Derek Llambias and Barry Leach appointed as consultants (by David Somers)

[ian1964 10,724]

[ian1964 10,724]

Rangers power battle: Derek Llambias jets into Glasgow and urges Gers fans to put their faith in Mike Ashley.

 

LLAMBIAS, who was Ashley's right-hand man at Newcastle, has been drafted in as a consultant and last night admitted he had applied for the chief executive role at Ibrox.

 

DEREK Llambias last night landed in Glasgow and told Rangers fans to put their faith in Mike Ashley.

 

The 50-year-old was Ashley’s right-hand man at Newcastle and the Sports Direct supremo now wants him to replace ousted Graham Wallace as Ibrox CEO. Llambias has been drafted in as a consultant and last night would only admit he has applied for the chief executive role.

 

Ashley wants him on board but must go through the application process to meet stock market rules.

 

It’s Ashley’s first big move since his £2million emergency loan guaranteed him two seats on the board – and effective control.

 

The move has been met with anger from a section of the support but Llambias insists their club is in safe hands.

 

He said: “Mike Ashley has got a great track record but I can’t give you any comment. I’d love to but I can’t.

 

“I’ve been invited up here to have discussions with the board and I’m one of many applicants.

 

“I’m here until they need to see me.”

 

Talks will be held over the next few days and while others have applied – with ex-Dundee chief Scot Gardiner interested – Llambias is in pole position.

 

Despite the changes in the boardroom, Ally McCoist has been told his job is safe.

 

The Ibrox gaffer was given a vote of confidence by Ashley via chairman David Somers and Sandy Easdale.

 

Somers and Easdale, who is chairman of the football board, acted swiftly to quell reports that McCoist’s position was under threat.

 

Asked if he feared the bullet when Somers contacted him just after 10am, McCoist said: “No. And I don’t say that meaning to be blase.

 

“I genuinely thought two board members were phoning to give me an update. The chairman was great. He was kind enough to explain the board’s views on taking the Ashley offer.

 

“Sandy phoned to say much the same and to tell me to concentrate on upcoming fixtures.”

 

Wallace was always going to be the victim of a boardroom shake-up and McCoist said: “I’d like to thank Graham for the working relationship we had and, indeed, for all his work for the club.”

 

McCoist has yet to meet with Ashley and has no immediate plans to do so. He said: “I don’t think that’s important. If Mike Ashley wants to see me — or any of his people who work for him — that will happen.”

 

Easdale, who was instrumental in helping Ashley strengthen his grip, believes the Sports Direct Tycoon will bring financial stability.

 

He told Record Sport: “Mike is a very wealthy individual and really does want to help the club. I would hope this would bring stability.”

 

Asked if Ashley has his sights fixed on taking overall control, Easdale said: “He has not intimated that to me.”

 

Ashley – who owns 8.92 per cent of the Championship side – saw off rival offers of funding from Dave King and Brian Kennedy.

 

But Easdale was noncommittal when quizzed why the board turned down Kennedy’s £3m loan with fewer stipulations.

 

He said: “That’s not a question for me. The PLC Board did their duty and due diligence accordingly. They have done what is in the best interests of the fans, club and shareholders.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-power-battle-derek-llambias-4520157

[SteveC 150]

he mentions a court case in there

 

was that unfair dismissal??

 

Keegan got £2million for "mistreatment when employed" (or a similar phrase including "mistreatment")

[Super Cooper 0]

How many Newcastle fans turned their backs on the club because of Ashley? I noticed their home crowds are way higher than ours, that's what you call a support. For the last 13 years they have averaged sensational crowds, all through Ashleys reign too despite a few difficult seasons.

[Chibmark 19]

How long before Joe Kinnear and Dennis Wise are at Ibrox, such is Ashley & Llambias' track record.

 

Any NUFC fans I speak to say that the main gripe with Ashley is how they have stagnated under his stewardship, they have not pushed on and the first opportunity to sell a prized asset for a fast buck, they'll bite the hand off of the buyer.

[Rangersitis 0]

How many Newcastle fans turned their backs on the club because of Ashley? I noticed their home crowds are way higher than ours, that's what you call a support. For the last 13 years they have averaged sensational crowds, all through Ashleys reign too despite a few difficult seasons.

 

The crowds don't matter if those not attending still buy strips and mugs and novelty pens. Isn't that correct?

[der Berliner 3,744]

Just out of interest ... wouldn't it be up to shareholders of the company to request answers about why the Ashley deal had been used ahead of King's and Kennedy's ... and why that was deemed to be in the best interest of the club/company?

 

If so, why hasn't anyone done it?

[Juancornetto 1]

If I've learned anything throughout this never-ending saga it's that we, the fans are simply along for the ride and this weeks events, no matter how unpalatable, are just how it is and how it's going to be. We might as well get used to it.

 

All the RangersFirst / BuyRangers money may as well be given back to the fans as well as the RFFF. Fan ownership as a viable strategy is over, for the short to medium term anyway.

 

#defeatistbear

[Super Cooper 0]

The crowds don't matter if those not attending still buy strips and mugs and novelty pens. Isn't that correct?

 

We've been told the club make nothing from merchandise so it matters not whether people but that stuff or not.

[Calgacus 8]

How many Newcastle fans turned their backs on the club because of Ashley? I noticed their home crowds are way higher than ours, that's what you call a support. For the last 13 years they have averaged sensational crowds, all through Ashleys reign too despite a few difficult seasons.

 

 

Well they do get to see a pretty good quality of opposition!