So John McClelland has informed us that the English Premiership is now no longer a viable option because Adam Crozier has left his position at the English FA. Personally I'd like to see our new man strike a cord with the support and give some positive vibes through the media - but hey, only my opinion.
Is it dead in the water though? I do not believe it is for one minute. Why? Simply because there are rumblings and moves afoot elsewhere in Europe that has a distinctly familar feel, if not language, to it.
This week started with news that both the German FA and leading German clubs (including Borussia Moenchenengladbach, Dortmund and Schalke) are all welcoming moves proposed by the three leading Dutch clubs for them to join the Bundesliga.
We all knew deep down that the Old Firm trying to force the hand of UEFA and to a lesser extent FIFA would not work, no matter the amount of cash thrown into the game by Rupert Murdoch.
However this latest development will surely open the floodgates for UEFA's greatest fear - regionalisation of leagues within Europe. If the clubs get their wish, then it will not only (in my opinion) reconstruct the domestic game but also see the downfall of UEFA as the bigger clubs take over.
The leading clubs want the most cash and to get it they need the bigger clubs alongside them. Therefore the likely scenarios would produce:
Dutch teams in the German league (Feyenoord, Ajax, PSV) replacing the likes of Energie Cottbus; Portuguese teams in the Spanish league (Porto and Benfica) replacing the likes of Rayo Vallecano, Belgian teams in the French league (Club Brugges) replacing the likes of Nice.
The more the big clubs push, the more the tide is going to turn - and this is the Old Firm's and more importantly Rangers opportunity to help reshape the face of the European game (as we did with the Champions League).
Now obviously we're lacking the fine detail of how this would work - local lower divisions, etc - however small countries with a few massive clubs seem to be making themselves heard more and more often. How long before the rest of the countries in a similar position make the same sounds?
How this all turns out in practice is anyone's guess. However what I do know is that if we have an end goal (do we Mr Chairman, other than 2nd best in Glasgow?), then striving for this end goal through the biger picture (European sense, instead of just UK) rather than bemoaning the loss of a potential ally in England would surely be a decent start.
Never know, it may also endear you to the support.
Vanderhogg
The East Enclosure Dutchman