today's record.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

What is this AJ accusation? Can you explain please?

 

he basically said whyte and andrew ellis were behind blue pitch.

[Blue Moon 1,293]

he basically said whyte and andrew ellis were behind blue pitch.

 

When did he say that?

[the gunslinger 3,366]

I never for a minute thought Craig Whyte had walked away

13 Apr 2013 08:53

 

JOHNSTON spoke exclusively to Record Sport at the end of another turbulent week for the club in which chief executive Charles Green claimed he was partners with the disgraced ex-owner.

 

 

 

FORMER Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston claims he was always suspicious Charles Green was working with Craig Whyte when he took on the club.

 

Now Johnston insists the jury is still out on whether chief executive Green deserves the full trust and backing of the fans after a turbulent week started with Whyte claiming they were partners – and ended with the outspoken owner caught up in a racism storm.

 

Johnston, speaking to Record Sport at Augusta National where he is watching the US Masters, admits he is concerned by Whyte’s allegations that Green was acting as his frontman.

 

Despite the Ibrox chief’s strong denial of a partnership, Johnston is worried by the Yorkshireman’s admission he misled Whyte into thinking they were working together in order to persuade him to sell his shares.

 

Now he believes it’s crucial fans remain vigilant and continue to scrutinise Green to ensure all his actions are in the best interests of Rangers.

 

Johnston said: “I’m concerned by what I’ve seen this week but am I surprised?

 

“No. I never thought for one minute Mr Whyte had actually walked away.

 

“His nature and his whole mission from day one was to profit by screwing the club for his own benefit. And he wasn’t going to give up whatever remnants of any leverage that he had.

 

“Knowing what I do about how Mr Green and Mr Whyte were introduced with respect to the consortium of investors, there was a lot of common factors there.

 

“There is a natural chain all the way from Andrew Ellis, through Zeus Capital to today. Ellis was the man who got Craig Whyte interested.

 

“I just did not believe Mr Whyte had left the scene. He doesn’t take no for an answer, he is threatening and intimidating so he wasn’t going to walk away carefully or quietly.

 

“What I was watching for very carefully during the takeover process would be who ultimately would own Ibrox and Murray Park.

 

“Getting inside Whyte’s mind – and I’ve studied him a lot over the past couple of years – he felt if he owned the stadium and training ground the club would lease the property from him.

 

“So every month he would be sitting in Costa Rica, Monte Carlo or wherever getting a cheque from Rangers with his two fingers up at everybody else.

 

“I thought that was certainly a likelihood but it sounds like it didn’t happen as he planned in the end.

 

“That was the business model I thought Whyte would pursue and may very well have still tried to even after Mr Green got involved.

 

“What has been important to me over the last few weeks is watching the civil lawsuit happening in London between Ticketus and Whyte.

 

“That has been very revealing and now that the High Court have upheld Ticketus’s claim, the outcome of that case will be a factor in what the Crown Office are willing to do with their criminal investigation. We as Rangers fans don’t speak with one voice which is great because it’s part of the vibrancy.

 

“So for everyone in unison to say they are against or for Green is neither practical nor very healthy.

 

“It’s important there is continued public debate among the fans and a reasoned approach to analysing what Charles Green is doing and how he is doing it.

 

“The revelations of the past few weeks, with respect to Charles’ relationship with Whyte and some of the things that may be just scratching the surface, will certainly sway people’s opinions of him. But the jury is still out on that.”

D-Day at Rangers as board grill chief executive Charles Green over his relationship with Craig Whyte

 

Whyte’s allegations aside, the past 14 days have been plagued by controversy caused by some of Green’s actions.

 

The sacking of Francisco Sandaza after he was embarrassingly duped by a crank caller will be challenged in a potentially lengthy and messy court battle.

 

The suspension of chief scout Neil Murray and Green’s request to ditch Ally McCoist’s right-hand men Ian Durrant and Kenny McDowall have further strained relations within the ranks.

 

He has also repeatedly branded McCoist’s team the worst in Gers history and there was his racist remark about friend and business partner Imran Ahmed which has sparked outrage and landed him on a charge at the SFA.

 

While Johnston does not think Green’s conduct is seriously damaging the club’s reputation, he wants to see him ditch the soundbites and crowd-pleasing statements and clearly outline his plans for the club.

 

He added: “The investment in the club wasn’t something Mr Green’s consortium ever made any commitment to.

 

“It was very noticeable that there was little other than rhetoric.

 

“A lot of what Charles does with respect to his public statements in all honesty is him talking to his investors.

 

“When he talks about going into the EPL or a European league or whatever he is basically saying to his investors: ‘Be patient with me.’ That’s what I think he is doing.

 

“But at the same time he has to keep his real constituency happy which is the fans and his expectations.

 

“There was always going to be a natural confrontation between the expectation of the investors to get their money back quickly and what the supporters deservedly want with respect to investment in the club.

 

“By his own admission Charles didn’t really know what he was getting into.

 

“But how Charles conducts his public profile is up to him. He’s doing it his way, it’s a very personal style and he lives and dies by it.

 

“Is Green’s personality compromising the reputation of the club?

 

“Being pragmatic, Rangers have been a victim of so much mischief from a lot of parties over a period of time.

 

“His comments are just another step in the process that has to be resolved as we start healing the club.”

 

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/f...medium=twitter

[Blue Moon 1,293]

Thanks, GS. Was away for the weekend and missed this.

[Tom Davison 0]

There will be some of us, myself very much included, who perhaps feel, a bit out of our depth, while trying to get our heads around much of the financial intrigue. There was one man, who most certainly not have been out of his depth and that is David Murray. He may have been the one who was duped by CW but it is so many others, who have a genuine love for our club, who are feeling the pain.

[chilledbear 16]

I would like to know if this Panel will have any authority, if they want to see documents what teeth do they have?

 

Or is it the threat of going public.

[foggy dewhurst 0]

probably another week of inuendo and wild speculation ahead

[chilledbear 16]

probably another week of inuendo and wild speculation ahead

 

I would take just a week, think it will be a long summer.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

season book renwals will be out soon. this will need to be resolved quickly.

[der Berliner 3,745]

Well, the season book drop mantra is one I actually assume will fail to materialize. People wanted to see Rangers FC be saved and play football. People did not want to see Charles Green or anyone else ('s Rangers) and perhaps I am utterly wrong here. But Rangers supporters are clever enough to know that they do not pay for the season tickets to pay Green or his moneymen - which is often insinuated. But to pay - again - to see Rangers FC. Will the CEO alone be responsible for a drop of 5 to 10k ST's? Hard to tell, but I doubt it. And even if, 20k or more STs will still be great for any team playing Second division football in Scotland ...