Glasgow Prepares

Timing has always been important to those who wish maximum damage on Rangers.

During our annus horribilus in 2012, it became apparent that sticking the knife in for some was one hundred times more important than any notion of Sporting Integrity.

Those with long memories will remember through the fog of events in the summer of last year that SFA and SPL announcements were deliberately timed to cause maximum damage as Rangers sought a buyer, and each “deadline” for bids from Duff and Phelps passed with Rangers on the front pages for decisions taken by both organisations

So, as the anniversary of Rangers former Corporate holding company going in to Administration approaches, my belief is that the SPL will mark that anniversary with a guilty verdict for Rangers in their kangaroo court proceedings against the club for the administrative errors made by the David Murray regime.

There is a belief across the city that Celtic will defeat Juventus, and that today’s news should be about build up, and Wednesday’s news should be about the game, leaving Thursday open to stick the boot in to Rangers by stripping out titles.

While there are still some fans out there who have confidence that the ruling by Lord Nimmo Smith will find us not guilty, on the reasonable assumption that the only EBT payments under scrutiny were actually declared by Rangers to the SPL,  I do not share that confidence. I have a nagging doubt that the SPL, and Nimmo Smith, will once again prove that they believe they are a law unto themselves, with the evidence of Celtic’s lawyer Rod McKenzie used as justification.

Of course, Rangers fans will be angry, and frustration may well ensure that supporters take to the streets like the protesters in Belfast.

I sincerely hope that the SPL and Nimmo Smith do not send Scottish Football down a road of no return.

While “sensible” voices inside Ibrox talk of bridges being built and of the Dundee Utd match being the end of hostilities in Scotland, there is also a propaganda campaign being carried out in Scotland’s media calling for Rangers fans to forgive and forget our treatment over the last 12 months. What they should all be aware of is  that the decision to build bridges and apologise for the sins of the past do not rest with Rangers fans, but with agenda led officials in the SPL and the SFA to halt their activity against the club. It is they who should apologise for a campaign borne of jealousy, hatred and bigotry.

The reality is that if the decision goes against Rangers, even the most mild mannered of Rangers supporters who have funded Scottish Football for decades will strengthen their resolve to punish Rangers’ enemies, by staying away from grounds in their thousands permanently.

This will kill clubs.

Even Celtic, who are enjoying a lucrative Champions League campaign will suffer.

Let’s be clear. The sponsorships of Scottish Football depend on the presence of Rangers and their support, including Sky TV.

Without us, every club will have to address their finances and downgrade their footballing operations, ie reduce the quality of their team.

The whole of Scottish football will reduce its quality, and every football fan in Scotland will suffer.

This is what WILL happen if Rangers are unjustly punished

Will the decision taken be to sacrifice Scottish Football, and punish Rangers?

Will it be timed in such a fashion to case the maximum outroar from the Rangers support?

Sadly I believe it will. I sincerely hope not.

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I’m afraid this is my final blog.

My commitments are such that I can no longer commit to researching and writing my blogs. While I have always hoped to strike a balance between regularity and quality, I feel it is now past that point, and I do not feel it appropriate to keep a blog alive and post two or three times a month. I will not be reviving the blog, but will do some archiving and ensure that for reference all my output is held in the one place.

I may submit content to Rangers websites in the future, which is alien to me, and will most probably result in a number of rejection emails, but I wish all Rangers fans the very best for the future, and hope that this final blog is completely off the mark.

While Rangers are in transition, and will rise to the top once more, I am confident that the Rangers supporting bloggers and writers who devote so much time to expressing their views and sharing their knowledge on the club, will continue to represent our club and help our support become the most well informed in Scotland

I may have had the odd disagreement with some of my peers, but the Rangers support would be much poorer without the input of people like Chris Graham, David Leggat, Bill McMurdo, D’Artagnan the 4^th Musketeer, themanthebheastscanttame and Vanguard Bears.

That broad selection of Rangers fans and writers in their own (and radically different) ways all do a sterling job in ensuring Rangers fans are no longer soft touches, and no longer naively left exposed when Rangers’ enemies circle to attack. If you are not already aware of their work, you should check them out.

Bill