buster.

Enquiring about a spare ticket is run of the mill fare but when you involve 'a lass from Moscow' it spikes the curiosity somewhat. A Russian lass or a match ticket........What is the most sought after or is it a fair swap, one for tuther ?

The Sir Duped years & Russian burdz are probably two of the few topics that could take this messageboards attention away from this weekends game.

IIRC the first day Charlotte Fakes appeared on the scene, 'she' leaked an alleged e-mail from Jack Irvine to Craig Whyte from around late August 2009. It was Irvine boasting about using his Nexus Lexus search engine to aid him in 'tidying up' CW's history on the web. Consider that in the same month Sir Duped had stepped down from the RFC board (or most probably was nudged by the Bank). Within a month or so, the bank would put 'their man', Donald Muir alongside the MIH man, McGill on the board. And that Jack Irvine was also an advisor/spindoctor of Sir Duped. And that Irvine had known what type of person CW was for years before that. Ducks in a row and all that. As Forlan said, it doesn't half reek.............. .

I believe RTC was a blog with differing roles as events developed and that those involved pushing it changed dependent on role. The individual who became known as 'RTC' and was deeply involved with the HMRC and associated matters was the first person who posted fairly frequent output for a while. However entering 2012, there started the initial publicly pushed steps to mount a campaign that would involve Scottish football fans (except us of course and especially others in SPL1) to call for what they considered would be a 'suitable action' for the governing bodies to take. As events unfolded, this centered on SPL1 clubs being pressured by their own fans threatening to not buy ST's. The blog was an important part in the pushing the idea and handing out cyber pitch forks. This was under the RTC blog but it was other people pushing it (not the original 'RTC') that you could broadly say, were 'Celtic-Minded'. Further down the line, the SFM blog replaced the RTC blog. The Celtic-Minded quickly realised the power of social media used in this way and cleverly looked to rebrand in a way that would try and appear as a more rounded pressure group representing Scottish football, when the truth is that it's run by and is property of the Celtic-Minded and has a relatively small percentage of other fans involved.

As you say, HMRC were after a precedent and were never going to settle for the money Sir Duped/MIH could offer. This doesn't provide Sir Duped with an excuse. Nor can we blame HMRC for taking this line (as you said 'looking after your own interests').

Viz Top Tip for effective shortcuts Kidnap and waterboard a well known spindoctor with a name that sounds like Tack. Disclaimer: a joke

The "EBT stuff" couldn't be shoved to the side (as we know, HMRC refused a settlement offer of around 10M). Sir Duped was reckless wrt the scale of EBT exposure and that was the main catalyst. Thereafter, he predictably chose to look after himself and leave us to the wolves.

There are many individuals out there who know bit's and pieces about 'the affair'. You'd need to build a database of names, subjects, collate and see where it took you. Then work about 8 hours a day on it for god knows how long. Not a cheery thought but tThe quicker you start the better because people's circumstances change as the years pass.

Power, Politics, Enticement and that the revenue wanted a precedent.

Sometimes when the dice are loaded, having the information isn't enough. #GaryWebb

Can't agree with that. Sir David of Duped was IMO THE main catalyst. The over-riding HMRC agenda was concerned with a macro-view, way beyond Rangers. Some individuals within or close to it, were opportunituic and looked to maximise damage on the club.

Well written piece that leaves many interesting questions hang in the air. A bit like a very short and partial summation of what has been talked and typed about these past few years. The whole affair reminds me of one of the classic topics that have countless strands. often with imperfect information, that only serve to produce more questions and never, will you see the whole truth and full answers because too many powerful, interested people or/and authorities will make sure you won't. Corporate irresponsibility, Poor decision-making, Chasing loses, Running awy, Opportunism, Organised chaos, Organised fraud, Greed, Brazen bastards, etc., etc., etc., etc.,............ The author could probably write a book on it that made 'War & Peace' seem like a short story. Or countless short stories on individual strands, some of which IMO, are more interesting, have more available material and are plausible+. It's all left a very bad taste in the mouth, not least from the failure of a law and justice system to be any better than Scottish fitbaw hacks.....and that is somewhere very low.

The Sheep got into their faces in last seasons Cup Final and caused them real problems. Recently, they sat off them, never laid a glove and made what could have been a difficult game, easy for celtic. Hearts took advantage of a loss of form, got into their faces when they won 4-0. We'll almost certainly look to get into their faces, high press, bal, bla.....and the crucial aspect will be, is as always, taking chances.

You could see that Collum would get this game. Madden and Ferguson will get the other two before the season end.

It's about getting the balance right for the specific task at hand. Murty has shown himself to be generally a creature of habit and continuity but if ever there should be 'curveballs' appear then it's these games against Celtic. If Murphy was fit, then I think we go the same way as usual but if he's not, then I'd be tempted to go with your idea re. Holt in and Docherty, on top of Brown. I don't think Cummings would give the same speed, tempo and momentum. I think he'd be a good option to have on the bench.

I thought we had but now that you say, I think it was a while the ball wasn't in play, so no foul.

He really is exceptional in what he has managed to do. A different continent and culture Goals in Finland Goals in Scotland with the pressure of playing for a big club Not to mention his physique and how he uses it to good advantage as well as a knowledge of how to play the role that suggests more experience.

I think that Collums is probably due an OF match.

Fouls were given for the two recent assaults, it was the colour of the card that was the issue. Collum must be due this one and he doesn't often shy away from blowing his whistle.

Couldn't believe it when Cummings was the futherest player back and cleared up a dangerous situation in our box yesterday. He's working hard and gets about the pitch, all over the pitch but I don't think he helps our fluidity at the moment, in the way Murphy has been. Perhaps with more games, he could find his way into the style of play better but unless there are injuries, I doubt that he'll get much more than sub appearences. If fit, Morelos simply has to start. You don't change something that has been getting results and besides, I see it as a positive that the goals are shared out between various players. We could really do with Murphy back in time for next week though, he would make it much more difficult to defend against us.

Defence is a definate concern although this game is in isolation regards approach, eg. sometimes you'll concede 3 to a Hamilton side and then get a clean sheet against Hearts with a different approach. Late last year you had St.Johnstone taking 3 of us at Ibrox, yet a fortnight later we get a clean sheet at Parkhead. Both managers have a full week in which to prepare the game and you can imagine that Rodgers will get his players up for this and have a definate game plan. Will Murty ask for more of the same or will he tweak the approach somewhat ? This is a major test for GM and I'm especially glad he has Jimmy Nicholl in there with him for this game to help man-manage the players. The less we shout about optimism in the media, the better. Just let the football do the talking.

Given the two assaults on Bates in the last two games, both punished by yellow cards. I think it would be reasonable for the club to somehow publicly ask the question of the SFA wrt the rules, this week before the celtic game.

This past week against St.Johnstone and Falkirk gives good reason to wonder if the rules book has been re-written. - Assault on a Rangers player by kicking out or punching: Yellow Card .

We can certainly do with more potential quality. There seems to be quite a few decent youngsters around and we may have a decent team in 2/3 years.

Message to Mr.Murty: Substitutes are allowed