'Rangers could close' by Jim Traynor

That was a Kennedy moment, 8.20am on BBC Radio Scotland he uttered the words: "Rangers could close"

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Was I hearing rightly, of course because he almost said it again before quickly remembering the script of 'and there's no reason why Rangers would be immune, or Celtic or any other club'.

Troubled times indeed. Pre-internet we had our own upheaval and it took almost five years from the first signs of dissent against 'The Board' to seeing the White's and Kelly's departing to be replaced by Fergus McCann, a McCann with a plan if ever there was a man.

McCann managed to see off rivals for the ownership of Celtic including Gerard Weisfeld, Michael McDonald, Willie Haughey, Brian Dempsey and others to save the club as the Bank of Scotland prepared for the final whistle.

McCann took control, gave seats on the board to Weisfeld, McDonald, Haughey and others including a lot of Keane's in the form of Dominic, John and Eddie who had all played various parts in helping McCann to power and were willing to invest their own money to save and revive Celtic.

At the time Celtic had little going for it, a good support that was disillusioned, a fantastic history and Paul McStay. Not much else and there was never a hint of selling McStay to balance the books, Paul had suffered with the rest of us and wanted to be part of the revival.

Compare that picture to today and Rangers.

Every day has brought fresh drama and twists, after hearing Traynor say those memorable words another radio station mentioned Newcastle having bids in for two French based players... oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. That will be the team that's been linked with Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor, Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes and almost anyone at Rangers except Kris Boyd.

The firm hand and text-book media management of David Murray is falling to pieces when the licence draining BBC have had Chick Young mentioning administration and Jim Traynor talk that Rangers could close.

Strange, strange times indeed and still over a fortnight to go in this fantastic month before the transfer window slowly and creakily closes down.

Murray's mistakes are surfacing by the day, he is being shown up as a deal-maker and gambler rather than the shrewd businessman that his cheerleaders have portrayed him as for the last 20 years.

Mistakes down the years have been brushed aside as the latest glitzy star has been signed for Rangers, usually snatched from under the noses of Real Madrid/Manchester United/AC Milan, alongside the ominous warning to the rest of Scotland that there will be more to follow.

The mistakes have been mounting up, times have been tighter at Ibrox in the last five or six years, Celtic have presented a consistent challenge and it's no longer such fun being chairman of Rangers.

Some Rangers fans have had misgivings but some calming words from Murray, stick together, we're all part of the family (nudge nudge) soon knocked the wind from any malcontents as the 9-in-a-row era was recalled and the rest of Murray's glory.

2009 however is a very different story, the moonbeams have been lost in space, their destination unknown, some of us don't even know if a moonbeam is good or bad news but we've all heard the phrase.

Rangers and Murray are on their knees and it has very little to do with the credit crunch that has closed Woolworths and saw HM Government take major stakes in Scotland's banks.

Murray's desire to spend a tenner for every fiver spent by Celtic is hitting home and hitting hard. He has never been able to savour Rangers successes without bringing Celtic into the equation.

He gloried in our troubles through the early nineties offering free advise on how to successfully run a football club/business. When he banned Celtic fans from attending a derby match at Ibrox he sneered that Celtic couldn't do the same because we were incapable of filling the stadium with Celtic fans.

For a decade now Celtic have had a bigger stadium and more season-ticket holders.

As the latest Admiral/Adidas/Nike/Umbro kit deal was unveiled as another stunning piece of business he questioned the unique Celtic strip wondering if such a design would ever be commercially attractive.

As Celtic opened up to offer supporters shares Murray triumphed that by bringing in Joe Lewis of ENIC with plans of hotels and intergalactic domination.

Today Murray and Rangers are in deep financial troubles with no life boats around to rescue them other than the players that won't be sold.

Last week as Kris Boyd was expected to sign for Birmingham City, managed by former Rangers boss Alex McLeish, Murray told his newspaper favourites that one player had to be sold and the move was to balance the books on his terms not at the request of the banks.

With those interviews about to hit the press the Boyd deal collapsed and suddenly the whole of football knew that Rangers had to sell a player, they had to bring in £4m (at least) or what?????

As Murray spoke he was breathing a sigh of relief, crisis over, maybe another player will be sold if a decent offer comes in but that's £2m plus received after Kilmarnock and Boyd have had their cut.

Now with Boyd still at the club a week later the question is being asked, 'what if they don't sell a player?'

We can all guess and speculate. Traynor appears to have put his foot in it, he's answered the question and it's not a popular answer or the answer expected.

With favoured agent Willie Mackay bombed out selling options are limited, there is no stampede for the untouchables while half a dozen recent signings hang around collecting their wages with no inclination to move on to help Rangers out.

The Rangers support appear divided, a campaign for change has been launched with almost as quickly a campaign to sort of change but not really, well maybe, but do it the dignified Rangers way counter launched.

Strangely protesting seems not to be the Rangers way, car park protests are for Celtic supporters, it's not the Rangers way. Strangely in the early 80s there would be regular crowds gathering outside Ibrox shouting for the removal of John Greig as manager before Celtic fans started similar protests against the club's owners.

In those days communication was difficult, there was no internet or mobile phones, the only way to gain publicity was on the Radio Clyde phone-in, organising and publicity wasn't as easy as it is today.

As bigger companies and even banks have found out recently speculation can be costly, whispering campaigns can gain momentum and the full extent of Murray and Rangers difficulties are unknown.

However being heavily involved in property at this time can't be reassuring, bankers aren't likely to be impressed with a property portfolio placed against increasing debts and borrowing.

Things change quickly these days, information seeps out and it's looking very concerning for Rangers as fresh developments come to light on a daily basis.

Succulent lamb was once on the menu, tomorrow it could be spam fritters all round.

Sunderland 1-0 Celtic

Celtic's reserve side lost 1-0 today to Sunderland in a friendly match played at 'The Academy of Light'.

The home side scored the only goal of the game ten minutes into the second half.

The game marked the Celtic debuts of Milan Musan and Niall McGinn who both signed for the club in December.

Musan gave an impressive performance at left-back, that phrase requires a bit of getting used to since it's our problem position, but if the 18-year-old settles in as quickly as it appears then he could well be involved in the first team at some stage this season.

McGinn had a quieter afternoon playing on the wing but should soon be upto speed after an impressive season with Derry City that saw him gain his first full international cap.

It was the reserves first game since December 22 when they beat Kilmarnock 1-0, Marc Crosas played in the game against Killie and got another 90 minutes which should bring help his match fitness and put him in line for a place in centre midfield.

Elsewhere Cillian Sheridan looked sharp and lively alongside Ben Hutchinson in attack with the reserve season resuming next Tuesday when they travel away to face Hearts.

SKIPPY'S CHRISTMAS CRACKER

Another incredible Celtic year

What an amazing year, glorious and tragic in equal measures as we enter 2009 with 4-in-a-row in sight and our city rivals on the brink of more upheaval as we strengthen our domestic dominance.

HAPPY NEW YEAR VIDEO

Winning at Ibrox was the perfect way to end the year, a win that meant much much more than three points, welcome as they were.

Earlier this year we were way behind Rangers, back-to-back defeats at Ibrox and at home to ten man Motherwell seemed to be the end of the road and a long painful close season in the shadow of a Rangers treble win and a possible UEFA Cup triumph to eclipse the joys of Seville held dear by a generation of Celtic fans.

How could that happen?

Thankfully it never came to pass, Rangers drew away to Dundee United, the door opened a little, we hammered Motherwell at Fir Park, beat Rangers back to back and after the horrible death of Tommy Burns and his uplifting funeral we were partying from Tannadice to Paradice and beyond as an unlikely championship was warmly greeted.

Perhaps you need to stare despair in the face to fully appreciate triumph but I wouldn't recommend it.

Again this season we've had our trials, watching Rangers win 4-2 at Celtic Park, a flattering scoreline on the day, was grim and scary as even Arthur Boruc lost his edge and a testing season loomed ahead whilst Rangers concentrated on the SPL as we faced the additional challenge of the Champions League.

The manager, the team and the squad have answered the challenge, 3-in-a-row hasn't made them complacent, it's made them hungry and the desire to avoid dark days is fresh enough to keep the team winning.

Twelve SPL wins on the bounce through autumn was a great achievement but there was still one question lurking over most of the present team... can they win at Ibrox?

Despite the title wins and Champions League qualifications there was still a cloud over the side cast by three straight defeats at Ibrox without even a goal scored.

Walter Smith's derby day record had taken a jolt in April with back-to-back defeats at Celtic Park but that 4-2 win gave legitimate grounds for concern and questions to be asked of the current team.

Did they have it in them to win at Ibrox against Rangers?

Were Hartley, Brown, McDonald, Caldwell, Robson and Samaras capable of winning at Ibrox, especially when the side is depleted?

Without Aiden McGeady, Shunsuke Nakamura, Shaun Maloney and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fit only for the bench Celtic emerged winners, deserved winners with the players reputations enhanced by the result.

It wasn't pretty but the team held firm, limited Rangers chances and when the moment came Scott McDonald showed class in his finish to join that elite group of Celts to have scored the winner at Ibrox.

The new year promises much, a squad hopefully returning towards full strength homing in on the title and perhaps domestic silverware as well to cushion the blow of no European football.

JANUARY

Begins tragically with the death of Phil O'Donnell, never the greatest of Celtic players but a local boy that lived the dream, wore the hoops and refused to buckle despite the constant injuries that hampered his Celtic career. On 9 May 1998 Phil played his part on a great Celtic day as St Johnstone were beaten 2-0 to secure 1-in-a-row and end a near decade of misery. Barry Robson and Georgios Samaras join the club after the earlier signing of Andreas Hinkel from Seville.

FEBRUARY

Two impressive 5-1 away wins to begin the month away to Kilmarnock and Aberdeen with some special magic from Aiden McGeady the highlight at Pittodrie. Barcelona called and truth be told they wiped the floor with us, after six straight Champions League wins at home Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and the rest give us the runaround despite the 3-2 scoreline.

MARCH

I'd rather forget. Out of the Champions League after a 0-1 in the Camp Nou is more acceptable than losing a Scottish Cup replay at home to Aberdeen after snatching a draw right at the death of the first match. A miserable month ends with a 1-0 defeat at Ibrox as the SPL slips almost out of sight.

APRIL

More misery as Motherwell win 1-0 at Celtic Park but two wins over Rangers keep the SPL race alive although help is required from elsewhere... assuming that we're capable of winning our remaining matches. Nakamura and big Jan score wonderful and contrasting goals in the 2-1 victory with McDonald and Robson the matchwinners in the 3-2 game.

MAY

Sadness and shock as Tommy Burns loses his fight with cancer just months after being part of the dug-out, an incredible turn out in Glasgow's East End mourn the loss just two days before the league is won at Tannadice with Jan the man again as the celebrations kick-off. Tannadice was a great setting to win the league, the United supporters concerned only with football matters and perhaps a little appreciative of Celtic's win after some rough decisions against Rangers in recent months.

AUGUST

Back for more but no big name signings, Shaun Maloney returns, Samaras's loan becomes permanent but a 4-2 loss from Rangers wasn't predicted whilst the Champions League draw pairs us with Manchester United, again, Villarreal, again and Aalborg.

SEPTEMBER

The start of a recovery, a devastating first half at Motherwell with four goals scored, another convincing win away to Kilmarnock but just one point from six in the Champions League ahead of the double header with Manchester United.

OCTOBER

Another clean sweep of SPL wins but nothing yet in the Champions League as we lose 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Striking situation getting very concerning with McDonald left on his own at Old Trafford although Cillian Sheridan emerges from virtually nowhere to score in his first SPL start against Hibs.

NOVEMBER

Champions League, and European exit, after losing disastrously away to Aalborg after taking the lead. Six minutes from a home win over Manchester United thanks to a brilliant Scott McDonald goal but deep down most of us knew that we weren't equipped for the Champions League, however a UEFA Cup run would have been a decent consolation. Another clean sweep of SPL wins.

DECEMBER

Arthur has a wobbler at Hibs, Aiden and Gordon go bonkers against Hearts, Koki Mizuno scores on his debut at Falkirk and delight as Scott McDonald's goal beats Rangers to spark a flurry of text and emails involving McDonald's and 7up.

Hail Hail and here's to 09

A wonderful Christmas time

How good was that?

Skippy's Christmas special video

As a game it was woeful, barely anything of note, hardly any goalmouth incidents, not many outstanding performances and few incidents or controversies.

But we all know that it's not just a game, it's not 90 minutes and three points. Winning at Ibrox is simply wonderful, in the mid eighties we had a regular run of it and again in the first half of this decade the wins came fairly regularly as well, even inspiring the stat the Neil Lennon won more SPL games at Ibrox than the messiah known as Paul le Guen.

Lenny was back at Ibrox again yesterday but a new generation of Celts added the label of 'Won at Ibrox' line to their cv.

SPL winners, some two or three times over, Champions League qualifiers, again achieved twice by some of the players.

Last season's title triumph was awesome and we're still feeding off it. The dark scary days that followed that home defeat from Motherwell are history as seven wins on the bounce, two over UEFA Cup finalists gave us a fantastic and unexpected league win on that strange, glorious and emotional night at Tannadice as our dreams came true.

Those league winners are now getting cocky, strutting their stuff and even a 2-4 loss to Rangers in August hasn't dented their confidence. A punishing Champions League campaign saw them bounce back domestically to overtake Rangers who had the benefits of a full week to prepare for SPL action as Gordon Strachan attempted success on two fronts against an injury list that almost became overwhelming.

The build up to Ibrox was dominated by who wouldn't be playing, no Shaun Maloney or suspended Aiden McGeady, Marc Crossas still short of match fitness, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missing for three months and doubts over the match fitness of Barry Robson and Paul Hartley.

Pre-match and Shunsuke Nakamura is also out of the picture with flu and by half-time Andreas Hinkel has been kicked off the park. Despite those circumstances the resolve was solid stemming from a battle hardened core of Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell through Hartley, Robson and Scott Brown to the magnificent Scott McDonald.

Our moany faced goal machine wasn't getting much support from Georgios Samaras whose going through an infuriating spell of almost always making the wrong decisions whatever the situation.

Remaining on the ball too long, passing when he shouldn't, beating one man too many and losing possession are all features of Sammy's play recently and they were in evidence again at Ibrox.

Until, until until the 57th minute when he got in a header in front of Davie Weir; with his back to goal McDonald knew exactly what he was doing.

With one touch on his chest to tame the ball, McDonald teed things up as he turned around to leave Kirk Broadfoot catching flies before skelping the ball over Allan McGregor into the net from 18 yards out before spinning away to celebrate in front of the Celtic support.

It was a moment of class and composure and richly deserved for McDonald who quickly corrected his scoring record against Rangers to 'three in two' from 'three in five' when he was interviewed on Setanta after the match.

Darren O'Dea was ready to come on before the goal was scored, Strachan stuck with his convictions and sent the Dubliner on in place of Koki Mizuno with O'Dea moving to left back pushing Lee Naylor further forward.

There was little threat from Rangers, although fraught with tension and fear of an equaliser there was no real panic with the central defenders dealing easily with Rangers crosses into the box and protecting the still shaky Artur Boruc.

When called upon the keeper was up to the challenge, blocking purposefully from Kris Boyd early in the second half when the striker was sent through on goal.

After the match the reaction from Celtic was sensible and restrained but after turning around a seven point deficit last season the same group of players are unlikely to throw away a seven point advantage on the back of a win at Ibrox.

The depth and determination of the squad has been tested and came out on top with a seven point advantage through the trickiest of circumstances.

The Aiden McGeady incident has strengthened the hand of a manager who will never please a large section of the Celtic support but his stubborn desire to succeed can never be doubted.

The next game with Rangers is only five SPL games away. The gap between the top two is more likely to be extended rather than trimmed, if that is the case Celtic have the ideal opportunity on February 15 to put the SPL beyond Rangers.

Having fought and scrapped their way into this position it's highly unlikely that complacency will be an issue, especially with a squad of 20 players all capable of playing their part and entitled to think of themselves as first team starters.

Happy Christmas Hoops.