sjc

yes.....I do.

what ? the thread or the realisation that you've got f**k all chance with Natalie Imbruglia ?

Agreed. Easier for other types of businesses to argue but what is a footballers job if it is not to "play football" hence the HMRC's argument.

and just a sprinkling of magic mushrooms on that cheese toasty perhaps ?!

No.......the HMRC are arguing that the EBT was used illegally. Their argument is that Rangers used the Employee Benefit Trust to pay the players bonuses/part salaries. This basically amounts to being paid for what is their job description.......which should be subject to tax. Rangers used the Employee Benefit Trust as a Employer Benefit Trust............that's the HMRC's argument.

Think of the TV deal my friend ! What could replace the World wide appreciated spectacle that is the Old Firm game ???

lol.....good point ! Been a long day !

would this deem them "unable to fulfill their fixtures" HJ ? What punishment would they likely get for that ? Would they be booted out for this ?

Reading that reminds me of my youth..........particularly when I was on acid !

could this be "the people" cheering on Craig Whyte ?! http://youtu.be/VHpWf0C8u2U

of course it wouldn't be like our wonderful media to sensationalise a story though, would it ?!

That's a good point.........if he's done that then he'd definately secure his position as the largest creditor. hmm.......the plot could be thickening.......

have a look back at the attendances at Ibrox pre Souness !

so do we know what Traynor ment when he said that Whyte had "sold the history of the club" then ? sold Ibrox ? Sold the silverware ? weighed in that bronze statue of John Greig ?

Vodafone are an international company though with a huge market share of the telecommunications sector. I take your second point though.

Agreed...........I think its always been his intention to take the club into administration. I raised the question on here back in November (when big tax case was initially due) whether it would be beneficial for him as a creditor of the club to do so prior to the judgement on the big tax case. He's playing the Venture Capitalist game.........Is he there only to asset strip and burn or for the long game though ?

I think I'd physically laugh my cock off if that was the case !!!!

Cheers for the update :-) John MacKay ? Is Andrea Brymer still on that programme ? was supposed to go out on a date with her about 10+years back ........fucked that one right up....numpty !

what did I miss ? (working down in England.......so can't get local tv) who's baldy John btw ???

or it might have been after that other sinking colosis......Titanic !

apparently that's how Rangers got the red bit on their socks !

you mean doing a cut & paste job with my name on to an email sent by another P&B member ?

Received this reply from the Sports Minister regarding Rnagers being "crucial to the game" (See my email below) Still begs the question: are Celtic &/or Rangers immune from relegation or failing to make the top 6 ? To me it makes our league somewhat gerry mandered and a bit of a laughing stock ! Dear Mr SJC Thank you for your email. Football is our national game and the Scottish Government is a committed supporter of Scottish football and all of our football clubs in recognition of the important positive role they play in communities throughout Scotland. I fully recognise that it is vital that both individuals and organisations pay their taxes in a timely manner as taxation is essential to the economic and social development ofScotland. In any statements made on Rangers, the Scottish Government has reiterated the importance of an agreement between the club and HMRC being reached which ensures that Rangers meet their obligations, including their tax liabilities and debts as well as securing as many of the jobs as possible. As you will know, the club have now entered administration and it is far too early to predict the possible outcome of this but it is less likely that if the club is wound up that tax liabilities will be met. The task for the administrators now is to take forward the process of assessing the business and securing an outcome in the best interests of all of the creditors. In a telephone conversation yesterday with the administrator, I reiterated our priorities as stated above. A key concern for us is the future of the over 250 people employed by the club and the potential economic impact of administration. The Government stands ready to offer assistance to anyone affected by job losses at the company and we will stay in contact with the administrator throughout the process to ensure we are informed of any developments. The Scottish Government has offered this type of assistance to a number of companies in the past, including other Scottish football clubs which had gone into administration, and will continue to do so with any company with employees facing redundancy. While we are able to offer support as laid out above, I want to be clear that no public money would be offered to bail out any football club and this remains the case with Rangers. Finally, the potential impact on Scottish football of losing Rangers was captured very well in the comments earlier this week of Inverness Manager Terry Butcher, when he expressed concern that such a loss would have a very negative impact on already difficult broadcasting and sponsorship deals. I hope you will agree that this is something we would wish, if at all possible, to avoid. Yours sincerely SHONA ROBISON MINISTER FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES AND SPORT In response to: Dear Ms Robison I would be grateful if you might be in a position to qualify your recent comments as to why Rangers are “crucial to the Scottish game� (reported on the BBC website on 13th February 2012). Are Rangers any more crucial than St Johnstone (my local team), Heart of Midlothian FC (the team I have supported since childhood), or any other Scottish club I might care to mention? Would you have commented to this effect had one of these clubs been faced with, what is, after all, a self-inflicted scenario brought about by gross financial imprudence? Why should HMRC reach an ‘agreement’ with Rangers FC, and what form might this take? If Rangers FC are liable for a tax bill in excess of £50M with penalties that could add a further £20M+, shouldn’t they be liable to pay the full amount or suffer the consequences that any other business in similar circumstances would? This is public money after all. I sincerely hope you are not advocating or supporting any arrangement whereby the tax payers of this country are likely to be short-changed due to the financial impropriety of a football club. If you consider Rangers to be a special or exceptional case, I would appreciate an explanation as to why this might be a reasonable position. Those responsible for bringing this situation into being should be held to account. Other football clubs have the integrity and presence of mind to live within their means, or, at the very least, seek to address their financial predicaments by altering the way in which they operate. I have absolutely no confidence that those within Rangers football club and the equally culpable others that went will before them will answer for their failure to operate on a viable basis. Should members of the Scottish government collude with a scenario whereby Rangers are not duly held to account, then I will have no confidence in this administration, nor will I gift my vote to your party in the future. Kind regards SJC

What would happen if a newco Rangers, struggling for credit/capital with sub standard players and a poor manager were to get relegated ? I take it because they are "key to the tv deal" they would be immediately reinstated to the SPL ?

I've got this horrible feeling that the c***s are going to weasel out of this