The past few months has thrown up many questions as to the future of our game. The financing; the structuring and the grassroots of Scottish football have been cast into some serious doubt.
For me, there may be a bigger problem. Is the bitterness and anger which exists within Scottish football the most serious issue?
Over the past year, just about everything within Scottish football has taken a back-seat to the Rangers capitulation. The biggest story in the history of our game started thirteen months ago as Rangers entered administration. This sent shockwaves across world football, and shook Scottish football to its very core. Things truly haven’t been the same since this day, and one has to wonder if they will ever quite be the same again.
The whole process has left Rangers – a club synonymous with winning titles and playing in Europe – lingering in the bottom tier of football; cast into the nether-regions of the Scottish game, with a long journey ahead of them. Couple this with the transfer embargo which was proven to be unlawful in a courtroom, and you have a hefty punishment. There are many few clubs who have ended up in such a position following severe financial mismanagement.
And yet for some, it still is not enough. Football fans across the country are still baying for blood, and many were left fuming by Lord Nimmo Smith’s ruling on Thursday. Wrong-doing was found in the actions of the Murray’s regime, but the “guilty” outcome has taken different interpretations. It has left Rangers fans feeling a sense of vindication, and it has left others feeling this has just started.
Thursday’s decision has led to the opening of a rather large can of worms – and a rather worrying one at that. A wound was exposed as the plaster was ripped off with the ruling of Lord Nimmo Smith. Although the report found Rangers guilty of deliberate non-disclosure of payments, the ruling also stated that Rangers did not gain any unfair competitive advantage in failing to do so, and therefore, the penalty should not be sporting related. This has been met by sheer disbelief and dismay by some; by those who viewed title-stripping as the final nail in the coffin. Lord Nimmo Smith has been accused of not doing his job properly – the fans seem to know best on this one, and they will continue to challenge this. Yes, the man who has studied this case in minute detail findings can be trumped by the outcome of the masses, and an assumption that this simply Lord Nimmo Smith simply must be wrong. Ironically, these are the same people who would have strongly argued, had title stripping taken place that the decision of the commission must be respected. This is the problem with pre-judgement of a trial; it leaves one in a narrow-minded state and disables the ability to comprehend otherwise when a different conclusion has been reached. The stripping of titles was the most severe punishment available, and to presume that Rangers would face this punishment was simply bizarre.
The reaction following on from Thursday’s outcome has been very much indicative of what this country has come to expect over the past year. From anger, bickering and moaning to sheer hatred, bitterness and accusation of conspiracy theories – even threats from fans to boycott their own club over the decision – we have seen the lot.
And herein the problem ferments.
This country has become so wrapped up within the Rangers saga, it cannot see past it anymore. Everything else has become a sideshow. Tell me, when was the last time the main topic of discussion was league reconstruction? Even when it has been, the part of that which has largely been discussed is in relation to Rangers. Why not question the simply bizarre decisions being made to protect the self-interests of the people at the top of our game? When has an attempt to learn from the mistakes made last summer been made? With clubs such as Dunfermline and Hearts teetering on the brink, do we even know what would happen if a route similar to that of Rangers was taken? Has anyone made any inquiries to find out if a plan is in place to avoid a catastrophe like last summer occurring once more? What about the TV deal? Are we any closer to finding out what will happen? What about the grassroots side of the game? Does anyone even care anymore about what lies ahead with regards to the next generation of footballers in this country?
These are all questions that have been worryingly neglected. The fact is, in some form or another; they all could be addressed with a bit of focus. I wouldn’t claim fans could provide all the answers to these questions, but imagine the energy that has been placed into trying to prove the complete guilt of Rangers went into trying to improve grassroots football? Or imagine the time that has been spent trying to prove that Rangers are a “new club” had been placed into finding ways or drawing fans back to the football?
The discussion has been there to be had about Rangers; it has been the story that has kept on giving for journalists and bloggers, but in reality, it really should be time to move on from it. It is time we started making other issues the priorities. Allowing the SPL and Rangers time apart without agendas and stories clashing may be exactly what is needed to allow wounds gained over the past year to be healed.
No one can be particularly proud of the way in the business was conducted under Whyte, and certain elements of the way Murray ran the club. However, lessons can be learned from it, and steps can be taken to prevent them from happening again. If a line cannot be drawn under this situation, Scottish football cannot move on and it is only so long that any environment can sustain such polarisation and anger lingering within its ranks.
Without a doubt, it is time that the focus returned to the football. The days of economics and contract laws being top of the agenda have to be put behind us, as it is no use now – futile anger and confrontational feelings are being held to no avail.
It is time to start putting the piecing of Scottish football back to the top of the agenda – time to get back to the football.
Time to get back to basics.
garrycarmody 
An excellent post Garry. Unfortunately I am afraid that your average Scottish football fan, West to East, North to South, has an inbuilt predjudice againts anything Glasgow Rangers , at this particular time. The fact is that they would have loved to see our club go out of existence, even at the expense of the whole Scottish game, and their own clubs for that matter. The massive support of the Glasgow Rangers fans just seems to get right up the noses of those who hate us, yes hate, there`s that word again, Especially from our so called Old Firm Neighbours, who have done nothinig but wish us ill will from day one. The whole of the SPL. SFA. have gone out of their way to kick us when we were down, other supporters, Chairmen, and the majority of the media hacks have all had their tuppence worth, and a damn sight more into the bargain. What they all seem not to realise, is the fact that Rangers football club is an institution, built over a hundred and forty years, passed on through father and son, as solid as any blood line, You cannot, and will not destroy us, every action against us will make us stronger, and more united, our club will survive, yes the Glasgow Rangers, the original one and only , do not give us all that Newco, oldco, nonsense, our support is the same bloodline that has come from day one of our club, detractors can say what the hell they like WATP. so I say to all of those who wished, and still wish us harm, we will be back, stronger and more mindful, of those who stood aside and watched us bleed to near death, Yes we must move on, but please do not expect anything like us forgetting the past events, and those who would do us harm ……
I think reconstruction is about a safety net for Hearts or others so that the spl can control where they end up when they go bust.