Celtic 'surprised' at ruling that Rangers enjoyed no advantage

Football Writer

Saturday 2 March 2013

CELTIC said last night that they were "surprised" the independent commission chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith had ruled that Rangers gained no competitive advantage by not disclosing to the relevant authorities side payments totalling £47m made to players between 2000 and 2011.

Neil Lennon is focusing on the game with St Mirren

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Graeme Macpherson

The inquiry found Rangers guilty of failing to notify the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Premier League about payments made through Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) but elected not to strip the Ibrox club of titles, instead fining oldco Rangers £250,000.

Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, remarked yesterday that Rangers had still been guilty of "breaching the rules", and the Parkhead club followed his comments with a statement. It read: "Like many within Scottish football, we are surprised by the parallel conclusion no competitive advantage was gained from these arrangements. However, the implications of this verdict are for the Scottish football authorities to address since the rules breached were specifically intended to defend 'sporting integrity'."Throughout this matter, Celtic have refrained from comment on the affairs of Rangers FC while the various tribunals and commissions went about their work. We will continue to concentrate on our own affairs, and assure supporters that at all times we will operate within both the rules of our governing bodies and the law of the land."Our club is in a great place at the moment and we are enjoying a fantastic season. Our fans have been magnificent and, as we head towards the end of the season, now, more than ever, we need our fans to be with us and to back the team and the club."One of the sanctions that had been available to the commission was stripping Rangers of the five Scottish Premier League titles won during that 11-year period.Lennon said: "They were found guilty of £47m in non-disclosed payments. Whether that gave them a competitive edge . . . the tribunal said it didn't but I've got my own views. I will reserve the right to talk about that some other time. I'm sure other people will have their own views. "I'm not annoyed at the decision as they were found guilty. But they are not going to be stripped of the titles. I've an opinion on that but I don't think it's the time to give that opinion. What they were guilty of was £47m over 11 years of non-disclosed payments. That's breaching the rules."Lennon insisted his focus was on Celtic's William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against St Mirren at lunchtime today, and then the return leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus in Turin next week. He could not resist making a small dig at Rangers, however, for allowing the Italians to use their training ground ahead of the first leg. "I'm not going to dwell on it for too long," Lennon said. "We have two massive games coming up, St Mirren then Juventus in the last 16. And we're playing Juventus rather than renting out a training pitch to them. We do our business impeccably on and off the field. That's why we're in the position we are and other clubs aren't."

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Celtic 'surprised' at ruling that Rangers enjoyed no advantage

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