British Government in talks with Rangers´ bankers

October 27, 2009

Concern surrounding Rangers’ financial plight intensified after the British Government held talks with the club’s bankers in a bid to allay fears of the Scottish champions entering administration.

Last week Rangers manager Walter Smith said Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), part of the Lloyds group, were in charge at Ibrox since chairman David Murray stepped down at the beginning of the season.

Rangers have debts of around 30 million pounds and the club announced in January that every player on their books was up for sale.

And, with no new players having been bought by Rangers since August 2008, Smith says a new owner needs to be found as soon as possible.

Jim Murphy, the Secretary of State for Scotland – a post in the UK government led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown – held talks with Lloyds, which is 43 percent owned by the UK taxpayer, on Monday as the bank moved to make clear it was not planning to pull the plug on Rangers.

A Scotland Office spokesman confirmed Murphy had spoken to Lloyds by saying: “The Secretary of State for Scotland spoke to Lloyds Bank about the importance of the bank’s support for Rangers Football Club.

“There are clearly financial difficulties facing Scottish football clubs – both large and small. Our national game is important to Scotland and will come through this recession and the wider pressures in football.”

Meanwhile the bank said: “We do not run or manage the companies that we bank – that is, quite properly, the responsibility of the management.

“Given the recent press coverage, we would therefore like to be clear that Rangers FC is neither operated or run by Lloyds Banking Group.

“We would also like to be clear that Sir David Murray’s decision to step down as chairman was a personal decision and not at the behest of Lloyds Banking Group.”

Smith’s contract and that of assistant manager Ally McCoist expire in January.

The Rangers manager is sanguine about his future if a new owner does come in but club chief executive Martin Bain said: “The club can confirm that while there have been tentative enquiries regarding the sale of the club, there are none that have realised an offer.”

Bain, who has stressed the club will not be obliged to sell players in January, said Lloyds is “supportive” of the club during a period of “difficult economic conditions”.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: bank of scotland, banking group, chairman david murray, chief executive martin, club chief, financial plight, halifax bank of scotland, hbos, lloyds bank, lloyds group, national game, office spokesman, personal decision, rangers football club, scottish champions, scottish football clubs, sir david, walter smith

Rangers slam ‘disgusting’ abuse

October 21, 2009

Rangers have condemned the “moronic behaviour” of supporters alleged to have racially abused Maurice Edu after Tuesday night’s Champions League thrashing by Unirea Urziceni.

United States midfielder Edu, 23, played no part in the 4-1 Group G defeat but watched the match at Ibrox and says he was targeted by his own club’s supporters as he left the stadium.

A statement released by the Ibrox club read: “Rangers Football Club condemns out of hand this moronic behaviour.

“The action of this individual is disgusting and completely unacceptable.

“It is extremely disappointing that people such as this attach themselves to the wider Rangers support and tarnish the image of the club and its fans.

“The club will now undertake a full investigation to identify the individual in question and take appropriate action.

“We would urge anyone who has information on the identity of the individual responsible to contact the club immediately.

“Everyone associated with Rangers will once again demonstrate their on-going commitment to Show Racism the Red Card as we support the Weekend of Action at the Hibernian game at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday.”

Edu wrote a message on his Twitter feed which read: “Not sure what hurt more: result last nite or being racially abused by couple of r own fans as I’m getting in my car.”

The Rangers Supporters Trust condemned anyone who might have abused Edu, who has been out all season with a knee injury.

RST spokesman David Edgar said: “We would absolutely condemn that if that’s the case.

“These are not Rangers fans and they should be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Billy Singh, Campaign Manager for Show Racism the Red Card, said: “The racial abuse suffered by Maurice Edu last night was totally unacceptable.

“Would the same fans have reacted in the same way if he had scored the winning goal last night?

“It proves that as a society we have a long way to go to eradicate this type of behaviour.

“Official statistics show that on average there are 14 reported incidents a day.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests that 80% goes unreported.

“Football is leading the way in trying to change peoples attitudes and behaviour within football grounds.

“I call upon fans of all Scottish clubs to challenge this type of behaviour not only within football but in society in general. Show Racism the Red Card will continue to spread the anti-racist message in football but also in communities throughout Scotland.”

Abhimanyu Rajput