RANGERS newco chief executive Charles Green has revealed he was forced to live in safe houses after fans reacted angrily to his takeover of the club.
The businessman claimed he had to move "from safe house to safe house" during his first few weeks in charge of the Ibrox side, but now feels fans are beginning to support his plans.
Mr Green, who will meet Uefa this week in a bid to negotiate a settlement on £3 million debts owed to European clubs, also pledged to give supporters the chance to own 50% of the new club.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he also quashed speculation that former chairman Craig Whyte was involved in his Sevco consortium.
Mr Green – who has faced intense scrutiny from fans – said: "I think over the last few weeks there has definitely been a movement. The fact I am now living in a flat in Glasgow, as opposed to moving from safe house to safe house, is vindication of it. I think the sensible fans now see through this rubbish that has been fed to them over the last three months and see we have delivered everything we said."
Craig Mathers, a Nottingham-based businessman, is the latest investor to pledge money to the newco after investing more than £1m.
However, speaking several days after the Scottish Football League voted Rangers into Division Three for the start of next season, Mr Green said he is keen for fans to get on board and gain control of the club. He said: "I am trying to do a job and rescue Rangers for the fans and for the people who own this club.
"We have got people who have got shares but they are not the owners. The owners of Rangers are the fans. I have said they can own up to 50% of this."
Mr Green added: "The next step is that we need to get the season tickets sorted, we need to get playing football because there is a cup game in less than 14 days and then, following that, we want to move on with the share issue."
The businessman revealed he will stop off in Athens on his way to meet Uefa in a bid to secure a friendly against Olympiacos at Ibrox. He added that he hoped Uefa would work with Rangers to secure an "amicably agreeable settlement".
Mr Green said: "Part of the conditions for the newco to meet SFA membership is that there are certain old club debts to European clubs. It is not inconsiderable, it is about £3m that has been accumulated as part of the historical baggage. I want to go and say to these clubs, as well as Uefa, we are here for the long haul, we are people who face up to responsibility, but we want some help in meeting these because we do want to get Rangers back to the top of the pile and when we do get back into Europe – whether it's five or 10 years or 20 years – we want to walk back with our heads held high."
Meanwhile, the SFA has confirmed it is seeking more information from Sevco on the identity and propriety of their investors and directors as talks continue on their application to take over Rangers' membership.
Club legend John Brown, a key member of Rangers' nine-in-a-row team in the 1990s, has also claimed former captain Barry Ferguson is backing his bid to help supporters gain control of the Ibrox club.
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