Hibs chairman Rod Petrie is known as a hard negotiator when anybody tries to get one of Hibs players to move on. I would not like to be on the other side of him as he considers the right thing to do for the game in Scotland when the SPL eventually get round to making a decision on the fate of Rangers.
Petrie has hinted he would vote against a 'newco' Rangers replacing the 'old' Rangers in the SPL by saying "integrity is beyond purchase".
Up till now, Dunfermline's John Yorkston has been the only chairman to nail his colours to the sporting integrity mast. Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has signalled he would accept a newco Rangers for financial reasons.
With Petrie joining Yorkston, will others join their party before the end of the month? The Charles Green-fronted consortium has a deal to take control of Rangers and hope to move out of administration through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
However, if a CVA is rejected by creditors the group say they will form a new company to purchase the club's assets. The SPL are due to meet on 30 May, after twice postponing a vote on possible sanctions for 'newco' clubs.
The12 clubs will need to make a decision on whether a newco Rangers can acquire the share of the current club, with an 8-4 majority decision needed. But Petrie claimed that money should not come into the equation.
He said: "That's fundamental to us at our club, to make sure the integrity of the game is not called into question and that the sporting integrity of the competition we take part in is maintained at the highest standards.
It's not a question of any sum of money in return for that integrity - integrity is beyond purchase. It's important that all clubs can have a place within football, provided they have earned it in a sporting sense and also have abided by the rules."
Rangers fans have already threatened action against clubs who act against their club's interests, while supporters of other clubs have threatened to walk away from the SPL if it agrees to accept a 'newco' Rangers that could not agree a deal with creditors.
Petrie said: "It's vital part of what we do, listening to supporters. It's important we understand what they are thinking and it's also important we are able to explain the dynamics of the landscape in front of us.
If we are called upon to make any decisions we will try to do the right thing and uphold the integrity of the competition that we are engaged in. Celtic last week stated their guiding principle would be the best interests of the club and supporters, consistent with upholding the "interests and reputation of Scottish football".
Source: FOOTYMAD
