Alistair Johnston speaks on the SPL charges

[Prince of Orange 84]

I take it whytey was a mirage and we will all wake up in the shower.

The second point and the one the poster was referring to with that part was about shyte. And it looked pretty clear although maybe I should just stop referring to him as 'shyte' or 'the charlatan'?

[Prince of Orange 84]

Got to agree in general, loved watching the likes of laudrup, Van Bronckhorst, Mols and DeBoer etc. real class players, though I was concerned when we payed £12M for Flo when he was valued at half that.

True but I think everybody was a bit concerned with that one!

[southcoastbear 1,639]

I hope whyte wakes up in a shower in barlinnie.

[JCDBigBear 10,824]

We all clearly have issues with AJ and SDM regarding their governance of RFC but my only complaint about their recent statements in defence of Rangers is the delay in the release. It would have been much better if these statements came much earlier. What I now wonder, is there a reason for them coming out so close to the HMRC EBT verdict? Have they received prior notice of the result?

[Thermopylae 15,286]

What makes you think the verdict is close?

[JCDBigBear 10,824]

What makes you think the verdict is close?

It has been reported that it is now expected this month.

(yes I know we have been told suchlike before)

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

That piece of work is arguably, nay easily, his best contribution to our cause. I am grateful for it a this time, and think it would be churlish to ask why he has not been so strident before, especially during his tenure largely because of the limits on any power he is alleged to have had.

Cheers, A.J.

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

It has been reported that it is now expected this month.

(yes I know we have been told suchlike before)

It's the first time the ftt have given a time frame publicly though....

[1690 Posts 71]

The reality of the situation is that Sir David Murray, who was intimately involved in the architecture of these efforts to organize the business in a way to mitigate taxation which is totally legitimate and acceptable under all tenets of the law, would have signed and paid for these very same players whether or not EBT schemes were in effect or not.

Begs the question, would he then pay the tax bill in full should MIM lose the first tier tax case?

[THE_Ibrox_Preacher 2,812]

.

[bluenose48 951]

At the time of Whytes purchase of the club, I, along with lots of others bagged the shit out of AJ.

But after reading that, he certainly made a lot of salient points.

My only question of him is ------- Why has it taken so long to defend the club you claimed to have its best interests at heart.

[DarcheVinny 1,003]

Do you really think that people who have embarrassed themselves during the admin process, and, were heavily involved in events leading up to our current situation would be a positive voice? Regardless of anything else, the instant impression is that they are trying to cover their own arses

Anyone that the papers will listen to should say something.

[ray 105]

I could be a little foggy on this but was AJ one of only a couple whom said Craig Whyte was bad news from the start, only to be telt to jog on by the masses?

Aye he thought whytey was that dodgy whytey had to sack him to get rid.

You mean this aj with more faces than a townhall clock ?

Although Johnston said the board was split on whether the Whyte deal would get over the finishing line, he added: “The board are reflective of my view which is, if we can get this thing right, it will be good.”

“I think he is a businessman who is very bright and I think he has been very strategic, historically, in how successful he has been. He has done it but keeps his cards very close to his chest. I could tell that his analysis was very enthusiastic but realistic. I would say that he is aspirational but realistic.”

http://bit.ly/U7jpJJ

[goldenbaws 6]

Do you really think that people who have embarrassed themselves during the admin process, and, were heavily involved in events leading up to our current situation would be a positive voice? Regardless of anything else, the instant impression is that they are trying to cover their own arses

Was at Ibrox doing some work earlier, seems that AJ's statement has not been welcomed with open arms.

[outlaw69uk 123]

Was at Ibrox doing some work earlier, seems that AJ's statement has not been welcomed with open arms.

Cant imagine why eh? Its something I have heard also

[1690 Posts 71]

That statement concerns me a little, more for what he didn't say than what he did.

Johnston had the opportunity there to deny the existence of second contracts (side letters), but he didn't and that's telling. He suggests the SFA were given all the information they asked for a couple of years ago, handed Rangers their licence to play and didn't instigate any investigation and his suggestion is that means they saw nothing wrong then so they should see nothing wrong now.

But, were they given copies of the second contracts at the time? Lets be clear, giving players money via EBT's would not in itself fall foul of SPL rules. The only way to fall foul of the player registration is by not informing the SPL of all the contracted payments to players - second contracts.

David Murray maintained, as recently as March this year, that the EBT's were not contractual and players never had second contracts therefore the SFA could not have been given evidence or information about second contracts at the time Johnstone was referring. Therefore they gave us a licence based on that information.

So crucially, if there are second contracts - side letters, that have come to light recently then the SPL are within their rights to instigate an investigation and Alistair Johnston's piece was little more than an exercise in obfuscation.

[outlaw69uk 123]

Wow, I find myself agreeing with Jake on some things

AJ, like Murray, and the rest of the troo bloo kniggets, only speak because they want to hear themselves

An exercise in

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

I'm very surprosed people within Ibrox are objecting to a coordinated approach of releasing statements to the media from all parties that were involved that they know about and agreed to....

It's a strange old world right enough

[ray 105]

Wow, I find myself agreeing with Jake on some things

AJ, like Murray, and the rest of the troo bloo kniggets, only speak because they want to hear themselves

An exercise in

So did the rst clear this with Rangers or anyone in authority, or do they think they are an authority, blazer chasers apart ?

[ray 105]

To answer my own question I am told the first The Rangers knew of the statement was at 5.30 pm last night.

[Prince of Orange 84]

That statement concerns me a little, more for what he didn't say than what he did.

Johnston had the opportunity there to deny the existence of second contracts (side letters), but he didn't and that's telling. He suggests the SFA were given all the information they asked for a couple of years ago

But, were they given copies of the second contracts at the time?

Lots of 'if's' in your statement.

Just because he never specifically said there were not second contracts in that interview does not mean there were.

By 'suggesting' the sfa were given all information they asked for (and knowing there could be a problem with secodary contracts at that time surely they would have asked for them or information regarding them) he is denying their existence wouldn't you say?

Others, including Neil McCann and Alex McLeish have openly denied the use of any such contracts live on tv. I think you would agree that, given the intense level of scrutiny of Rangers and the issues surrounding dual contracts, such high profile men would not openly lie about such issues in this manner would you not?

On your last sentence, if they did not exist, how could anyone be given copies?

[Big Al 55 9,248]

Regardless of anything else, the instant impression is that they are trying to cover their own arses

Unfortunately the response at the time to AJ's and Martin Bain's refusal to back the takeover, was "it's sour grapes".

I wasn't on here at the time, but did John Greig get pelters as well?

Oh how wonderful hindsight is.

[Non_Sucumbi 876]

Any well known Rangers supporter prepared to come out and criticise the SPL et al, in defence of Rangers, will suit me fine. Paul Murray should do the same.

Except he's not well known and his credentials as a Rangers supporter are questionable.

Happy with the statement in the OP....... glad they opted for a 'synopsis' as the full blown version would have been like War & Peace.

[1690 Posts 71]

Chris McLaughlin ‏@BBCchrismclaug

commission set up to investigate allegations of dual contracts at #Rangers throw out clubs protest over legal authority. Probe will continue

[1690 Posts 71]

Andy Park ‏@radioandypark

SPL independent commission have set the date for a hearing into Rangers alleged dual contracts. The hearing will commence on Tues 13th Nov.

#Rangers hearing to commence on 13th November and last until 21st November. Oldco and newcomer invited invited to appear. Bbc chris