Celtic alone on Gers tax review

CELTIC are the only one of the Scottish Football Association’s 108 member clubs to oppose its decision not to support a review into the Rangers tax case, according t o its chief executive Stewart Regan.

The SFA wrote to member clubs l ast Thursday t o announce it would not take part in a review proposed by the Scottish Professional Football League board which included an examination of “the way Scottish fo o t b a l l ’s authorities have dealt with non-payment of t ax by clubs”. The SFA claimed “raking over the coals” would damage the game.

Celtic responded with a statement describing the review as “essential” and that not to do so would represent “a failure i n transparency, accountability and leadership”.

The SFA did confirm that compliance officer Tony McGlennan will investigate whether Rangers should have been granted a licence by Uefa to enter European competition in 2011.

Regan reaffirmed the stance of the SFA at Hampden Park and said: “Closure is a difficult thing for some people. I don’t ever think there will be truly closure on this issue.

“It is too emotive and too many issues have arisen over the years.

“All I can say is that we are acting on behalf of 108 members. I wrote to all of our members last week and invited them to discuss any aspect of my letter to them when we notified them of the board’s decision.

“I haven’t had a single email, a single phone call or a single letter from anyone other than clearly Celtic Football Club and the SPFL.

“So as far as the wider membership, 108 members, we are on the right track as far as those members are concerned.

“Our board made a decision that we felt we had gone as far as we can in dealing with all of t he various matters which deal with Rangers since 2011.

“We feel that we have arrived at t he decision which is in the best interests of Scottish football.”

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.