MelvinBragg

Not in the slightest, If they were admitted to division three as many are asking and we drew them and humped them in the cup, do you think we'd be saying "aye, but it wasn't the real rangers we beat.."? Seriously, it's the same team. And if you value "sporting integrity" then you don't punish on the field for indiscretions off it...

Should it have happened to Airdrie, Gretna and Livingston though? Two wrongs don't make a right. For me, they're still the same team. Legally, maybe not. But in a sporting sense, it's still the same team. To deny it, is just laughable...

KInd of the point I wasmaking, but to call them a new team strikes me as being pedantic for the sake of arguing against a newco Rangers...

Do you really think that because it's a new team on paper, that you should disregard the fact that they're playing in the same stadium wearing the same colours and have some of the same players? In a "sporting" sense rather than a "business" sense, it's still the same team...

I was under the impression that "The Rangers Plc" was just the company nume under which Rangers FC would now be playing. Still doesn't change anything for me. On a footballing basis, I'd have them in there unless they were found to be cheating in a sporting sense. For me that means they retain their SPL status unless they're found guilty of paying players off the books...

I've pretty much kept my own counsel on this for a while, so here goes... Firstly, as I understand it, the SPL has no provisions in place for a club going into liquidation. By voting no, do the other clubs risk finding themselves in a similar situation to the SFA with its transfer embargo by dishing out a punishment that's not in the rule and therefore one that RAngers can appeal? That aside, the transfer of an SPL share to a new comnpany is another thing that puzzles me. It's my understanding that only the company has been liquidated and the team that is owned by the newco will still be Rangers. So in real terms, you're looking at punishing any team that changes hands here. For me, that means by voting no to a newco you're doing exactly what you're accusing "yes" voters of doing, treating football like a business rather than a sport. For me, to punish financial failings such as going into administration or liquidation, the punishments should be financial. I know UEFA bars clubs from European competition but frankly European football seems a money making exercise in general so maybe that is a financial punishment. To use the hot phrase, "sporting integrity" would seem to be preserved by not punishing the team for the sins of the parent company. If you see football as a sport rather than a business, that seems the way to go for me. Any proportionate financial penalties, would have the trickle down effect of punishing the team in a sporting sense anyway. Fact is that Rangers finished second last season. True, by not paying tax or other bills. My solution would be to fine any newco the equivalent of any unpaid bills (with interest), plus punitive damanges, with all money going to SFA youth development. Those should be the minimum punishments put it place. For me, a direct punishment on the field, for indiscretions off the field blurs the lines between sport and business, which is something we'd all like to avoid. So for me, voting "no" to a newco goes against my principles... BUT the investigation into double contracts must continue. If found guilty (something I find pretty likely), then for me this would be the real reason for kicking Rangers out of the SPL. Personally, I think people's focus is on the wrong area right now. A newco and the possibility of it being in or out of the SPL is simply window dressing. Tax dodging and no payment of bills happens off the field. The real issue that people should be focussing on and pushing for answers on is the the blatant cheating that is non-declaration of payments to players and staff. You can say that comes under the bracket of tax dodging but it is a breach of SFA rules and therefore can be dealt with by a football punishment. So as controversial as it sounds, I'd vote yes for a newco with appropriate financial penalties. But if found guilty of paying players "off the books", then they souldbe drummed out of the SPL...

The real question is what happens in terms of punishment and the investigation into double contracts...

What kind of title fight are Rangers going to put up any time soon? Not saying Rangers shouldn't be in the SPL but the argument that they need to stay to stop it being a one horse race is possibly the weakest one for keeping them..

Aye, you can say that but you never know. Rangers get three or four key players injured outwith the transfer window and it becomes less simple. You know that every team raises their game against a big club..

To me, this is the worst solution. A complete fudge. Either SPL or Division Three. Anything else is a compromise because of who Rangers are...

The new Faddy...?

Funny thing, when I saw the story it crossed my mind that it might be us as we seem to pick up players from unlikely locations..

Knees made of meringue...

It's the last part which says a sustainable future and sporting integrity go hand in hand that leads me to think that way...

What I actually took from the part that Lobey highlighted was that the club feel any perception of a lack of sporting integrity will impact on our sustainable future. Or in layman's terms they realise if they give Rangers a free pass, there's a good chance much of the Well Society money disappears..

Is Tansey not a centre midfielder? Jennings away?

Aye, he was murder as he was involved in two of the goals as they came back from 4-2 against Man United...

The mention of Hateley's free kick does make me think "Best set piece goal?" and I think of Brannan scoring against Hearts in the Scottish Cup. Outswinging corner drilled home first time from outside the box. Best goal I've seen us score at Fir Park? Ask me every day for a week and you'll get seven different answers. Jutkiewicz vs Hibs, O'Donnell volley against Hearts, McFadden against Dundee, Clarkson vs Dundee Utd and Higdon vs Hibs are just some of my favourites. And personally, first league goal I saw as a season ticket holder was Bobby Russell against Celtic opening day of 90/91 season. I know Russell himself scored better but that one is one that sticks with me for obvious reasons..

The fire in the South Stand. Had that not happened, the season could have been very different..

£1m should be the minimum we're asking for Randolph. My only concern with the Bristol City rumour is that I don't know if they'd pay that much..

Quinn is a far better RB than Hateley. And Saunders is a converted CB. But it's a pointless conversation as his wages will be too high for us..

With Quinn wages would be an issue. But it does open up the possibility of selling Hateley or Saunders in order to bring in cash..

If Dundee United are offering to double Lasley's wages, then we'll need a new centre midfielder. At this stage in his career, it'd be madness for him to turn a deal like that down. From their point of view, I thught they were cutting back like the rest of the SPL? Bit strange to be offering bumper deals to bring in guys the wrong side of 30...

Spoke to a few people last night and heard some rumours. Hearts are after one of our players but it's Lasley not Hammell. They see him as a cheaper replacement for Black. I understand Keith isn't keen after Sutton's problems but the money there is better than here. Also hear that the club want to keep Hutchison til next summer as they figure he'll grow in value. But in order to be able to afford to keep him, we need to move Randolph on. Could be nonsense but that's what I've heard...

Sorry, Dazzer. For me, Higdon is crucial to our system. His physical presence is one of our two weapons for relieving pressure on our defence when we're under the cosh. If you can get the ball to him at chest height, generally it sticks. Problem has been too often there's not been a teammate within 40 yards of him. Yer man, Humphrey is our other means of getting up the park. Only player we have who can pick the ball up at our 18 yard line and it's at the opposition box before you know it. He even seems to have learned that if the rest of the team can't keep up, to try and win a corner or throw in...