stewarty

Having grown up in Selkirk, I can only concur.

Call my cynical but this seems like a bit of a fake protest from Celtic... I'm awaiting the next bandwagon they want to start that will reflect this feigned grievance as either the cause or a reason why they have to get their own petty way.

I'm not sure its as simple as saying: spread the cost. Budgets in Scottish football are so tight that even (what might seem like) a modest reduction could be significant for most clubs. And tbh, the idea of professionalising referees and making it an attractive enough proposition for the current ones to give up their other careers, should not be underestimated.

The problem with all of that @Malangsob, is cost.

There's a few players I wouldn't risk due to the surface, but mainly Dorrans and Rossiter. However it does limit our midfield options a little.

I think though that the SPFL have decided themselves to suit their own agenda, rather than properly consulting with the clubs - the fact that Aberdeen and Hearts are raging underlines this.

I wouldn't downplay the impact of BBC influence from down south on BBC Scotland. it seems to me that pressure is growing and that wont go on indefinitely. So i'd argue our current stance is probably the right one in terms of holding our ground. The more success Gerrard has, the harder it will be for PQ to justify what is happening. And for me, its a case if when they soften their stance, rather than if... we can then put into place other aspects of a wider PR and Comms strategy as I've suggested above. If that makes me a silly arse, fair enough.

Craig Levin has given the SPFL both barrels over this. And Aberdeen are raging too. It really is staggering how they have arrived at this conclusion. Essentially Levein is pointing out that they could play their tie the following week when they were scheduled to play Celtic in the league already, with there essentially being until April to find a slot to reschedule the league game. Its hard to argue against the logic.

I think @JohnMc also makes good points in that there is no clear winner on either side. The reasons for the removal of McLaughlin's press privileges are perhaps not clear to everyone, thus making it easier for the BBC to trot out their "ongoing dispute" line. At least part of the issues we have had are spiv related, in that previous club officials took umbrage at some areas of coverage as it reflected badly on them. Another element thats maybe not been touched on is our PR/Comms "Guru" Jim Traynor and the extent of the adversarial nature of our relationship with the BBC stemming from his own agenda. Whilst that may have suited us back when we were fire fighting on all fronts, but I would question the value of it now. It may not have been a priority up until this point, but now that we are starting to get back on track on the field and with much improved off-field operations, perhaps the Board can spend some time developing a comms and PR strategy that encompasses the development of our own media, including @Bill suggestion for our own radio station, but also removing potential barriers to our ability to work productively with key media partners, whoever they may be. Part of that strategy for me would also be about lobbying the SPFL now in terms of the future of any rights deals and making sure we regain some leverage over the partners in terms of some of the contractual obligations they have, but also ensuring there is some method of such disputes being dealt with quickly, rather than having them rumble on like this for years.

I'll do Hearts next Sunday.

Craig Mulholland's interview on RTV on Wednesday at HT was also very interesting. The depth of thinking and the coordination of the strategy is impressive. A hat-tip to Mark Allen, Mulholland and all the team involved

I may be wrong but I think the BBC may have access to other feeds that are provided as standard to broadcast partners. It could be interesting to test the waters on that though

Without doubt. All I mean is that we might have the capability, but if we don't have the rights it wont happen.

Radio commentary will be tied up in the rights that the BBC have so isn't necessarily a goer until such deals are up for negotiation. It will be interesting to see what stance the club takes when that happens

Rumours that JD Sports are going to get a delivery of kits to go on sale shortly too...

Add to that the fact that there is just not enough time for reporters to do anything other than regurgitate press releases to create copy, or to trawl social media for click bait nonsense... actual journalism or reporting, regardless of whether its in a sporting context or otherwise, becomes a 'nice to have'

We need more information but I take your point. My take based on the information to hand is that King is trying to do some groundwork to take to the Cos/ TOP in order to proceed with a lesser amount of funds than originally required. And if that is the case, it would be down to the CoS to sanction There's a lot of assumptions on my part though.

I know you understand the C1872 rules. They have received a request from the club/King to sign a formal undertaking. Do they respond to this unilaterally without consulting with members? I would have a problem with that if they did. And I suspect you would too, and rightly so.

Also taking a step back, I also look at how this came about. A rat (Somers), aggrieved and trying to salvage his reputation, attempts to create as much shit as possible for us because he didn't like the way he was exposed. I am forever grateful to the current board for getting rid of him. And given the circumstances and quite bizarre situation we find ourselves in, I don't care whether they have fought it or tactically delayed or whatever. So yes, whilst it is clearly their issue to deal with, I can also see why they have eventually and reluctantly agreed to comply, but also make this a difficult situation for the TOP because of how stupid the whole thing is.

Well its certainly how I read your post, apologies if thats not the case. However, the question on whether King should be Chairman is a separate matter at this point. Same goes for Blair.

At this point, that is irrelevant. What is relevant is that King is required to stump up cash and its not a quick process. He is being put under pressure by the TOP and the Court to get this done, so a solution is clearly being worked on whereby King can reduce the quantum of funds needed to progress the mandatory offer by getting formal undertakings from significant shareholders that they would not participate at this time. If this speeds up the whole thing then great. You are right this is a personal matter, but I'm sure we would all see a benefit of clearing this up as quickly as possible.

I think you are missing the point here Bruce. The issue is not whether C1872 would ever sell the shares, but whether they would be prepared to sign a formal undertaking that this would be the case. This would then be taken to the TPO/ Court of Session as evidence of the level of funding required in order to support a mandatory offer. We can only assume that this is due to the difficulties of getting monies out of South Africa. So anything that might help speed things along seems perfectly sensible from my point of view. I would struggle to believe that the club would approach C1872 alone in terms of signing similar undertakings, so I really don't see an issue here.

Coullibally's energy and dig will be vital tonight. I fancy us to get a goal, but it will need to be a really disciplined defensive performance for us to get any sort of result.

Although McCoist has since said that he intends for the shares to remain in his family and something he wants to pass on. And I believe him on that.

Nothing from my SNP MSP so far. I do wonder whether they think this will all blow over.