There are various webs of intrigue in Scottish Football at the moment, with hidden networks of individuals actively trying to damage Rangers Football Club.
Their work is usually so secret, that it is conveniently far enough away from any individuals of interest to Rangers supporters for the eyebrows to be raised.
Now and again though, coincidences arise which are absolutely startling.
One of the current modes of attack on Rangers as they struggle in Administration and seek new buyers, is the investigation by the SPL in to Rangers alleged use of EBTs from 1998 until 2010.
During that period, Rangers have won 7 SPL titles.
The purpose of the investigation is allegedly to establish if Rangers did not comply with SPL regulations
The intention of many Celtic supporters in asking for the investigation has been for the club to be stripped of all trophies won during this period.
Many Rangers fans are 100% sure that this will not happen.
I’m not so sure.
The club will have to be absolutely squeaky clean on this, and be able to prove through the courts that they have complied with all regulations.
If not, what awaits them is unthinkable.
First of all, lets look at the SPL Committee set up to act as Judge and jury.
SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster and secretary Iain Blair, will compile a report for the SPL board. The board consists of Eric Riley (Celtic), Stephen Thompson (Dundee United), Derek Weir (Motherwell), Steven Brown (St Johnstone), SPL chairman Ralph Topping and Doncaster himself. A decision will then be taken on whether the information provides prima facie evidence of any breach of SPL rules.
Will Riley leave the room, or take no part in the investigations?
Is there no conflict of interests in him, or for that matter any of the other club representatives, in deciding any possible punishment for Rangers?
Thomson, of course has previous and is despised by the Rangers support in response to a number of comments about the club and the support, not to mention a dispute over rip off ticket prices for a Dundee Utd cup replay, contested by the Nithsdale RSC.
We Rangers fans cannot expect either of these two to be in any way objective.
Of course, these Directors of our rivals in Scotland are only the Judge and Jury, not the investigators.
So, what of the investigators?
The SPL board have appointed “Harper MacLeod” law practice to investigate.
“Harper MacLeod” also act for Celtic Football Club.
On their website, on the “What our clients say”, there are two very interesting testimonials:
“Lorne Crerar has shown the vision and management excellence to create a very dynamic and strong growth firm. Rod McKenzie clearly has had a role to play in this development and in addition, he is still “on the tools” and provides great support to our Club. They also have a very impressive Chief Executive in Martin Darroch.
The working environment, partnership and employee relationship appears to be first class and clearly the excellent pattern in staff retention reflects this.”
Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive, Celtic F.C. Limitedwww.celticfc.net
“Lloyds TSB Scotland has benefited from a close working relationship built up over a number of years. Their approach to managing Client relationships focuses on understanding the business need and developing interesting and innovative solutions. Harper Macleod really understands what they bring to a client relationship and it is clear that their success in recent years owes much to a clear implementation of a strategy built on strong personal and business relationship with the Bank.”
Manus Fullerton, Former Director Wholesale Banking Scotland, Lloyds TSB Scotlandwww.lloydstsb.com
Of course, Lawwell is a household name in Scotland due to his position of CEO at Celtic, but Fullerton is rather less known.
Fullerton was the top man at Lloyds Banking group during the period where Rangers were being strangled by the group. He is also a former Trustee of the Celtic Trust, which is a supporters Trust for Celtic FC, alongside arch Republican Jeanette Findlay of Glasgow University, and former Glasgow Lord Provost Alex Mosson.
The links that this firm have to those with interests at Celtic and an agenda against Rangers are clear.
Rangers should be raising an objection as to their suitability, but a rudderless club is being kicked when its attentions are elsewhere, and it seems the Administrators are unaware of this agenda.
Let’s hope that the club are clean on these allegations, as the investigators, and the Judge and Jury cannot be trusted to act with any integrity
Let’s just hope that Hugh Nielson isn’t assigned to the case
It may be that the top man Lorne Crerar who also works at Glasgow University (near Ms Findlay?) takes on the task.
More likely it will be Rod McKenzie, who is Celtic’s Lawyer, and has been for a number of years, as he also represents the SPL.
Fair’s fair, eh?
Bill.
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