Murray warns Reid over comments

[Zappa 0]

If you don't believe like me that John Reid stepping into the post at Celtic, the emergence of an obvious bias in some of the media & the recent upsurge in issues pertaining to sectarianism & segregation in society are all intrinsically linked, that's absolutely fine with me, but I personally do believe that there's more at play than meets the eye & that these issues are indeed all linked & that John Reid plays a big part in this.

Edited November 20, 2008 by Zappa

[craig 5,199]

Shroomz, I understand what you are saying but the "emergence of obvious media bias" has been at play since long before John Reid stepped into the breach !

[Bluedell 5,614]

Shroomz, no offence meant, and I've edited that comment out. However, as Craig points out, there is no recent emergence of press bias, and the issues in the West of Scotland have been evident for some time, and are nothing to do with John Reid's appearance.

 

The basic point of this issue is Murray's response on "attacks" on Rangers fans. This has been a complaint by the fans for years.

 

I just fail to see why you think things have suddenly got worse.

[Zappa 0]

You're right Craig & I did know that, but the dubious (imo) addition of John Reid to the equation seems to have had a similar effect as throwing petrol on a fire.

[Zappa 0]

Shroomz, no offence meant, and I've edited that comment out. However, as Craig points out, there is no recent emergence of press bias, and the issues in the West of Scotland have been evident for some time, and are nothing to do with John Reid's appearance.

 

The basic point of this issue is Murray's response on "attacks" on Rangers fans. This has been a complaint by the fans for years.

 

I just fail to see why you think things have suddenly got worse.

 

Cheers mate, I just did likewise with an edit. :wink:

 

I think things have got worse because I had a feeling that they would as soon as I heard that Reid had been appointed. My first thought was 'WTF?'.

 

If you don't think that having a man as well connected politically as John Reid stand up publicly pointing his green finger at Rangers fans has worsened the situation I fail to see why because I don't know what could be much worse.

Edited November 20, 2008 by Zappa

[maineflyer 0]

I see what I've always seen. The chairman of Rangers hiding behind David Murray's silly ego. Has there ever been a more ineffectual figurehead at the club than Murray? Somethimes I think he simply doesn't understand the world that Rangers inhabits.

 

It would have been a good deal less embarrassing had he just said nothing because Reid's reply leaves him with only the options of escalating, which he will not face, or backing down with his tail between his legs, which he certainly will do.

[Zappa 0]

It would have been a good deal less embarrassing had he just said nothing

 

Agreed.

 

I personally think that some of you expect too much from SDM. You expect him to fight battles that are not his battles. If a rangers fan does this or does that, is it SDM's fault? Should he be held accountable? I don't think so!!

[Super_Ally 0]

Sir David Murray, the Rangers chairman, has chosen the occasion of his 20th anniversary in charge of the club to criticise John Reid, his counterpart at Celtic, whom Murray says has ââ?¬Å?crossed the lineââ?¬Â in terms of alleged attacks Reid has made on the Ibrox club.

 

Murray heavily implied yesterday that Reid had lacked ââ?¬Å?dignity and integrityââ?¬Â in some of his recent comments about Rangers, even claiming that it was ââ?¬Å?dangerousââ?¬Â for a politician such as Reid to become an Old Firm chairman.

 

The Celtic chairman has spoken out about The Famine Song - the latest favoured chant of the Ibrox faithful - claiming that it is ââ?¬Å?racistââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?viciousââ?¬Â, and has even urged the police to wade in and arrest Rangers supporters under new legislation in Scotland.

 

Murray, who says Rangers are doing all they can to get the song stamped out, nonetheless believes that Reid has whipped up an orchestrated political campaign over the issue.

 

ââ?¬Å?There is an unwritten rule among Old Firm chairmen that you don't criticise Rangers or Celtic, but I do find that this has changed since John Reid arrived,ââ?¬Â Murray said. ââ?¬Å?I did not go out my way to criticise [Artur] Boruc [the Celtic goalkeeper, involved in various incidents including making hand gestures at the Rangers fans]. I did not go out my way to criticise the things that Richard Gough was called over the years. I could go on and on, so I've been disappointed with some of the comments John has made.

 

ââ?¬Å?He has taken a few shots at us. We have not responded because there has been an unwritten rule between Rangers and Celtic that you show respect, and I will continue to do that. When you are the chairman of Rangers or Celtic, you have to be very careful. There is a strong argument, especially in the west of Scotland, that for a politician to become a chairman of a football club could be verging on being a bit dangerous.ââ?¬Â

 

Murray claimed that Reid had tried to make unfair capital over The Famine Song - knowing that Rangers could be embarrassed - and that the issue had been wrongly politicised.

 

ââ?¬Å?We are not denying that The Famine Song is wrong, but I know that members of his [Reid's] political party encouraged the song to become a public item on the agenda,ââ?¬Â Murray said. ââ?¬Å?I think John has to remember that he's not in the House of Commons now. This is the west of Scotland, the world of Rangers and Celtic, and I think we all have a responsibility to act in a sensible manner.

 

ââ?¬Å?I could comment on all sorts of things, such as the recent poppy business at Parkhead [where the fans were invited to clap rather than observe a minute's silence], but that's their business. All you are going to do is start an argument. I like to think this club [Rangers] shows a lot more dignity in many things. Because John Reid says things in his style, it doesn't mean we should follow. We try to do it with a bit of dignity and integrity.ââ?¬Â

 

Reid last night dismissed Murray's comments, claiming that ââ?¬Å?when it comes to defending the welfare of Celtic, I will continue to comment without fear or favour.ââ?¬Â

 

:box:

 

Murray 1 -0 Reid???

[maineflyer 0]

Agreed.

 

I personally think that some of you expect too much from SDM. You expect him to fight battles that are not his battles. If a rangers fan does this or does that, is it SDM's fault? Should he be held accountable? I don't think so!!

 

That's not quite how I see it. I have no expectations of David Murray at all and his battles are of no interest to me. However, I do expect the chairman of Rangers to fulfill the duties that go with the office. The failure to consistently and vigourously act in the interests of the club is, in my opinion, why Murray has never been the best man for the job.

 

I can't for the life of me understand the purpose of his recent statements. It makes no sense to fight battles you cannot possibly hope to win or from which you cannot be certain of extracting some tangible gain. Reid is very bad news indeed and has undoubtedly introduced a much more partisan and aggressive element into the relationship between the two clubs. If Murray cannot get serious he will be eaten alive by Reid. And what good will that do for Rangers?

[craig 5,199]

Reid last night dismissed Murray's comments, claiming that “when it comes to defending the welfare of Celtic, I will continue to comment without fear or favour.”

 

I hope Reid does continue in this vein because he WILL trip over himself and make himself look like a tit. If SDM would listen to some of the observations made on here regarding the famine song he could VERY EASILY shoot Reid's comments about the subject down.

 

I would like to see SDM truly go after Celtic for some of the stuff we know they do because much as though Reid has been successful in politics I think that SDM could beat him in debate, if he really wanted to.

 

I do like the statement from SDM though because he suggests that there are things he could mention about Celtic but, out of respect or out of moral high ground, refuses to do so. Leaving it squarely on Reid to be the petty point scorer.

 

That said, hopefully SDM still will find the time to defend the club and its fans rather than bury his head under the parapet again !