It was better for Green to leave sooner rather than later

[ian1964 10,625]

by John Gow

 

After all the fuss over last weekend's board meeting, it seems Charles Green has finally seen sense and resigned. His decision was later than it should have been, but given his previous determination to fight on, sooner than expected.

 

In among the usual PR speak, the club statement pointed out that, "Whilst Mr Green strenuously denies any wrongdoing [in his links with Craig Whyte], he has recognised that this negative publicity is a distraction and is detracting from the achievements and reputation of The Club."

 

- Green on defensive after quitting Gers

 

Many Rangers fans were saying this weeks ago, and Green stood his ground. So what has changed? It's difficult to say, but there is no doubt that the Rangers boardroom had become divided on the issue of Green, and there has been movement behind the scenes. For all the nice words, there will be more than one board member happy to see him go.

 

Does this mean the former CEO jumped before he was pushed? Has something else come to light that meant his position became untenable, or did he really give up his high-profile and high salary job for the good of the club? Time will tell, but there is little doubt there's more to come.

 

One of the interesting aspects of his leaving is the reaction of the fans. It's impossible to tell how the majority feel so soon after the event, but on social media there does seem to be a large minority (at least) who are devastated.

 

It seems he was responsible for saving the club and keeping Rangers titles among other great acts. Maybe this is true, but it seems so outside my own experience that I can barely understand the points being made.

 

In the first case, the fans are responsible for saving the club. They put the money in, and get nothing back. Green will (legally and legitimately) walk away from the club with millions more than this time last year.

 

Even if the discussion surrounds the buying of the club, to suggest that there was no one willing to pay just over five million pounds is to rewrite history. Jim McColl was offering the same amount, and before someone bashes McColl for not getting in there first, Duff and Phelps made clear they had a deal with Green, and would only deal with Green. (This in itself was always seemed strange for many people)

 

As for 'saving the titles', how could he do anything else? The fans would immediately turn on him, and it's doubtful Ally McCoist would have stayed. It's like congratulating him for allowing the club to play games at Ibrox. There was no other choice.

 

It would be unfair to demonise Green, but let's not turn him into a saint either. He certainly did defend the club far more than previous incumbents and was a terrific salesman when it came to getting 22 million pounds for the share issue, but his behaviour eventually spilled over into the ridiculous and offensive.

 

He ended up shaming the club with racist language while telling the fans strange or exaggerated stories when there was no need. In the interview with the terrific journalist Peter Adam Smith, he looked lost when openly questioned. For once, an interviewer didn't accept the bluster and asked for evidence. That showing, as much as anything else, was the moment his 'power' dissipated.

 

It's been a remarkable fall. To suggest such a loss of influence only a month earlier would have seemed ridiculous. Green didn't own Rangers, but he was a very powerful CEO. While the rest of the board seemed distant, he became the sole representative in public. This might be why some supporters have once again identified too closely with an individual, to the detriment of the club.

 

Such things have been proven to be unhealthy in the past, and while Rangers are still rebuilding, it became even more so. After the last month Rangers and Green had to go their separate ways, and now that it has happened it will benefit the Light Blues in a big way. The board need to employ a solid, responsible, and professional CEO to act in Rangers' best interest and not another 'personality' who believes it's all about them.

 

No man should be bigger than the club. And in the end he wasn't.

 

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/rangers/id/4554?cc=5739

[the gunslinger 3,366]

green leaving is only the first step. we need ahmed to go as well.

 

truth be told that may not be enough either. we really need new owners for the shares to be properly out the woods.

[ian1964 10,625]

green leaving is only the first step. we need ahmed to go as well.

 

truth be told that may not be enough either. we really need new owners for the shares to be properly out the woods.

 

The road ahead is a long one!, and I'm sure there will be a lot more shuffling of personnel before we get there.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

nothing surer.