Out with the Old Firm (Scottish Football 2012-?, SFL rejects Rangers)

June-July 2012: The End of an Era
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    12th June, 2012

    The darkest or the brightest day in Scottish football history, depending on whom you ask. HMRC confirmed today that they would reject a proposed CVA for Rangers to continue operating, meaning they would have to be liquidated and reformed. This, of course, would mean losing their membership of the Scottish Premier League. Much gloating over Facebook and Twitter followed by opposition fans, glad to see off a club they felt was damaging the reputation of the Scottish game. Some papers reported an end to 140 years of Rangers history, while others were more sceptical that the club would just go away after the liquidation. Whatever the truth, this will be the end of an era.

    14th June, 2012

    Charles Green today announced that he had purchased Rangers' assets in a deal worth £5.5 million. The business and the assets of the club are now owned by Sevco Scotland 5088 Ltd., a company held by a Green-led consortium. This was despite a last minute bid by former manager, Walter Smith, who has been offered the position of chairman by Green. Sources indicate that he is highly unlikely to accept.

    Late June, 2012

    Much discussion has been made over what is to be done with Rangers, with the question of their SPL membership being raised given their reformation. A transfer of a membership share between the old company and the new company would require a two-thirds majority of the twelve current SPL clubs; however, eight clubs have already declared their intention to reject this proposition. Only Celtic, Kilmarnock, and Ross County have not declared their voting intentions. The vote will be held on the 4th of July.

    4th July, 2012

    Rangers' application to join the Scottish Premier League has officially been rejected as expected. The vote ended 10-1, with Kilmarnock abstaining, and only Rangers themselves in favour. The issue will now turn to the Scottish Football League, with 30 teams in three divisions now voting whether to accept Rangers as a member, and if they do, whether they will place them in the First Division or in the lowest Third Division. The former option has been strongly opposed by representatives of several clubs, including the Raith Rovers chairman Turnbull Hutton, who decried the proposal to send them only one division below as "corrupt".

    29th July, 2012

    In a stunning vote, the SFL clubs have rejected the proposed entry of Rangers into the SFL, whether in the First Division or the Third. Clubs voted 17-13 not to offer the new company the membership that would have been afforded to the old one. In an emergency vote triggered by the increasing likelihood of SFL rejection, the three senior regional non-league bodies have also rejected the possibility of Rangers' entry.

    It has been confirmed at the last minute, therefore, that multiple clubs will play in higher divisions than expected in the next season, which begins within a week. Dundee now find themselves playing in the Premier League after finishing a distant second in last season's First Division, whilst play-off losers from the Second and Third Divisions, Airdrie United and Stranraer, will be promoted after all. The remaining slot in the Third Division will be filled by the champions of the South of Scotland Football League, Dalbeattie Star, who accepted an invitation by the SFL. Meanwhile, Rangers have been left to the Scottish football wilderness...​

    (So this is my debut in TLing, I've wanted to explore this one recently. Any feedback is welcomed.)
     
    The Summer 2012 Transfer Window
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    9th July 2012

    The question on everyone's minds in the current transfer window of Scottish football: What will happen to the Rangers players? With their SPL membership rejected, there has been a split between contracted employees who intend to remain (including current manager Ally McCoist) and those who wish to leave. Five top players have found new clubs on free transfers, on the advice of the players' union who insist that they are free agents, while six more are refusing to join the new company[1]. Several of the players who remain have been assured by representatives of the board that they are confident that they will play in the Scottish Football League next season.

    However, any transfers are yet to gain international clearance, as Rangers still seek compensation for the moves and thus the SFA will not authorise them. Charles Green has publicly insisted that his company retained the contracts from the old company through TUPE rules. Muddying the waters further, of course, is the fact that the SFA are arbiting over transfers for a company that is to be liquidated on behalf of a new company which are not yet members. The confusion continues.

    Late July-Early August, 2012

    Several more Rangers players have asked to leave with the news that they will not participate in any SFA sanctioned league this season. Dorin Goian, Maurice Edu, Carlos Bocanegra Of the first team from last season, only captain Lee McCulloch remains, who has previously made it clear that he is sticking with his club whatever happens. Ian Black pulled out of a deal agreed in principle, and a move for Kilmarnock midfielder Dean Shiels ultimately fizzled out after the announcement.

    Rangers has announced its plans to host exhibition matches and restructure, and reapply to the regional leagues next season. McCulloch will be joined by several youth players - including standouts Barrie McKay and Lewis Macleod - as well as several experienced players who are still free agents. The hope is that trading on the Rangers name will allow them to build prominence and pay off their debts.

    The Rest of the Scottish Clubs

    The July-August transfer window has been fairly eventful for the 12 clubs in the Premier League.

    Celtic, now unrivalled in financial dominance in the league, signed the impressive Fraser Forster from Newcastle United early in the window. Various first team players and fringe players left, however, including the midfield star Ki Sung-yeung (to Swansea) and defender Cha Du-ri (to Fortuna Düsseldorf). With the incoming range of players looking overall rather thin, the transfer deadline day has brought them defender Efe Ambrose, as well as Venezuelan striker Miku on loan. Niall McGinn and Mo Yaqub have left to join fellow Scottish clubs, Aberdeen and St. Mirren respectively.

    Hearts saw their top scorer and Scottish Cup Hero last season, Rudi Skácel, leave, as they struggled with financial difficulties of their own, whilst St. Johnstone brought in Gregory Tadé, Nigel Hasselbaink, and Peter Pawlett (loan) from fellow Premier League clubs. Aberdeen brought in, along with Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes from Inverness. Dundee made several signings to cope with a surprise season in the Premiership, including ex-SPL player Davide Grassi.[2]

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    [1] Leavers are as in OTL. This does not include Gregg Wylde and Mervan Celik, who had already left in March.
    [2] Assume that most transfers happened in this window as in OTL, except for players going to Rangers.​

    Can you tell I have no idea what I'm doing in terms of writing yet? Next update will be a brief detour for how the Scottish clubs in Europe this season did.
     
    July-August 2012: European Tours Begin
  • 31st July, 2012

    Of all the teams that have entered the Champions League qualifying phase, Motherwell can count themselves among the biggest surprises. "Earning" themselves a third round qualifying berth in the place of Rangers, they have found themselves drawn against Greek giants Panathinaikos, in a match to be played this evening. This could be an opportunity for the formerly considered also-rans in Scotland to assert themselves and show that every season from now on won't be a Celtic procession.

    Motherwell earn famous draw in Champions League
    Motherwell 1-1 Panathinaikos
    Scorers: Lasley; Christodopoulos

    A late goal by Keith Lasley finally rewarded a long period of Well pressure in the second half. Panathinaikos looked happy to sit on their away goal and take the lead back to Greece, and they were rightly punished.

    1st August, 2012

    Celtic find themselves tested by strong Finnish side
    Celtic 2-1 HJK
    Scorers: Hooper, Mulgrew; Schüller

    After failing to take the lead in the first half, Celtic found themselves behind by an away goal in the 48th minute; however, two goals from their talents gave them the narrowest of advantage to take to Helsinki.

    8th August, 2012

    Second-half Hoops rally averts shock
    HJK 1-4 Celtic (2-6 agg.)
    Scorers: Pohjanpalo; Ledley, Samaras x2, Hooper

    Celtic found themselves behind at half-time due to a goal from highly fancied youngster Joel Pohjanpalo. With the side 45 minutes from going out on away goals, it's believed Neil Lennon had some choice words during the break. These were clearly highly effective, as Celtic's attackers showed no mercy in the second half, putting a Finnish defense to the sword. Victor Wanyama put in a different kind of "merciless", however, earning a sending-off for his trouble.

    Valiant Motherwell performance ultimately ends in defeat
    Panathinaikos 2-0 Motherwell (3-1 agg.)
    Scorers: Mavrias, Sissoko

    Well gave it their best as the completely unfancied side, but it is Panathinaikos who pass to the play-off round as expected.

    Meanwhile in the Europa League:

    Eskisehirspor 2-0 St Johnstone
    Scorers: Potuk, Sari
    St Johnstone 1-0 Eskisehirspor (1-2 agg.)
    Scorers: Tadé

    In this second qualifying round clash, St Johnstone performed strongly, but couldn't quite pull out a second goal at either venue.

    Dundee Utd 0-3 Dynamo Moscow
    Scorers: Kokorin x2, Semshov
    Dynamo Moscow 6-0 Dundee Utd (9-0 agg.)
    Scorers: Semshov, Kokorin, Yusupov x2, Sapeta, Watson o.g.

    In the third qualifying round, Dundee United were thoroughly thrashed over two legs by a superior Dynamo side. They did not even appear to have fight in them by the end of the first leg, let alone the second. "Houston, we have a problem - serious questions for gaffer to answer ahead of SPL kickoff" read one local paper after the 3-0 at Tannadice.

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    I'm finally back here. Next up: SPL season Day 1. Will probably omit the scorers for most "less important" league + cup matches.
     
    August 4-5, 2012: It Begins
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    August 4-5, 2012

    The Clydesdale Bank Premier League season is set to start off strongly, with a Celtic home game on the first day likely to boost the average attendance.

    Goalkeeping howler hands Celtic win vs Aberdeen
    Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen
    Scorers: Commons

    Aberdeen put in a strong performance against the defending champions, with new signing Jonny Hayes proving a particular threat, and veteran captain Russell Anderson containing Celtic's attacks. However, the only goal of the game came from a trundling shot from Kris Commons which Jamie Langfield allowed to slip past him.

    Hearts 1-1 St Johnstone
    Scorers: Templeton; Tadé [1]

    Kilmarnock 0-0 Dundee

    Ross County 0-2 Motherwell
    Scorers: Higdon x2 [2]

    St Mirren 1-2 Inverness CT
    Scorers: Guy; Ross, McKay [3]

    Dundee Utd 1-2 Hibernian
    Scorers: Gardyne; Griffiths x2 [4]

    [1] Saints are more confident after doing slightly better in Europe. TTL, penalty isn't scored, and Tadé gets an early goal.
    [2] OTL, the biggest chances went to Higdon, but he missed.
    [3] TTL, McGregor's 92nd minute shot misses
    [4] United don't have the momentum they had after the Dynamo game, given that they played so horribly.

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    Next update will probably be the CL/EL playoffs. Could someone please recommend me a site/file where I can create a league table and save it to edit again later? It'll be good for keeping track of all these fixtures.
     
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