Rangers News

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Updates on Rangers Transfer news.

the-gaffer wrote:

When I said you seemed obsessed by "The Rangers" points you made it was simple, you listed it twice in your 7 points

They were your quotes to which I was responding to. You mentioned "The Rangers" twice, you must be obsessed too then?

You thought that Naismith would be staying. To even think that was stupid and you have been proven wrong.

Again, the fact that you think that sevco will simply walk into the 3rd division is delusional. They will have no players, no structure, no license. Nothing is in place. Stadium is not sorted, nothing.

Why should the restructure benefit sevco? It shouldn't. Sporting integrity goes out the window if it happens.

Anyone read the Naismith statement yet? He seems to question whether Rangers history transfers as well (It doesn't, in my opinion). That will not endear him to the support.

This is Scottish football, whether you like it our not sporting Integrity went out the window many many years ago.

The SPL is just a boys club that really has no interest in Scottish football and each team is only interested in self preservation at all costs.

You just need to look at how Yorkston at dunfermlines views radically change depending which league his team are in at the time

I have stated before I think rangers should be relegated to third division, but to think there is any integrity in the spl now, is to use your own favourite word delusional.

I find it difficult to discuss reality topics and sporting integrity with 30 year old grown men who watch wrestling and spend all their time fantasy wrestling.

Grow up.

Nay Bother wrote:This is Scottish football, whether you like it our not sporting Integrity went out the window many many years ago.

The SPL is just a boys club that really has no interest in Scottish football and each team is only interested in self preservation at all costs.

You just need to look at how Yorkston at dunfermlines views radically change depending which league his team are in at the time

I have stated before I think rangers should be relegated to third division, but to think there is any integrity in the spl now, is to use your own favourite word delusional.

Sporting integrity went out the window when Rangers started "cheating". Now we can get it back by punting them as far as we can. They deserve nothing less. There is looking out for your own club and then there is cheating. Rangers cheated, that is where the sporting integrity was lost.

I've mentioned "The Rangers" more than twice, however it was on your famed 'list' that you listed them twice, why? I have no clue

As for Naismith, it looks like you're 100% correct, I didn't say he wouldn't leave though, I simply looked at it from another point of view, at no time did I say I think he'll definitely stay

Do I think they'll walk into the SFL (whatever division that may be?) YES, is that delusional? Of course not, if any other club challenge them be it Spartans or Cove or Whitehill Wellfare then they will all be looked upon and the pros and cons will decide who will get that place, I'll wager the Newco will come out on top of any such realistic decision

Why should the structure benefit Sevco? It shouldn't, however this is where you're letting your blind hatred for one club old and new get the better of you, from a realists point of view Rangers under its new guise will rise through the leagues back to the SPL in the fastest possible time simply because the resources they'll have compared to the other teams at the level they'll be banished too.

Now the structure should be to the benefit of Scottish Football and any Newco will be part of that and since you're banging on about sporting integrity you'll understand that as part of Scottish Football then the Newco will be entitled to benefit from any re-structure if they fairly gain enough points to put them in a position to benefit from it...agreed?

I find it difficult to discuss reality topics and sporting integrity with 30 year old grown men who watch wrestling and spend all their time fantasy wrestling.

Yet you're the one who can't seem to hold a conversation without resorting to insults

You don't do Irony much do you

Sporting integrity went out the window when Rangers started "cheating". Now we can get it back by punting them as far as we can. They deserve nothing less. There is looking out for your own club and then there is cheating. Rangers cheated, that is where the sporting integrity was lost.

Agreed, however Rangers are dead now, they died last Thursday, you can't contuinue to punish a new club because of the actions of an old one

the-gaffer wrote:I've mentioned "The Rangers" more than twice, however it was on your famed 'list' that you listed them twice, why? I have no clue

As for Naismith, it looks like you're 100% correct, I didn't say he wouldn't leave though, I simply looked at it from another point of view, at no time did I say I think he'll definitely stay

Do I think they'll walk into the SFL (whatever division that may be?) YES, is that delusional? Of course not, if any other club challenge them be it Spartans or Cove or Whitehill Wellfare then they will all be looked upon and the pros and cons will decide who will get that place, I'll wager the Newco will come out on top of any such realistic decision

Why should the structure benefit Sevco? It shouldn't, however this is where you're letting your blind hatred for one club old and new get the better of you, from a realists point of view Rangers under its new guise will rise through the leagues back to the SPL in the fastest possible time simply because the resources they'll have compared to the other teams at the level they'll be banished too.

Now the structure should be to the benefit of Scottish Football and any Newco will be part of that and since you're banging on about sporting integrity you'll understand that as part of Scottish Football then the Newco will be entitled to benefit from any re-structure if they fairly gain enough points to put them in a position to benefit from it...agreed?

You had mentioned "The Rangers" twice.

The fact you could see Naismith staying is bad enough.

How will sevco come out on top? What do they have in place at this time to make you think this?

No problem in a restructure but not to benefit sevco ie letting them straight into div 1. They should be div 3 minimum, then restructure. No problem there (depending on what the restructure actually is)

the-gaffer wrote:

I find it difficult to discuss reality topics and sporting integrity with 30 year old grown men who watch wrestling and spend all their time fantasy wrestling.

Yet you're the one who can't seem to hold a conversation without resorting to insults

You don't do Irony much do you

Nice to know that it's an insult. Needed to see what sort of credibility you have in discussing reality topics. Obviously none.

Yeap absolutely none, I'm almost as socially inept as someone who can't have a debate without resorting to insults....

Oh wait

The fact you could see Naismith staying is bad enough.

Right, this is the last time I'll say this, Naismith from what I'm aware won't be fit until September/October, he has a long history of serious knee injuries and has to be viewed upon as dodgy at this point, he has a gauranteed wage atm of around £15k p/w, now if he refuses to transfer his contract to the newco which looks likely then he'll have to probably do without a wage until he is fully fit and can prove that to any future employer, any club wanting him will have to pay £20k+ p/w and at the moment any insurance cover for him will be sky high, so that in itself could put off any interested party until he can prove his fitness, that was why I said I could see him staying where he is, he'd be looking at giving up £150k+ in wages

How will sevco come out on top? What do they have in place at this time to make you think this?

I believe that they have the quantity of fans and a place to play that can earn them more money in a month than teams in the 2nd and 3rd Divisions can earn in a year and that money will see them succeed

It hardly takes a genius to understand that to be honest, look at the ease in which Gretna sailed through the leagues to understand that any form of Newco will also do the same

No problem in a restructure but not to benefit sevco ie letting them straight into div 1. They should be div 3 minimum, then restructure. No problem there (depending on what the restructure actually is)

I've got no issue with Rangers going straight to Division 3 however if they do go to Division 1 I believe it's the only way the ruling bodies will look at giving us back the Play-Off's

In full: Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker statements on leaving Rangers

The former Rangers FC players Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker issued statements to explain their decisions to reject a transfer of their contracts to Sevco 5088, which will form the newco Rangers club.

The pair decided under TUPE legislation not to move to the new company, and are now free agents.


Steven Naismith

“I have discussed this decision with my fiancée, my family and my advisors. It has been an extremely difficult decision to make but I believe it is the right decision.

“As players we were put in a difficult position by the administrators whereby we were asked to take a 75% pay cut to contracts that we entered into in good faith. As players we collectively saw this as the only way to get Rangers Football Club out of administration by way of a CVA and thereby protect the staff jobs and the history of the club and give the creditors who had also entered into contracts with Rangers in good faith the best chance of being paid.

“Both Steven and I and our agent fought hard with administrators during negotiations to insert clauses that offered protection to staff and players at the club. I am extremely proud of the actions we took but I am disappointed and angry that Rangers Football Club no longer exists in its original form.

“I am proud that the result of the squad’s decision to take a 75% pay cut for 3 months was successful in our aim of protecting the players and staff at Ibrox and Murray Park’s conditions that has resulted in the opportunity for each member of staff to TUPE over or not to the new entity keeping their original pay and conditions.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Walter Smith, Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall Ian Durrant, Jim Stewart and the rest of the backroom and medical staff and everyone that works at Ibrox and Murray Park for their support during my time at the Club. I am proud of the success we achieved during my time including three SPL titles, a Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.

“Finally I would like to thank the fans for all their backing. Everyone knows I am a life-long Rangers supporter and so I share in the disappointment and anger of what has happened to the great Rangers Football Club.

“I hope that a successful new Rangers can emerge and wish everyone connected with the new Club, including Mr Green and his consortium, the very best for the future.”


Steven Whittaker

“It has been really difficult time for all connected with Rangers Football Club. And this has been such a difficult decision to make. I have discussed it at great length with my wife, family and advisors and believe I have made the right decision to object to joining Sevco.

“I am extremely proud to have played a part in the success during my time at the Club including winning leagues and cup titles and a Europa League final appearance. It has been a pleasure to work with Walter Smith, Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall, Ian Durrant, Jim Stewart and the rest of the backroom staff, especially the medical team and all the staff at Ibrox and Murray Park.

“I will always have a great deal of affection for the supporters who have shown me great respect throughout my time at Ibrox, I will always be grateful for the support they have given me as a Rangers player.

“I am, like Steven Naismith, proud of the players for taking a 75% pay cut, arguably against our own commercial interests. I believe we did the right thing as we could have refused which could have brought about liquidation earlier and/or resulted in significant redundancies.

“I am glad that the staff have the opportunity to TUPE over or not and that if they choose to their conditions are protected.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, the players and especially the supporters. Whatever form the new club takes, I wish everyone connected with it the very best for the future.”

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/107704-in-full-steven-naismith-and-steven-whittaker-statements-on-leaving-rangers/

The Bears are going bananas over Naismith admitting Rangers died, some quite harsh words if you're a Rangers fan but truthful ones never the less

I am unsure why they are going nuts, It is true, and any Rangers fan who says otherwise is erm .shall we say Delusional,.

I have been saying for months that if a Newco is created it is not the team I grew up supporting, it is not my team.

My best mate feels the same way, he isn't renewing his season ticket for the first time in 12 years, the guy is just totally gutted, understandable

I always have a sneaky look on Rangers Media when a new story brakes, they are all mental on there

A lot of crazies on rangers Facebook pages too. They seem to have forgot the paycuts these lads took.

It's only a football club, and a pretty small and insignificant one at that. To be overly upset at its demise is a bit pathetic. It's not important and not really a big deal.

If all you have to worry about is a diddy team becoming extinct then life isn't that bad.

Hibs have confirmed they'll vote no to a Newco now too

St Johnstone is the latest to say no to newco. That's 6 clubs now.

Also, the police are to begin an investigation into the Whyte takeover and his financial management of the club.

Rangers will not play in the SPL next season then.

Can't wait to see how Fifa will rank the SPL now.

Dead last, just below The Vatican City Premier League and The Liechtenstein Conference. Even the league winners will require about 5 matches for champions league qualification.

Q&A: What next for Rangers as SPL clubs say no to Charles Green's newco

The decision of St Johnstone to declare they will vote against the transfer of Rangers' SPL member share to Charles Green's Sevco 5088 company means the Ibrox club will not be represented in the top flight next season.

The Saints joined Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian and Inverness CT in publicly stating they will vote no to the newco and, with an 8-4 majority vote required, the future of any club known as Rangers is again uncertain.

What will happen now to Rangers? We look at the reasons why they won't be participating in the SPL and whether they will play football at all in the 2012/13 season.


Why won't Rangers play in the SPL next season?

Charles Green's new company, which has purchased the assets of The Rangers Football Club plc, has requested that the Scottish Premier League transfers the member share of the old company to his newco.

Clubs are required to vote 8-4 in favour for this to happen. Five clubs - Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian and Inverness CT - have already stated they will vote against the motion, meaning Rangers will not be represented in Scottish football's top flight for the first time as of next season.

Will the vote still take place?

Yes. The SPL has advised the vote can not be brought forward and clubs will make their final decision, as expected, on Wednesday, July 4.

Who will take Rangers' place in the SPL?

This matter is ambiguous as the current SPL rules only provide for such an eventuality to be dealt with if it occurs mid-season.

Rule H5 states that if a club ceases to exist, the number of relegation places will be adjusted accordingly. That would mean an 11-team SPL in 2012/13 and, crucially, no vacancy in the Scottish Football League (SFL).

Assuming the preference of clubs would be to play with 12 teams next campaign, the SPL will be left to decide whether to admit a new team in Rangers' place. Both Dundee, who finished second in last year's First Division, and Dunfermline, relegated from the league at the end of 2011/12, are likely candidates.

Will Rangers play football at all next season?

Assuming the vote does go against Green's new company, he will be left to seek an alternative league for his proposed club to play in.

For Green to field a team which is known as Rangers, permission is still required from the Scottish FA to inherit the club's membership. An application has been made but detailed information is required, such as proof he is a fit and proper person and financial documents, for it to be considered.

The governing body's board will make the final decision over whether that move will go ahead.

With a route into the SPL now unavailable to the newco, Green will have to apply to the SFL in the hope of being admitted into their three division setup.

How would Charles Green's company gain entry into the Scottish Football League?

For Green's company to participate in the SFL, they will be required to apply to the league for the vacant spot which is likely to open up within the league setup in Division Three.

Green's company, whether it is a continuation of Rangers through inheriting their Scottish FA membership or a completely new club, would have to submit an application to join the SFL and would likely face competition from other teams currently outside of the league setup.

The current member clubs of the SFL would vote on which club to admit into the league.

Would they have to start in the Third Division?

Using the precedent which saw clubs such as Elgin City, Peterhead, Gretna and Annan Athletic enter the SFL in recent times, Green's club would be expected to start life in the bottom tier.

Talks have taken place between the SFL, SPL and Scottish FA in recent weeks with a view to league reconstruction, leading to a merger between the SPL and SFL and having one, unified league setup.

Although it is mere speculation at present, it has been reported any newco Rangers could start life in the new First Division, one tier below the top flight, as part of the proposals. No official comment has been made on that eventuality and a number of clubs in the SFL have publicly stated their objections to any such move.

Could Charles Green buy another SFL club and rebrand it as Rangers?

The SFL's rules do not forbid a current member club being bought over and having their name, location and colours changed. Green could do as Airdrie United did with Clydebank after they were refused entry to the Third Division following the demise of Airdrieonians in 2002.

SFL rule 86.2 states: “Any club wishing to make any alteration to the designated name of the club or ground must first obtain the prior written consent of the board.”

A stumbling block lies in the rule that states a club must submit its colours and kit designs before June 1 this year, although an application could be put forward for an exception to be made.

The main problem Green would have in performing such an act would be convincing the shareholders of any current SFL club to sell up and allow their club to die to allow Rangers to participate.

Can the newco play in Europe?

Any club wishing to apply for a UEFA club licence and play in Europe must have been a member of a national association for three consecutive seasons.

Any newco would be considered as a new entity and, therefore, would have to wait three full seasons before being eligible to play in the Champions League or Europa League.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/107885-qa-what-next-for-rangers-as-spl-clubs-say-no-to-charles-greens-newco/

6 clubs have said no now I think. At this rate Rangers won't even have a majority.

Cheers for that post Giant, very informative

I can see a Newco being approved well ahead of Forres, Cove or Spartans although that's not to say it's fair, they could look at inviting Sevco and A.N Other into the SFL in the interests of fairness

Graeme Swann's Cat wrote:6 clubs have said no now I think. At this rate Rangers won't even have a majority.

The other four clubs excluding Celtic and Rangers must now vote NO too, it's the logical option at this point as there is no point alienating Celtic fans from away games for no reason

Hearts and Dundee Utd should be commended for their bravery in coming out right away and showing their hand

Come on Dundee!! They bring more to the SPL than Dunfermline. And they're one of my local teams.

I bet East Stirling are looking forward to winning a couple of matches.

How have Motherwell voted?

Not yet. Not even a clue as to which way they are voting. They are asking the fans (who will say no) but the club has been making a lot of noise about money I think.

Now it looks nailed on that Rangers won't be in the SPL expect a few more players to do what Naismith and Whittaker have done and you couldn't blame them.

I think another one or two would have walked today but the way in which Naismith and Whittaker worded their statements and the backlash probably put them off for a day or two

The backlash from a section of their fans has been very poor. These guys took a pay cut to save jobs. Now it is time for them to be selfish and think of themselves.

Might be a blessing in disguise to get rid of Whittaker so easily is some break.

Oh well its been slow and painful but this will officially be the end of Scottish football. Sad.

Nothing sad about it. It's well deserved. I don't think it will be the end of Scottish football. The men in charge have finally realised that we need change this could be the catalyst for it.

A bit bitter about Whittaker? He has done very well for Rangers since his arrival. Remember he took the place of Hutton and has never really let the club down including take a pay cut on a contract that he had only signed 8 months earlier.

There's really no reason to be bitter about Whittaker, he's an awful player and thick as mince (Malmo 2011), Naismith is a great player, he's good enough for the PL so i dont't blame him going.

It my be well deserved but it doesn't take away the fact it's a disaster for Scottish football, we only have two highly renowned teams and one of them is now gone at least for a few years. Our league has dropped dramatically in recent years and without Rangers vs Celtic what hope do we have, that is the signature rivallry and revenue of our countries football. Except Celtic none of our teams are much better than the likes of Ireland or Iceland, your going to have a side winning the league by 30-40 points equating to probably the least competitive league on earth. Also with Celtic playing guff week in week out they as they will think they are half decent and then when it comes to even the most mediocre of European teams get beaten. Letting out coefficient drop to almost the point of no return. This is a disaster whether it would have been rangers of celtic

You can slate the quality of every team in the league and call it a disaster all day long, the bottom line though is that this is one club and one club's only fault and that was Rangers

Ever since the late 80s when they started spending the banks money and signing as many high profile players as possible every other club in Scotland had to go into debt just to keep on their coat tails, Rangers plundered their way through Scottish Football and everyone else suffered as a consequence due to the pressure placed upon boards of most top clubs (Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee Utd) put them in financial peril that only Celtic have managed to get out of

The Scottish Premier Division was a haven for competition and Scottish talent year in year out until Murray arrived and slowly but surely his signing policy was instrumental in the decline in both

Regarding Whittaker, how he managed to get £20k per week is beyond belief, he might look daft but his contract screamed genius, that said he couldn't have won, if he decided to stay and said he was going to honour his contract then Green would have tried to force him out, particularly if Sevco need to start up in Division 3 or worse

I also don't think it'll damage Scottish Football nearly as much as people think, now second is a serious realistic prospect and with it a larger slice of the TV money pie, I can see 3/4 teams believing they can realistically finish second next season and with it can hopefully bring excitement and more fans will hopefully turn up more optimistic, also with a seriously weakened Sevco potentially competting in the Scottishl/League Cup, it also gives far more scoop to believe that another club can win a cup competition like this season

Why is everyone going on about the coefficient. It can hardly get worse thsn it is now.

Once you reach a certain level you won't get through qualifying anyway, so whether the league is ranked 20th or 45th by uefa is irrelevant, don't expect to see a Scottish team in the real stages of a competition for decades.

Looks like lafferty is away to, Scott Brown will be disappointed he voted for him as Celtics player of the year last season.

Green only wanted those players in so that he could sell them, I think it was part of his 'cunning plan'. After all he is a professional asset stripper, the second one to buy rangers.
BTW if Celtic are such a force how come they did not win the cup?

Is Lafferty too scared that the standard of Div 3 is too high?

Easily one of the worst players I've ever seen, plus a cheat, a scumbag and one of the thickest people you'll ever see.

super_realist wrote:Is Lafferty too scared that the standard of Div 3 is too high?

Easily one of the worst players I've ever seen, plus a cheat, a scumbag and one of the thickest people you'll ever see.

Couldn't agree more.

A player like Lafferty driving his Bentley on Rangers wages.
Say no more.

super_realist wrote:Why is everyone going on about the coefficient. It can hardly get worse thsn it is now.

Once you reach a certain level you won't get through qualifying anyway, so whether the league is ranked 20th or 45th by uefa is irrelevant, don't expect to see a Scottish team in the real stages of a competition for decades.

Celtic have a very good chance of getting into the Champions League. If they get through the 2nd qualifying round which they should then they go into the Champions pot avoiding clubs from all countries that have an automatic qualification place for the group stages. Teams like Bate Borisov, Unirea Urziceni and Oletul Gelllati have all got through in recent years. There is no excuse for Celtic not to be playing Champions League football next season.

Given the poor standard of the SPL, where are all these players jumping the Rangers ship expecting to play? Bristol City?, Crawley Town?
I doubt anyone will take Lafferty.

Should be interesting to see.

SugarRayRussell (PBK) wrote:

super_realist wrote:Why is everyone going on about the coefficient. It can hardly get worse thsn it is now.

Once you reach a certain level you won't get through qualifying anyway, so whether the league is ranked 20th or 45th by uefa is irrelevant, don't expect to see a Scottish team in the real stages of a competition for decades.

Celtic have a very good chance of getting into the Champions League. If they get through the 2nd qualifying round which they should then they go into the Champions pot avoiding clubs from all countries that have an automatic qualification place for the group stages. Teams like Bate Borisov, Unirea Urziceni and Oletul Gelllati have all got through in recent years. There is no excuse for Celtic not to be playing Champions League football next season.

Remember last year? Rangers thought they'd cruise through against Malmo, they got humped, then they got knocked out of the Europa League qualifying by the mighty Maribor.

I don't think Celtic are much better, but this year will be their last realistic chance, as of 13/14 the league will be ranked so low they'll have to go through 3 rounds, and won't be seeded.
Probably a good thing as they, like Rangers are an embarassment in Europe. They don't deserve to be there.

super_realist wrote:Given the poor standard of the SPL, where are all these players jumping the Rangers ship expecting to play? Bristol City?, Crawley Town?
I doubt anyone will take Lafferty.

Should be interesting to see.

Can't see any interest in Lafferty, maybe a struggling championship side but having seen him play now for a few years for rangers i don't see what he brings. Naismith was being linked with Everton, apparently Jelavic recommened him, but with his injuries it would be a gamble, but when fit I think he would do well in the EPL.

What about the likes of Whittaker and Aluko, could maybe see Aluko in the Championship, but Whittaker isn't great.

Aluko could do well if played in the correct position as shown with his performances for rangers last season, but can't see him signing for a team where he will be allowed as much space and freedom as he had in the SPL. Think Whittaker could do well in the Championship, he is a solid reliable player but think he could be aiming higher.