The asterisk association get their Real Rangers Man

Just one hour before the only club in Scotland still remaining in European competition was about to take the field in the Europa League the announcement was made.

Mr Alexander McLeish EBT was to be the new Scotland manager.

Again…

Of course, he had previously been in that post from 29 January 2007 and resigned in the November of that year for the sunnier climes of Birmingham.

He will know that he probably isn’t the first choice of the remaining chaps in on the 6th floor at Hampden.

I think it is fair to say that across the varied tribes of Planet Fitba the Scottish Football Association is not currently held in high regard.

Perhaps, those of a Hoops persuasion have more reason than most to suspect the motives of those who work on the 6th floor of Hampden.

In fact, I cannot think of another club that was similarly disadvantaged by the likes of the late Jim Farry.

You do not need to look too far into the workings of the SFA when you encounter a Real Rangers Man.

The late great Turnbull Hutton made it clear in the summer of 2012 that, as far as he was concerned, the law so the national game in Scotland was being bent out of shape to suit the Ibrox brand.

The young Scots on show at Celtic Park showed that McLeish has some talent to work with.

Forrest, McGregor and Tierney have their best years in front of them in colours of Scotland.

However, those lads work with a much better manager at their club than they will now have at international level.

That isn’t the fault of Mr McLeish.

It’s just the truth.

Now the asterisk association has an asterisk manager.

McLeish needed an EBT doped squad to compete with Celtic under Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan.

We know how that movie ended in 2012.

The Rangers tax scam was the biggest sporting scandal in the history of Scottish football and yet the legacy issues have yet to be dealt with.

Now the manager at the centre of the Ibrox EBT years is the manager of the Scotland national team.

That really does send a message.

Then there is the question of his abilities as a manager and how this appointment was handled.

After the Michael O’Neill debacle and the South American friendlies clusterfuck, all of this seems a bit second rate.

A bit Sevco…

Moreover, is McLeish only there in the Scotland job until another middling club in the English Midlands comes calling?

I watch my international football at the AVIVA in Dublin, but my club now supplies a substantial part of the national squad.

Therefore, I have a legitimate interest in how these things are conducted.

For example the proposed summer friendlies in South America.

Peter Lawwell has stated publicly that the first that Celtic knew of this was when it appeared in the media.

For me, that doesn’t point to any anti-Celtic corruption a la Jim Farry, more like Mr Bean in a blazer.

 

The guid folk o Planet Fitba deserve better.

They really do.

85 thoughts on “The asterisk association get their Real Rangers Man”

  1. Did Eck not say, that he would give Hector a good slap if he (Hec tor) approached him ! Lol….instead he said “can I have a payment plan”?
    Furthermore, were the side letters not an indemnity guarantee against future HMRC enquiries ‘re EBT tax cheating.This guarantee was by the Club, …..not the Holding Vehicle Thingy……so, it’s no longer the same club, when it suits them !! And THE SFA approve…….DVD.

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  2. The EBT issue should be raised at every opportunity. This reflects less on McLeish and more on the feeble minds at the SFA. As Phil says, it is the legacy issues that matter since they remain unaddressed. McLeish may well be a decent man but his selection for the Scotland job reveals an SFA in crisis. Let’s not lose focus and press for action against the EBT cheats.

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  3. havent cared one little bit about the national team since 2012, so no change just more anger at that contemptuous lot the SFA, [sevco football association]. cmon i don’s.

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  4. On radio shortbread Mr Chris McLaughlin said when Alex McLeish walks into a room he has presence. I can understand that would be the case if it was George Clooney. But Alex McLeish. McLaughlin is taking the piss. I can only see our new national manager serving behind a butcher’s counter. Presence my arse.

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  5. No difficult questions for McLeish at the presser, probably the media had been warned off EBT’s and the near £1m owed to HMRC.
    Payment plan in place now he’s back in a job?
    When the questions moved to McRae it became a total embarrasment.
    The first question, about the selection process, was hardly out of the mouth of the reporter when McLeish got up, physically removed El Presidente from his seat, and said that’s it, we are out of here and dragged wee Alan away.
    Is the SFA not trusted to answer even the simplest of questions?
    No doubt McLeish had been briefed to curtail the presser the minute attention turned to McCrae.
    What was the point of having him there at all?
    Total reddie, but obviously Broadfoot thought that was preferable to McCrae opening his mouth.
    Says it all about the capabilities of some of our football authorities.
    Probably good for a sketch on the next Only An Excuse.
    Said it many times before that McCrae and some of the SFA gang cannot be trusted to leave the building without a minder.

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  6. Get the SFA to fuck. Hit them in their pockets with a semi and final boycott ( unless it’s sevco – don’t want them filling hamdump). Would hurt like hell not to see the bhoys do another treble but a message needs to be sent. In fact 50000 Tim’s stand outside the ground in protest sounds like a good idea too.

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    • There are 2 meaningless friendlies coming up, a perfect opportunity to hit the SFA where it hurts……in the pocket.
      Let’s deprive them of the income and leave them with substantial losses including having to pay the opposition’s guaranteed appearance money.
      That’s the only language they understand.
      Of course McLeish could rally an element of past Scotland support by bringing in Martin, Murphy, Cummings, Holt, Dorrans, McCrorie(both if fit), Jack( if not suspended)
      Would anyone be surprised?
      If Celtic progress to the last 16 of the Europa Cup I’m sure Mr McLeish will pay heed and give the Celtic players some respite from the Sat/Wed slog that has seen the likes of KT having played more games than anyone else in the European leagues.
      Be interesting to see who McLeish calls in as his assistants.
      Alex Rae (EBT) being strongly linked and currently without a full time gig?
      I notice that whilst some in the media mentioned that McCrae wasn’t taking any questions at yesterday’s presser they completely ignored the fact that McLeish picked him up and physically removed him from the stage before El Presidente opened his mouth.
      What was the point of having him in front of the cameras?
      He did look a bit lost, had he been fooled by Broadfoot into thinking that he was there to make a cup draw?
      McRae, Petrie, Regan, Ogilvie, Fleming, Bryson, Broadfoot……oh what a tangled web we weave.
      Ok Tartan Army, over to you guys. You have the power to embarrass our football authorities by leaving the stadiums empty for these two upcoming meaningless friendlies, get it done.

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  7. I am a football fan , I grew up in Scotland, I have never been to a Scotland game , this is no criticism of the many who have , however if I was ever to doubt of my motives , the appointment of a tax cheat as the scotland manager just tells me my instincts are right . The SFA is rotten to its Hun Masonic core , I want nothing to do with them and their corrupt shambles .

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  8. New face,same Auld faeces.

    These people will do whenever n whatever they please,if that appointment doesn’t scream that from the skyscrapers,well,I don’t know what does.

    Thanx Phil,but this was inevitable I feel.

    HH?

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  9. I will always support Scotland. It’s in me. Its the 11 players on the park I support. The more Celtic players the better. Indeed, as always ,the backbone of our nation, in more ways than one. Mcleish got the team beaten in Georgia when it mattered. Everyone forgets that. Before anyone states there is a Celtic agenda against Eck, check out other clubs websites/blogs. Maybe just maybe for decent Scottish football fans it is merely a point of principal, a principal you will never have wearing a blazer. Eck, like Martin Oneil is a busted flush from another era. Yet another mistake. Regards the EBT issue I think we should avoid personalising unless you are the type that insists on a reciept, with VAT, the next time you get a visit from your joiner, painter and decorator or plumber.

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      • I am aware of that. Martin O is mentioned in a couple posts’s. Merely a matter of context in relation to that boring, unendearing generation of managers(busted flushes). Phil also mentions he prefers watching his international team at the Aviva.

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        • The “busted flush” got Ireland to Euro 16 ahead of Scotland and a play-off place for World Cup 18 that Scotland again couldn’t manage and the “busted flush” was then rewarded with a new contract as the ROI FA seemed satisfied

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  10. Joke of an appointment

    We are ment to be moving on from the past

    Suppose he needs some practice before he leaves us again!!

    This time for sevco. ??

    Sfa is a joke and the lot of them should be relieved of there duties

    Kev

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  11. Phil ,please forget about Sevco on there cheating,or E.B TS,it’s all history,the establishment,will never allow them to go out the game,they are to big a club,Phil what I would like to do is to turn your attention to our club Celtic,and ask them when are the facilities in the main stand, rotten found ,no hot water,toilet facilities for both men and women, especially the Women’s, it’s seen its day,and it’s I need of a complete upgrade,so turn on Lawell and Co ,for a change,Sevco stuff is to easy ,and really it’s getting boring.

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    • You feel that corruption of our game is boring and we should remove the spotlight.
      I feel the opposite of your post is necessary and action needs to be taken. Apathy among supporters will make the situation worse and we will be subjected to more cheating to aid the establishment team.

      If you’re bored reading about Sevco and the SFA I suggest you do what I do with subjects that bore me, i don’t read, that would allow the rest of us to highlight that our game needs cleansed.

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    • Aye, Phil, lay aff the biggest scandal in the history of British sport – it’s boring! Get a grip and dae sumpin important – the Tims huvtae wash their hauns in cauld watter!

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    • My daughter commented on the fact there was hot water in the main stand ladies on Thursday. I agree the catering could be better and I understand there are plans for a supporters area with catering outside the ground.

      There is much that needs to be done in every stadium in Scotland to improve match day experience for supporters.

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    • Related to Billy?
      We should never remove the glare of scrutiny and publicity from their dodgy dealings. No one in the SMSM is prepared to do their journalistic duty.

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  12. In football terms…there is absolutely no logic to the Mr. McLeish EBT appointment…none whatsoever.
    He’s been unemployed for two years…despite dropping hints all over the place about his availability…and his overall track record prior to that is woeful.
    He is severely compromised with the scandal that has rocked Scottish football…and therefore does not meet the Fit&Proper criteria now demanded by the SFA…(nae laughin’ up the back).
    So..as I say…in football terms its not logical.
    However if you look at it in…
    GIRUY terms….it is extremely logical.
    McCrae and his bent cronies are telling those in Scottish football ( not of a Sevco persuasion) that this is how things work in this bigoted wee country…and until the decent Scottish fans do something about it…
    It will never change.

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  13. A day for burying bad news. A Celtic win…. great news, McLeish appointment…bad news. An old ‘blue’ jacket is appointed as Scotland manager. Who is first to congratulate him Gordon,
    ‘crawler’ Smith, another ‘blue’ jacket. How quick they come out of the woodwork.
    As far as this footie punter is concerned, McLeish can take a run and jump. Once bitten, twice shy.

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  14. It’s not the worst appointment. He did a decent job at Hibs taking them from relegation to 3rd and a cup final. Won a trophy at Birmingham. His Scotland record was 10 played, 7 wins.
    O’Neill isn’t coming. There’s not exactly a queue round the block for the Scotland gig. Lets just move on and see how McLeish does. He might just surprise us.

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    • Ah, another “let’s move on” jockey.
      I accept your comments about the Hibs gig, he really did an amazing job with zeros and turned them into heroes, but other than that, he is mostly self serving and probably the worst appointment Scotland could of made other than Sir Cardigan or Malky

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      • He relegated Birmingham City from the EPL. How much did that cost them. Only consolation for BCFC is that he then fucked up Villa

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    • The “move on” line sounds familiar! And that’s exactly what the SFA cronies want you to think.

      I don’t subscribe to the “that’s who we’ve got so let’s deal with it ” philosophy.

      I’ll support Scotland in spirit but not from pocket any more…

      The thought that my money which I’ve paid due taxes on will be helping pay a man who cheated for years through NOT paying HIS taxes would be too much to stomach. I will not be contributing to SFA coffers any further until there is complete regime change.

      The “move on ” philosophy is what THEY encourage and is what has kept the whole scandalous situation right where it is.

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  15. I will always support the Scotland national team regardless of the manager because I am a patriotic Scot even though I haven’t lived there for many years. However, I am saddened with the McLeish appointment for the simple reason that he walked away from his country when a better financial offer presented itself. For that reason he should be disqualified from ever holding the post again!

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  16. No advantage to buying players u otherwise couldn’t afford to sign. McLeish admitted this himself. Enjoy administration again, ur team is a bunch of non paying cheating cunts aided and abetted by the corrupt sfa, i relish ur demise AGAIN.

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  17. I fail to understand why Celtic supporters are getting exorcised by the SFA or who they appoint! We win their cup’s, leagues and supply half their first 11, If we don’t require to send them to the far flung reaches of the world…then don’t!
    The SFA operate in spite of us…Regan was a joke and a long line of jokers preceeded him – no doubt another comedian is being lined up as we speak. Who cares?…I ask again who cares? let them get on with it we know what is going on and we know our enemy!

    On the plus side we continue to fly the flag in Europe, last night was wonderful and a privilege to attend…again in spite of them.

    Let’s just keep rubbing their noses in it with league and cup wins as that annoys the hell out of them for sure!

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  18. I don’t care about his rangers’ connection, not all that concerned about his ebt but I am disgusted that they welcomed back someone who ditched us within ten months, for BIRMINGHAM of all places! Surprised? No, not in the slightest. Is eck even a rrm, dodgy tax deal aside? Wasn’t he hounded out of ibrox? A place that was in no rush to welcome him back but the SFA somehow think he’s the man to take us (Scots) forward? His record since leaving us in the lurch has hardly been inspirational and most of our emerging talent will have no prior experience of working with him so fail to see where automatic respect will come from. I can’t get behind him yet I cannot not support Scotland just because he’s there. My best hope is he has a few early successes, enough to instil some confidence and winning mentality in the squad and prompt a chairman with more money sense to give him one of those calls he finds so hard to say no to and he buggers of again, taking the SFA with him.

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  19. This is a terrible appointment. McLeish, an unemployable loser of a manager, has been hanging around like a desperate drunk for about 2 years hoping someone will give him some booze money. Even Sevco have rejected his slobbering overtures a few times.

    Of course, none of that matters. All that matters is WATP.

    Scottish football and society makes me vomit at times.

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  20. It was always going to happen that they would appoint this journeyman, Fans can complain till the cows come home but the only way there will be real change at Hampden is for the supporters to boycott the place, Then and only then will the Neanderthals that run that place depart the scene, Fcuk their international team starve the blazers out it’s the only way it will happen.

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  21. An absolute desperate appointment for an organization with no imagination or originality. Mediocrity personified. A tax cheat with no honest success or credibility somehow sums up the shithole that Scotland is. It beggars belief that people are actually lauding this appointment…………………no wonder I take drink.

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    • He is not a tax cheat, his employers were. As said before too many people on here are so fixated on the fact he managed ranjurs and cruxifing for that. Get your head out your arse.
      PS I was at the gamre last night I bet most people on here were not.

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  22. You are totally out of order having a go at Alex, he has only done what any employee would do and take as much pay as his employer offerred.
    McLeish, who I have known more than fifty years is an honest gentleman.
    Just because he is an ex ranjurs manager does not make him toxic.

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    • He is a chump, I don’t care about the fact he is a tax cheat, I care about the fact he is pure c**p and couldn’t manage a piss up in a brewery. I t will end with pain and humiliation for the Scottish fans.

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    • “.. he’s an honest gentleman”
      He KNOWINGLY & ACTIVELY participated in tax avoidance.
      The cheating culture at Ibrokes over at least a 10 year period as seriously injured Scottish Football. Now the fans are expected to pay, from their disposable income, after social taxes and insurance, (deducted at source for most people) , a significant salary so he can pay off his tax assessment. He is TOXIC. He wasn’t even a good manager. Been away from the Scottish game for years. Been sacked by every club since he left Scotland. but OK He must have been a nice chap, even his family liked him.

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    • Frankie……..if your GOOD PAL is so honest then he won’t mind paying betty battenburg his well overdue tax money then will he?
      It sounds like he’s saying he didn’t know he was a cheating scumbag but everyone else was, what’s that all about ffs?
      RRM – all tarred with the same blue brush and now McLeish has been given another chance to win nothing with the national team after ditching it the first chance he got. Jobs for the boys doesn’t equal success but does weigh in another lodge member and that’s what it’s all about. HH

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  23. Phil I was a fully paid up member for twenty five years until 2016, cost and sfa attitude caused me to pack it in. Went all over the world with them and the memories will stay with me forever, along with my Celtic travels I have spent tens of thousands and of course that’s let to the odd “discussion “ with the mrs. Was toying with the idea of going back if we got O’Neill, but there will be no turning back now. This guy is a chump in every sense of the word, hasn’t managed a club of any substance in five years, and hasn’t worked full stop in nearly two years.

    I can’t believe that from all the clubs across the world, there isn’t one decent manager that would be up to the task. I know I shouldn’t be but I am astonished that the sfa have pulled this stunt and to make it worse Gordon bloody Smith has also endorsed him, that’s like dr Harold shipman getting an endorsement from dr Hannibal lecture.

    Still at least I get more quality time with the family………………………………..

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  24. Leaving aside the blatant stupidity (at best) or downright RRM collusion (at worst) in appointing McLeish (again)…

    …a cynic would think that the timing of the news was designed to make sure that any ‘Parkhead Feelgood’ UEFA story was consigned to second billing (at best)….

    Surely our FA would have wanted to celebrate the success of our leading club in Europe and raising the profile of our game?

    Wouldn’t they?

    Yes?

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  25. You just couldn’t make the whole sadly corrupt thing up. I have this morning, contacted the SFA to say that’s me finished with the whole Scottish (Masonic) football game. They are making a mockery of the gullible Scotland support, I for one won’t be part of it. McLeish is a sharlatan , a tax cheat and a very average for all coach. To also see some of the names being quoted by the Succulent Land Brigade; Ferguson, Rae, McCall, just shows they have contempt for everything that is good about the game.Keep at them Phil, I intend to.
    Scotland Shame

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  26. Big Eck is a decent appointment.
    His last trophy win was against Arsenal . Its nearer to this daye than Martin O’niels last Victory . Who is the manager of Eire …

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    • Your a nugget, at least O’Neill is and has been in employment recently. Chump McLeish hasn’t managed anyone of note since villa five years ago and no bugger for nearly two years.

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      • He beat Arsenal in the League Cup final and then got them relegated from the EPL – never to return. Sure they were very impressed with him.

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  27. What do you think about the latest “9 million pound” bid from the club who have met their foreign player quota on Chinese New Year ?

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    • My mate’s Chinese…and he says that vast sections of China’s population…have had their New Year ruined by Sevco’s refusal to sell Morelos.
      From the major cities to mountain villages its been the hot topic of debate…and even the Chinese Politburo have tabled a motion to get this sorted.
      Don’t be surprised if an offer of £75 million…with add ons…is made shortly…but my mate says he still doesn’t think it will be enough to tempt them to sell.
      His main concern is that it will lead to rioting in the streets if Morelos isn’t signed soon…The Chinese people are desperate for him to arrive.
      You heard it here first.

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  28. Phil McDickhead. When will you realise there was no advantage gained through EBTs? Did you know Bob Malcolm had an EBT? I can guarentee you that one Celtic fan would’ve had him in the Celtic squad. Most of McLeish’s signings were Bosmans and he hardly had a penny to spend. Stop the unfair advantage myth and stop trying to convince yourself Rangers cheated! Kevin Muscat also had an EBT. Think about it you inbred, Rangers hating prick!!

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    • Isn’t it time you toddled off to your banjo classes? Or, perhaps you could seek advice on having carnal relations with your sister, in a lift in Motherwell train station?

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    • So, there we have it. Better players do NOT command higher salaries or transfer fees. Securing the services of high paid players by not paying your dues to Queen and country is NOT cheating. Mr Morelos is worth £9m…. it’s fine to trade while, to all intents and purposes, insolvent and finally a loan is merely an overdraft.
      Teerush, you are an idiot and I can guarAntee that.

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    • And you wonder why no one likes you!

      Never mind a balanced argument, just throw insults and you’ll get your point across.

      All very Sevconian indeed.

      Muscat and Malcolm didn’t actually last very long at the dead club. Do you not have the names of any other players who did well and also had EBT’s?

      Amoruso? Lovenkrands? Novo? The De Boers?

      I seem to remember some of those players doing a bit of damage against Celtic.

      However, I am very much enjoying the advantage that having lots more money than Sevco is giving Celtic these days and hope it will continue for many decades to come.

      See? Balanced argument. No need for inane insults.

      Oh aye, and EBT’s were illegal. Ergo, if your club used them then they cheated! Simples!

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      • Amoruso was already a Rangers player before the EBTs. Lovenkrands was an unknown 19 year old when he signed from the Danish 2nd Division. Nacho Novo knocked the Dhims back before speaking to Rangers.

        EBTs didn’t make Lovenkrands a better player. They didn’t make Amoruso a better player and they didn’t make Novo a better player.

        Ronald de Boer was nearing retirement when he signed and Frank de Boer was here for about 5 months.

        Compare the Celtic and Rangers teams on Helicopter Sunday and tell me who had the better team….

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      • Stefan Klos wasn’t a Bosman and neither was Ronald de Boer.

        Employee Benefit Trust. Key word being “Trust” as in Trust Fund. Tax deducted from player wages was transferred to a nominated Trust Fund which was taken out as a loan by the player. It was up to the player to re-pay the loan back not the club.

        If Rangers really were cheating they would’ve won the league every season and wouldn’t have finished Third in the 2005/2006 season.

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    • They cheated FULL STOP.
      Try and convince yourself all you want, denial will only make it more painful in the end.
      KARMA can be a bitch sometimes

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    • If there is no financial advantage from non payment of tax due (which an ebt represents) why are clubs with tax owed up to 31 Dec of previous year and not paid by 31st March of current year ineligible to obtain a UEFA licence?
      The clue is in the UEFA rules title –
      Financial FAIR Play.
      Check the definition of “fair” and try to come to terms with what it means.
      The underlying reason for the rule is that a club witholding tax to obtain and retain a certain quality of player have a sporting advantage over clubs who play by the rules.
      That is the reason they are deemed ineligible and so a licence should not be granted. It would simply be unFAIR.
      Now go and look up the meaning of unfair and check Article 50 of UEFA FFP. Dickhead!

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    • yeah its obvious,Phil, look around europe. Man Utd, Chelsea, PSG. Barca, Real and Celtic all floundering at the bottom of their leagues, well aren’t they?

      Reply

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