The ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s 115 financial charges has reignited a long-standing debate in Scottish football: the legacy of the Rangers EBT (Employee Benefit Trust) years.
In a recent segment on Born Celtic YouTube channel, we look at the moment Alan Brazil challenged Ally McCoist to compare the two situations—and the notable memory lapse that followed.
The “Obliterated” Memory of the EBT Era
When asked if Rangers were owed an apology by HMRC following the resolution of the Big Tax Case, McCoist’s response was surprising for someone so deeply embedded in the club’s history. He claimed that the period had been ‘completely obliterated’ from his memory.
However, for Celtic fans and financial observers, the figures are impossible to forget. As highlighted in our latest video breakdown, the scale of the EBT payments was vast, including:
- Sir David Murray: £6.3 million
- Barry Ferguson: £2.5 million
- Stefan Klos: £2 million
- Christian Nerlinger: £1.8 million
You can look at the sheer scale of the Rangers EBT scandal here.
Sporting Advantage or Financial Irregularity?
The crux of the Born Celtic analysis isn’t just about the money—it’s about the sporting advantage.
While pundits often debate the technicalities of tax law, the reality is that millions of pounds were used to recruit and retain talent that otherwise may have been out of reach.
As the football world watches the Manchester City case unfold, the parallels to the Scottish game are becoming harder to ignore.
Are we seeing a repeat of “financial doping,” or is the media once again shielding certain figures from the awkward questions they deserve to answer?
Let’s hope McCoist is asked again, because watching him squirm as he speaks about Rangers dying is just brilliant.