Is Stewart Regan, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Football Association a DIDDY?
Disingenuous: Incompetent: Dishonest: Duped? You decide.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Scottish Football Monitor sorority/fraternity jury, who want an honest game, honestly governed, are invited to pass judgement on Stewart Regan, the CEO of the SFA.
The main stream media are finally asking questions of Regan’s performance in that role, but based on a rather shallow (by comparison to what he has presided over) single issue of the recruitment of a national team coach, and not his character.
Maybe we can help the three monkeys media men (you know who they are) push for change at the SFA. How? By highlighting for them the appropriate response to Regan’s performance on the basis of what follows if he really is a DIDDY.
Disingenuous is defined as:
not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.
Evidence of such can be found in the written exchanges with the SFA that Celtic initiated on 27th July, and continued on 18 August, 21 August, 4th September and 7th September 2017; and published on the Celtic web site with SFA agreement at http://cdn.celticfc.net/assets/downloads/SFA_Correspondence.pdf
This from the SFA letter of 18th August 2017:
Comment: the statements are not alleged, they are a matter of court record and if untrue represent perjury.
…. And then this from subsequent SFA letter of 4th September 2017
Both paras give the impression that the SFA were unaware that Rangers had accepted the liability without question before 31st March 2011. Yet the SFA’s attention was drawn to this fact in July 2015 by lawyers acting on behalf of Celtic shareholders as follows:
- Our information in respect of this £2.8M in unpaid tax is that Rangers PLC had been alerted in November 2010 by HMRC that they would be pursuing payment of this exact sum.
- From that date onwards, the Directors of Rangers PLC should have known there was a potential liability to HMRC for back taxes specifically relating to payments made to Tore Andre Flo and Ronald De Boer. These sums became an accepted liability in March 2011.
- Matters had been brought to a head on 23 February 2011 when HMRC presented Rangers with a written case for payment of back tax owed in respect of Flo and De Boer. As your department may well be aware, that case for payment involved hitherto undisclosed side letters which were found to be an adjunct to their declared and disclosed contracts of employment.
- Those contracts of employment were, of course, disclosed to the Scottish Football authorities (including the SFA) as part of the necessary compliance procedures followed by all clubs and demanded by both the SFA and UEFA.
- Additionally when replying to the initial enquiries by HMRC in 2005 regarding these alleged side letters and ancillary agreements, the then Group Tax Manager of Murray International Holdings (MIH) acting for Rangers PLC on tax matters, apparently advised HMRC that no such agreements or side letters existed.
- It ultimately proved that these representations to HMRC were completely untrue and without foundation. The tax Inspectors concerned in turn saw these false misrepresentations as being an attempt to simply hide the true financial position and an attempt to avoid paying the taxes which were lawfully due on the contracts of the players concerned.
- As mentioned earlier, Rangers PLC accepted liability on 21st March 2011 for unpaid tax having taken legal advice on the matter.
- In turn, HMRC then chose to formally pursue payment of the back taxes and penalties in relation to these two players, all in terms of HMRC’s debt recovery procedures under what is known as regulation 80.
- Prior to 31st March 2011, there was clear knowledge within Rangers Football Club of the liability to make payment for these back taxes and, as can be seen from the attached documentation, by 20th May 2011 HMRC had served formal assessments and demands on Rangers PLC for the sums concerned.
The impression given by Regan’s reply to Celtic is that the first time the SFA were aware there might be an issue on granting was in June 2017 as result of testimony at the Craig Whyte trial. This is clearly not the case and the only explanation that would clear Regan of being disingenuous is a that he was incompetent as in not knowing what the SFA already had in their possession, however a bit more on being disingenuous before looking at incompetency.
The above extract of the exchange of 4th September where Regan mentions Celtic being satisfied on the UEFA Licence 2011 issue was challenged by Celtic on 7th September 2017 as follows:
“on the matter of the Licensing Decision in 2011 it is not accurate to describe Celtic as having been “satisfied” at any stage. Like everyone else we were in a position of responding on the basis of information available to us. In correspondence, Celtic raised continuing concerns as did a number of Celtic shareholders.”
In dealing with the Celtic shareholders the SFA and Regan appeared keen to welcome from the early days of correspondence that only the process after granting i.e. the monitoring phase of June and September was being questioned and not the granting itself. That was the case initially but as new information emerged in respect of what UEFA judged to be an overdue payable, upheld by the Court of Arbitration on Sport in 2013, focus swung back in 2016 to the significance of what the SFA had been told by the Res 12 lawyer in July 2015. However the emphasis the SFA put on shareholders accepting the grant was in order was puzzling at the time. The suspicion since is that the SFA did not want the circumstances around the granting investigated and the SFA and Regan were being disingenuous in their attempts to keep that aspect under wraps. especially when their defence of not acting as required in 2011 was based around when the SFA responsibilities on granting ended and UEFA’s on monitoring began. (for more on that read the Incompetence charge)
In response to a separate point in Regan’s letter of 18th August about the QC advice on there not being a rule in place at the time to use to sanction Rangers or the limited sanctions available to a Judicial Panel, Peter Lawwell responded on 21st August to Regan’s disingenuousness as follows:
” In your letter you refer to advice from Senior Counsel that;
‘there was very little chance of the Scottish FA succeeding in relation to any compliant regarding this matter and that, even if successful, any sanctions available to a Judicial Panel would be very limited in their scope.’
As I said in my last letter Celtic considers that this misses the point. The fact that disciplinary sanctions may not be secured is in our view not a reason for Scottish football to ignore the opportunity to review and possibly learn lessons from the events in question.”
Although they didn’t refer to it in that reply of 21st August, Celtic could have pointed out the following catch all rule in existence in 2011 (and presumably earlier) under Article 5 in SFA handbook.
5. Obligations and duties of Members (where all members shall)
5.1 Observe the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship in accordance with the rules of fair play.
This Article could have been used to demonstrate sporting dishonesty by Rangers FC. However by recognising this Regan would be on a collision course with an issue that he wanted to avoid at all costs;
whom to sanction? Rangers FC? The Rangers FC? Those currently at The Rangers FC who were officials or on the Board of Rangers FC in 2011?
Consequently, the SFA chose to hide behind QC advice – but to protect whom? Not the integrity of the game. Here is a suggestion to restore it:
That the Rangers FC admit that the trophies won in the EBT years were won as a result of clear wrongdoing (the wrongdoing Regan was so desperate to say never occurred – see later), and that The Rangers give them up. Surrendering them is not being defeated, it is simply the right thing to do for the game AND for Rangers to restore some integrity to themselves.
If they want to lay claim to their history, lay claim to all of it, just be honourable and act with dignity and we can all move on.
In summary then, Regan is being disingenuous by pretending to know a lot less than he does – and on that note the case of disingenuousness ends.
Incompetence: is defined as;
lack of ability to do something successfully or as it should be done:
Whilst a CEO would not be expected to know the minutiae of any process, he would be expected to seek such information before going public to defend the SFA’s position.
On 23 October 2013, Stewart Regan had an interview with Richard Gordon on BBC Sportsound. Excerpts from it can be heard at http://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland/24685973 . Interestingly or strangely, the following excerpt regarding the lines of responsibility between the SFA and UEFA fell on the BBC cutting room floor.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6uWzxhblAt9YktGc0kwWjJCY1E/view?usp=sharing
In it Regan is saying that the 31st March is a key date and AFTER that date, the SFA having granted the licence on evidence provided to the SFA (now under Compliance Officer investigation) have no more responsibility in the matter. Richard Gordon asks Regan to confirm that after 31st March there is no other course of action the SFA could have taken. To which Regan answers “Correct”.
This understanding however does not stand up when compared to the information supplied to the Res 12 Lawyer on 8th June 2016 by Andrea Traverso, Head of UEFA Club Licensing and so ultimate authority on the matter.
That letter (more famous for its new club/company designation of the current incumbents at Ibrox), confirmed that the UEFA Licence was not granted until the 19th April 2011, so Regan was wrong on his dates, but even more significantly UEFA stated that the list of clubs granted a licence was not submitted to them until 26th May 2011.
This raises the obvious question (though not so obviously to Regan);
” how can UEFA start monitoring until they know who to monitor?”
More significantly, and one for the SFA Compliance chap to consider, should the licence have been granted, irrespective of what “evidence” the SFA Licensing Committee acted on in March 2011 , when it was obvious from a HMRC Letter of 20th May 2011 to Rangers, that HMRC were pursuing payment of a tax liability which could no longer by dint of being pursued, be described as “potential” which was the justification for granting at 31st March/19th April?
Here ends the case of incompetence.
Dishonesty;
lack of honesty or integrity: defined as disposition to defraud or deceive.
The line between incompetence and dishonesty is a thin one and so difficult to judge, however some discernment is possible from observation over time.
On 29 March 2012 Stewart Regan was interviewed by Alex Thomson of Channel Four news, a transcript of which with comments can be found on a previous SFM blog of 8th March 2015 at
https://www.sfm.scot/did-stewart-regan-ken-then-wit-we-ken-noo/
It is a long article, but two points emerge from it.
Stewart Regan bases his defence of SFA inaction on the fact that at the time of the interview no wrongdoing had occurred . Regan emphasises this rather a lot. Had he been an honest man, he would have confessed that this defence fell when the Supreme Court ruled that wrong doing in respect of Rangers’ use of EBTs had occurred.
This extract from Regan’s letter of 4th September 2017 beggars belief in light of his position on wrongdoing during interview with Alex Thomson.
” The reality is that the final decision in “The Big Tax Case” signalled closure for many involved in the game. It is hard to believe that a “wide review” no matter how well intentioned and how wide ranging could ever bring closure in the minds of every Scottish football fan and stakeholder.”
How on earth did the Supreme Court decision signal closure to Regan given his emphasis on no wrong doing?
Had Regan (in response to Celtic in August and September 2017) acknowledged that wrongdoing had taken place, then that at least would have been honest, but the defence of not acting was on the grounds that admitting dishonesty would be raking over old coals. An honest man would have accepted that the situation had changed, and some form of enquiry was necessary, but instead Regan fell back on unpublished advice from a QC.
The second point is a new one. Regan was asked by Alex Thomson in March 2012
AT: But did anybody at any stage at the SFA say to you I have a concern that we need an independent body, that the SPL can’t and shouldn’t handle this?
SR: Well under the governance of football the SPL run the competition
AT: I’m not asking, I’m saying did anybody come to you at any stage and say that to you. Anybody?
SR: No they didn’t as far as the SPL’s processes is concerned. The SPL ,
AT: Never?
At time of interview in March 2012 this was true but 2 months later on 25th May 2012 the issue of a Judicial review WAS raised by Celtic
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/celtic-still-pressing-sfa-for-inquiry-8p25q8wbb
for the same reasons that Regan had ignored in 2011 as the LNS Commissioning proceeded apace and Regan continued to ignore in the 2017 correspondence. An honest man would have recognised that his truth to Thomson in March was no longer true in May 2012 and acted. He didn’t.
These do not appear to be acts of an honest man, rather they appear to represent the behaviour of a man who is being dishonest with himself; although perhaps Regan was simply duped?
Duped is defined as;
“ If a person dupes you, they trick you into doing something or into believing something which is not true.”
In his e mail of 7th December to Ali Russell, then Rangers CEO , after a discussion on the 6th December 2011 with Andrew Dickson, Rangers Football Administrator and SFA License Committee member in 2011, Regan set out the basis on which the SFA granted a UEFA License in 2011.
This was a letter from Ranger’s auditors Grant Thornton describing the wee tax liability of £2.8m as a potential one with the implication that it was subject to dispute, an implication carried into the Interim Accounts of 1st April 2011 signed by Rangers FC Chairman Alistair Johnson.
The true status of the liability and the veracity of statements made that justified the UEFA License being granted are under investigation by the SFA Compliance Officer.
However Regan’s belief that the liability was disputed and therefore hadn’t crystalized, is supported more or less by his Tweets at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6uWzxhblAt9NG5CNXcwLW9RZjQ/view?usp=sharing
The case that Regan was duped is a plausible one, at least up to 2015, but I would contend that the SFA responses to Res 12 lawyers after July 2015 suggest that whilst the SFA may have been duped initially, they subsequently appeared more concerned with keeping events beyond public scrutiny (like the effect on the licence issue of HMRC sending in Sheriff’s Officers to collect a £2.8m tax liability in August 2011).
At this point, based on the foregoing –
You the SFM jury are asked to decide: Is Stewart Regan a DIDDY?
Copy paste this link for GUILTY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejizOV-IQEM
And this for NOT GUILTY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwXGdgFZmNk
The Sin of Omission by Margaret Sangster ends:
And it’s not the things you do, dear,
It’s the things you leave undone,
Which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.
Unfortunately all we have to go with on the site to gauge the opinions of others is by those who post directly or the thumbs up thumbs down system.
As Big Pink says this is not a Celtic site but we have to accept that due to size of fan base etc it will be read by more Celtic fans and some also make direct and excellent contributions via their posts.
I am guessing Bordersdon is just fed up with the patronising attitude that comes across now and again the rest of should be thoroughly and unquestioningly grateful for things like Celtic contributing players to the national team, that money trickles down from the European efforts, buying other clubs players and being able to watch their own highly paid players against us etc etc
Any criticisim of the Colts idea, the Joint The New Old Firm bid for Scotland games and the likes generally tend to end up with anyone criticising Celtic either getting a great number of thumbs down or a near even balance with some of the thumbs up most likely (but not scientifically proven) coming from other non-Celtic minded readers.
Its not an ideal marker but it is all we have to go one and while that shouldn’t be the be all and end all of judgments, one can’t help but note when anything is said re criticizing the SFA and T’Rangers it is all one sided on the Thumbs up count.
A prime example of apparent ‘closed’ thinking is EasyJambos contribution from the other day.
What is there included in that post from a respected poster that warrants 18 Thumbs down?
He says he believes the transfer story is probably untrue but points out the facts that a decent transfer deal could greatly help turn around the Ibrox club’s finances (In my view only for the short term but as I say keep saying that’s all they need to keep rollin along).
One can only surmise that because the post hints that there may be a chance of T’Rangers getting out of the grubber, thumbs down are warranted.
If folks had said Hearts were going to pick up a £1m fee from China for Osam Sow folk would have been laughing in the aisles but at the end of the day that deal did go through. Therefore while the Morelos thing is perhaps unlikely, funny deals can happen.
And lets not forget T’Rangers and King now have a Hong Kong connections so conspiracy theorists may want to consider the possibility of a connection to the Chinese market and player transfers being a means of pushing money around in the right direction.
Similarly Darkbeforedawn got a barrel load of thumbs down just for posting something he thought was correct from Wiki re the number of foreigners allowed to play for clubs in the Chinese League. Whats that all about?
I don’t think anyone has any problems with the editorial management and moderation of the site but, call us fans of smaller clubs sensitive, the green tinted hue in terms of defending any level of criticism of the Parkhead club does become a bit much to bear at times.
It is a forum open to all and people letting off steam now and again should actually be encouraged as long as the debate doesn’t get personal and too angry.
What makes this site stand out is that, in the main, we are open to the ideas and views of others.
IMHO the more people question the actions of their own club, regardless of who they support, and how that affects the wider body of Scottish Football should be welcomed.
Please, leave the unquestioning loyalty to others.
JIMBOJANUARY 30, 2018 at 17:43
Jimbo
While talking about thumbs up and downs I have to complain regarding the 7 downs you received regarding the pies etc from Bains at Stenhouse.
They are indeed a purveyors of quality meaty pastry enclosed products that folks should put on their bucket list for trying at least once.
The fact that Rangers have run at a loss for every year of their existance is not a rumour.
The fact that they have predicted running at further losses both this year and next is also not a rumour.
The bottom line is that as it stands they are effectively trading insolvent. They are spending more money than they are earning and it is only ongoing loans from directors, shareholders and their associates which is keeping the business afloat.
That does not mean I am accusing them of wrongful trading, however that is arguable. There is no doubt however that they are trading insolvent. The “rumours of their implosion” come from that, because it is clear that if the financial support is removed then the company will no longer be able to trade. Unless if is afforded credit it has been unable to obtain elsewhere.
Here’s a thought, if the SFA / SPFL ask a club at the start of a season if they have a business plan to ensure they can see out the season, and the answer is yes, so long as people continue to give us unsecured loans with no charges or interest. Should the SFA / SPFL not be asking some very serious questions. Particularly when it happens every year and the levels of those loans keep increasing. It will be something like £20m by the end of this season.
Out of interest
From https://www.realbusinessrescue.co.uk/business-insolvency/wrongful-trading
If the financial difficulties can be determined as temporary, or temporary in the eyes of the director, then it is probably not unlawful. Wrongful trading, on the other hand, has statutory rules and regulations and it is indeed unlawful to trade if there is no hope of recovery.
weejoeJanuary 31, 2018 at 10:02
Bill1903, in one sentence you confirm what my old granda told me way back in the 1960’s. He told me that there are only two types of football supporters in Scotland, Celtic supporters and anti-Celtic supporters. “I just ignore the obvious Celtic minded pish” There you go, no mention of the obvious Rangers or Sevco minded pish. Does that quantum of pish sit alright with you? Certainly sounds so.And don’t bother answering because your opinion means nought to me.
_____________________
I too ignore all the ‘Celtic minded pish’.
I also ignore the Aberdeen minded pish, the Hibs minded pish, and yes, even the Hearts minded pish. It is, after all, only pish.
With the overwhelming contributors here being Celtic minded, then it’s only natural we will get more ‘pish’ from them than every other club’s minds. I think, though, that most of us here are quite adept at separating the wheat from the pish, even if it’s not so obvious that it is pish when first read.
Well, that’s enough pish from me, has anyone read the Record today? It appears Ralston has let Traynor’s pish run down his leg, again (‘sorry Mr Traynor, did my leg get in the way of your pish? Was I standing too close to your urinal? What instructions do you have for me today? It is always an honour to carry your pish to a wider audience!’), and Morelos is off to a different Chinese restaurant, sorry, club (one, I suppose, he’s (Traynor or Ralston) checked out on Wikipedia, this time round)!
HOMUNCULUSJANUARY 31, 2018 at 10:26
Wholly agree but the difficulty comes on how to assess which type and level of debt, along with who you are in debt to, is acceptable and which is not.
As discussed previously Aberdeen were running a debt of £15m until a few years back.
(Can it be argued this allowed them to obtain a manager and squad that developed into the consistent second best in the country- sporting advantage?)
Hibs have been in hock to Tom Farmer previously.
The Hearts Ann Budge/FoH model is another one where ‘the club’ is relying on the financial support of others that are not necessarily a traditional high street bank.
What is the Dons future debt position re the new supposed £50m stadium and the fact Hearts ‘cash’ along with anonymous donations has been ploughed into the new stand.
So do you make allowance for debt related to properly identified capital expenditure but not for on-field activities etc?
A complex issue that needs to be thought through to come up with a fair and honest system.
Trouble is the clubs, to date, seem to have democratically voted to side step such matters and have merely fiddle about at the fringes of such financial matters.
Can’t see that situation changing anytime soon.
If you mean for ties south of Stirling then clearly not!
(apologies for adding some Aberdeen Pish)
AuldheidJanuary 30, 2018 at 09:06
Raking over the old coals this surfaced from the due diligence carried out for Craig Whyte in 2011 before he purchased RFC.
____________________________________________________________
A very interesting read and comments, Auldheid.
This is a timeline I’m interested in:
Doncaster was appointed Chief executive of SPL on 7 July 2009.
Gordon Smith was “chief executive of the Scottish Football Association in 2007, a post he held until his resignation on 19 April 2010“.
Regan was appointed to SFA post on 28/7/2010.
That is a very short timeline for a senior appointment. It must have been the subject of a lot of discussion as it was quite a departure from the SFA norm. Unfortunately, there was little transparency around the process,
Murray sold to Whyte on 6/6/2011.
How well was Regan briefed on what was going on in the SPL at the time? Were there handover notes from the outgoing CEO? Or was the SPL pile of manure just left to be discovered on Regan’s SFA patch to be discovered once he was in post, with no “processes” to deal with it?
If anyone has insights, I’d be interested in detail of what went on during that whole period, mid 2009 to mid 2011.
Jimbo
Re my CQN post.
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” WInston Churchill.
I would say we are approaching the begining of the end stage when the SFA JP process ends, as it has to, one way or another.
That will either clear RFC and SFA of charges of wrongdoing with credible reasons or it will not.
Either it will be the end if cleated or the beginning of the end if the charges are ethically admitted or “Brysoned” .
If admitted then football which includes supporters will expect to see correction and justice, if “Brysoned” then suppprters of all clubs bar the one “Brysoned” will have to step up to the plate or it is the end.
The CSA view on Regan is well known.
” If Regan told me he told lies, I’d never believe him” Joe O Rourke CSA at last Celtic AGM.
The CST have been very busy and successfully so on trying to have the OBAF repealed, but any future campaign in the Bryson scenario can only succeed if they,like the Yanks in 1941, enter the fray in some capacity.
The equivalents from other clubs would be more than welcome allies and just as FAC had a strong Celtic engine driving it, a “CHFG” Campaign for Honest Football Governance needs an engine.
An engine needs a starting motor with authority and if the honest governance objective is to be achieved the CSA and CST jointly are in an excellent position in terms being representative of supporters in numbers and experience in driving change, to take on that role.
( Guess who was watching both Churchill and The Darkest Hour?)
Strange – my grandfather said the same – two types of supporter, Aberdeen supporters and anti-Aberdeen supporters… But then surely thats what being a supporter of any club does to you? So what is your point?
Anyone should be able to make an argued criticism of any club without being leapt upon, and that very much includes Celtic. Alas that isn’t always the case here (it often is, but not always). Anyone’s point of view is also equally valid and should be open to discussion and debate, otherwise whats the point of this place? Without viewpoints that differ from the standard we would soon get very bored, very bored indeed.
As for the comment about how grateful we should all be because Celtic are so caring they “give” us all this Champions League money. Dearie me…. Celtic get access to the Champions League because of the SPFL. Without every other club in the SPFL there would be no Champions League money for any club in Scotland. Every club that gets those funds has earned it, they are probably working every bit as hard as Celtic but on a pittance financially compared to them. Unless of course you have the beliefs of some right-wing nut job that believes those on low income obviously just “aren’t working hard enough”??
That the Scottish game is now so badly skewed due to the ridiculous imbalance in finances caused by the Champions League should be of more concern to everyone here. But it isn’t, instead we are being told we should all just be grateful for the pennies that are dispensed on the SPFL Maundy Monday. Any wonder some folks might get upset from time to time?
tayredJanuary 31, 2018 at 12:40 (Edit)
” But it isn’t, instead we are being told we should all just be grateful for the pennies that are dispensed on the SPFL Maundy Monday. Any wonder some folks might get upset from time to time?”
=======================
That is not accurate. One post on being grateful is not what SFM is saying. There are other posts, mine in particular and consistently over the years has made the point you did that without other clubs there would be no opportunity to play in the CL and that a fairer distribution of participation money BY UEFA to all clubs in all leagues is the answer.
Auldheid, you are right, and I’ve certainly read many of your posts very much along those lines. But read back page and you will see that attitude is alive and well.
The latest by JJ
Final Draft 6 of 5WA & The Stitch-Up of Scottish Football
https://johnjamessite.com/
is worth a read, particularly his beliefs, based on information/documentation from a number of sources expressed in blue text.
It is what I’d describe as an Overview of Skullduggery since 2011 (with roots going back to 1899). From my own knowledge of areas of my interest (UEFA Licence/LNS), JJ’s beliefs are spot on and no reason to question his conclusions from his own areas of knowledge.
He also has published the 5 Way Agreement and my summing up of that and the belief’s JJ expressed is that the high priests of Scottish Football sacrificed the integrity of our game on the altar of commercialism, but in doing so ripped out football’s beating heart.
(And Yes Apocalypto is one of my favourite movies)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG8WqEyXIyc
Not for the squeamish btw.
In an attempt to check on the veracity /assuage my incredulity about the “reported” £8M bid from Beijing Renhe, I had a look on their website. Unfortunately I don’t read chinese and if there is an English language option it’s hidden behind chinese calligraphy!
In a desperate attempt to find some confirmation I looked at the Wikipedia page of Snr Morelos and congratulate the wag who’d updated his profile as follows.
“Rangers reportedly refused to sell pin-up boy Morelos for a staggering £8,000,000.00 despite the Ibrox side not having two pennies to rub together. Chief Jabba Boaby-Lover, Keith Jackson of the http://www.dailyranger.co.uk has punted the story on behalf of gallant pioneer colleague Gary Ralston on http://www.Twitter.com [39]
Peter Lawwell, The Unseen Fenian Hand at Celtic was last seen donning a Chinese Mask running down Edmiston Drive.”
tayredJanuary 31, 2018 at 12:59 (Edit)
Auldheid, you are right, and I’ve certainly read many of your posts very much along those lines. But read back page and you will see that attitude is alive and well.
===================
It is based on a narrow perspective that does not recognise the interdependent nature of football as a sport and a business.
One of SFM’s tasks is to try to widen the understanding and so change attitudes.
At times a Sisyphean task
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFclpprR48c
Lest we forget.
—————————————————————-
Rangers Tax Case
Wrapping It All Up
30/07/2012
On 27th March 2011, this blog started what was to become a remarkable odyssey. Attracting a range of very well qualified contributors from across the Scottish professional world, this blog quickly grew to become the place for informed debate on the subject of the disintegration of Rangers. It was also behind the vast majority of the factual revelations on this sorry story until it went mainstream with the broadcast of the BBC Scotland documentary “Rangers- The Men Who Sold The Jerseys” in late May 2012.
The motivation to write this blog was fired by a fear that backroom deals would allow Rangers to escape responsibility for its actions. After Darrell King (Evening Times & The Herald) rushed to get the first stories with specifics about Rangers’ tax problems into print in April 2010, the Scottish media (including King) implemented a policy of black-out and denial. In the silence of the first few months of 2011, it was feared that this entire story might run its course and never be reported. Indeed, the First Tier Tribunal (Tax) managed to complete two weeks of sitting in October / November 2010 without meriting a mention in the mainstream media.
Looking back, the idea of a deal or that Rangers could escape the consequences of their actions seems hard to believe. We can debate the probability that the required series of dark fixes could ever have happened, but in early 2011, it was an unacceptable possibility. The goal of this blog was simply to reveal the facts of the situation- no more and no less. The reputation of this blog grew because it was obvious that it contained facts, interpretations, and explanations not available elsewhere. Although in more recent months the replies began to look increasingly like a Celtic messageboard, the quality of discussion has always been of a high standard. (Sincere thanks to all contributors- and a special thanks to a few people who came forward with much more than just taxi driver tales and brother-in-law rumours. You know who you are!)
In starting this blog, armed with most of the facts that are now in the public domain, Rangers’ insolvency at some point in the near future was a certainty. What could not be predicted at that time was the meltdown that followed: liquidation and a new club forced to start in Division 3. Especially pleasing was the way supporters of every remaining club in Scotland came together to demand fairness and justice. Institutional efforts to forget 11 years of cheating met with a furious reaction from the most important people in the game- the fans. The availability of the facts helped everyone involved in this saga to make informed decisions.
That Rangers were forced to liquidate, form a new club, and restart in SFL Division 3 is a fair outcome. The last remaining task is to ensure that the sporting records are adjusted to account for the 5 SPL titles, 4 Scottish Cups, and 6 Scottish League Cups won during the 11 years of paying players with money they did not have. Drastic player cuts, or insolvency, sometime in the 2006-08 period would have been a virtual certainty if Rangers had not been avoiding tax. It is worth emphasising that had Rangers paid these players the same net salaries during the EBT period of 2001-2011, their wage bill would have been almost £50m higher (unadjusted for inflation). That extra £50m would have had to have been paid by Lloyds / HBOS or a chainsaw taken to the playing squad. This is the value of the financial advantage gained prior to Craig Whyte taking over at Ibrox.
Once the First Tier Tribunal (Tax) finally rules, the SFA will have to act. If, as I expect, that the FTT finds that Rangers had been knowingly operating an illegal implementation of the EBT scheme, it would discredit every trophy ever won in Scottish football if the honours acquired by Rangers during this time are not withdrawn. It is for others to decide if new winners should be appointed, but trophies gained through illegal means cannot be allowed to stand. Please do not believe the rubbish that somehow Rangers declared what they were doing to the SFA. You can see a typical “declaration” here. It does not even say that players were using the scheme. It does not say that any payments were made outside of contracts given to the SFA or SPL. It does not provide anything that would have let a tax expert know that something was amiss let alone football administrators- who are simply not qualified to do any kind of forensic accounting analysis. So let us stop with this “it was in the annual accounts” nonsense!
Short of assisting with interpreting the FTT findings (if necessary), the work of this blog is now complete. I urge you all to keep the pressure on the SFA to ensure that the last chapter of this story sees that justice is done.
One or two people expressing an opinion, and as people say everyone is entitled to one, does not mean it reflects the attitudes of all Celtic supporters, all Celtic supporters here, or the SFM in general.
Any money that other teams get as a result of one team playing in the Champions League (whoever that is) is purely a side issue for that team. It’s not why they tried to qualify and it does not take any money away from them. So no-one need be grateful for it. It is a welcome consequence, no more than that.
On a side note, and I speak purely for myself here, as we are discussing what people find annoying, irritating etc. I find the team I support being described as “two cheeks of the same …” or any other way in which it is associated with Rangers to be annoying, irritating etc.
I do not believe that Celtic behaved in the same way as Rangers prior to their demise. I do not believe that Celtic have been behaving in the same manner as them since the new club was formed. I believe Celtic behave in a financially prudent and well organised manner.
Yes they had issues in the past and were run in a shambolic manner. However they learned from that and changed. Rangers did not, apparently they still haven’t learned those lesson. They still spend more than they are earning, they just don’t steal money to make up the difference any more. They just borrow it, with promise of repayment in shares at some later date.
Yes, it appears that Level42 is doubling down on its mince re: Morelos.
TRFC has – apparently – now rejected a higher offer of GBP7.5M.
Well, it says so in the DR!
If Morelos does decide to stay on at TRFC as the transfer window slams shut tonight…
for the bears it will be just like signing a GBP 10M+ player for TRFC ?!
Traynor and Ralston must be shoo ins for a venerable Scottish Press Award this year?
Fake News?
I think the DR has dragged their p!sh-stained reportage down to ‘Jakey News Level’ by now.
Time will tell if this is just more PR Pish
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42890313
Celtic close on Dundee’s Jack Hendry & Scott Bain, Scott Allan may join Hibs
By Chris McLaughlin
BBC Scotland 53 minutes ago
Celtic are close to agreeing terms with Dundee for defender Jack Hendry, 22.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are also still working on a deal to secure the services of Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain, 26, who is on loan at Hibernian.
The move should go ahead if Celtic midfielder Scott Allan, who is on loan at Dundee, joins Hibernian.
Allan netted his first goal since August 2015 on Tuesday. Allan, 26, switched to Celtic from Hibernian in 2015 and was loaned to Rotherham United last season.
He was sent to Dens Park in June and scored his first goal for Neil McCann’s side in Tuesday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup fourth-round replay win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Celtic are seeking goalkeeper cover following a knee injury to Craig Gordon, 35, ruled him out for around 12 weeks.
Bain joined Hibs on loan earlier this month but is yet to feature for Neil Lennon’s side.
DUFC – breaking news – Stephen Thompson stepping down apparently – there have been rumours earlier in the week re a possible sale of his stake , nothing concrete as yet .
On the Morelos speculation and how to stop transfer madness?
Chinese Super League: Transfer window opens with clubs facing 100% signings tax
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40325496 19 June 2017
Chinese Super League clubs face a 100% tax on signings as their mid-season transfer window opens on Monday.
The country’s Football Association (CFA) is proposing the measure for loss-making clubs in order to try to curb the league’s extravagant spending.
Chinese clubs spent £331m during the country’s winter transfer window, which was more than their English Premier League counterparts in January.
The proceeds from the tax would go into a government-run fund.
If enforced, the measure would in effect double the fee for any player.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Chelsea striker Diego Costa are among the high-profile players to be linked with the Chinese Super League (CSL), with the transfer window open until 14 July.
In the last transfer window, Shanghai SIPG bought Brazil international Oscar for £60m from Chelsea, while Shanghai Shenhua spent £40m on Carlos Tevez. The Argentina striker signed a deal worth a reported £310,000 a week.
At the time, a spokesperson for China’s General Administration of Sport said clubs in the country were “burning money”.
Limits on the number foreign players in squads were put in place for the current season, which runs from March to November. Only three non-Chinese players can now be fielded in a fixture in a move the CFA hoped would tackle “irrational” spending.
Costa was a target for Tianjin Quanjian but the club’s owner, Shu Yuhui, said in January that a bid to sign the forward had been scuppered by new CSL rules limiting the number of foreign players.
In each game next year, clubs will also have to field as many Chinese under-23 players as overseas players.
Analysis
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone:
The Chinese Super League transfer window has raised the potential for another massive deal being done for Wayne Rooney.
A move to China is one of a number of options for Rooney, which also include remaining at United for the final year of his contract.
However, he may wish to consider the fate of former team-mate Carlos Tevez, who joined Shanghai Shenhua on a mega deal earlier in the year.
Neither the team nor Tevez are performing to expectations and when the Argentina international was spotted at a theme park after missing a game through injury this weekend, fans went on social media to condemn him, with one saying he has “the worst attitude in the team’s history”.
Big money. Big demands.
Apologise for the change of subject here but been working a lot and only getting this off my chest now. If it has been discussed previously I apologise. The Transfer of Greg Docherty to Rangers. Where do you even begin with that . If I was an Accies fan I would be absoloutely bealing . Here is a club that over the years has produced some amount of talented scottish players, have been ( I believe ) a really well run club but recently some kind of scam ended up costing them a great deal of money to the point of people worrying if they would be able to survive. So they “sell” one of their best players for £650 k but wont see a penny of this until August and only then it will be for half that fee. Again I have been really busy in work and catching up , have I got that bit correct ? No right thinking chairman would be party to that kind of financial deal especially when everyone and their granny knows that Rangers are running on fumes…… SO Mr Park must have said he is good for the cash if Rangers go into admin ???? Yes the same Mr Park who has been bailing out Rangers …………….WTF!!!!! why arent clubs like Aberdeen, hearts , Hibs etc challenging this , it is all so corrupt that it seems to be accepted that no rules apply to Rangers . You know I sometimes think why we all bother because the club chairman dont seem to give a F@@K for how their own fans feel . It would only take one or two club chairmen to side with Celtic and speak out and the whole lot of the corrupt SFA , SPFL ( or whatever its called) were flushed down the pan like the shit they are . Playing this so called long game is a nonsense this should have been sorted years ago , Shame on all club Chairmen you dont deserve your fans.
Dundee United: Stephen Thompson to step down as chairman
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42894011 1 minute ago
Stephen Thompson is to leave his position as chairman of Dundee United at the end of the season.
Thompson has been in the role for almost a decade, taking over from his late father Eddie.
A club statement said the announcement would “allow time for the board to make the decision on the way forward for Dundee United”.
However, it makes no mention of Thompson’s majority shareholding in the Tannadice club.
“It has been a real honour to serve Dundee United,” said Thompson, who has been on the board since 2002. “I have always tried to achieve the best for the club and there have been many, many happy occasions of which I am very proud.
“The Scottish Cup win in 2010 was a high point in my and many other United fans’ life.
“Relegation was a profound disappointment that will never leave me but the club is in the fortunate position of having a very strong board of directors and a financial robustness that is assisted by a number of benefactors who have been very supportive through recent years.”
United are in their second season in the Championship and sit second, 11 points behind leaders St Mirren.
Rangers target McBurnie
Dafydd Pritchard, BBC Sport Wales 16:34
Rangers have contacted Swansea City about the possibility of signing striker Oli McBurnie on loan.
There are a handful of clubs interested in the Scotland Under-21 international, who the Swans are willing to let go if they complete their re-signing of West Ham forward Andre Ayew as expected.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/42825458
Rangers make loan enquiry for Swansea striker Oli McBurnie
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42893504 16:42
Rangers have made contact with Swansea over a loan move for Scotland Under-21 striker Oli McBurnie.
The Ibrox club are one of three teams to enquire about McBurnie, who is out of contract in the summer.
If Swansea can complete a deal to bring Andre Ayew back to the club from West Ham on deadline day, McBurnie will be allowed to leave.
The 21-year-old boyhood Rangers fan has made 12 first-team appearances this season, but has yet to score.
RODDYBHOYJANUARY 31, 2018 at 15:56
Going back to the earlier discussions today.
People are yet to be convinced, given the recent joint Colts initiative and joint bid for Scotland games, that they would actually have a Celtic board on their side when it comes to ‘sorting out’ T’Rangers.
Turnbull Hutton, rightly and publicly without reservation, called the authorities out years ago but I didn’t see Celtic or anyone else jumping on that bandwagon. That was the time for action but the moment was lost.
People seem to forget the Res 12 issue is more related to questioning the actions of the SFA and their processes for Euro Licensing and the failings of the Oldco in terms of disclosure of overdue taxes as opposed to trying to damage Sevco or bring them into some kind of order with regards to current behaviour.
The only impact on Sevco I can see, in terms of resolving governance issues, would be if King, Mini Murray, Johnston and Dickson were all somehow implicated in wrong doing by the Compliance Officer and then punished – banned sine die.
At best I can see Dickson maybe getting a slap on the wrists and asked to step down from his SFA role for a year or two.
As for the current way in which T’Rangers are being operated and allowed to by the SFA /SPFL I don’t believe for a minute the Celtic board or any others have any great concerns or issues.
A bit of moaning here and there, yes, but otherwise it is business as usual. Therefore I agree with you when you say
Yesterday it was reported that the ibrox club was considering their options after a bid of £6.5 million was tabled for Alfredo Morelos fron Chinese super league side GZ Evergrande FC.
Today Chinese super league outfit Beijing Renhe have upped their offer for the ibrox striker to £8 million.
Just what is it the chinese super league clubs see in Alfredo Morelos, that the English premier league scouts have missed
To late to edit.
With all these Chinese super league scouts at ibrox over the last months, how did that not set alarm bells ringing in the English premership?
SANNOFFYMESSSOITIZZJANUARY 31, 2018 at 16:45
Rangers make loan enquiry for Swansea striker Oli McBurnie
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42893504 16:42
Rangers have made contact with Swansea over a loan move for Scotland Under-21 striker Oli McBurnie.
The Ibrox club are one of three teams to enquire about McBurnie, who is out of contract in the summer.
If Swansea can complete a deal to bring Andre Ayew back to the club from West Ham on deadline day, McBurnie will be allowed to leave.
The 21-year-old boyhood Rangers fan has made 12 first-team appearances this season, but has yet to score.
______________
And all this happening while the player was signing a loan deal with Bransley. Wouldn’t have been smoke and mirrors, or anything – those press reports that TRFC were chasing him as a replacement for China bound Morelos, would it? Naw.
Or, a young player chooses Barnsley over ‘Rangers’! Is that what they mean when they claim ‘we’re back’?
AJ, I posted those articles to ridicule the absurdity of most of the comment of our illustrious sports writers.
Trisidium & Big Pink I think we need a tougue-in-cheek emoticon.
Re the Morelos tale
Why are all these Chinese clubs not tabling bids for LG ,if we are all to believe scoring goals in the spfl is all it takes
RD has questions to answer
AJ, Didn’t Oli McBurnie’s loan deal to Barnsley fall through on 31 August 2017 as the transfer paperwork was not filed in time?https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41190340
Nothing on his Twitt feed either! https://twitter.com/oli_mcburnie
ALLYJAMBOJANUARY 31, 2018 at 18:04 Sunderland have pipped Rangers to the signing of Swansea striker @oli_mcburnie.
Just heard on BBC Shortbread Sportsound that “Oli McBurnie is probably heading to Sunderland on loan.”
So it must be true! 😉
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42890313 UPDATED 19:32
Hibs head coach Neil Lennon confirmed before his side’s Premiership match against Motherwell that Bain is “on his way to Glasgow”, and Allan “is on his way to Edinburgh”, while Murray “is on his way to Dundee” to facilitate Allan’s arrival.
“Scott Allan is a creative type of player we really like,” Lennon told BBC Sportsound. “We have had to sacrifice a player [Murray] to get it done, but we needed a bit of creativity in forward areas.
“It is an opportunity for Scott [Bain] to play for the champions, or at least be in their squad, and we didn’t want to stand in his way. Hopefully we can get a number two keeper in before midnight.”
Celtic were seeking goalkeeper cover following a knee injury to Craig Gordon, 35, ruled him out for around 12 weeks.
Bain joined Hibs on loan earlier this month but has not featured for Lennon’s side.
So, coming back to the DR shrinking, daily circulation numbers in recent years ;
Jan 2010 it was 324K
in
Dec 2017 it was 140K
so
just in the last 8 years inclusive, a massive drop of
57%
And yet the DR continues to publish ‘Daily Sport’ grade stories – for the benefit of a PR company and a discredited football club/company.
The sooner the DR closes its doors permanently the better.
[And the BBC as well for that matter: a shambles of an organisation.]
Shame. It looks like Morelos wasn’t the Chinese club’s first choice after all.
Atlético de MadridVerified account @atletienglish
.@augusto12f will join Beijing Renhe on a permanent deal. Best of luck in China. ¡Gracias, Augusto! https://goo.gl/3UD1iB
Ian DennisVerified account @Iandennisbbc
Oli McBurnie set for Barnsley on loan from Swansea City. Sunderland were interested. Rangers never made an offer for the player.
Fake News
SANNOFFYMESSSOITIZZJANUARY 31, 2018 at 20:08
that is how fast that deal is being done.
“It is an opportunity for Scott [Bain] to play for the champions, or at least be in their squad, and we didn’t want to stand in his way. Hopefully we can get a number two keeper in before midnight.”
————-
Never had time to change
So it’s transfer deadline day and when I watched Steven Naismith come on as a sub for Hearts last night it reminded me of the time he joined Rangers from Kilmarnock for £2M. The media had a good laugh about the clock at Hampden being at 23:58hrs when the paperwork was completed. I have always wondered what time it really was. Maybe it was 23:58hrs, but how would we ever know.
SANNOFFYMESSSOITIZZJANUARY 31, 2018 at 18:2
AJ, I posted those articles to ridicule the absurdity of most of the comment of our illustrious sports writers.
Trisidium & Big Pink I think we need a tougue-in-cheek emoticon.
_____________
As was I, Sannoffy. I realised you were ridiculing them, too, and was merely continuing where you left off.
A treble for the £60 million windass tonight.
Chris McLaughlin: BBC Sport Scotland 21:02
Paperwork done for [goalkeeper] Scott Bain to Celtic.
There seems to be an issue with the Jack Hendry deal though. It was very close earlier but Dundee stalling…
Brian McLauchlin:
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road at 20:44
Just bumped into goalkeeper Cammy Bell here at Easter Road. He completed his medical this afternoon and has agreed a deal to join Hibernian until the end of the season. He will sign on the dotted line after tonight’s match.
Fraserburgh sub Graham Johnston on in the 83rd min sent off 85th min.
SHUGJANUARY 31, 2018 at 21:03
A meal deal. two for one, no starters.Just two main courses of undigestible bull
1
0 Rate This
A treble for the £60 million windass tonight.
————–
A deal has been done
Just woke up, from my uncles 80th birthday party in the pub. Have I missed anything? Was sitting with Andyjambo and his wife telling him all about AJ & EJ they looked at me as if as I was stupid! This is the real world isn’t it?
EasyJambo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P65V-cst6TY
21:31 Paton moves on from McDiarmid ParkSt Johnstone manager Tommy Wright continues to reshape his squad as experienced midfielder Paul Paton is released from his McDiarmid Park contract.
The 30-year-old has been in Perth since 2013 and has played in 19 games this season.
Earlier today, George Williams and Matty Willock arrived on loan from Fulham and Manchester United, respectively.
Looks like Dodgy Dave’s found a new income stream
From the BBC website:
Fraserburgh Football Club has said it is investigating whether fake tickets were used by visiting fans at its Scottish Cup game against Rangers.
The gates had to be closed with fans still queuing at Bellslea Park when the ground reached capacity.
In a brief statement on social media, Fraserburgh said it would examine what had happened.
Bellslea Park, which is in the centre of the town, has a capacity of 3,000 – with a total of 480 seats.
The club said: “The capacity of the stadium is now full and we believe this is due to a number of counterfeit tickets in the away end.
“No further persons can be admitted. The club will hold an investigation and further details will be advised.
I’m shocked at the McCann claim by JJ. He could surely find himself facing legal action if that found it’s way to the family.
Completed Scottish transfer deals so far (22:10)https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/transfer-deadline-day-the-done-deals-in-scottish-football-so-far-1-4678820
coineanachantaighe January 31, 2018 at 22:08
Thanks for the reminder on that. I ran out of time reformatting the text in Edit and forgot all about it as I was distracted by transfer deadline day!
Big Pink & Trisidium, Please feel free to delete anything from my comment at 19:40 that you consider potentially libellous.
Can anyone tell me if it is true that judges in England have to declare if they are members of the Masonic lodge? Also if referees in England have to declare which team they support/ed.?
And why this should be so?
I don’t care how non PC this is on here. I’m on my todd. This is a great song. For Auldheid, JC, EJ, AJ and BP. Listen to the guitar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJ088NKqA4
COINEANACHANTAIGHE
JANUARY 31, 2018 at 22:08
==============================
I think we have to bear in mind that the same source insists that man did not walk on the moon and that it was the CIA who assassinated JFK.
Amongst other things* he is a conspiracy theorist. So everything has to be taken in that context.
*The other things include plagiarist and homophobe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWKPJ-jfla4
This is the greatest guitar solo of all time. 6 strings too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfSIzVoM1UY
Re Jimbo’s post ( before the Bert Weedon tutorials) –
Our judges dont declare if they are masons because the man from Del Lodge’ he say no.
I’ll get my coat (& guitar case)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf4U3tAv2I4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF59AFRPW3g
This what I call a bass guitar. It has four strings.
JIMBOJANUARY 31, 2018 at 23:20
I don’t care how non PC this is on here. I’m on my todd. This is a great song. For Auldheid, JC, EJ, AJ and BP. Listen to the guitar!
________________
And it’s a TU from me Jimbo
imagine Heaven. I studied Theology for a while. Multi faith, so I’m not a bigot. I studied with an old priest who said you had to study the subject with a pair of Rosary Beads on your hands! Because there is good in most religions. But I’m still a Catholic always will be for all it’s faults.
Heaven? The presence of God and all the Angels. I firmly believe in all that.
But then.
There is the music – Karen Carpenter obviously, Pavaroti etc.
Then there is the Heavenly football team and stadium. Well I’m sorry but Ibrox is in Hell, Tynecastle, Easter Road, Pittodrie etc. are all in Purgatory. I’m afraid Our Lord and His Blessed Mother are all tims. They Love Celtic. And Parkhead.
That is the Heaven I am going to.
Right BP chuck me off now, I’m ready.
I won’t be back until tomorrow and we won’t mention any of this stuff. Right AJ?
From ‘Rangers TV’, I mean the BBC. Seems some naughty people are out to unsettle the Ibrox club’s hottest player. Here’s a clue Mr Murty, look south of the equator for the culprit in chief, and up a level for the puppeteer! The last line is a peach
Morelos ‘confused’ by big money China offerRangers manager Graeme Murty wants “confused” striker Alfredo Morelos to stay and fulfil his potential at Ibrox following interest from China.
The 21-year-old Colombian is wanted by Beijing Renhe just six months after arriving in Glasgow from HJK Helsinki.
But Murty confirmed that he has no intention of losing his top scorer.
“He is confused at the minute because there are figures being bandied about which would turn anyone’s head,” said Murty.
“It’s almost designed to confuse and unsettle.”
JIMBOFEBRUARY 1, 2018 at 00:05
Sleep well Jimbo. Great guitar solos, thank you.
Was amazed many years ago to see the Carpenters in a live show and watch and listen to their lead guitarist play those lead breaks. Karen Carpenter must surely be an angel in heaven, entertaining those who’ve passed and are deserving to hear that voice, forever.
http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/8383
ALLAN AND BELL JOIN HIBERNIAN
By: Hibernian Media on 31 Jan, 2018 23:59
Hibernian are pleased to announce a double signing, with Scott Allan and Cameron Bell joining the club until the end of the season.
Allan, 26, returns to the club on loan from Celtic after spending the first half of the season at Dundee. The midfielder will need no introduction at Easter Road, returning after a successful season at the club in 2014-15.
Scott was named Scottish Championship PFA Player of the Year in 2015 after an impressive spell under Alan Stubbs, before moving to Celtic.
Experienced goalkeeper Cameron Bell has signed until the end of the season following his release by Kilmarnock. He started his career at the Rugby Park club, winning the 2012 Scottish League Cup with a man of the match performance against Celtic.
He re-joined Kilmarnock in the summer following spells at Rangers and Dundee United.
Deja vu AJ?
https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2018/january/mcburnie-signs/
Oli McBurnie Joins The Reds!
All good things come to those who wait…
A tall commanding striker with a turn of pace, McBurnie will add vital firepower and attacking intent to the Reds’ forward line. Standing at 6ft 2′ tall, the Yorkshire-born attacker will join the Reds following a lengthy pursuit for his signature.
The Scottish U21 international has been gaining nationwide recognition for performing in the Premier League this season with parent Club Swansea City, with 11 appearances on the world stage to his name.
Having originally started his Football League career with Bradford City, McBurnie made his debut for the first team at the age of 17. His impressive start and subsequent displays led to Premier League interest from Swansea and they moved to sign him in 2015.
McBurnie was loaned out to Newport County for first team football and after netting a hat-trick on his debut, it was only a short time before he was recalled by his Premier League parent club to be involved around the first team squad.
Being given the opportunity to make his debut for the Swans in August 2016, McBurnie burst onto the scene and took his chance with both hands by scoring twice in an EFL Cup second round tie against Peterborough United, extending his impressive debut record.
International recognition has also began for the 21-year-old with 14 caps for Scotland, at U19 and U21 levels, where he has found the net for both sides.
Oli McBurnie Verified account@oli_mcburnie
1 hour ago
Touch wood I can stay a bit longer this time? buzzing to get on loan to @BarnsleyFC looking forward to the rest of the season ??
Sann, I’m really pleased for Scott, I had hoped he would progress at Celtic but it never happened. Please God he gets to resurrect his career at Hibs. He is a good guy and a good player.
….. but the masquerade continues at BBC Sport Scotland
23:48 Rangers miss out on McBurnie
We told you earlier that Rangers had enquired about Swansea City’s Oli McBurnie but the Scotland U21 striker has just sealed a loan deal to Barnsley.
Posted at 23:50 31 Jan Aberdeen land goalkeeper Woodman
Aberdeen have signed Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on loan for the rest of the season.
England Under-21 international Woodman, 20, impressed during a similar spell at Kilmarnock last season.
The Dons secured the keeper after he was on the Newcastle bench for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
The signing of Woodman, who made his Magpies debut in their FA Cup win over Luton this month, follows Joe Lewis’ knee injury picked up during Aberdeen’s recent defeat by Rangers.
He will compete with Danny Rogers for the gloves at Pittodrie.
Club News – 31 Jan 18
DEADLINE DAY Midfielder Mattias Kait checks in from Fulham FC
http://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news/archive/deadline-day-mattias-kait-checks-in-from-fulham-fc/
Ross County Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Mattias Kait on loan from Fulham FC until the end of the season.
Speaking about the capture of the attacking midfielder, Manager, Owen Coyle, said: “Mattias is a talented young player who is already a full international for Estonia. I’m delighted to bring him to the club and would like to thank all at Fulham FC for making the deal possible.”
Celtic’s double deadline day signings from Dundee
http://www.celticfc.net/news/13913
By: Paul Cuddihy on 01 Feb, 2018 00:21
Celtic have made a double transfer deadline day swoop, signing defender Jack Hendry on a four-and-a-half-year contract, and goalkeeper Scott Bain on a loan deal until the end of the season, both players joining from Dundee.
Jack began his career with Partick Thistle before he moved to Wigan Athletic in September 2015. During his time in England he also had loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and MK Dons before returning north last July when he signed for Dundee.
And his performances for the Dens Park side have impressed many observers, with Celtic winning the race to sign him on transfer deadline day.
This season, Jack has made 30 appearances for Dundee, scoring two goals, and he drew praise from Hoops manager, Brendan Rodgers, following Celtic’s 1-0 win over Dundee at Celtic Park back in October.
Now, Jack has committed his future to the Scottish Champions and is looking forward to meeting up with his new team-mates this week and starting to train with them.
Speaking exclusively to the official Celtic website, Jack Hendry said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for Celtic. Joining the Scottish champions is a brilliant move for me. I know, from playing against Celtic this season, the quality of players that are at the club and I can’t wait to start training with my new team-mates.
“I also know that working with Brendan Rodgers and the rest of the coaching staff here will improve me as a player and I’m looking forward to working hard every day to repay the faith they’ve shown in signing me.
“I’ve already experienced playing at Celtic Park as an opposition player, but I can’t wait to run out wearing the Celtic jersey and play in front of the Celtic supporters.”
Scott Bain began his career with Aberdeen, during which time he spent a season on loan at Elgin City, before joining Alloa Athletic in June 2011.
After three years there, he joined Dundee, and during his time at Dens Park, he was also twice called up to the Scotland squad by former national team manager, Gordon Strachan. He had joined Hibernian on loan at the start of January, but he has now made the switch to Paradise.
Scott told the official Celtic website: “This is biggest club in Scotland and one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I just can’t believe that I’m here.
“I phoned my dad earlier today just to say that I was leaving Easter Road and on the road to Glasgow, and he was buzzing and delighted for me. I can’t believe I was on the bench for Hibs against Celtic last weekend and then, just a few days later, I’m signing for Celtic.
“It’s not something that, when I went on loan to Hibs, I thought was ever going to happen, so the past few days have been great, and to get it over the line and be here is absolutely amazing.”
Sanoffy etc says
Trisidium & Big Pink I think we need a tougue-in-cheek emoticon.
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To wee to see the tongues?
JANUARY TRANSFER ROUND-UP
By: Hibernian Media on 01 Feb, 2018 00:30
http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/8384
The January transfer window closed at midnight on Wednesday – here’s a round-up of all the activity at Easter Road.
Ins
Scott Allan
Cammy Bell
Flo Kamberi
Jamie Maclaren
Faycal Rherras
Scott Bain
Outs
Simon Murray (loan)
Deivydas Matulevicius (mutual consent)
Anthony Stokes (mutual consent)
Liam Fontaine
Scott Bain (loan cancelled)
Jimbo
Thought that was your party tonight. ?
Told the Fallons you didn’t look a day over 70?
Sannofy etc
I’ve removed that earlier post. I think we need to be careful not to give the impression that we are in any way in agreement with the nonsense contained in at least two of the clauses involving an alleged rape, and the tragic disappearance of a toddler.
The football related stuff has been gone over here a million times also, do we miss nothing by the removal of the post.
Hope you understand
Nae probs BP.
I only copy and pasted it for the later version of the 5-Way-Agreement than I’d seen before.
BP I can still see my earlier post at sannoffymesssoitizz January 31, 2018 at 19:40