The Daily Record has accused the Celtic board of skimming the cash due to Sevco after withholding £35,000 in ticket money to pay for repairs at Celtic Park.
The claim is made in an article by Keith Jackson in Paul Murray’s favourite newspaper.
Various excuses are put up in the article including the claim that supporters at the 31 December match were somehow restrained in their song book despite repeated chants of the banned Billy Boys and other anti-catholic songs by the home support which was 90% season ticket holders.
The article claims: “Celtic’s board shrugged its shoulders, rolled its eyes and then skimmed the cash from the ticket money they were supposed to return over the Clyde after the noisy neighbours got together again on Hogmanay.”
At the heart of the matter is a mysterious claim over damage done by Celtic supporters inside Ibrox. More than two weeks after the event not a shred of evidence has been held up unless burning candles is the issue.
Various other deflection tools are used including references to hanging effigies. The people that brought those to Celtic Park have been dealt with by the courts unlike those that smashed up the toilets or spent their afternoon singing about their hatred of catholics.
Also running through the article is ‘years of protocol and an unwritten rule which has stood the test of time’.
Having been one of the 276 creditors stung by the administration of the old club it would seem wise of the Celtic board to change their business practices rather than end up out of pocket again.
The most telling fact missing from the story is that the Ibrox club aren’t taking any legal action or complaining to the football authorities about the missing £35,000.
The next step is in the hands of the Celtic board, after Murray and friends refused for four months to pay for damages it would be a sensible business move to ask for the ticket money up front plus a £35,000 bond against further damage.
I’m sure that the Celtic board would be happy to agree to that if they visit Ibrox again, perhaps both clubs could invite the Daily Record along to inspect both grounds before and after the match?