Rangers FC

20th February 2012

Even in a week when unemployment figures were at a 17 year high, the plight of Rangers football club has dominated the headlines.

Perhaps this is not surprising given the size and nature of the club.

Back in 2000, David Murray asserted that for every five pound Celtic spent, Rangers would spend ten.

For years the club stood by this philosophy, living the Greek experience, spending more than it earned.

As the fans cheered their team on from the stands little did they realise that the game they were watching, was more akin to roulette than football, and the stakes were the future of the club.

In the pursuit of titles, trophies and glory a blind eye was turned to the precarious financial situation and the club continued to spend money it didn’t have.

This whole situation could have been averted if the hierarchy had managed its finances responsibly. But instead they gambled the future of Ranger FC with little thought for the impact it would have on others.

Unfortunately, this tact, similar to that employed by the bankers, is symptomatic of a wider problem regarding those at the top of society who are cavalier in their approach, and who take unnecessary risks to the determent of honest hard working people.

In the cold light of day, many loyal supporters will be reflecting as to whether the big signings were really worth the gamble.

When the crisis has passed wider questions will need to be asked. Should the finances of football clubs be subject to greater regulation? Should there be a bigger role for fans in the running of the club?

Whatever happens, it is vital that Rangers FC and Scottish football as a whole are not allowed to revert back to business as usual.