If everything in life comes back to the Godfather, then Tom Hagen has decided to leave the Ibrox family.
For the avoidance of doubt, this isn’t an inconsequential event.
As the featured image shows, the departure of Mr Robertson would not have come as a surprise to regular readers.
For years he was a reliable Consigliere to the Sevco High Command.
Despite that, those drunk on Unsurpassed Dignity often ignored his counsel.
The brethren in the Blue Room should know that they’re up against it.
Their city rivals have access to a bigger budget and on a sustainable basis.
Ah, yes, the S Word.
UEFA’s new FSR ordinances are forcing them to cut their cloth accordingly.
Consequently, the chaps in Blue Room have to work smart to overcome that financial disadvantage.
The solution to their resource problem is a slow burn, and a short fuse won’t solve it.
FSR is a game changer, and it isn’t a time for someone like Santino in the big chair at Ibrox.
The Sevco High Command needs a thoughtful strategist like Michael calling the shots.
Someone who can see the long game and predict what the other side might now and then exploit it.
Of course, it doesn’t help that they’ve currently got Fredo in the dugout.
Don Postecoglou will want to settle all Celtic Family business on Sunday.
It will be a fabulous event, but it doesn’t alter the fundamental reality of the situation.
As I’ve stated before, the new normal on 21st-century Planet Fitba can only be discerned by looking at the league title haul since Fergus rebuilt the Parkhead stadium.
Unsurprisingly isn’t something that the succulent suspects in the Stenography Corps like to dwell on.
In the past few days, some Celtic fans have been looking at the recent departures from HMS Ibrox and have been giddy with glee about what they’re witnessing.
However, they’re seeing what they want to see.
Hoops fans are discerning evidence of an imminent apocalyptic event at the stadium that John Brown used to play for.
The reality is more prosaic.
Sevco are Simply The Second Best.
This is where the Journey ends.
With a whimper.
The Ibrox klanbase is taking this all very personally, but it’s just business.
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What do *Rangers do if they don’t have a Michael Corleone amongst them?
On a more serious note, I do find it strange that some senior people have bailed out when they did (before season end). It’s almost as though there’s something going on we may yet not be aware of. Time will tell but it’s certainly interesting to watch.
I read that Robertson received dog’s abuse as he left Pittodrie after the Sheep game. His daughter was with him at the time, leading to speculation that Robertson decided then and there that he had had enough.
I doubt we’re going to see the new club follow the old one to the grave. Wilson probably left when he saw the budget he would be given. In the context of the banners that would probably have been enough for him.
Park and Robertson may well just be sick of being embarrassed by the direction their colleagues are steering the ship and sick of being associated lawsuits. In Robertson’s case probably also sick of the banners… Who wants that at work?
I don’t expect this to lead to unfettered stupid spending and debt, but I could be wrong. I think more likely is a modest reduction in off field costs as they reduce talent. Probably a reduced playing budget too. It may lead to a wilderness spell in 2nd/3rd fights for a few seasons, perhaps while they actually sort themselves out. Who knows?
Phil what’s the end game for the directors still putting money into them and taking confetti in exchange. I know people love their club but they love money more. Any news on the asset company that had them in court on Monday ?????
When are sevco”s shares being relisted on the AIM?
They need to be worth more than the paper it’s written on
Is this pathlaying for the new sevco signing strategy? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65394532
I was window shopping and walking at the same time, not a good thing to do, and peripherally I became aware of a large car drawing up and three occupants getting out, one immaculately dressed a la Michael Corleone and two rather large fellows either side of him. His speed as he attempted to go into the Italian restaurant caught both himself and me by surprise and we crashed into each other for which he profusely apologized and I likewise and we went on our way.
After 30 yards I decided I wasn’t getting shot and remember thinking power is even more impressive when accompanied by humility, something Sevco will never have.
Phil, if my memory serves me correctly, did resignations not also occur around 2011/2012 when the likes of Rangers stalwart John Greig among others decided to ‘step down’ ,,,,or is it just a coincidence ?
timing again interesting, like Park just before they faced Celtic , going in the summer then why announce now ?
In the words of another Consigliere – “”When A Plot Against The Emperor Failed, The Plotters Were Always Given A Chance To Let Their Families Keep Their Fortunes.””
Let’s hear it for Frankie Five Loans!
“Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgment”.
Michael Corleone
Phil you may well be proven to be correct and that that there is no apocalyptic ending but we can cling to hope. The departures of Wilson and Robertson weren’t really a surprise, perhaps they had decided their talents could be better utilized elsewhere (as well as be more appreciated) or maybe they felt pushed towards the door, but I’m still shocked by the departure of Supreme Leader Park.
Maybe he did just get tired of throwing good money after bad but I struggle with that – it still occurs to me that there is something coming down the pike that he wants to be nowhere near when if finally arrives.
Time will tell I guess.
He IS a very astute businessman who has more in common with Michael Corleone than most people could imagine. In business he is ruthless. He’s taken a successful, but small to medium-sized family business, and built it into a multi-million pound operation, taking care, in a business sense, of a right few rivals along the way.
He has though in recent years suffered some serious health problems, and I’m frankly amazed, that he ever got sucked into the sevco triangle. His involvement with Sevco is a classic example of a hardheaded businessman letting his head be ruled by his heart when it comes to his football team.
However IF there’s ANYTHING untoward going down at the crumbledome, he will not want either his family name or his business associated with, or tainted by it, in any way.
“His head has been ruled by his hate”
is perhaps more appropriate
We’ll, possibly I was being kind.
This is the board that sevconians wanted rid of………………they got their wish so let’s see where this all ends up. Second best will be the height of their achievements. HH
Phil…Are there any grounds for me thinking that there’s more to this than meets the eye ?
For these senior figures to leave Sevco in such a short space of time, brings out the pessimism in me…and makes me wonder if the way is being cleared for a takeover ?
I cannot understand why this would happen so rapidly and without warning…and it’s more the Park’s situation I don’t get…What has prompted this?
Obviously hope I’m wrong…but I just feel there’s something in the air.
As for the upcoming Cup tie…
Less of the overworked intricate passing…more shooting from around the box…and for God’s sake a huge improvement in our final ball….Whether a cross…a pass …or a cut-back…it’s woeful and needs worked on.
Apart from that…
Hail hail.
Interesting idea. Perhaps GASL and his dirty money would be involved.
Either way, I think they are simply taking the David Murray route ‘it was fine when I was there’ knowing full well it a) wasn’t and b) his friends in the establishment would not investigate his ‘ongoing liability’ in what haopened in 2012.
Anyone talking over Sevco will face the same structural issues.
A wee question Phil. If they were taken over by a seriously wealthy benefactor, say one with genuine wealth off the radar, could he, under the new UEFA rules, fund an Ibrox upgrade/extension out of his own pocket? Not necessarily as gifted money, but in the form of a business loan, to be paid back in a structured way from future football income.
UEFA rules allow for stadium upgrades.
I do understand that Phil..but there are people out there with money to burn…Interesting times ahead.
There’s no sign of them at Ibrox.
Be careful funny man RANGERS will come back trust me hh1994
TBH I was thinking the same but with a minimum of £11m legal battles looming I concluded rats abandoning the sinking ship was more likely….. administration looming perhaps?????
Your vagueness on takeover has me scratching my head again.
The best deliveries into the box in recent games have come from the boot of young Rocco Vata when he’s come on.
Totally agree…great prospect.
Nothing about the team’s performance this season could ever be described as ‘woeful’ , We’ve witnessed unbelievable fast – flowing beautiful football with consistently high quality finishing. 103 goals in 33 games would suggest you’re talking Rafael Scheidt.
If our final ball had quality…we would have scored 203….Try and separate fact from fiction….Have a nice day.
As an avid reader and fan of the The Godfather movies, I loved this post, but I can’t separate Godfather 1
from Godfather 2, both are equally horrible. (in a sevco analogy)