Analysis.
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JOHN BROWN, the former Rangers player hoping to lead a buy-out of Charles Green's Sevco consortium, yesterday claimed Malcolm Murray had pulled out of a meeting at which the new chairman had promised to produce paperwork that demonstrated who owns the club's assets. Murray was due to meet with Brown and Donald Findlay QC, the former Rangers director, after Brown had demanded to be shown which names appear on the title deeds for Ibrox and the Albion car park.
Brown released a statement that claimed "the meeting at a secret location was called off at the last minute by Murray" although, in reply, the club insisted the meeting had merely been postponed and would now take place later in the week. Brown had urged Rangers supporters not to buy season tickets until there was greater transparency surrounding Green's future plans and revealed he had drafted in Findlay to lean on his legal expertise.
"Rangers supporters know they can trust Donald Findlay and he agreed to meet Malcolm Murray and look at all the paperwork," said Brown. "Donald just wants to help Rangers supporters be able to get all the facts so they can make up their own minds whether or not they should buy season tickets. He told me he just wants to act in the best interest of Rangers fans.
"It looked as though Malcolm Murray was going to produce the paperwork which shows who owns the club and its crown jewels. That is all we ask and it is what would give everyone clarity. But he then pulled out and cancelled the meeting. Now we will give him another chance to show who owns Rangers, Ibrox Stadium, the Albion car park and the Auchenhowie Training Complex. But after what has happened, I am not hopeful."
Kyle Lafferty, meanwhile, has spoken about turning down the opportunity to transfer his contract across to the Rangers newco, choosing instead to sign for FC Sion. The Northern Irishman flew out yesterday after completing a three-year deal with the Swiss club.
"I had a great four years at Rangers and have done what I came here to do – win titles, win medals and score goals for my boyhood heroes," he said. "It was disappointing for everyone [Rangers going into liquidation], but it is a new challenge for me. I have always wanted to play abroad and this is a chance."
Lafferty is one of 10 players who have refused to join the Rangers newco. Steven Whittaker has also secured his immediate future by joining Norwich City on a three-year contract, but Charles Green, chief executive of the newco, has reiterated his desire to pursue legal claims against any player that is unwilling to have their contracts transferred from the old company.
"We have written to every Premier League and Football League club in the UK telling them clearly we see this as a breach of contract," said Green. "If they are really looking at playing in Europe, they would stay and play because the reality is, before Norwich play in Europe, Rangers will be back in Europe. I don't accept that this is a career move – it's for financial gain."
n Andy Mitchell, who made his first-team debut towards the end of last season, has signed a one-year deal with Rangers.
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