, top-flight football in Scotland is hurting. Most SPL clubs have the bank on their case. How will they manage when Gers’ demotion is predicted to suck an annual £20m from the game? They won’t.

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour reckons half-a-dozen top-flight outfits could go bust.

Our full-time clubs have already shaved squad numbers, slashed wages, cut jobs and still struggle to meet interest payments.

Rangers’ punishment will be the tipping point. Administration and part-time football is inevitable for some. Youth development will be the first casualty throughout the game, so excuse me if I don’t raise a glass to sporting integrity.

Hibs’ Rod Petrie was first on that moral bandwagon, telling us sporting integrity is beyond purchase.

Rich coming from the man who hosted a rebel squad meeting behind boss John Collins’ back?

With internet Bolsheviks threatening boycotts, Petrie was soon joined by Stephen Thompson, Stewart Milne and Vladimir Romanov. Only Kilmarnock’s Michael Johnston could find the balls to stand his ground.

Its this kind of disingenuous reporting of 'facts' that really pisses me off...

Blaming SPL and SFL chairmen for the fact that SEVCO are in SFL 3 is so wide of the mark, I still find it amazing that MSM allow this kind of blatant lies to be printed.

Rangers no longer exist. Fact. They’ve passed on! This football team is no more! They have ceased to be! They’ve expired and gone to meet their maker! They’re a stiff! Bereft of life, they rest in peace! They’re metabolic processes are now 'istory! They’re off the twig! They’ve kicked the bucket, they’ve shuffled off they’re mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-FOOTBALL TEAM!!

SEVCO were shoe-horned into the SFL3, without giving Spartans, Cove Rangers etc the opportunity to argue their case for entry.

Rangers were NOT demoted!!!

[Jockstar]

Rangers newco change name

July 31, 2012

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By ESPN staff

The Rangers newco owners Sevco Scotland Limited have changed their name to The Rangers Football Club Limited after shareholders voted in favour of the idea.

GettyImages

Rangers' Andrew Little celebrates his goal against Brechin

The change was approved at a meeting of oldco shareholders at Ibrox. The newco began its footballing life at the weekend with a 2-1 extra-time Ramsdens Cup win against Brechin.

Charles Green's Sevco bought the business and assets of Rangers in June after the club was consigned to liquidation earlier in the summer.

The newco, which gained provisional membership of the Scottish FA late last week, kicks off the league season in the Scottish Third Division after votes by Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League clubs.

Green told the official Rangers website: "The process that took place today is the penultimate piece of the jigsaw that will see The Rangers Football Club move forward, with the transfer of SFA membership [complete once the oldco's SPL share is transferred to Dundee] being the final piece.

"As every fan knows, Rangers is Rangers - it always has been and it always will be. The club still has its 140 years of history, and we are now embarking on the next 140 years. We are back playing football, and the board is focused on rebuilding this great club over the next few years."

On Monday, Green said the Rangers newco were denied a place in the Scottish Premier League because of "bigotry" and "jealousy".

Green said many decisions in the summer-long Rangers saga had been made "for the wrong reasons" and told BBC Scotland: "Some of it has been driven by bigotry, some of it has been driven by jealousy and some of it has been driven by all the wrong motives."

[ScotsExpat]

Rangers newco change name

July 31, 2012

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By ESPN staff

The Rangers newco owners Sevco Scotland Limited have changed their name to The Rangers Football Club Limited after shareholders voted in favour of the idea.

GettyImages

Rangers' Andrew Little celebrates his goal against Brechin

The change was approved at a meeting of oldco shareholders at Ibrox. The newco began its footballing life at the weekend with a 2-1 extra-time Ramsdens Cup win against Brechin.

Charles Green's Sevco bought the business and assets of Rangers in June after the club was consigned to liquidation earlier in the summer.

The newco, which gained provisional membership of the Scottish FA late last week, kicks off the league season in the Scottish Third Division after votes by Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League clubs.

Green told the official Rangers website: "The process that took place today is the penultimate piece of the jigsaw that will see The Rangers Football Club move forward, with the transfer of SFA membership [complete once the oldco's SPL share is transferred to Dundee] being the final piece.

"As every fan knows, Rangers is Rangers - it always has been and it always will be. The club still has its 140 years of history, and we are now embarking on the next 140 years. We are back playing football, and the board is focused on rebuilding this great club over the next few years."

On Monday, Green said the Rangers newco were denied a place in the Scottish Premier League because of "bigotry" and "jealousy".

Green said many decisions in the summer-long Rangers saga had been made "for the wrong reasons" and told BBC Scotland: "Some of it has been driven by bigotry , some of it has been driven by jealousy and some of it has been driven by all the wrong motives."

Hasn't taken Green long to use the 'B' word. The whole club must be contagious.....

[MrMuddle]

And we're back...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19120224

Only three years before we're back in the SPL, provided of course, that the SPL survives without the money Rangers bring to it !

[mrbojangles]

Only three years before we're back in the SPL

Do you think you will do it in 3 straight years?

[Jockstar]

Only three years before we're back in the SPL

Do you think you will do it in 3 straight years?

I would like to say yes. But I'm not so sure. I hope so.

[MrMuddle]

Yes I do, but, I also think that the financial losses that the SPL clubs will incur, will force them to push through a change in the league system, back to 2 Divisions.

With or without Rangers, the SPL, and indeed all Scottish football, is dying on it's feet, as several people posted on another thread.

It must be awful being a supporter of the Edinburgh clubs, or the Dundee clubs, or even the sheepsh*ggers from up north, , to never have any prospect of winning the league. I'd like to see some sort of balance to make the SPL more competitive, because in the long term, it will improve the quality of Scottish teams qualifying for the European club competitions.

[rott]

What sort of balance would make things more competitive Mr M? Or what sort of anything would improve things?

[smokie36]

Only three years before we're back in the SPL

Do you think you will do it in 3 straight years?

I would like to say yes. But I'm not so sure. I hope so.

It won't be easy...everyone wants to scalp you along the way....a cup final every week.

[Jockstar]

Not an ideal start. But i expect there to be more results like this. Teams will be right up for it as they have a point to prove. ie beating Rangers. But its a wake up call that life is not going to be easy in D3 as some people may think.. Though at least its a point and not a loss.

Gers open Third Division account with late draw

Rangers endured a difficult start to life in the Irn-Bru Third Division as they were forced to scrap for a last-gasp 2-2 draw at Peterhead in an historic match for the Ibrox club.

Youngster Barrie McKay opened his Rangers account with what should have been a goal to savour, before second half goals from Rory McAllister and Scott McLaughlin saw the home side surge into the lead.

But Andy Little grabbed a late equaliser and a share of the points for Ally McCoist's men.

The match at Balmoor was the first ever league fixture played by the Glasgow giants outside the top flight of Scottish football.

The Ibrox side were forced into the bottom tier after the club was consigned to liquidation in the summer and lost their place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League following a vote of the 12 clubs.

Following such a turbulent period in their 140-year history, the meeting with the Blue Toon was seen as the first step on the road to recovery.

Rangers named an unchanged side from the one who defeated East Fife in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

New recruits Ian Black and Dean Shiels retained their places in the starting line-up following the midweek 4-0 win at Ibrox and Francisco Sandaza and Kyle were again named on the bench.

But Emilson Cribari - who was still awaiting international clearance yesterday and who had made the long trip north - was not in the squad.

Rangers found their hosts difficult to break down early on and it was the home side who carved out the first real chance of the game when McKay was called into action to clear a McAllister header.

At the other end, Shiels had a go with a shot from the edge of the area but his effort was comfortably smothered by goalkeeper Paul Jarvie.

Rangers were threatening again and, this time, Andy Little's shot cannoned off the body of Steven Noble and out for a corner that the visitors failed to capitalise on.

The Ibrox side were able to breathe a sigh of relief when they opened the scoring after 26 minutes and the honours went to McKay.

A long ball from Lewis McLeod was knocked on by Lee McCulloch for the 17-year-old, who kept his cool to drive a low shot into the back of the net.

McAllister then had a great chance to draw level for Peterhead with a shot from six yards that he dragged across the face of goal and wide of the upright.

McKay could have added to his own tally before the break but the teenager was also off target and Rangers had to settle for a slim advantage at half-time.

Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander was promoted to number one following the departure of Allan McGregor.

And he produced an impressive one-handed save after the restart to prevent a lovely swerving effort from McAllister from finding the top corner.

But the forward had been a menace throughout the match and was finally rewarded with a goal after 64 minutes when he did well to hold off Carlos Bocanegra before lashing into the bottom corner.

Rangers threw Sandaza into the action for McKay but it was Bocanegra who could have restored the lead when he met Black's free-kick only to nod wide from close range.

Former St Johnstone striker Sandaza then tried to chip Jarvie but lofted into the goalkeeper's arms instead, before Shiels was denied by a save at the near post.

But Rangers were left reeling when Peterhead had the net bulging again with nine minutes to go when Ryan Strachan's corner was cleared into the path of McLaughlin and he rifled past a stunned Alexander.

The Light Blues were back on level terms with a minute to go when substitute Kyle rose above everyone else in the box to meet a Shiels corner and although his header came back off the bar Little was on hand to score.

[LennyW]

Impressive figures!!

http://rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=887%3Asell-out-saturday-rangers-call-it-sold-out-saturday&catid=101%3Aclub&Itemid=529

[mrbojangles]

Impressive figures!!

http://rangersmedia....club&Itemid=529

Indeed

[Jockstar]

From the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/sports/soccer/rangers-going-down-with-heads-held-high.html?smid=fb-share

[smokie36]

Its a tough league.

Wait till you have to travel to Gayfield in January....hopefully in the rain at high tide.

Edited August 27, 2012 by smokie36

[onionluke]

[JemJem]

What a terrible decision by the referee. Berwick R. were sadly robbed off a famous win.

Note : I am not anti-Rangers; I'm just being objective; and also, I usually cheer for the underdogs

[rott]

In future kindly desist from being objective, especially in instances such as this as I find it rather tedious.

Sorry cannot comment as I could not bring myself to look.

[Jockstar]

Rangers payments investigation to begin

September 7, 2012

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By ESPN staff

The commission investigating alleged undisclosed payments to players by Rangers will meet for its first two days of hearings next week, the Scottish Premier League has said.

PA Photos

The commission is investgating payments

The commission must decide whether Rangers broke SPL rules by making payments to players through its Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) scheme between 2000 and 2011.

If it concludes that the rules were broken, Rangers could be stripped of titles won during that period - although other forms of sanction are possible.

An SPL statement said: "The Scottish Premier League today announced that the independent commission to inquire into alleged EBT payments and arrangements made by Rangers in relation to players during the period from 2000 until 2011 will sit on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 September.

"The hearing will be chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith and will consider submissions from parties on various procedural matters. It will not be a hearing of the merits of the case."

The three-man panel also includes Charles Flint QC and Nicholas Stewart QC.

A tax tribunal will also rule on the payments on a date yet to be decided. It will have no impact on the current Ibrox regime, which bought the assets and business of the club after its liquidation.

Meanwhile, Charles Green's Rangers newco have announced the appointment of Cenkos Securities to investigate options for a potential share issue.

Green explained: "From the day the consortium I led became owners of Rangers, we have repeatedly stated our intention to raise additional capital for the club and would explore all avenues, which may or may not include a stock market listing.

"We are still in the preliminary stages of this process, and will make further announcements once the club has been able to consider its plans in further detail."

[rijit]

Jock star you missed out big big time on Alan gow, he's having a storming season at exeter and 100% he'd kick arse and for sure

h'd help you you out of the div you're in,

[Jockstar]

Looks like our away form is getting worse instead of better.

ngers suffered a shock first defeat in the Irn-Bru Third Division after crashing to a 1-0 defeat against bottom side Stirling Albion.

The hosts had lost their last five league outings but picked up their second win of the campaign after Brian Allison grabbed the only goal of the game.

Having struggled on the road so far this season, this was the match which appeared destined to provide Rangers with their elusive first away win in the league.

Ally McCoist's men faced a side rooted to the bottom of the table, whose manager Greig McDonald was absent from the dugout to attend his own wedding, and knowing victory would propel them to the Third Division summit.

They were also boosted by the return from injury of key players Dean Shiels and Ian Black, who both started at Forthbank.

Instead, it was Stirling who surged into the lead after just eight minutes.

Mark Ferry delivered a corner to the back post which dropped for Allison, who took advantage of dreadful defending from Rangers to bundle over the line.

The visitors struggled to mount a response and with time fast running out for, Shiels delivered an inviting ball across goal for substitute Kevin Kyle but the big striker failed to connect in front of the gaping goal.

Shiels then stabbed wide in the final minute as Albion held on for the win.

[rott]

I am a bit out of touch with things Ibrox, so could Jockstar or any bluenose please explain the current position re HMRC. Rangers won the court case in December so does that mean they are completely vindicated?? I would like to think so but I am sure it's not that simple. Thanks.

[Chicog]

Wonderful Gary Sprake moment today.

[rijit]

where exactly does green expect to go? iceland? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20963963

[mrbojangles]

I don't know the full in's and out's of the history but if Rangers were prepared to join the English League in Div 2, couldn't they do that? If Cardiff and Swansea are allowed to play in our league, surely Scottish teams can?

[smokie36]

I don't know the full in's and out's of the history but if Rangers were prepared to join the English League in Div 2, couldn't they do that? If Cardiff and Swansea are allowed to play in our league, surely Scottish teams can?

Mod wars.

[nev]

I don't know the full in's and out's of the history but if Rangers were prepared to join the English League in Div 2, couldn't they do that? If Cardiff and Swansea are allowed to play in our league, surely Scottish teams can?

Good question, maybe we should have a british premier league

[mrbojangles]

I don't know the full in's and out's of the history but if Rangers were prepared to join the English League in Div 2, couldn't they do that? If Cardiff and Swansea are allowed to play in our league, surely Scottish teams can?

Good question, maybe we should have a british premier league

No thanks. But I have never understood why we allow Cardiff and Swansea in.

[rijit]

I don't know the full in's and out's of the history but if Rangers were prepared to join the English League in Div 2, couldn't they do that? If Cardiff and Swansea are allowed to play in our league, surely Scottish teams can?

Good question, maybe we should have a british premier league

Absolutely not.. Good only for the likes of rangers, but for the rest of football, imo, not.

they are scottish and proud of it, let them stay there.

Edited January 10, 2013 by rijit