Sporty Salmond refuses to salute Celtic’s success
The attention seeking Hearts fan is never slow to associate himself with sporting success with Chris Hoy’s Olympic gold for Great Britain prompting him to say: “Congratulations to Sir Chris Hoy on his fifth gold medal. A legendary performance by Scotland’s greatest-ever Olympian. Truly inspirational.”
Despite predictions of Armageddon and a slow lingering death from the drama queens handsomely paid to administer Scottish football Celtic have qualified to reach the lucrative group stages of the Champions League without recourse to financial doping at the expense of the public purse.
The visit of Barcelona to Glasgow in October will provide the city with priceless publicity with hotel rooms at a premium for the visit of Lionel Messi and his multi-titled Spanish team mates.
As recently as February Salmond was expressing his concern for Celtic’s ability to survive the crisis that put Rangers into liquidation stating in an Al Jazeera interview: “Obviously HMRC have got to pursue in the public interest, taxation.
“Equally, they’ve got to have cognisance of the fact that we’re talking about a huge institution, part of the fabric of the Scottish nation as well as Scottish football, and everybody realises that.
“The most diehard Celtic supporter understands that Celtic can’t prosper unless Rangers are there.
“The rest of the clubs understand that as well. Therefore you have to have cognisance of these things when you’re pursuing public policy.”
That fantasy prompted a quick response from Celtic stating: “We are very disappointed with the first minister’s claims that Celtic ‘need’ Rangers and that Celtic ‘can’t prosper unless Rangers are there’.
“This is simply not true. In a series of interviews given just three days ago, we made it abundantly clear that Celtic has a well-defined strategy and a business plan independent of the fortunes of any other club. That remains absolutely the case.
“The predicament of Rangers is clearly a serious and complex matter with a whole range of possible outcomes.
“However, we are extremely well-qualified to make our own position clear and have no wish to see this being misrepresented for political reasons.”
Celtic’s Champions League success has brought SPL clubs a £1.5m payout from UEFA which is almost equal to the reduction in television money following the demise of Rangers.
Despite that boost- which should see Hearts receive over £100,000- Salmond hasn’t gone public to congratulate Celtic.
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When it came to success for Rangers, and in particular Walter Smith, there was no holding back with Salmond gushing in his praise.
The retirement of Smith brought an especially emotional response from the First Minister who wrote a letter stating: “I am writing to offer you my warmest congratulations for leading Rangers to a third successive Scottish Premier League title on what was your last day in charge of the club.
“Your distinguished career has been nothing short of truly remarkable, and that this league title win took your tally at Rangers to twenty-one trophies is testament to your ability to bring the very best out of the players and staff around you.
“However, it is not just your achievements on the field which will remain uppermost in my mind it is also the way you have conducted yourself off the pitch that is so impressive.
“Football, as our national game, as we both know only too well can sometimes be all consuming but your ability to rise above seemingly insurmountable pressure is an inspiration for any young manager or player involved in the game.
“I told you once that I thought that taking an under-resourced side to a European final in 2008 was one of the finest examples of management that I have ever seen -a true test of ability.
“I would like to wish you every future success as the next chapter in your life begins.”
In June 2009 in a personal letter to his friend Smith, Salmond wrote: “As First Minister of Scotland and on behalf of my ministerial team, I am writing to congratulate you on winning the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Title at Tannadice last weekend and the Homecoming Scottish Cup at Hampden on Saturday.
“Everyone at the club must be delighted that the triumph ended the club’s four year wait to clinch the championship. Rangers has a remarkable history and winning the Homecoming Scottish Cup to secure the club’s eighteenth domestic double must be the icing on the cake of a memorable season.
“However, I know that in addition to the players and coaching staff, everyone at the club will have contributed to the team’s success so please pass on my congratulations to all involved
“May I wish you all the very best and continued success with Rangers next season.”
Whenever he does get around to offering belated congratulations to Neil Lennon and his side it’s sure to contain all the sincerity of a manifesto promise.
CLICK HERE for Salmond and Rangers correspondence.
CLICK HERE for Celtic v Helsingborg Champions League gallery
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