With a colossal fallout still lingering over the BTC appeal, and feverish demands within the lower annals of Scottish football that Rangers be stripped of their titles, it is worth acquiring a little perspective.
To that extent, here are a couple of quotes from prominent ex-Celtic personnel who make clear their thoughts on the possibility of such a concept taking place.
First of all Martin O’Neill has made waves in the press recently for airing his views on the whole deal.
On whether or not Ibrox should be stripped of titles the Republic of Ireland manager suggested:
“What is comes down to is this – there were titles and cups that were won and lost on a field of play when two teams went up against one another. You do not know what is going on at a football club behind the scenes and you assume that everything is as it appears. But these games were played a long time ago and as far as I am concerned, all these years later my emotions have not changed in terms of how I recall those great days of winning the title with Celtic and the bitter disappointment when we did not. Memories of times of great joy and times of loss stay the same. There is nothing that can change how I feel about those experiences. The games were won and lost at the time and there is nothing now that is going to change that. It is not as if you are going to feel any better about for it, whatever happens.”
Interesting thoughts I am certain you will agree.
Former Celtic full back Jackie McNamara also had a comment or two to make in 2012 when the-now York City boss said:
“I don’t think I would take any satisfaction if someone handed me a winner’s medal because Rangers had been stripped of a title or a cup. We lost in those cup finals and we lost those league titles because Rangers were a better team. Sometimes it is not just your turn and that is the way I’ll always look at it. I genuinely would not take any pleasure from seeing Rangers having trophies taken from them. It doesn’t matter what Rangers players were being paid. As a footballer you have to beat what is put in front of you. It is not my concern how Rangers went about their business. They put a team on the field and Celtic and Falkirk were unable to beat them. Over the years Rangers had a lot of top players such as Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Ronald De Boer and it was just great to play these guys and test myself against the best. It didn’t concern me how much they got paid.”
In other words, what players got paid what does not matter. There is zero chance of Rangers’ title stripping taking place, no matter what one appeal rules, nor should there be. One opinion in a sea of contrary ones is rather outnumbered, but SPFL fans who want to see it take place anyway clearly are not interested in what those who would be affected actually think.
It really is time for Scottish football and its supporters to move on and stop living in the past.