Celtic Rumours Archive May 17 2012

17 May 2012 23:13:01
The minutes from rst meeting with mr green tonight


Meeting with various supporters groups chaired By Mr Charles Green, Sandy Jardine and Jim Hannah.

The Meeting commenced at 5:30 and ran until 6:50. There was an agenda produced by Mr. Green then the floor opened for questions.

1. Season ticket prices.
Despite no increases in the past three years and the desperate need for money coming into the Club, the prices will not be increased for the forthcoming season. An official announcement will be issued soon. The Ticketus deal is over.

2. Meeting with the SFA/ SFA Appeal.
Mr Keen, our Q.C. presented a strong case why the penalties were harsh. The sanctions were not actually in the SFA Rule Books. He stressed we were very likely to lose players. He spoke for one and a quarter hours. The SFA's lawyer then presented his case. Both Mr Green and Sandy Jardine stressed the panel were independent and not "football men". Rangers asked for a quick decision in order that we may plan what to do next. The panel went away for an hour and a half and returned with the verbal decision, to be confirmed in writing, that the decision and sanctions stand

3/4. Deal Structure/ CVA/ Newco and CVA letter issue date.
Mr Green's preferred route is a CVA. Funds are in place to pay the creditors. On or around next Friday Duff and Phelps will write to the creditors with the offer. The creditors then have 14 days to decide if they will accept. If all say yes, Duff and Phelps stand aside and Mr Green pays the creditors, although he will not yet be the new owner. From making their decision, the creditors then have a 28 day cooling off period in which they can change their minds but Mr Green thought it unlikely any would do so having made a decision. Once the debt is settled, Rangers are out of administration. Crucially, the SFA looks upon things differently, and once the creditors accept - not when they get paid - Rangers are, in the SFA's eyes, out of administration.

Scottish football is working to new rules, so it is vital all is settled before the 4th August - or we may face further punishments.

If we go down the newco route, it is along similar lines to Bill Miller's except Mr Green will pay the creditors now. Bill Miller's idea was to pay them off over three or four years.

Mr Green stressed that whatever happens we will not lose the history or the trophies. The Club was founded in 1872 before the days of incorporation. In 1899, we incorporated. In 1981, we re-registered. All with the history intact. All we get is a different number in companies house against our name.

5. Investor information.
Mr Green was looking into the purchase from 18th February. His idea is to have investors owning from 1% to 15%. All 26,000 current fan share holders will be invited to invest and given 2 or 3 years to fund their investment. The press have found out about Kevin McDonald and Freddie Shepherd and approached them. Both have declared an interest in investing but as yet, have not done so. Mr Green has 5 or 6 people who have already committed to invest and who have paid money to be part of the dream. Some are from the Middle East and some are from the Far East. None are Rangers fans but are football fans. Their dream is to fund soccer academies in the Far East and to see Rangers progress in Europe, where the creation of a European League is seen as a reality.

The company will be listed and everyone will be able to see all who invest. At the moment they have asked for privacy.

6. Craig Whyte agreement.
Mt Green has met Mr Whyte on three occasions and has paid him £1 for the Club. He also paid him a second pound so that Mr Whyte could make a 100% profit on the deal. The thing is set in stone and Mr Whyte cannot back out. Mr Green stressed that anything David Murray or Craig Whyte did should be consigned to the history books and we now look forward.

The floor was opened to questions.

Asked what would happen if one, two or three of our recently called up International players got crocked playing for their country and we could not sign anyone because of the embargo, Mr Green and Sandy Jardine expressed their amazement and anger at how the situation may develop. Mr Whyte pointed out to the panel at Hampden that we had three goalkeepers on our books and asked what would happen if they all got serious injury, would we have to field a team without a keeper? No satisfactory answer was forthcoming. They looked at the team sheets and saw almost 40 signed players from 17 years of age up. Sandy Jardine asked them what would happen if all the experienced players left. The answer was that we still had enough on the books to put out a team. Sandy Jardine answered that you cannot blood a youngster too soon. One bad game and he may be finished. But he told the Meeting the people he was talking to were not football people.

Asked if we should plump for Division 3, Mr Green replied that without Rangers there is no SPL and the other Club Chairmen know it. While other clubs fan may want us demoted, their Chairmen are businessmen.

Mr Green stated that while not a test case, if we were Crewe Alexandria or Arbroath, the punishments would not be sever, indeed there may be calls to assist us.

Mr Green stated that there may be a "year of pain" but that we would emerge from it and regain our place. Asked where he saw us in 5 years, he said "top of the League".Mr Green paid great tribute to Ally McCoist, the management team, the players and to Rangers men such as Sandy Jardine and Jim Hannah who had given so much.

Asked about further investors, Mr Green said that he had held meetings today and would hold more tomorrow with Rangers fans keen to invest. They were, he said, major names in Scottish business - and Bluenoses.

Asked about future players Mr Green reminded the meeting that he had built and sold the largest sports agency in the world and still had the contacts. "who would not want to come and play for Rangers?" he asked.

Lastly, Mr Green stressed that it was most important that there should be no disruption to the Cup Final at the weekend. It would not be beneficial to Rangers.

If these are genuine, then this is the funniest part for me:-

'Asked about future players Mr Green reminded the meeting that he had built and sold the largest sports agency in the world and still had the contacts. "who would not want to come and play for Rangers?" he asked'.

We had better find a right good couple of defenders, looks like we could be dealing with a Messi or Ronaldo next season and I don't mean in the CL. Mrs E

You have too much time on your hands! this is total cr@p! it tells us nothing new, is poorly written & the bit about when you are deamed to be out of administration made me nearly p1ss myself laughing.

Lover the bit, "The Tiketus deal is over". Have they told their lawyers this? This will run and run and run

The ticketus deal is over my friend, easy money!

Can't believe Rangers fans are buying this bulls**t from Green and Jardine, coming back stronger etc. He won't be able to deliver a CVA and the dual contract and document shredding will finish them off

17 May 2012 22:12:54
Alex Thomson tweeting "The worrying thing for RFC is potentially going for Green at all".

K-Dot.

17 May 2012 21:12:44
Heard from a good source that we are looking at Toto Tamuz of Hapoel Tel Aviv. He is only 24 and has an exectional scoring record (88 in 184). He's already an Irsaeli international scoring 2 in 10 there.
Here's a wee clip of the guy in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGqee2PDuz4

Would cost around £1.3M.
HH
/BB

And the nonsense begins.

17 May 2012 20:51:05
bit disappointing you didnt respond to my post yesterday ed , i thought you would have enjoyed the chance to discuss something that was not about them and their debt , fab1 {Ed007's Note - I'm not sure what you mean Fab, unless it was one of the other editors. I was offline all yesterday afternoon. What was it you said/asked?}

17 May 2012 20:13:19
Just read emilio wants to end his career at the hoops, we defo need more of these players to have the same attitude,imo if we can hold on to these players till they mature, we could be a great side, i know we need to sell if the price is right but just imagine this side in five years time. Well said emilio! What do you guys make of hoopers wage demands (if it's true what the press say) {Ed007's Note - The club knew these talks would come this window and what Hooper was looking for, they were due in January but after Nigel Adkins 'advised' Hooper and his agent to stall the talks until the summer to see if Southampton got promoted, his agent called them off. Reading have actually shown more interest recently than Southampton, but with the Adkins factor Southampton would have the upper hand. The Russian interest is just a regurgitation of a rumour from January, although they might come back in for him if he was available.}

What's Hooper looking for Ed?I haven't heard.

Jungle Bhoy. {Ed007's Note - I don't know for definite but it is between �20-30k a week. He is 'only' on �10-12k a week supposedly (although he does have a scoring bonus), I think he has proven that he is worth a lot more than that. He would easily get into the �30-45k a week bracket down south.}

Have I missed something Ive not seen any hopper wage demand stories.

Do not believe anything this journalist says hes an idiot.
Gary Hooper hasnt asked for 30k a week its club spin to defend them entertaining offers for his signature this summer.
greg {Ed007's Note - What journalist?}

I'd offer Hoops �25k per week.He's worth that and up his scoring bonus,that way we all win,Hoops get his money and the team gets the benefit of his goals.

Jungle Bhoy.

Where did emilo izzy say this? and hooper demanding wages? i havent seen this is there a link maybe?

Our top earners are on �20k plus. there is no way anyone can say Hoops doesn't deserve to be one of our top earners.

29 goal a season strikers dont come along very often and if we have to replace him it'll have to be with a player on at least 20-30k a week.

Mac

It was in the red tops today mucker

17 May 2012 20:01:04
Michael Owen on Ssn sayin how fit he is,free from injury , I reckon he could be loved like lubo he's only just turned 32 I think we could get2 good years out him if he stays injury free , he scored every time he played for man utd though it was mostly carling cup, thoughts .......bm

I agree mate. He could be a great signing for a few years. Also has a soft spot for the hoops
www.news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1869552.stm

Please put this to bed we won't be signing a 32 year old who gets injured even on A question of sport . Building for the future plus we don't need him . And he couldn't lace Lubos boots ......DH

I think also Craig Gordon would be a great buy for NL he was number 1 in Scotland squad before his injury and he could be the best again in the hoops ...bm

Dh couldn't lace lubos boot the guy is a proven goalscorer at THE highest level way above the platform lubo played at so don't talk nonsense the guy could do a job for us if and it's a big if he stays injury free he would be a sensation. Bm

Sly said same about Owen Hargreaves. Just realised thats another Owen.

The type of injuries he has never go away just looks a ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Essien, Pires, Woodgate only ones who come back never reach the same level. Even Ronaldo was never the player he was at Barca but he was that good that he was still the best in the world.

Thanks but NO thanks...

Iain

So you count 17 in 54 as every time yeah?

Just no!

Oh please buy him. He'll end up in yer hall of fame alongside such celtic greats as Ljungberg, Ian Wright, Juninho, Keane, Gravesen, Bellamy. {Ed007's Note - You can't buy a player who is out of contract.}

Don't know how anyone can list Keano and Bellers in the same list as Ljungberg, Juninho, Wright, etc?!

Away back to watch the clock countdown on your tainted club. Tic toc!

17 May 2012 19:46:53
Is it true livi are planning to sue? Heard that today but don't know what to believe anymore.

17 May 2012 18:26:39
This is the latest statement from Charles Green.
The first sentence is hilarious!

CHARLES GREEN today did not indicate that the transfer ban on Rangers will affect the takeover of the club by the consortium he is leading.
The former Sheffield United Chief Executive is spearheading a 20-man group from the Far East, Middle East and the UK who hope to bring Rangers out of administration through a CVA.
Mr Green was well aware of the SFA's transfer embargo and the possibility that the Appellate Tribunal would uphold that decision last night.
Now discussions will take place over what is the next move for Rangers.
He said: 'When we offered to buy the club we realised what the potential was. Last night's announcement was an option we considered when we bought the club.
'We are discussing all the options available to the club.'
Mr Green was at Hampden today on pre-arranged meetings with both SFA chief executive Stewart Regan and SPL counterpart Neil Doncaster and said the discussions were positive.
He said: 'It's the first time I have met the SFA and the SPL and the meetings went very well. Clearly it was important to speak to them and introduce myself.
'The questions they were asking were the obvious questions 'what our intentions are, where we plan to go.
'We achieved quite a lot. We spoke to members of the SFA's board and executive members of the SPL and I think it has been a very productive afternoon.
'I think that we are happy that everyone is positive in looking at what is the best for Rangers and for the SPL.'

HH
/BB

Twinty punturs here thats mer thin the furst teem skwad,wee chico "rite ma boays n lassies get yur kit oan yur playin!"

17 May 2012 17:53:59
Snippet from Alex Thomson's blog today.

"Now, remember what it was that the tribunal determined? That key named directors at Rangers at that time: John McClelland, John Greig, David King, Ken Olverman and Martin Bain (he of the shredded contracts as revealed by C4 News) had to have known what was going on and did nothing about it.

This was the 'club' in law. The directors. These men of Rangers who walked away from Rangers.

Since what was going on was 'deliberate non payment' of income tax, national insurance and VAT to the value of £13m it is reasonable to ask whether these men, along with Mr Whyte, are now going to face a police investigation for possible fraud. I shall be making inquiries from first thing."

Another top class blog from Thomson.

Jungle Bhoy.

He also made the great comment " The only thing Scotland and the British tax payer needs to hear from Rangers PLC is the word "sorry" . That's about as likely as a pitch side press conference from Craig Whyte at Ibrox" . Classic.....DH

I'll shovel rocking horse sh#t before Rangers apologise mate ,

17 May 2012 17:26:22
Someone mentioned the other day they would love to do fitness training at Celtic Park so here is the current deals on offer.

There are a variety of fitness classes currently running at Celtic Park. Have a look at the options below and come along and get yourself in shape for summer with the Celtic Health and Fitness Club.
A new block of this four-week programme will start on Monday, June 11, 2012.

The perfect way to lose a few inches before your summer holiday, the Extreme Fat Burning Circuit is a fast way of getting into shape. You'll be put through a variety of circuit stations designed to burn calories and test your cardio-vascular ability and stamina. You will also receive a personalised nutritional plan to aid weight-loss and your progress will be measured over the course of the four-week programme.

The four-week course of three classes per week costs £50, with payment in full required at the start of the block.

Boxercise classes are fun, energetic and addictive!

It's a workout that uses the entire body and burns more calories in an hour than using a stairclimber. Boxercise also enhances hand-eye co-ordination, balance and timing.

Classes cost £5 each and take place in the Jock Stein Stand concourse at Celtic Park on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:45pm-6:45pm. Entry to the stadium is via the Kerrydale Suite Executive Entrance.

To book your place please email Gabbi Watson at gwatson@celticfc.co.uk or telephone 0141 551 4276.

Classes take place in the Jock Stein Stand concourse at Celtic Park on a Monday (6:30pm-7:30pm), Wednesday (8:00pm-9:00pm) and Friday (6:30pm-7:30pm) evening. Entry to the stadium is via the Kerrydale Suite Executive Entrance.

To book your place on the course beginning on Monday, June 11, 2012, please email Gabbi Watson at gwatson@celticfc.co.uk or telephone 0141 551 4276.

Celtic Active Fans is for men aged 18-65 who want to get fit, lose weight and change their lifestyle to become healthier and more active.

Classes cost £3.50 each and take place in the Jock Stein Stand concourse on a Monday and Wednesday from 7:00pm-8:00pm. Entry to the stadium is via the Kerrydale Suite Executive entrance.

To book your place please email Gabbi Watson at gwatson@celticfc.co.uk or telephone 0141 551 4276.

The Metafit bodyweight training system aims to boost the metabolism and burn fat! By pushing your muscles to fatigue and elevating your heart-rate, you continue to burn calories for 24-hours after the session.

Created by a former Royal Marine Commando and a national gymnast, Metafit combines traditional bodyweight exercises with the latest interval and Tabata techniques for a high-energy, safe and amazingly effective workout.

Classes cost £2.50 each and take place in the Jock Stein Stand concourse on a Thursday from 5:45pm-6:15pm. Entry to the stadium is via the Kerrydale Suite Executive entrance.

To book your place please email Gabbi Watson at gwatson@celticfc.co.uk or telephone 0141 551 4276.

If you want to lose weight, get healthy and/or build muscle, hiring a personal trainer can be a step in the right direction.

The personal trainer's job is to assess your fitness level, figure out what your goals are (or help you set goals), set up a program and keep you motivated. He or she will push you past your comfort level - something difficult to do on your own.

Each session usually lasts about an hour. The first meeting is devoted to assessing fitness level, body measurements, exercise and health history and goals. Be prepared to step on the scale, have your body fat tested and answer specific questions about your goals. After that, you'll spend each session doing cardio, weight-training, flexibility or other activities depending on what your goals are. Your trainer will show you how to do the exercises, help you figure out how much weight to use and give you pointers for getting the most out of each exercise.

Get more information about personal training

Personal training sessions cost between £25-£35 per hour, with group and block booking discounts available.

For more information, or to book your place please email Gabbi Watson at gwatson@celticfc.co.uk or telephone 0141 551 4276.

Jungle Bhoy.

Here dae they dae nails?

17 May 2012 16:06:05
ed what you think on micheal owen joining celtic on a free

it would give us some good european experience for champions league next season {Ed007's Note - I said earlier that I think he is finished and should concentrate on his horses.}

Omg no! hes hardly kicked a ball in years handful of games a season

Maybe he will and dermot will give him some dodgy contract like the others keane,bellamy & co(glass houses investigation underway)lmao happened with the push on singing to(glass houses i say) {Ed007's Note - Obviously you don't understand the difference between a club owner subsidising wages and paying all relevant finances and an owner/player not paying tax on a percentage of earnings coming out of an EBT. Come on son......let the straw go....there's a good bhoy......come on.}

Ed try applying same reasoning to your manager and referee decision's take it like a man not a bhoy! {Ed007's Note - Are you saying NL isn't paying tax?}

The guy is a proven goal scorer at the very top end of world football.
he hasn't been great over last 5 years but is only 32 which nowadays is young when you see players extending careers to 40.
a mix of injuries and poor career choice in going to Man Utd have seen wasted years of a great talent
i think he needs to prove to a lot of people he is top drawer before signing off.
is the desire there? that's the big question or are the horses his No 1 focus? If its the latter then pity as I think he'd be a revelation up here and experience in europe much needed
Stevo

17 May 2012 15:51:57
not a rumour but more a suggestion - any thoughts on nick powell from crewe? some big teams are monitoring him but realistically he'd get far more playing time under lennon than he ever would at spurs or man utd, and it'd be a decent step up for his career in the long run. for an 18 year old he's absolutely smashed league 2 to pieces this season - so any worries about the physicality of the spl wouldn't come into it given how rough and tumble league 2 can be at times as well. if we're after a creative, goal scoring midfielder he could fit the bill. {Ed007's Note - Basically everyone in the EPL is watching Powell. Crewe are looking for £5 million + add ons for him. I don't expect him to leave if they win the play off final, maybe in January or summer 2013. If they lose the play off he will go to an EPL team, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs and Everton are very keen on him but as I said, every team would like to sign him.}

Ive been watching Powell aswell mate, hes a smashing prospect. Tall, Fast, skillfull, great, shot on him and good with the head. Creative like you were saying aswell. He will be a star. Would be a good signing but dunno if we could take the risk of payin 5 million+ on an 18 year old. Cracking young player mind you.

Had no idea they were asking for so much money ed. i'd heard around �1 million hence why palace have been linked with him as well - although the chances of him going there are basically nil i reckon. �5 million is far too much at this moment though, only epl teams would be silly enough to entertain such a figure. {Ed007's Note - Look at AOC moving to Arsenal last year for �12 million (rising to �15m with add ons), or the Theo Walcott deal (totalling �12 million), clubs will pay big money for quality youngsters. �5 million plus the add ons for Powell will look a bargain in a few years time probably.}

17 May 2012 11:50:36
Hi Ed first time poster i have just seen that the team from the dark side have intentions of appealing the decision from the SFA, if so have you any idea of what route they would have to take ie would it now go to UEFA Markybhoy {Ed007's Note - They would need to appeal to UEFA who would 99% back the SFA. They could then appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It would be costly and I would think a waste of time and money.}

I think they would be very silly to go to uefa with this. I think uefa could possibly increase the punishment nevermind uphold it. Uefa are pushing financial responsibility and they want to appeal cheating the taxman as well as other uefa members. I think they would be better off just dropping it.

Hail hail howie bhoy

17 May 2012 13:42:13
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has left the door open to return north and sign up with SPL champions Celtic.

Neil Lennon is an admirer of the former Hearts keeper, who became the most expensive number one in British transfer history when Sunderland paid £9m to prise him away from Tynecastle in 2007.

After a string of injuries Gordon lost his place in the team at the Stadium of Light to Simon Mignolet and is now free to find another club.

Asked about the interest from Celtic, Gordon told the Daily Express he would be open to negotiating a move to the east end of Glasgow.

He said: “I am just waiting to see what my options are and see what’s possible, and take it from there.

“I’m out of contract now so it’s about seeing what offers come in and picking the best one from there, really.

“I am open to any offer. I will be looking to see what suits me best and just take it from there.”

Gordon will re-join the international set up this month for the trip to the USA with Craig Levein’s squad and is hoping he can now force his way back in to contention ahead of the World Cup qualifying games.

Gordon added: “I have been training for a few months now and I’m going away with Scotland and will hopefully train away there and hopefully get some time on the park against the USA.

“I’m pretty happy with the way I am playing and training, it’s just about getting a run of games now.”

Jungle Bhoy.

Second rate, McGregor is miles better

Gordon on his day is far superior than McGregor, commands his penalty area alot better, if fit would be a great signing imo. johnbhoy79

Best save from last 20 years of EPL so defo worth a shout.

Jungle Bhoy.

17 May 2012 11:33:42
There's a wee interview with Craig Gordon in The Scotsman today. He's saying if he is leaving Sunderland he would rather stay in the EPL.

As much as i admire Gordon as a keeper, his injuries do worry me. Can a goalkeeper with weakened wrists really be as good as he was? If Forster (or as it appears, his agent) keeps stalling on a move then i really hope Lennon has more than 1 alternative.

TerribleBeauty

I don't know where this weakened wrists nonsense comes from, I'm a goalkeeper played at junior level for years broke one of my wrists it healed and has been fine since. craig Gordon is a superb keeper far better than Forster, If Forster wants to go back to Newcastle for a crack at it let him go, he's too slow and isn't commanding enough in Te box. hence the nickname lurch!

I have always rated CG. If he can stay fit we will have a cracking goalie. IMHO he is worth the risk. At the risk of being a pain in the neck my overall preference is for Arthur to return but CG is worthy of another chance at the big time and he can do it with us. Sopot Celt

Weakened wrists are a thing of the past mate, just like players coming back from serious knee,ankle or leg injuries it's almost always achievable to return to the same level.

We dispelled the argument with the king, for some reason the stigma remains for keepers.

Jamie Mac

17 May 2012 10:55:07
Fulham are winning the race for Huddersfield and Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes, sealing a £3.5m deal for the 22-year-old ahead of Norwich, Aston Villa and West Ham.

£3.5m is a steal for a very talented forward who has a massive presence in the box! I'd be very dissapointed if we didn't pursue this... Especially the teams we'd be up against for his signature!

If true I would be surprised.
Prices being quoted only eeks ago were in the range of �4-5M thus I thought we'd be out of the race.
However it is possibly �3.5M with add-ons.
HH
/BB

Doubt the fig will be as low as �3.5m as quoted in today's paper.
Agree though that the guy is defo worth pursuing.
Imagine him and Hooper up front.

I've said this a few times now but would this guy get you any more goals than jon daly , daly got 24 i think for du this season , no doubt he would beat that with us , probably outgun hooperman. bb

U mean premiership teams who can offer him a better standard of football and more money?

Drew

West ham got a 5 mil offer rejected in january so doubt that

Think the west ham offer was upto 5 mill depending on goals appearances etc

bigD

Bb - Jon Daly? I've seen milk turn quicker. If you think thats the standard for the champions then ure watchin the wrong sport son.
Drew - better standard of footiball? have you seen some of the games and teams in the bottom half? vastly overrated and because of the grand stand finish in manchester on sunday overlooked. Many a game on sly midweek ive switched off, mediocre teams im half empty stadia. They offering CL next season?