The Rangers have a hell of a cheek

By Jim Thornton:

Super Ally?  Not Any Longer

Notwithstanding his subsequent attempts to wriggle off the hook, has anyone involved in the current Rangers situation made a more egregious statement than Ally McCoist, in demanding that the names of the SFA’s Judicial Panel be made known?  What was an otherwise intelligent man thinking about, especially given the threats made to Neil Lennon over the past year or so?  McCoist has no excuses.

And if the Parkhead boss has to appear before the SFA and answer questions about alleged referee bias against him, McCoist will surely have to be called to account to explain his motives in questioning the ‘supposedly  independent’ - his words- SFA Judicial Panel?

Crime and Punishment

So Rangers’ fans are up in arms about the punishments handed out to the Ibrox club by the SFA’s aforementioned Judicial Panel.  They’re particularly upset about the twelve-month transfer embargo, describing it as ‘shameful’, ‘brutal’ and ‘shocking’.

Which begs the question: What adjectives would they use to describe the Ibrox side still owing a raft of other clubs more than £2.8m for the transfers of Wallace, Jelavic, Bocanegra, Goian, and Bedoya, plus the loan deal for Vladimir Weiss?  And for still trying to sign Daniel Cousin when they knew they were going into Administration.

But, of course, Rangers don’t do walking away, do they?  So, even if they’re successful in having the ban overturned, I’m sure they won’t think of signing any new players until after they’ve cleared the existing transfer debts.

In any event, the logic of a transfer embargo is entirely sensible.  If you get done for drunk driving you get your licence taken away, so why should Rangers be given carte blanche to go out and repeat their misdemeanours?  It’s like giving Gazza the keys to the drinks cabinet.

And if we mention the names Ortiz, McKay, Bedoya, and Hadji Diouff, don’t you think the SFA are doing Rangers a favour in stopping them from signing any more dumplings?

Up Your Banners

Isn’t it a bit rich, if you’ll pardon the expression, for Gers’ fans to criticise the SFA for not doing enough ‘due diligence’ on Craig Whyte, when they themselves demonstrated outside the BBC’s Glasgow headquarters in protest after the Beeb dared to put out a programme which cast doubts on Craigy Boy’s credentials?

And who are these Rangers Supporters Trust/Assembly/Association people anyway?  If you had a pound for every Gers’ supporter you know who’s a member of any of them, I bet you wouldn’t have enough money to buy a half-pint of lager shandy and a packet of crisps.

Takes One to Know One

Did my eyes deceive me, or did I really see pink-booted  Didier Drogba protesting to the referee that Alexis Sanchez had gone to ground too easily after John Terry had kneed the Barcelona player in the back?

Next week: Neil Lennon tells Paolo Di Canio to calm down.

The Boss Is Always Right

Rangers’ apologists are trying to claim that the Ibrox side shouldn’t be punished by the SFA or the SPL, because it was all Craig Whyte’s fault - he apparently ran the club in an autocratic manner and didn’t let anyone else have a say in things.

So, I’ll happily buy a succulent lamb dinner for anyone who can produce a minute of a Rangers’ board meeting where Sir David said: ‘But that’s only my opinion, what do you guys think?’

Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?

I see Championship clubs in England have voted in favour of introducing a new financial fair-play model in an attempt to stop Football League clubs going bust.

So I guess that buggers up Rangers’ plans to move down south, then.

Same Old Chelsea

Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel is reported as saying that Uefa should allow the four Stamford Bridge players banned from the Champions’ League final – Terry, Ramires, Ivanovic, and Meireles – to play against Bayern Munich.  He claims this would make it a fairer game.

And how many goals of a start does he want the Blues to get as well?

It’s a Knock-Out

Was anyone surprised that Bayern won the penalty shoot-out against Real Madrid?  Isn’t that what Germans do?

And while penalties aren’t perhaps the best way to decide things, they’re certainly better than, say, tossing a coin, or who’s had the most corner kicks, or golden goals.

But, if all else fails, why not let the two managers earn their corn?  In the event of a draw after extra time, let them have a square go in the centre-circle to decide the winners.  My money would be on West Ham every time.

Perm Any Two From Three

What do you think will happen first:

• • Duff & Phelps find a buyer for Rangers;
• • the FA appoint a new England manager;  or
• • Neil Lennon admits Hearts deserved to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final?