Extended metaphor alert... The financial crisis of the late 2000s was followed, in the UK most of all, by a period of 'austerity' that was economically unjustified and needlessly socially damaging. The political extremism that followed gave rise to, and was sorely exacerbated by, the economic and social damage of Brexit. For a period though, Brexit allowed some of those affected to feel a sort of victory had been won - until reality bit again, harder. And here we are, almost twenty years on, with a non-trivial part of the political discourse entirely dominated by the idea of an entitlement that has been thwarted (by foreigners, minorities, women etc).
The liquidation of Rangers provided a similar shock to the crisis, in the sense that old assumptions about prosperity/dominance were completely upturned. The parallel for some is of an entitlement withdrawn. The Sevco period provided a Brexity moment of 'victory' (up yours, now we're coming back to dominate, etc), sustained for a while by promotions and hope - even though the structures put in place were *worse* in terms of the prospects for shared prosperity/football dominance etc. The bad guys made out like bandits and everyone else paid for it. Again.
Now things have, perhaps more finally, levelled off. Footballing dominance is unlikely to return, but the position is still fairly safe near the top of the pile - if people are willing to accept that. But the threat comes an entitlement that says we must be able to do better, and the fact that we're not can only mean that we're being deliberately thwarted by <them>.
The UK government should do all it can to invest in public services through progressive taxation and careful fiscal management. The Rangers should focus on building the best possible structures, transparent governance, youth set-up, analytics capacity, etc etc, to make the absolute most of their resource base. The danger is that the pressures of entitlement push the decisionmakers to more and more short-termist foolishness, ultimately scuppering any hopes of medium-long term sustainable success...
The “two sides of the same coin” syndrome surfaced very recently on “Off The Ball”. In a discussion with the CEO of Braehead Arena about the return of the “Tennents Sixes”. Tam Cowan was at pains to establish that the tournament would be family friendly by asking, unnecessarily, whether songs about sashes or the IRA would be tolerated.
Yes, it drives me nuts when the media pundits and oppostion managers can't mention one team (Celtic) without mentioning the other (the Rangers). E.g. It is a different kind of pressure when you are playing for Celtic or Rangers. Or they use the trademark term "Old Firm"*
* It's what keeps their show on the road and pays their bills.
I read it, Alan.
Every word.
Really enjoyed this article Alan.
Extended metaphor alert... The financial crisis of the late 2000s was followed, in the UK most of all, by a period of 'austerity' that was economically unjustified and needlessly socially damaging. The political extremism that followed gave rise to, and was sorely exacerbated by, the economic and social damage of Brexit. For a period though, Brexit allowed some of those affected to feel a sort of victory had been won - until reality bit again, harder. And here we are, almost twenty years on, with a non-trivial part of the political discourse entirely dominated by the idea of an entitlement that has been thwarted (by foreigners, minorities, women etc).
The liquidation of Rangers provided a similar shock to the crisis, in the sense that old assumptions about prosperity/dominance were completely upturned. The parallel for some is of an entitlement withdrawn. The Sevco period provided a Brexity moment of 'victory' (up yours, now we're coming back to dominate, etc), sustained for a while by promotions and hope - even though the structures put in place were *worse* in terms of the prospects for shared prosperity/football dominance etc. The bad guys made out like bandits and everyone else paid for it. Again.
Now things have, perhaps more finally, levelled off. Footballing dominance is unlikely to return, but the position is still fairly safe near the top of the pile - if people are willing to accept that. But the threat comes an entitlement that says we must be able to do better, and the fact that we're not can only mean that we're being deliberately thwarted by <them>.
The UK government should do all it can to invest in public services through progressive taxation and careful fiscal management. The Rangers should focus on building the best possible structures, transparent governance, youth set-up, analytics capacity, etc etc, to make the absolute most of their resource base. The danger is that the pressures of entitlement push the decisionmakers to more and more short-termist foolishness, ultimately scuppering any hopes of medium-long term sustainable success...
Alex - thank you for that
short termism rules ok at Ibrox for some time. An equity play such as this normally has a 5 year horizon for making a buck then selling up
there won't be any strategic thinking there for a while
Well written article...any chance any of the msm will publish it🤔
Hi Steve and thanks
Absolutely goddam not
The “two sides of the same coin” syndrome surfaced very recently on “Off The Ball”. In a discussion with the CEO of Braehead Arena about the return of the “Tennents Sixes”. Tam Cowan was at pains to establish that the tournament would be family friendly by asking, unnecessarily, whether songs about sashes or the IRA would be tolerated.
Hi Phillip
It is very much default media learned behaviour
Yes, it drives me nuts when the media pundits and oppostion managers can't mention one team (Celtic) without mentioning the other (the Rangers). E.g. It is a different kind of pressure when you are playing for Celtic or Rangers. Or they use the trademark term "Old Firm"*
* It's what keeps their show on the road and pays their bills.
Always informative and to the point.
Very kind and thank you Ann
Excellent as ever
Thanks Conor!