http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/07/17/rangers-chief-craig-whyte-insists-club-will-sign-the-right-players-to-fire-club-to-spl-glory-86908-23277279/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
CRAIG WHYTE last night revealed he is ready to sanction an additional �£15million transfer boost in an attempt to make sure Rangers win a fourth successive title.
The club's owner is aware of growing unrest within the support because only one player, Juanma Ortiz, has been signed so far but he insists Rangers will be manned up and ready to meet the new season's challenges head on.
Whyte might be new to the game but he knows another championship victory could provide the impetus to help drive Rangers back to a position of financial power.
And it is because the next title holders will qualify automatically for the lucrative Champions League group stages in season 2012-13 that he is willing to hand over much more than the �£5m transfer budget originally set when he took over ownership from David Murray.
So manager Ally McCoist's spending on transfers and wages could be as much as �£20m before the transfer window closes but with the new season only days away Rangers know they have to get into overdrive.
The spending increase comes because the booty to be raked in from lining up against Europe's elite can vary from anything between �£14m to �£20m and Whyte is determined that Rangers - not bitter rivals Celtic or anyone else - will benefit from that wealth.
That's also why he wants McCoist to get players in right now because the Ibrox club will meet Swedish side Malmo or Torshavn of the Faroe Islands in the third-qualifying round of this season's Champions League.
If they win they'll go into the play-off round for a place in the money-spinning group stages but after a close-season tour of Germany, where Rangers lost all three of their matches without scoring a goal, it is abundantly clear reinforcements are needed urgently.
The good news for Rangers fans is that Whyte intends to get them and he insists that five, possibly even six, players will be added before the transfer window closes.
He said: "I know some of the fans will be frustrated right now because a raft of players hasn't come in yet. I feel that way myself.
"I knew it would be a different world from the business one I'm used to dealing in but, even so, it has been a bit of an eye opener so far.
"It doesn't help that players want to wait until the last moment before signing to ensure they get the best-possible moves and deals and there are also agents who don't help smooth the entire process. But Ally knows where he needs to strengthen and he will get the players he needs. It's not as though we've been sitting around doing nothing.
"A lot of work and time has gone in to put together deals and offers and although we'd like them done quicker we can't always be the ones forcing the pace.
"But I can tell the supporters there is no-one inside Ibrox panicking because we know what has to be done and we will do it.
"That said there is no point in signing up players just for the sake of it.
"The manager has to be sure he is getting the right people but the money is there for him to do that. We don't have lots of it to throw around but we have enough to get what we need to make sure Rangers will have every chance of getting to the Champions League and, of course, winning the title again.
"So yes, the money we thought we'd spend on transfers and wages will be increased if necessary. We all recognise the importance of being part of the Champions League so players will be arriving, I'm certain of that.
"It might be all the ones we want won't be in for the start of the league season but they'll be here by the close of the transfer window."
Securing agreements with players has been complicated by the fact English clubs have only recently returned to work but Whyte believes matters will speed up dramatically in the days ahead.
The chairman's words will come as a relief to Rangers fans who have watched as signing targets have gone elsewhere.
Neil Danns, also wanted by Celtic, opted for Leicester, Tomer Hemed went to Mallorca and Dundee United's Craig Conway decided to sign for Cardiff City.
Kamil Glik also decided against a move to the SPL champions, choosing instead to play with Torino in Italy's Serie B.
Lee Wallace remains a possible Ibrox signing but Rangers have made their final offer to Hearts while David Goodwillie is still very much on the radar.
But everything depends on the outcome of his upcoming court case although there is little doubt now the Dundee United striker wants to sign for Rangers rather than Cardiff or anyone else.
McCoist and Whyte can only wait for the Goodwillie situation to resolve itself but the chairman stressed: "It's important the fans know we have a lot of deals on the go and with a fair wind behind us the squad will take on a better and stronger shape pretty quickly.
"We'll have a range of initiatives to make the club more of a successful business but I know everything depends on what we do on the pitch. That's where my priorities lie and why more than the sums spoken about before and right after we took over will be spent.
"I am prepared to take our spending way above what was originally budgeted for if that's what is required and again the fans should know that. But what I won't do is sign players in a panic.
"Ideally, we'd have all our new faces in by now but the transfer world, I'm afraid, is far from a perfect place. We have to be careful and we will not leave the manager short of what he requires to get the job done.
"But if a player doesn't want to play for Rangers then clearly he is not for us. Look, if someone doesn't understand what it is to play for a team like Rangers then it is reasonable to debate if he is really what we want.
"There has to be a willingness and some kind of understanding that this club means so much to so many people.
"But what I do know for certain is that we are all trying very hard to get the players and numbers our manager wants.
"When the time comes, Rangers will be ready. I am also sure of that."
