CRAIG WHYTE last night moved to assure the Rangers supporters it is business as usual at Ibrox after one of the most turbulent weeks of his life.
And the chairman’s stance was fully endorsed by the manager, Ally McCoist, who insisted that his players had not been distracted by the storm created by the departures of John McClelland and John Greig, or the controversy caused by the documentary on Thursday evening into the past business dealings of the new club owner.
Whyte has conceded there could be some tough times ahead for the club as they battle Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over a potential £49m tax liability. But, right now, the focus remains on tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League match against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Whyte said: “It’s business as usual, I want the supporters to know that what has happened this week, the things said in that BBC programme or other events, will not deter me in any way. I will not let outsiders working to their own agendas get in the way of the job I have undertaken – and that is to bring Rangers through the other side and get this great club back on a level footing where we can then look forward.
“My relationship with Ally is great. He phoned me to offer his support after the programme and we talked about all the football matters, as we normally would. The team has been doing extremely well in terms of our title defence, and long may that continue. What happens on the park is vital, and we want to win the SPL again. It’s been a tough few days but, like every Rangers fan, I want to see the team winning and, hopefully that continues tomorrow, although we have a very tough game.”
McCoist said his players have not been distracted in a week in which, yet again, off-field problems have overshadowed the club. “I spoke to Craig and we are both in total agreement that the most important thing is the game,” he said. “We had a chat about the team, the players and the squad and we are both of the same opinion that the fans deserve to know we are totally focused on our game.
“The players have been fantastic,” he said. “The only thing they can control is results and, as long as they keep that in their heads, as they have, we will not have a problem. They have been fabulous and have handled it really well.”
Steven Whittaker confirmed he and his team-mates had not taken their eye off the ball, despite other distractions. “The other things are not our main thoughts,” said the defender. “We come in and we train – we’re football players and that’s what we have to concentrate on. That’s what we’re going to be doing.”
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