To witness the wild scenes of jubilation at Celtic Park yesterday at the final whistle by The People told a tale of greater significance than the score line.
This was Chris Sutton at his abrasive, amusing and avuncular best:
This was indeed a victory for the Espanyol of Glasgow.
Merely to avoid a defeat at the hands of the biggest club in the country was an achievement worthy of joyous celebration.
However, here is the reality:
What yesterday showed that if Celtic are seriously off form then the best that Sevco can hope for appears to be a draw.
Having achieved that temporary parity the final whistle was the signal for unbridled jubilation.
Of course, The People cannot experience joy without remembering their favourite Fascist and imagining the blood of the Irish Untermenschen lapping up around their quintessentially British knees.
As usual, the dignified shills in the Press Box at Celtic Park did not adequately report on the Alt Right karaoke in the away end.
If you find yourself self-censoring hate speech then you’re already failing as a journalist and a human being.
For the avoidance of doubt, the honest officiating errors were also appeared to be within kultural norms.
Apparently, in Fair Caledonia, these are not even fouls.
I spoke to two SPFL footballers last night and both aid they were baffled by the decision by the referee at the end of the match when Leigh Griffiths was through on goal.
For the week that’s in it, we are now entering the end chapter of an interesting story.
It is SEVEN years since I was able to bring this piece to you.
I recall the deluge of abuse from The People into the back of this site at the time.
Their objective was clearly to frighten me from doing any more of this journalism stuff.
Dear reader, that was SEVEN years ago.
I think it is fair to say that The People failed on that one.
Now, this Wednesday and Thursday the UK Supreme Court will sit at Parliament Square in London.
They will consider the appeal of Rangers’ liquidators BDO against the judgment handed down by the Court of Session in November 2015.
That ruling in Edinburgh stated that of course, the EBT “loans” were taxable.
Last week the very helpful source close to the Supreme Court laid out the likely reporting schedule which I duly passed on to my Twitter following.
If you’re not on the social media platform then here it is:
My source reckoned that it would be amazing is the judgement was handed down in May.
June is unlikely but possible.
July is possible but only an outside chance.
August and September are vacation months.
Therefore a judgement is unlikely in those months as it is not normal practice.
A judgement is much more likely in months October, November and December.
The Big Tax Case was the fatal pathogen that made old Rangers terminally ill and untouchable.
With that potential tax liability out in the public domain, it was impossible that a serious buyer would be interested in Rangers.
However, this chap was.
For that reason, I’m happy with the role I played in getting the accurate arithmetic of the case out there.
Once the News of The World (Scottish edition) ran with my piece then I knew there was a “don’t buy this club” sign over Ibrox.
It was job done for the Fenian in Donegal.
Exactly a year later Alastair Johnston gave his famous nod of the head at the stadium that John Brown played for.
You ma recall the spat on Radio Scotland between James Traynor and Chick Young about the possibility of Rangers “going bust”.
It made for delicious listening.
The actual story of what happened at Rangers during the EBT years IS worthy of serious and ongoing journalistic scrutiny.
I spoke with one award-winning English journalist with an interest in this case.
He wrote to me and said:
“If the Court of Session ruling is upheld then I cannot think of a greater sporting scandal in UK – let alone football.”
I agree with that analysis.
Now for a public service announcement.
As of tomorrow lunchtime, I will be away from this digital space for at least the rest of the week.
The reason is that I have a manuscript to finish.
There is a saying that books are never finished rather they are abandoned.
That means that writer is exhausted by the process and they simply drop the project at some point before the natural finish.
Therefore, this end phase is particularly important.
One final word from me this week is to extend a míle buíochas to the crew upstairs in Murray’s yesterday on O’Connell Street.
Especially the two elegant Dublin ladies at my table and Stephanie from Shotts.
Cheers Phil,
Thanks for the update.
Hoopy 7th Anniversary,
Getting on with real,paid work,is an essential,good luck finishing off.HH
The celebrations were rather ironic because only a victory for Rangers would have made it mathematically possible for them to catch Celtic (assuming Celtic lost every game and Rangers won every game) on 79 points and hope to somehow pip them on goal difference. The failure to win merely liquidated their ‘Going for 55’ fantasy.
Strange days indeed
Surely the Celtic Board should be asking the SFA for answers on the three red card tackles and the penalty today.
There needs to be professional responses.
Fans did not pay big money for such incompetent decisions and if it was a pop concert would quite rightly get their money back for this SFA refereeing shambles.
As a Consumer, I’m buying Fair and honest sporting entertainment. Not an unprofessionally managed tainted game.
I was ‘Going for 55’ with my comment on the fix being in on the previous page Phil, but I understand why it’s not up.
Good luck with the manuscript this week, your absence, and the sad loss of The Clumpany, is a sobering reminder of the invaluable service you provide.
Were it not for long term illness, and its associated financial problems, I would be a monthly financial contributor to this excellent site.
I try to show my appreciation in the comments section, as you’re probably aware, and hope I have added something to the discussion.
All the best going forward. May my fortunes turn that I can future recompense you.
Herb.
Herbert,
The Clumpany is alive and well and still very much kicking at the absurdities of the SMSM.
Phil, what about the breaking news on King’s concert party?
Apparently he’s been telling porkies again and has to offer to buy out all the other shareholders at 20p a share!
This court case was kept well under wraps?
Ah phil, sure you have a way with the words…
“The Big Tax Case was the fatal pathogen that made old Rangers terminaly ill and untouchable”.
I’ve heard tell that, for those who want to read it, the coroners report including the cause of death of Rangers 1872 is available at a book shop near you. Some would have you believe that it’s to be found in the fiction isle. Cognative dissonence. There’s nothing fictional about that condition.
The full autopsy report can be found in “Downfall”.
“As usual, the dignified shills in the Press Box at Celtic Park did not adequately report on the Alt Right karaoke in the away end.”
“adequately” is superfluous.
Dear Phil and Clumps
I feel you have overstepped the mark in calling the celebrations embarrassing and over the top, after all when a wee diddy team only a few years old first year playing with the big teams gets and result like a draw (with an extra man admittedly) playing the biggest team in Scotland their ever so loyal fans should have reason to cheer.
Kind regards
I would have thought that the SFA were helping sevco/trifc by appointing the EX ibrox season ticket holder Madden with no reprecussions no matter what he did.The reason was to achieve a good feeling to sell season tickets.After all this is their main source of income.
Thanks phil
Phil,
Having travelled to the game yesterday from Cavan.. I was expecting a comfortable victory but we had an off day (so what shit happens) To see the way the Klan celebrated at the end just put their existence into perspective. God help brother Pedro when the shit hits the fan.
It’s seven years now since I started reading your excellent blog and maybe, just maybe after Friday the Scottish football authorities hand will be forced. Although I doubt it very much.
May justice be done.
Hail Hail,
Mo Chára
Yes the scenes of jubilation were something to behold! Once might even say “completely embarrassing!” Still, I hear the Royal Family was delighted with the result… [If I may…]
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/wild-sevco-celebrations-at-the-palace/
I will leave you with this comment on the shameful decision by the Daily record to highlight a Celtic ball girl for allegedly swearing at Sevco players. Does that paper have any sense of responsibility?
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/please-help-to-name-and-shame/
Thanks to all for the support over the past two years. It was fun for most of that time. All the best.
You’re not leaving us, surely, Clumpster, with Pedro just in the door and the cup coming up?!
I’m also retiring from r’internet but not before season’s end.
If you won’t change your mind, thanks for all the laughs.
You’re a legend, man.
(I can’t even enjoy the piece right now, in light of this news.)
Adios, hombre!
Thanks. The fun has presently gone out of it!
I know the feeling, but I keep coming back when the laughs start again.
All the best.
Clumps,
It’s been an absolute pleasure to have read your articles highlighting the sheer sycophantic, fact-denying ridiculousness of the SMSM. I’m sure you will be back soon as there will never be a shortage of material for you to get stuck into.
Whether you return or not, a hearty thanks for all the belly laughs you have provided me with.
All the very best my good mhan.