221 replies to this topic

[Goanjock]

NEIL LENNON has taken an amazing swipe at Rangers by insisting the skint Ibrox club DESERVE to be in a cash crisis.

Celtic boss Lennon let rip in an astonishing rant yesterday, admitting he has no sympathy for his Old Firm rivals.
Gers face administration amidst a tax battle with HMRC which leaves their future uncertain.
But Lennon hit out: "I have a certain sympathy with Ally McCoist because it's his first year in the job and I'm sure he didn't envisage the problems he has had.
"But somebody must have seen it coming. Do I have sympathy in that respect for them? No.
"Have they brought it upon themselves as a club? Yes.
"We have cut our cloth accordingly for years and have had to bite the bullet a few times.
"In my opinion, it would work that way if it was any club." Rangers spent much of the transfer window trying to sell their star man — with Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic eventually joining Everton on deadline day.
But Lennon did all he could to add to his squad, just missing out on Newcastle United forward Leon Best.
He added: "The window is a nightmare, it's mental.
"You go through three or four scenarios where you think 'This is getting really close' and think you're almost there and then, bang, something else happens.
"In the Best case I spoke to Alan Pardew, who was fantastic about things and didn't have an issue with the player coming to Scotland and quite liked what we were doing here. Peter Lawwell spoke to Newcastle and we had a deal done.
"Then I spoke to the player and it was ongoing for a good couple of hours.
"In the end I got the feeling he wouldn't have come and that proved to be the case for family reasons more that anything else.
"He's got a 10-week-old son and he felt it would be a bit disruptive for the family to move up here for three or four months."
Celtic are one point clear of Rangers in the SPL with a game in hand but Hoops boss Lennon insists the title race is NOT over yet.
He added: "I won't fall into that trap. People are trying to crank the pressure up on us now, saying things.
"I saw this week a pundit who works for a TV company broadcasting Scottish games basically being totally disrespectful to the rest of the SPL by saying if we don't win the league the majority of our players should go out the door.
"That doesn't help.
"And for me it's just pub talk. Being an ex-professional he should know how difficult it is to win titles. It's never given to you."

[Goanjock]

John Hartson article.........


RANGERS are a laughing stock.
And going by what he said yesterday no one is chuckling more than Neil Lennon.

He owes the Ibrox club NOTHING after all the abuse he's had from their supporters down the years. Yesterday he spoke like a man pretty pleased they're now a club in the grubber.

Funny that... no one can be surprised he feels that way. Personally I can understand why he's taken his pot shot. If it was any other club he'd probably have kept his mouth shut and resisted the temptation.

But this is Glasgow. This is life at the Old Firm.

I can imagine Lenny picking up his paper every morning this week and grinning from ear to ear while he's been eating his cornflakes.

It has been one thing after the other with Rangers with the club virtually down on its knees. If anyone thinks Neil isn't delighted about that they're kidding themselves on.

Apart from anything else he is 100 per cent RIGHT in what he says.

Rangers have brought this mess upon themselves.

What was it David Murray said all those years ago? For every fiver Celtic spent he'd spend a tenner... hollow words now, don't you think?

Murray clearly saw this coming because as far as I can see he bolted before the s*** hit the fan.

He left Craig Whyte to deal with it and he's now the one getting it in the neck.

Listen, I'm not going to claim to know everything that's going on behind closed doors these days — does anyone? But as an outsider looking in the club is in the depths of despair and they have absolutely no one to blame but themselves.

You can argue the Celtic manager would be better keeping his opinions to himself.

Rangers have been SPL champions for three years on the bounce, let's not forget.

Some might say he'd have been advised to wait until he's got the championship trophy in his hand before speaking his mind.

But where would the fun be in that?

Lenny has clearly had a close eye on the situation at Ibrox and wanted to have his say. If anyone has a problem with that, tough.

It might come back to haunt him, of course it might.

But he's decided to take a swipe at the team on the other side of the city and I for one refuse to have a go at him for that.

If it was me I'd probably do the same thing. Let's not under-play this, Lenny is HATED by virtually every Rangers fan out there. They despise him and the club he manages.

If it was Celtic in this situation the punters who go to Ibrox would probably be singing songs about it.

I don't have a problem with that. It's the world we live in and if you don't like it then I have a solution. Move.

While a lot of Rangers fans might be appalled at what Lennon had had to say for himself I imagine most probably expected it.



He's just being honest, at the end of the day. If he said he felt sorry for Rangers as a club it would have fallen on deaf ears.

That said, reading his quotes, he actually says the people suffering most are the Rangers supporters so maybe he does feel for them in a strange kind of way.

But having sympathy for that club? Not on your life.

One thing I would say is that the title race isn't over. Rangers can still win the league. Ally McCoist will believe that, regardless of how bad things are at Ibrox right now.

And trust me, so will Neil Lennon.

Everyone seems to think the championship race is over because Nikica Jelavic has left to join Everton.

Not me. And I'll guarantee both Old Firm bosses will agree with me.

McCoist is in a dark place right now. He's been given virtually no backing by the club's owner Whyte and Rangers are in a desperate state.

But anyone who thinks the title is finished is ahead of themselves. I just don't believe it.

Sure, Celtic are firm favourites now. They are a point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. But Rangers are more than capable of going on a run and keeping their four-in-a-row bid alive.

For a start you can't tell me Jelavic has been outstanding this season.

He's played well at times but hardly ripped the SPL apart.

Don't get me wrong, it's obviously going to be really difficult for Rangers because of the off-the-field situation.

Their supporters are worried about how things are going and I can totally understand where they are coming from.

And clearly they would have no chance of retaining the title if they went into administration and were hit with a ten-point punishment.

But if you thought Lenny had a smile on his face yesterday wait and see what it's like if that happened.

His grin would be fixed on his face for months.

[SheenyBob]

Home truths? Naw just opinion.

Not surprised you posted these jock....no doubt just doing the SFF a service

Lennon is a cock and despised by all connected with our club, just disliked by most others not connected with celtic. Hartson is just a cock, a media whore who peddles controversy.

Sympathy..... Gers need a few things right now but sympathy aint one of them. 3 in a row champions cant really expect any i suppose

[Bundy]

How is it an "amazing" swipe? I take it this story was in the Record?
I watched his interview on Sky yesterday where he mentioned the situation at Rangers. He wasn't having a dig by any manner of means but he also showed little sympathy...........why should he?

[Billy Bhoy]

If quoting ex Celtic players is the order of the day in this thread here's one from Paul Lambert:

Quote

Celtic legend Lambert said: “I think everybody wants to play in the Premiership and Grant Holt is no different.

“To be honest, the Rangers bid was nowhere near our valuation. But I told Grant what was going on and he gave absolutely no indication that he wanted to go and talk to them.

“If he had, it might have been different. A move to Rangers might have been attractive to a lot of players, but they are not as strong as they used to be.

“Holt has waited a long time to get to the Premier League and it’s great for him to be playing here, considering where he has come from.

“So while it was a flattering offer for him, I never expected him to want to leave.

"Mind you, if it had been Celtic, I would have driven him up there myself!”

http://www.mirrorfoo...icle860975.html




I hope he gets a bigger club soon now, with better players for us to cherry-pick.

[black dog]

Little sympathy from Neil Lennon?...No probs...Rangers or their supporters wouldny want it anyway. 'Amazing swipe'?...Sensationalist headline no more. Lennon even mentions in part of that interview at one point....'In my opinion'...Now if he is talking about the entirety or a single point is open to conjecture. Still as we all say...everybody is entirled to one. Now John Hartson?....nah, ah'll no bother!

[Goanjock]

Billy Bhoy, on 04 February 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

If quoting ex Celtic players is the order of the day in this thread here's one from Paul Lambert:




http://www.mirrorfoo...icle860975.html




I hope he gets a bigger club soon now, with better players for us to cherry-pick.

I burst out laughing when I heard the Paul Lambert interview......it was a great line lol

[Goanjock]

Bundy, on 04 February 2012 - 11:19 AM, said:

How is it an "amazing" swipe? I take it this story was in the Record?
I watched his interview on Sky yesterday where he mentioned the situation at Rangers. He wasn't having a dig by any manner of means but he also showed little sympathy...........why should he?

It was the Sun (which I don't buy but had a quick look online)......I saw the interview as well on Sky and you are right he wasn't having a dig just being honest and showing little sympathy.

[SheenyBob]

Goanjock, on 04 February 2012 - 11:43 AM, said:

I burst out laughing when I heard the Paul Lambert interview......it was a great line lol

Im sure ye did. You've been known to burst out laughing when someone on here has a dig at Gers.

Simple minds and all that ......

[Goanjock]

SheenyBob, on 04 February 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Im sure ye did. You've been known to burst out laughing when someone on here has a dig at Gers.

Simple minds and all that ......

It wasn't a dig at Rangers you muppet....he simply stated that he would have driven Holt to Celtic (it was tongue in cheap as Paul Lambert is a Celtic man)....lighten up sheeny, there's a good boy

[black dog]

SheenyBob, on 04 February 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Im sure ye did. You've been known to burst out laughing when someone on here has a dig at Gers.

Simple minds and all that ......

Haw Sheeny.....whit's wi the tiny toty sig....is it the 'In Thing'?

[Goanjock]

Sheeny I am sure you might actually agree with for once in that John Greig is a Rangers man through and through.....here's his thoughts on the current state of affairs...........

Rangers icon John Greig 'disturbed' by revelation that owner Craig Whyte has sold off fans' cash
RANGERS legend John Greig and former chairman John McClelland joined forces last night to warn the club are in danger of being sucked into a debt spiral.
Both had stayed silent since Craig Whyte gained control last May but revelations in yesterday’s Daily Record about season ticket dealings prompted them to speak out.
Both resigned from the board, insisting they had been frozen out of the decision making process.
Their departures followed Donald McIntyre’s resignation as a director, leaving South Africa-based Dave King as the sole survivor of the previous regime.
And last night it was understood King was clinging to his seat on the board despite pressure from Whyte to quit.
While Whyte was penning an open letter to the supporters claiming our exclusive report was untrue, Greig, voted the greatest ever Ranger, and McClelland were adamant they had been told nothing while still members of Whyte’s board.
And they fear the club could be rushing down a one-way street by spending advances on future season tickets.
Like many Rangers supporters, Greig and McClelland are alarmed and dismayed by the negativity which continues to swirl around Ibrox.
The former directors believe the financial turmoil has stripped the club of its dignity.
They spoke out after yesterday’s disclosures and as striker Nikica Jelavic quit to join Everton.
McClelland said: “When you consider the effort that was put in to make sure the club would always have its dignity, it is very sad.
“In a matter of only months all that could be damaged further.”
Greig, who was forced to end a 50-year association with the club because of the new regime’s lack of transparency, said: “Like the other directors, I had no knowledge of what was happening.
“The news of all those tickets being sold off is disturbing as this club has always been special to me and any adverse publicity it receives hurts greatly. It’s painful when I think of what’s happening.”
Record Sport revealed Whyte had borrowed £24.4million against future season ticket sales from this season until 2014-15 and although the deal with Ticketus was done while the former board was still in place, none of the directors was told.
McClelland, who was chairman from 2002 to 2004, resigned along with Greig last October.
The old board had tried to force greater disclosures from Whyte but he was the one who came up with the £18m to get Lloyds Bank off Rangers’ case.
Although Rangers, in common with many British clubs, were occasional customers of Ticketus, McClelland fears they borrowed too much.
He is annoyed that neither he nor any of the directors was aware tickets were being securitised.
McClelland said: “This should only ever be a short-term measure to help a club get over a difficult month or so.
“I wouldn’t say it’s good practice to do this too often and for too much.
“It is the equivalent of someone borrowing 25 per cent of the next four years’ salary. It could put the club in greater financial difficulties.
“If great care isn’t taken the club might not be viable.
“If you have to repay that debt over and over the club can be left vulnerable.
“If you have to pay back, say, £5m a year because you’ve used the season tickets then you have to scale the operation down to ensure you meet the repayments and still function.
“But by borrowing heavily trouble can lie ahead if there is a problem or if season tickets don’t sell in the usual numbers.
“I wouldn’t have agreed to this and I certainly wasn’t told the tickets were being sold off. But I was always being told that Mr Whyte would be funding his takeover through his own personal wealth.”

[sheeptastic]

SheenyBob, on 04 February 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Im sure ye did. You've been known to burst out laughing when someone on here has a dig at Gers.

Simple minds and all that ......

Is there any way of nipping in the bud the constant criticism from some when in particular non OF fans post about Rangers or post a headline about Rangers. Surely even the most ardent Rangers fan has to admit that there is masses of talk on forums, on the street and in the press about Rangers for a number of reasons on and off the park. This was very prevalent with Celtic not so long ago with the referee and SFA debacle. I spoke to an acquaintance who is a lifelong Rangers fan yesterday and told him the sort of reaction that can sometimes come when non OF fans post about Rangers and his reaction was to say 'why? they are in a mess and it's topical' he also said people who do that will probably accuse me of being a traitor or not a 'real' fan. He is hurting about his team at the moment but doesn't mind talking about it and if someone pokes fun at his team he just laughs or banters back. Yes some comments or posts of media stories may be negative, but then on the whole the topics themselves are negative because it is bad news for Rangers, there is balance and good debate in there too to be had. And one last final point, I personally have no issue with any fan discussing Aberdeen, even if it is in a negative way, ie Aberdeen have been relegation fodder for three years, the new stadium situation is a farce, our contract policy is shit, our debt is crippling etc etc, these facts may be hard to hear for some of my fellow Aberdeen fans out there, BUT it doesn't make them any less true

[Goanjock]

sheeptastic, on 04 February 2012 - 12:13 PM, said:

Is there any way of nipping in the bud the constant criticism from some when in particular non OF fans post about Rangers or post a headline about Rangers. Surely even the most ardent Rangers fan has to admit that there is masses of talk on forums, on the street and in the press about Rangers for a number of reasons on and off the park. This was very prevalent with Celtic not so long ago with the referee and SFA debacle. I spoke to an acquaintance who is a lifelong Rangers fan yesterday and told him the sort of reaction that can sometimes come when non OF fans post about Rangers and his reaction was to say 'why? they are in a mess and it's topical' he also said people who do that will probably accuse me of being a traitor or not a 'real' fan. He is hurting about his team at the moment but doesn't mind talking about it and if someone pokes fun at his team he just laughs or banters back. Yes some comments or posts of media stories may be negative, but then on the whole the topics themselves are negative because it is bad news for Rangers, there is balance and good debate in there too to be had. And one last final point, I personally have no issue with any fan discussing Aberdeen, even if it is in a negative way, ie Aberdeen have been relegation fodder for three years, the new stadium situation is a farce, our contract policy is shit, our debt is crippling etc etc, these facts may be hard to hear for some of my fellow Aberdeen fans out there, BUT it doesn't make them any less true

Great balanced post Sheep

[Camshy]

No suprises with NL here, i would not expect him to pay any sort of compliment to Rangers as he is the Celtic manager and a die hard fan.

I was going to post about NL last week about how he has conducted himself this season compared to last season and im happy/glad that none of the shenanigans and carry on has followed him into this season.

[sheeptastic]

Camshy, on 04 February 2012 - 12:36 PM, said:

No suprises with NL here, i would not expect him to pay any sort of compliment to Rangers as he is the Celtic manager and a die hard fan.

I was going to post about NL last week about how he has conducted himself this season compared to last season and im happy/glad that none of the shenanigans and carry on has followed him into this season.

He has been pretty quiet, even when his team went through their bad patch, there wasn't really much if any talk of the refs to blame from what I remember

[Elchappy]

NL is despised by all connected with Rangers. You should be working for the sun with insight like that Sheeny

[?apester]

I seen this press conference ont telly and cant say i thought much of it at the time .Lennon was asked a leadjng question which he unadvisedly answered . He didnt say anything that was worth bothering about . He would have probably in my opinion been.better not answering the question but hey ho .

The reason OF managers are better avoiding comment on their rivals team is plain to see in this thread . The arserags that charade as newspapers in this country will take whatever they say and sensationalise it . No matter how.inane. the comment the will blow.it oht of.proportion and make.it out to be a major slight . Sensationalist headlines scream out shite that bears no relation to what has actualy been said . Thus giving even more ammunigion for the cretins to use . As this thread and its title shows .

As for Hartsons comments ...... he really does show himself to be an idiot every time he opens.his mouth. Paragraphs of how NL hates Rangers and.laughs at them even over his cornflakes . Then he points out this is Glasgow and the maniacs dont need any ammunition .......... brillaint . The welsh wizard strikes again .

[hoopz]

Quote

Lennon is a cock and despised by all connected with our club

why? cos hes a catholic from NI that gave as good as he got as a player ?

and that is youre opinion also , doesnt make it right.

i canny wait til he wins the league and he holds that trophy, will make people like you sick as fuck

[Goanjock]

chappy and hoopz.......Sheeny certainly confirms some of John Hartson's article He must be one of the "cretins" ?ape is referring to .....what a way to refer to your buddy ?ape