IF Rangers were a horse someone would be reaching for a loaded rifle aiming to do the decent and humane thing. Rangers would be shot, put out of their misery. But Rangers aren't some pathetic old flea-ridden nag deliberately left behind by the circus. Apparently they are much worse than that. No sympathy, just poke them with sticks to see if they're still alive. Pity is not to be wasted on them. Pity is for beaten up, clapped out curs, cats, donkeys and monkeys. If they are lucky they'll be cared for by some rich, eccentric old lady or the RSPCA. Rangers are at the mercy of the egocentric, penalty pushing SFA and SPL. And of course the "roll up, roll right up" ringmaster himself, Charles Green. It's impossible to say if his newco have a bright future because it isn't certain they have a future at all even if Green insists the years ahead will be glorious. He's said a lot but much of it has turned out to be little more than bluster and bull. Wait, though. Give Green his due. He said he'd buy the club and he bought it. He promised he'd pull investors out of his top hat and last week he yanked them into view. But unfortunately for him, Rangers fans have still not bought the tickets to his show, even if it is the only one in town. Maybe they're just being polite and standing to one side so that the 16 other investors Green promised can pay in first. They could be there for a while but it shouldn't matter too much because Green's show will go on, won't it? After all, he did point out there would be £30million, perhaps even £40m, in the club's account before the start of the new season. When the fans see the millions rolling in they might warm to Green but the full and unwavering support of Rangers' followers isn't something he'll be taking to the bank in the near future, not unless someone in whom the masses trust leads the way. That person won't be Walter Smith. I think he's had enough. He won't be fronting for anyone. Ever. One time was probably once too often for the old club's former manager, who was tempted to take the lead in a group involving Jim McColl and Douglas Park. People close to Smith told him to let them get on with it but, just as the Blue Knights and one or two of the other bidders had done, they asked for his help. This time he felt obliged. Now he, like every other Rangers fan, might be feeling a little let down. This ill-timed and poorly thought out venture didn't go anything like the plan given to Smith. So only a few days after the euphoria caused by the thought of their former manager rushing to the rescue, the fans came crashing back to earth yesterday. Six days after breaking cover Smith's group decided not to contest, or test, the Green consortium's ownership further. A couple of hours before Green bought Rangers and the assets out of liquidation for £5.5m was far too late because Duff and Phelps and Green had a binding agreement. It couldn't be broken and that's why McColl then had to spend the weekend negotiating with Green and his people, especially Zeus Capital, a London investment bank who appear to be the real powerbrokers. Two of their men, Brian Stockbridge and Imran Ahmad, have been appointed finance director and non-executive director respectively but it's understood Zeus also brought the new chairman, Malcolm Murray, to the table. Is it scribbled on an ancient scroll in some secret place that there must be a Murray connected with Rangers? Apparently this new one is also a Rangers fan. Green will be relieved knowing at least one supporter will be buying a season ticket. But despite the weekend talks there was no sight of a breakthrough and when Green's group suggested joining forces with Smith and his men, that was it. Certainly for Smith. Game over. Neither McColl not Park will team up with the other lot and yesterday's statement saying so was just another black day for all those Rangers fans whose emotions have been lifted and crushed almost daily. They don't want Green but he's right. His is the only show in town. While other bidders dithered or wasted time trying to undermine their opponents instead of getting their own offer in order, Green, or rather Zeus, saw an opportunity to get in and make some money. They insist they are in for the long haul and although it was a decent move to put Murray, a Rangers fan, in as chairman the fans need more persuading before they'll buy season tickets. We might be about to see if Murray is a people person because the fans have heard enough from Green and also know he had it in mind to sack Ally McCoist despite his poor effort to rubbish that Record story. They should know, too, that Green had to eat a large helping of humble pie to get McCoist to stay on for the time being but the harsh reality facing Rangers fans is that Zeus, Green and Murray are running the show. However, the fans are not powerless because despite all the nonsense about tens of millions of pounds set to flow into the new club it's season-ticket revenue which will make or break this regime. The fans must choose but they should stop listening to all the people on the sidelines. The Blue Knights' Paul Murray and Brian Kennedy, Douglas Park and now Jim McColl. And Dave King? What on earth is he trying to do or prove by showing up at Ibrox at this late stage? They claim to be diehards and all insist they have only Rangers' best interests at heart. They didn't want the club to fall into the wrong hands or the hands of people they just didn't fancy. Well, gentlemen, you failed your club. These men spoke and postured but didn't put up. Yet they had ample opportunity and time. They also have the money, more than Green will ever possess yet he's in and they aren't. They can blame no one for that but themselves. They just didn't do enough and it must be so galling for Rangers fans that if even one of these Scottish bidders had stepped forward just more than a year ago Craig Whyte would have been denied. (How were they to know? After all, we were all led to believe that Whyte had "wealth off the radar" didn't he Jim?) And of course a year of purgatory could have been avoided. But more than 12 months down the line they were still full of not much more than hot air, so let's have no more from them. They didn't put up and now should shut up and let the fans decide. But before that they should try to focus on what it is Zeus, with this character Green as a frontman, want with Rangers when Lloyds just wanted shot of them. What does a London bank want with a club that Lloyds just wanted to be shot of? I know how much you love Traynor and his 'objective' blogs.
"Rangers are at the mercy of the egocentric, penalty pushing SFA and SPL". As I have said before, I used to have a grudging respect for Traynor but recently he's thrown off his Airdrie cloak of respectability and is getting to be as bad as Leggo. This is another tub thumping exercise and it's clear he's hurting.
I see the daily record also claims only 2/3 of opposing fans are against a newco being allowed into the spl. Unfortunately the results of the poll have been deleted by google.
I suspect that poll has been massaged or at least sabotaged, I honestly cannot think of a single set of fans (not counting The Rangers ones) who would put money before fairness and dare I say... "Sporting Integrity".
Even if I were a regular season ticket holder I wouldn't be putting any cash into a club without knowing where it was going in terms of finance etc. Green hasn't said one word about **** all. You'd be an idiot to give him money until his plans are spelled out in full. On the downside it means I must regrettably forgo the opportunity to have a say in what Murray Park is renamed to. But thems the breaks.
Fair enough - sensible and pragmatic of you. It seems a 'catch 22' situation though. If the season ticket money isn't forthcoming, the new club may not survive to enable you to enjoy supporting it in future (and to have a say in choosing the new name for Murray Park - how could anyone resist that opportunity ) I thought Mr King had expressed his views of the business plan so it would appear he has seen it and it is therefore available to the fans so that they can make up their own minds on it?
Lots of people turning up (King being the latest) like the people who appear at a purvey and say they knew the deceased so they can get a Steak Pie and Puff Pastry.