Been following this thread from the start, quality stuff. And I enjoy this forum, mostly for the reason it's populated with non-OF fans. It's nice to view the world outside the OF bubble for a change. Although to be honest I haven't paid much attention to any other threads since this one really took off.
I felt I had to sign up and get involved for two reasons; I don't particularly like Lennon & the whole 'demise' of Rangers saga.
But anyway, some points / questions I'd like to put out there.
(Sorry, just read it back and it's a bit long, hope it doesn't put people off)
Firstly, the money to the whole game, there's a lot of managers / press / chairmen / pundits etc… who are coming out with the 'Scotland needs the OF' line.
Most, if not all (especially Managers / Chairmen) seem to put the argument across that their budgets require 3 or 4 visits per season to ensure the smooth running of the club as they budget for this. (Dunfirmlines inability to pay players after Rangers missed a ticket allocation payment shocked me).
It would appear to me that the argument put back to them is 'well ok, just re-adjust your budgets accordingly'.
But surely if the budget is re-adjusted (reduced) then the knock on effect is to reduce the amount you can spend on players fees & wages. Therefore resulting in a poorer standard of player and a poorer standard of football. If there is a poorer standard of football, would TV & Sponsorship deals be reduced dramatically? Would this not be so? Or am I making too big an assumption?
I suppose if you don't agree with this particular point it may dismiss my whole argument. But, just bear with me and assume I'm not for a second. Because ICT, St. Mirren, St. Johnstione & Dundee Utd have all said something along those lines.
Another point posters on this thread have made is that the crowds would flock back to games as it would appear the view is there would be a more relaxed attitude on matchday, less police, no boisterous Glasgow bigots etc….
The problem I see with this, is the view the money men at all clubs would have. Financial men deal with definites (in relation to income, not necessarily with outgoings!!). You can definitely say how much money you will generate from an OF visit and the yearly TV deal currently in place. Obviously they generate enough money matchday to justify the extra police / stewards et al.
You may see an increase in crowds without the OF but this is not guaranteed, therefore it would seem as though it could not be viewed as guaranteed income. So I think it's a bit simplistic to just say 'F*ck off, we'll take our chances'. You must have a plan in place to make up the shortfall.
Another point I see regularly made is how 'young, home-grown Scottish players would get a chance'. But again, from a money perspective, if there's less of it, how can you put the resources into youth development? And playing young players at the professional level without proper grooming or without playing them alongside good, experienced players can be disastrous.
In relation to the comments made so far by current managers and chairmen about how Rangers are needed. I am somewhat surprised at the ease in which they've been dismissed on this thread by their respective clubs support. You can't rip into Rangers situation with glee or shout down Lawwell claiming its obvious he'll vote Rangers back in by what said or unsaid. And then just shrug off the 'official' line of your club. (is official the wrong word to use there?). I'm very unsure at the moment as to how Celtic would handle any potential vote.
Putting the money to one side. Maybe it's my built in Celtic paranoia I still think Rangers will exist in some form next season and most likely in the SPL. Some deal will be done with all parties to allow Rangers to continue. I know rules and laws say otherwise but in the long run I suspect the argument put across over the 'death' of Scottish football without them will sway officialdom.
Just to clarify my own position.
I don't want Celtic to play outside Scotland. I don't think Scottish football would 'die' without one or both the OF but it would take a person with a lot of courage, strength and vision to be leading the SFA / SPL should one or both disappear, as changes would need to be made from top to bottom.
I also thought I would be more enthusiastic at the prospect of Rangers vanishing but I have to admit to a certain amount of apathy towards the situation. Don't get me wrong, it's funny as f*ck, but I'm not as delirious as I'd suspected.
I'd like a fitting punishment for the transgressions. Football wise, a drop to Div3 with transfer embargo / fines and points deductions for three years might be fitting.
Monetarily with the creditors and HMRC I think a 'special' side deal will be done and nullify major punishments there. With Rangers deemed to be a special one-off case.
Thanks for Reading
*visual edit
