Posturing, playing to the gallery, masquerading-call it what you will. ‘Rangers’ statement released yesterday by Managing Director Stewart Robertson was intended to achieve one thing only, to placate their own fans for the time being, nothing more nothing less.
The idea that a null-and-void season would be the best solution for that football club is disingenuous to say the least. More on that later.
The fact of the matter is there is nothing yet to comment on. You can tell that’s the case when you compare and contrast with Celtic’s own update on the matter. No claims made to titles for Celtic, no comment on how, when and where games might be played. No demands, just a directing of traffic to the Joint Response Group’s Update and a continuation of a patient wait.
The working group in their helpful FAQ’s section outlined their stance for now on the contentious issues around league standings and awards:
“What are the implications for championships, promotions and relegation?
“The Joint Response Group is engaged in a contingency planning phase that will assess all possible options for the remaining season and beyond. It would be inappropriate and unhelpful to speculate on any future decisions to be taken by competition organisers. We will, however, commit to updating clubs, supporters and other key stakeholders when appropriate in this fast-moving landscape.”
In other words we don’t know yet it’s early days, we are still trying to get our heads around all this, just like you guys. A perfectly understandable position on a Monday afternoon when the decision to suspend football until further notice had only been taken the previous Friday.
Such a reticent approach from ‘the’ Rangers would not have been acceptable, not when a groundswell of the Ibrox faithful have the hugely opportunistic operation stop the nine in full flow. So ‘the’ Rangers board pander to the die hards…for now. They will back down it’s the only affordable option to them. They know that of course but for now the can is easily kicked down the road, in the interim at least.
LET’S BE CLEAR ON ONE THING. IF THE RANGERS WERE LEVEL ON POINTS BUT ONE GOAL AHEAD OF CELTIC ON GOAL DIFFERENCE THEN THESE VERY SAME SUPPORTERS WOULD BE SCREAMING FOR THE TITLE TO BE AWARDED TO THEM IMMEDIATELY.
Let’s have a look at Rangers FC Managing Director, Stewart Robertson’s statement:
“It is our firm view that this season’s league competition (2019/20) is only complete when all 38 games are played by all teams. For the avoidance of doubt, we believe that final standings can only be confirmed when all games have been completed, not before. Any attempt to finish the season with a significant amount of games still to play, impacts upon the integrity of sport in Scotland.”
Well that’s not entirely correct and no I don’t mean that laughable deflection comment around the ‘integrity of sport in Scotland’. Integrity and ‘the’ Rangers are hardly bed-fellows after all. No I mean the stance that the league is only complete when all 38 games are played, let’s have a look at Page 23 of the SPL rules.
“Season means the period of the year commencing on the date of the first League Match in a Season and ending on the date of the last League Match in the same Season or otherwise as determined by the Board and which excludes the Close Season;”
The Club occupying position one in the League at the end of a Season shall be declared the Champion Club of the League and shall hold the “The Scottish Professional Football League Championship Trophy” until the next Season’s League Competition is concluded. When the winner of The Scottish Professional Football League Championship trophy has been ascertained, the Trophy shall be handed over to the winner who shall return the same to the Company at the League Office not later than 3 weeks prior to the end of the next following Season”.
Unlike the English Premier League, the SPFL have taken into account that at some stage a league may not conclude at the 38 game mark and made suitable allowances. I’m sure Mr Robertson was aware of that. As such the statement from Ibrox is clearly nothing more than throwing a bone, to chew on temporarily for the revolting ‘Rangers’ support.
Mr Robertson’s statement isn’t quite finished there though:
“Furthermore, we are strongly opposed to playing games behind closed doors. Rangers (sic) fans have stuck by our club in the darkest of times. Their loyalty will not be forgotten and they will not be left behind”.
Yes it’s the loyalty of the fans the board is concerned with, that’s their priority, not the ending of a season and the subsequent lack of gate receipts and match day revenue already accounted for, not the cash flow concerns with multiple litigation issues pending, not any of that. It’s their fans not getting to see their team that hurts ‘the’ Rangers board the most.
That’s when you know the statement is simply to be seen to be doing something, anything, to look like they have their fans best interests at heart. It is entirely phoney.
If this season could be concluded behind closed doors ‘the’ Rangers will bite the SPFL’s hand off for that option and sell the wishes of their support down the river. Corporate suicide is the alternative.
They are already more than aware whether the league starts again tomorrow and fans are allowed entry, or if it is concluded behind closed doors, or indeed the SPFL enforce the rules available to them and award the title to Celtic right now, they cannot and will not end the season as champions in any scenario, their own form since the winter break has seen to that.
They need a conclusion. Null and Void is a doomsday scenario for ‘the’ Rangers as they simply cannot afford it. Administration would be a distinct possibility if not a likelihood. Sponsorship deals, TV contracts, Prize money all disregarded to stop 9 in a row.
This from a club needing £10million according to its own accountants just to keep their head above water, without even taking into account the liabilities from a series of cases the club is defending in court. We’re back to pandering here and the more intelligent amongst ‘the’ Rangers support will know just that.
And while we’re on the subject of court action Stewart Robertson added a final blast of triumphalism to the club statement:
“We will continue to maintain a watchful eye on the decisions of footballs (sic) governing bodies. Let me reassure the fans that we will not be found wanting in this situation.”
This one is a pathetic, thinly veiled attempt to indicate the Rangers board would defend the honour (no laughing at the back please) of their supporters, by mounting a legal challenge to any outcome other than the one they are currently pretending to support.
A bit like Ann Budge a few days ago but less of a full blooded threat of legal action than the Hearts Chief executive released in the local press in Edinburgh. Evidence in itself that she too was pandering, else that threat would have been released nationally. That was for Edinburgh consumption only.
‘Rangers’ will be found wanting on this matter. As despite all this bluster they have absolutely no wish to see a null and void season. They will not challenge the alternatives, as one option means no income and may even mean refunding money already received-money they don’t have to refund incidentally-and all the other options on the table mean some form of desperately needed recompense flows through their accounts.
They are desperate for a decision to be made, their very solvency depends on that, as such a Null and Void 2019-2020 season isn’t an option. Furthermore their stance to play to the gallery suits for now as they are nigh on 100% certain that scenario simply cannot materialise. It won’t, as the SPFL rules are clear, and as we’ve already mentioned ‘the’ Rangers know that already.
The timing of this statement was perfect. It is released when no decision has been made by the SPFL and when many other options are still being debated. It will be interesting to see if actions follow empty words when the title is indeed confirmed as going to Celtic.
Any supporters of ‘the’ Rangers who still believe today that Stewart Robertson’s statement is the position of their club going forward, have another think coming.
Niall J
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