Walter Smith has launched an astonishing attack on Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell over the Ibrox clubs wish to have the league season extended which lead to Lawwell questioning the integrity of the entire league set up.
Smith said, "We have a 'sporting integrity' situation which gave me a good laugh.
"Peter Lawwell appears to be the person who is the chairman of the sporting integrity committee for the SPL."Peter would be better coming out and saying he wants Rangers to play four games in a week because it suits his team and helps their quest to retain the championship.
"If it was the other way about I would be hoping that Celtic had to play four games in a week. So he should be honest about it instead of trying to hide behind what he is calling sporting integrity.
"He's doing what he feels is the right for his club by saying the season shouldn't be extended, but he's doing it for his own reasons."
So if we pause here to examine exactly what Smith has said:
- Smith believes that Lawwell is hiding behind the term "integrity" to gain an advantage for his team
- Smith would do/advocate Rangers doing the exact same thing if the roles were reversed
So if the SSM was to say that he was against the extension due to it handing Celtic an advantage you would be OK with it Walter? So what is the point of dropping the veil of dignity in order to point that out?
The embarrassing rant continues, "The thing that bothers me most is that the SPL have this season acceded to every request Celtic have made," Smith continued.
We will need to stop you there again Walter, since you are now the "say what you mean spokesman", what does that little paragraph mean? The only request Celtic has made this term was due to the death of a footballer, so why don't you just come out and say that you feel Celtic took advantage of this, go on I dare you.
"It's no coincidence that we are playing one of our biggest games of the season when they (the SPL) would have a fair idea that we would be playing it between two very important semi-final games.
"I don't mind playing four games in a week. Celtic are using that situation to their advantage, but that's what it's all about. We have got to overcome that
Apologies again for the interruption Wattie but what exactly are you saying here? That you don't mind playing four games in a week? So what difference is getting an extra four days going to do to that? You would still be required to play a game every two days! If we are to win the championship.
"The most galling aspect is that they have given Celtic everything they asked for and Peter is still complaining."
Again I echo the question, what have Celtic been given this year Walter?
Smith insists all the dissenters over the proposed extension of the season should instead focus on the good Rangers' European run is doing for the Scottish game.
Just as they did when Celtic reached the final in 2003 eh Wattie?
"I don't take part in conspiracies. I thought it was a reasonably simple request to extend the season, but maybe I was being naive," Smith added.
"If Rangers are helping raise the profile of Scottish football, helping raise the co-efficient and giving us extra European places, then surely we should be getting a little bit of help.
"If the SPL think that's the way to treat their teams then that's fine.
"But over the piece, I think my own club has been treated unfairly."
Right Walter, now it is time to take a look at where this fixture backlog came from.
· You had your away fixture against Gretna postponed to help facilitate your entry into the second phase of the Champions League, a gift that you ultimately spunked getting bested 3-0 at home to Lyon.
· Had your Away game against St Mirren postponed. A game that has still to be played. Quite why this match couldn't have taken place in December when there were two midweek dates available is beyond me
It should be noted that in the same month Celtic played 10 games in a five-week period, the majority of which were away from home and Celtic dropped points accordingly. It should be further noted that Celtic also played two European ties in this period
- You failed to beat Partick Thistle and Hibs in the Cup and therefore had to take part in replays.
- Your game against East Stirling had to be postponed due to the state of the midden you call a pitch, causing the game v Celtic to be delayed to March allowing you more time to get players fit and back from suspension.
So all in all Walter the position you now find yourself in is one of your and the SPL's doing.
Had you played the same amount of matches as Celtic did in December you would now only have one game in hand to play.
Had you played against Gretna rather than getting an extra week off you would not have had this problem.
Had your style of football been good enough to see off Hibs and Partick at the first time of asking then you would not have this problem.
This irrational rant, devoid of dignity and composure could be the sign that the Cardigan is feeling the pressure. A cursory glance at Rangers Forums after they have dropped points or not played well has shown that Scotland's Shame are more than inclined to turn on the Manager at the drop of a hat, one wonders what may happen if they were to surrender their league advantage?
You have made your own bed Walter, time you start lying in it. Do you know why? You are in this position by your own making and do you know what galls me Walter? That you have the cheek to criticise Peter Lawwell for complaining when all you have done throughout this unguided rant is to complain about a situation that you have GOT YOURSELF INTO!!!!!
Cracks are appearing.
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt