Former Rangers chairman speaks of sadness as club announce administration intention

STV

Former Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston has spoken to STV of his sadness after the club announced its intention to go into administration.

STV revealed the Ibrox club lodged the notice at the Court of Session in Edinburgh at lunchtime on Monday.

It is understood the papers are the first step in any formal administration process. They now have ten business days in which to declare administrators have taken over the running of the Glasgow-based club

Speaking exclusively to STV, Johnston said: “Much as though it was anticipated it’s still a shocking experience to know the process has at least been initiated.

“My concern all along is that all the major players in the game whether it’s Ticketus, HMRC or especially Craig Whyte will be looking after their own interests.

“And who is representing Rangers Football Club in this?

“I think the landscape of any potential of opposition or any sort of representation for Rangers in this has been torched over the last nine months.

“That’s the sadness when I think about the 26,000 minority shareholders, all the small businesses that are creditors of the company that enjoyed doing business with Rangers and of course all the fans that have invested a life time of passion.”

The club now have ten business days in which to declare administrators have taken over the running of the Glasgow-based club.

Asked whether he felt the club could avoid entering administration, he said: “Well I said last week it was inevitable. There are a two or three nuances that might make it not inevitable but I just don’t see many alternatives to administration.

“Whatever it is there is no magic wand for the Rangers stakeholders here. It’s going to be a very, very unpleasant few months.”

Speaking about Craig Whyte’s running of the club, Johnston added: “Well I think the very fact it is being considered at this point before the determination of the tax case is indicative of something and I’ll let people make their own judgement as to what I’m referring to.

“At the end of the day he’s doing whatever he thinks is in the best interest of Craig Whyte and we’ll take it from there.”

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