It’s a sign of the times that Celtic are engaged in a major European match in Moscow and the headlines STILL scream SEVCO!
Sevco claim…Sevco deny…Sevco demand. Yes, demand!
There are so many claims and counter-claims coming from the liquidated that we would be forgiven if we secretly suspected government spin doctor infiltration into this whole sorry, sordid mish-mash of lies, damned lies and cover-ups.
Not content to sit in his ivory tower whilst pointing the finger at his learned and factual accusers, Robert Campbell Ogilvie (ex-Rangers’* Secretary) now throws his hat into the ring as a potential ‘PEACEMAKER’ between the SFA and Charles Green. Oh yes he has!
Now here’s the thing; Ogilvie (he of the anti-Catholic persuasion) has all things Rangers*/Sevco at heart. He served the club through many of their sectarian years including their flagrant apartheid policies regarding the employment of Roman Catholics at any level in the confines of Ibrox. He sat back, took the cash and colluded in this most abhorrent practice, counting his ill-gotten gains through trophy theft and tainted, (soon to be removed?) titles.
Ogilvie is said to have received illegal payments from the much-scrutinised EBT scheme once operated by the now dead clique. This alleged illegal act is NOT by merit of the scheme itself, rather by the scam which denies HMRC their rightful share of the contractual funding-go-round.
Diarrhetic ex-Ibrox Executives apparently have frequent flyers to their local chemist as they attempt to stem the tide of legal allegations and investigations into their suspected skulduggery and tax-evasion.
Now that he is ‘pres’ of the Scottish Old Boys Club, Ogilvie is under more scrutiny than ever. His wheeling’s and dealings at Rangers* has thrust him firmly under the microscope (more of this later) and people (like you and me) demand answers. Telling us that David Murray was accountable for all that went down in that era makes a mockery of Ogilvie’s remit and job title. He was SECRETARY of the old regime so, how could he not possibly know what was afoot in his very own office?
Did Murray get everyone (including his top generals) to sign secondary contract forms blindly with no explanation of their content nor of their potential ongoing repercussions? Are we to seriously believe that seemingly intelligent and studied businessmen took this poisoned chalice without question or aforethought?
Then there’s Charles Green. Storyteller extraordinaire and Company Noddy. Noddy to the seething, thronging masses of blue-nosed capitulators, a gang of bigots who plead with the Geordie to give them something, ANYTHING to make the bad man go away. The bad man has NOT gone away however. He is knocking at the door again and his name is Murray. Yep folks, he’s back!
Green tells them what they want to hear and tells it with gusto. “Yes, we’ll NEVER EVER play in the SPL whilst I’m in charge here!” Genius. That should solve their financial problems! “I’ll look into the possibility of Rangers* playing in the North Of Ireland’s (youth) Milk Cup!” Yes, that’ll do it. Gather them up and stick them all in the wee corner of the Emerald Isle which was stolen (just like their trophies) and let them terrorise and maim their own just as they have done to us over more than a century. Better still, ship them off to Holland where they would be more comfortable in their garish hate-promoting attire.
Scottish football has been found out for what it is and, for the first time in history, is transparent. Like an apple which has been eaten from the inside, the skin looks slick and fresh but the core is rotten. The internal worms are on display for all to see and the damage they have done is crystal clear to anyone who cares to peek inside. Unfortunately in this instance, the worms are crawling away in an attempt to blame somebody else for their sleekit’ greed. Murray, Whyte, Bain, etc etc. Ogilvie cannot. By SFA promotion, he has elevated his own public status to one which leaves him ‘touchable.’
This particular microscope to which I have alluded however is far reaching and all seeing. Ring any bells this saying? This particular microscope is call ‘new media’ and with it comes truth and accountability, a merit which has been shamefully lacking in the print presses of old. Like Rangers*, the red tops have been outed, named and shamed
This media scribe will not bow to a promise of ‘succulent lamb and fine wines.’ He will not turn a blind eye to sectarian behaviours, nor will he smuggle excuses and deflections into his writings simply to further bloat the ego and self-promotion of the sneering fat- cats who have decimated and tarnished our beloved game, possibly forever.
Other sportswriters have served the purpose of truth and honest journalism in a fashion which puts my meagre meanderings into the shade and I thank them for it. I will continue to do my bit to support them as best I can.
Scottish football needs an enema so perhaps we should ask the pin-striped suits across the water to fetch one on their way to the tummy-settler counter at their local chemist. Perhaps it would be prudent to also ask them to produce a receipt for said cleanser. After all, who knows when the tax man may call them to account!
Incidentally, did you know Celtic were in Moscow to face Aiden McGeady’s Spartak in the Champions League? Indeed they are and after an enthralling display at Motherwell last weekend, I firmly believe that this team are coming of age. I believe the fear factor we have suffered for years in this comp is being eradicated and Lennon’s troops are confident and ready to take on all-comers.
The manner in which the ‘Steelmen’ were dispatched was astonishing. The energy and drive of Izzy, the leadership of a resurgent Brown, the brilliance of Commons, the threat of Forrest and the net-finding efficiency of Hooper were all on display and surely Celtic will take great heart from such a dynamic performance, jetting into Russian territory with a new resolve.
Should the backline shore-up efficiently, then I believe we can return with 4 points from 2 matches. Samaras may well be unleashed upon Spartak and if he hits recent form, who knows what damage we can do over there.
Lennon has been derided in some quarters for his side’s start to the season but I think people should look at where we were before he took over and where we are now. Hammered 4-0 by St.Mirren and being ravaged by everyone and anyone, regardless of size or divisional status. Now, Celtic are Scottish Champions, engaged in the Champions League group stages and on a sound financial footing. The Irishman’s developing a wonderfully talented, youthful and eager squad who promise a bright, bright future for the Hoops. I’ll take that any day of the week and twice on Sunday. There’s a certain honesty in that and in his manner of dealings with the press and public. It is an honesty which, if adopted elsewhere in the game would be refreshing and welcome. I won’t hold my breath!
Hail Hail!
Eddie Murray
