I want to win back Gers for my friend Sandy Jardine...

[ian1964 10,622]

...says Ibrox hopeful John Gilligan.

 

GILLIGAN is aiming to win control of Rangers at Friday's EGM alongside Dave King and Paul Murray and says he feels it's his duty to win it back for his close friend Sandy Jardine.

 

JOHN GILLIGAN wants to be part of a historic Rangers takeover in memory of his close friend and Ibrox legend Sandy Jardine .

 

Along with Dave King and Paul Murray, the lifelong fan hopes to win control of the club at Friday’s EGM.

 

And Gilligan feels he owes it to Jardine, who died in April last year , to ensure that Rangers’ future is in safe hands.

 

Speaking exclusively to MailSport, he said: “Sandy was one of the club’s 
figureheads through all the turmoil.

 

“I feel we owe it to him to try and get the club back to where he would have

 

wanted and expected it to be. I was very close to Sandy. When he left Hearts back in 1988 he joined Scottish Brewers, where I worked.

 

“Sandy took a job as a trainee rep and 
he was such a humble guy. As a Rangers 
supporter, I couldn’t believe I was working with a club legend.

 

“He was a great character. Whether it was Rangers, Celtic, Hibs or Hearts fans, he was popular with them all.

 

“We became good friends and when he went to work for Rangers that evolved 
further. Sandy was a calm guy who never wanted to cause any bother. But when he led a march to Hampden with 10,000 
Rangers fans in 2012, I was stunned.

 

“That told me how bad the club’s 
situation was and how important it was to have guys like Sandy around.

 

“It showed what the club meant to him. What would he think of me being a director? Knowing Sandy, he’d probably say, ‘We’re scraping the barrel now, are we not?’

 

“Seriously, he’d be really pleased. He would just want the club to be in the right hands, which is what we’re trying to do.

 

“Sandy kept doing what he did at Rangers because he felt he could get the club to the point where things got better.

 

“It’s easy to give up and say, ‘There’s no point’. But credit to Sandy, he gave it 
everything he possibly could.”

 

Gilligan believes that if King and Co do manage to oust chairman David Somers , CEO Derek Llambias and finance chief Barry Leach on Friday, it will be as big a day as when Graeme Souness arrived in 1986 to revolutionise the club.

 

A huge majority of fans are backing 
King’s power bid and Gilligan said: “This feels like one of the biggest weeks in the club’s history. It’s comparable to when David Holmes appointed Souness as the player-manager in 1986.

 

“It feels as big as that, in terms of what it could mean for the future of Rangers.

 

“It’s an explosion waiting to happen. If we can win I expect a phenomenal reaction from the support.

 

“Knowing how close we came to 
losing everything – the name of our club, the titles we have won – it will be very 
emotional for me.

 

“If it goes our way it will be a fantastic feeling of both joy and relief.”

 

Despite the wave of optimism sweeping through King’s camp and the fan-base, Gilligan was keen to point out that nothing has been achieved yet and urged 
shareholders to continue to vote in their favour before Wednesday’s deadline.

 

He said: “We can’t get ahead of ourselves. At the moment it feels like we’re 3-0 up with five minutes to go. But I know what can happen with five minutes to go.

 

“So nothing has been won yet and we have to remember that.

 

“The priority is to get in and I’d urge fans that if you haven’t already proxied then you should vote on the day.

 

“We’re taking nothing for granted and we need the votes. We’re confident that if everyone who is backing us votes then we will win on Friday. However, the danger is if people get complacent and we don’t want that to happen.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-egm-countdown-want-win-5251877

[Laudbertz 0]

Too early in the morning, when I read the headline, my brain automatically put the 'Easdale' after Sandy. Coffee time.

[ian1964 10,622]

Rangers hopeful John Gilligan: I postponed my engagement to watch Gers claim European glory in Barcelona in 1972

 

08:09, 1 March 2015

By Scott McDermott

 

THE Ibrox hopeful risked his relationship with his future wife to ensure he was in Barcelona to see Rangers lift European silverware against Dynamo Moscow.

 

HIS love affair with Rangers started long before 1972.

 

But on the eve of their European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Barcelona that year, John Gilligan risked the wrath of his future wife just to see his team lift the trophy.

 

This week could see him appointed an Ibrox director if Dave King emerges victorious from Friday’s EGM.

 

And no one should doubt Gilligan’s devotion to Rangers after he postponed his own engagement to be at the Nou Camp for one of their greatest nights.

 

Gilligan had saved up enough cash to buy a ring but when Willie Waddell’s side progressed to the final to face Dynamo Moscow, there was a sudden shift in his priorities.

 

That’s what Rangers mean to a guy who will step from the stands on to the marble staircase if King’s proposed takeover is rubber-stamped by 
shareholders on Friday.

 

Gilligan has been hooked on Rangers since his father took him to a game against Real Madrid at Ibrox in 1963.

 

His passion has never waned. That’s why he was in the away end at a freezing Falkirk Stadium on Friday night.

 

Rangers might be a long way from that balmy night in Barcelona now.

 

But Gilligan wants to play a big part in the club’s future and help emulate some of the special moments from their 143-year history.

 

In his first exclusive interview since being named as one of King’s 
prospective directors, Gilligan told MailSport: “I had money put away for an engagement ring in 1972 – but we then made the final.

 

“So I had to postpone the 
engagement. It was either a cheaper ring or we put it back a bit. So we held off until after Barcelona.

 

“My future wife actually said to her mother at the time, ‘I think we might have a problem’ when we got to the final. Don’t forget, I was only 20 at the time. We were kids and it was a different era back then.

 

“We got married the following year. But that just shows what Rangers means to me. I’m not a supporter, I’m a fanatic, and the club is everything to me and my family.

 

“As a lifelong fan, it would be 
unbelievable to be a Rangers director.

 

“I have the same story as most fans. I was introduced to Rangers by my old man and uncles.

 

“The first game I properly remember was against Real Madrid in 1963 when we lost 1-0. There was 90-odd thousand people there and I was 11. It was an incredible experience – I was hooked.

 

“I’ve been to most of Rangers’ games since then, including some fantastic days for the club.

 

“Whether it was Barcelona in ’72, stopping Celtic winning 10-in-a-row, Peter Lovenkrands’ winner in the 
Scottish Cup Final or Helicopter Sunday in 2005 – they go on and on.

 

“We want to get back to enjoying days like that.”

 

Like every ordinary fan, Gilligan has been left scarred by four years of turmoil at Ibrox which saw the club liquidated and having to start again in Scotland’s bottom tier.

 

He has been hurt by it but the damage isn’t permanent as he hopes to prove by aiding a King power grab.

 

Gilligan could easily have turned his back on Gers amid the chaos that has engulfed the place since 2012.

 

But when he turned up for the 
club’s first match against Brechin 
post-liquidation and couldn’t get a seat on a supporters’ bus, he was left in no doubt that all was not lost.

 

He said: “Our first game as a Third Division club, in the Ramsdens Cup against Brechin City, was actually a real highlight for me.

 

“It was a beautiful summer’s day so I decided I’d go on the supporters’ bus. But I turned up and couldn’t get on because it was full. I couldn’t believe it for a match against Brechin.

 

“It was so full I took three people who couldn’t get on the bus up in the car for the game. We still talk about that day.

 

“The reason it was the high point was because we knew then that the support was still there in abundance.

 

“It wasn’t difficult to stay loyal. Even through the torture of the last four years it was easy. Because that’s just the way it had to be.

 

“Some people boycotted games, 
others paid in at the gate and some bought season-tickets. I didn’t fall out with anyone because it was people’s own choice.

 

“At the end of the day, every supporter wanted the same end result – to get through it and come out at the other end. When I think of everything that has happened to us, the lowest point was when I realised there was a real threat of people taking titles from us.

 

“That was an attack on the history of Rangers and I didn’t like that. People were talking about destroying our whole being.

 

“That was a low as it got – even worse than administration or liquidation.”

 

Gilligan has watched in anguish as men with no affinity to the club have come and gone from the boardroom.

 

But if he, King and Paul Murray 
succeed in their bid for control on 
Friday the former Tennent’s 
managing director wants punters to forget who they are.

 

He’s desperate for Rangers fans to be talking about players on the pitch and a new manager in the dugout – rather than have to worry about who is 
running the club. As he spoke about his vision for Rangers should the EGM vote go their way, Gilligan 
said: “I would like to see Rangers be competing for the Premiership 
title again within a few years, 
realistically, and winning it where possible.

 

“But what I really want is for 
people not to even know the names of the people who are on the board. That would be great.

 

“They should be talking about the manager, the players and not what goes on in the boardroom.

 

“That’s what I’m looking for. Just a bit of normality.

 

“I’m just one of hundreds of thousands of Rangers supporters who wake up every morning of their lives and their first thought is what’s 
happening at the club.

 

“Unfortunately, for the last four years, that has been in a bad way. Hopefully we can change all that on Friday. ”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-hopeful-john-gilligan-postponed-5251932#rlabs=8

[pete 2,499]

Rangers hopeful John Gilligan: I postponed my engagement to watch Gers claim European glory in Barcelona in 1972

 

08:09, 1 March 2015

By Scott McDermott

 

THE Ibrox hopeful risked his relationship with his future wife to ensure he was in Barcelona to see Rangers lift European silverware against Dynamo Moscow.

 

HIS love affair with Rangers started long before 1972.

 

But on the eve of their European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Barcelona that year, John Gilligan risked the wrath of his future wife just to see his team lift the trophy.

 

This week could see him appointed an Ibrox director if Dave King emerges victorious from Friday’s EGM.

 

And no one should doubt Gilligan’s devotion to Rangers after he postponed his own engagement to be at the Nou Camp for one of their greatest nights.

 

Gilligan had saved up enough cash to buy a ring but when Willie Waddell’s side progressed to the final to face Dynamo Moscow, there was a sudden shift in his priorities.

 

That’s what Rangers mean to a guy who will step from the stands on to the marble staircase if King’s proposed takeover is rubber-stamped by 
shareholders on Friday.

 

Gilligan has been hooked on Rangers since his father took him to a game against Real Madrid at Ibrox in 1963.

 

His passion has never waned. That’s why he was in the away end at a freezing Falkirk Stadium on Friday night.

 

Rangers might be a long way from that balmy night in Barcelona now.

 

But Gilligan wants to play a big part in the club’s future and help emulate some of the special moments from their 143-year history.

 

In his first exclusive interview since being named as one of King’s 
prospective directors, Gilligan told MailSport: “I had money put away for an engagement ring in 1972 – but we then made the final.

 

“So I had to postpone the 
engagement. It was either a cheaper ring or we put it back a bit. So we held off until after Barcelona.

 

“My future wife actually said to her mother at the time, ‘I think we might have a problem’ when we got to the final. Don’t forget, I was only 20 at the time. We were kids and it was a different era back then.

 

“We got married the following year. But that just shows what Rangers means to me. I’m not a supporter, I’m a fanatic, and the club is everything to me and my family.

 

“As a lifelong fan, it would be 
unbelievable to be a Rangers director.

 

“I have the same story as most fans. I was introduced to Rangers by my old man and uncles.

 

“The first game I properly remember was against Real Madrid in 1963 when we lost 1-0. There was 90-odd thousand people there and I was 11. It was an incredible experience – I was hooked.

 

“I’ve been to most of Rangers’ games since then, including some fantastic days for the club.

 

“Whether it was Barcelona in ’72, stopping Celtic winning 10-in-a-row, Peter Lovenkrands’ winner in the 
Scottish Cup Final or Helicopter Sunday in 2005 – they go on and on.

 

“We want to get back to enjoying days like that.”

 

Like every ordinary fan, Gilligan has been left scarred by four years of turmoil at Ibrox which saw the club liquidated and having to start again in Scotland’s bottom tier.

 

He has been hurt by it but the damage isn’t permanent as he hopes to prove by aiding a King power grab.

 

Gilligan could easily have turned his back on Gers amid the chaos that has engulfed the place since 2012.

 

But when he turned up for the 
club’s first match against Brechin 
post-liquidation and couldn’t get a seat on a supporters’ bus, he was left in no doubt that all was not lost.

 

He said: “Our first game as a Third Division club, in the Ramsdens Cup against Brechin City, was actually a real highlight for me.

 

“It was a beautiful summer’s day so I decided I’d go on the supporters’ bus. But I turned up and couldn’t get on because it was full. I couldn’t believe it for a match against Brechin.

 

“It was so full I took three people who couldn’t get on the bus up in the car for the game. We still talk about that day.

 

“The reason it was the high point was because we knew then that the support was still there in abundance.

 

“It wasn’t difficult to stay loyal. Even through the torture of the last four years it was easy. Because that’s just the way it had to be.

 

“Some people boycotted games, 
others paid in at the gate and some bought season-tickets. I didn’t fall out with anyone because it was people’s own choice.

 

“At the end of the day, every supporter wanted the same end result – to get through it and come out at the other end. When I think of everything that has happened to us, the lowest point was when I realised there was a real threat of people taking titles from us.

 

“That was an attack on the history of Rangers and I didn’t like that. People were talking about destroying our whole being.

 

“That was a low as it got – even worse than administration or liquidation.”

 

Gilligan has watched in anguish as men with no affinity to the club have come and gone from the boardroom.

 

But if he, King and Paul Murray 
succeed in their bid for control on 
Friday the former Tennent’s 
managing director wants punters to forget who they are.

 

He’s desperate for Rangers fans to be talking about players on the pitch and a new manager in the dugout – rather than have to worry about who is 
running the club. As he spoke about his vision for Rangers should the EGM vote go their way, Gilligan 
said: “I would like to see Rangers be competing for the Premiership 
title again within a few years, 
realistically, and winning it where possible.

 

“But what I really want is for 
people not to even know the names of the people who are on the board. That would be great.

 

“They should be talking about the manager, the players and not what goes on in the boardroom.

 

“That’s what I’m looking for. Just a bit of normality.

 

“I’m just one of hundreds of thousands of Rangers supporters who wake up every morning of their lives and their first thought is what’s 
happening at the club.

 

“Unfortunately, for the last four years, that has been in a bad way. Hopefully we can change all that on Friday. ”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-hopeful-john-gilligan-postponed-5251932#rlabs=8

 

Just start working on a survival and improvement plan and forget the supporter pleasing bullshit about Sandy Jardine and Barcelona. Looks like Irvine is still being employed.

[RANGERRAB 3,459]

Just start working on a survival and improvement plan and forget the supporter pleasing bullshit about Sandy Jardine and Barcelona. Looks like Irvine is still being employed.

 

By the end of this week big decisions & big expectations lie ahead for DK,PM & JG.

I hope they're up for it. I'm sure they are.

[Anchorman 0]

Just start working on a survival and improvement plan and forget the supporter pleasing bullshit about Sandy Jardine and Barcelona. Looks like Irvine is still being employed.

 

Why the need for that? I know John and he certainly doesn't need to impress anybody with his credentials as a bluenose. The guy is speaking from the heart and is certainly not trying to bullshit anybody. As for the comment about Irvine --- not even worth responding to - cheap inaccurate bullshit. The guy isn't even in the door yet and he is getting this from fans who know jack shit about him. What chance have we got???

[Bluedell 5,471]

Why the need for that? I know John and he certainly doesn't need to impress anybody with his credentials as a bluenose.

 

So why the need for the article? It comes across as if that's the main thing he's trying to do. It's not a big deal but some would rather hear about what their plans are than what great bluenoses they are.

 

The guy isn't even in the door yet and he is getting this from fans who know jack shit about him. What chance have we got???

 

So you can only comment on him if you know him?

[pete 2,499]

Why the need for that? I know John and he certainly doesn't need to impress anybody with his credentials as a bluenose. The guy is speaking from the heart and is certainly not trying to bullshit anybody. As for the comment about Irvine --- not even worth responding to - cheap inaccurate bullshit. The guy isn't even in the door yet and he is getting this from fans who know jack shit about him. What chance have we got???

 

Sorry mate but we have now had 4 years of bullshit and saying things that will please the supporters. I now want to hear what the new board are planning to improve our situation. We know he is a Rangers supporter with a big blue heart but I want to hear what I don't know, including what are the plans for the future of Rangers. If I want to read or hear bullshit I will look up the Charles Green interviews on you tube.

That he makes a mention of these things in an article, fair enough but two full articles on playing to the audience just isn't what I want to hear or read at this moment.

[Anchorman 0]

So why the need for the article? It comes across as if that's the main thing he's trying to do. It's not a big deal but some would rather hear about what their plans are than what great bluenoses they are.

Does every article have to have an agenda? The guy was asked to do an interview to give the fans an insight into the man behind the suit. He answered what was put to him. He didn't contact the paper and say "Ive got an exclusive". They contacted him.

I've heard so many times over the last few years to White and then the Easdales "prove you're the bluenoses you say you are". Then John comes out with a harmless interview and get slaughtered. What the point?

 

So you can only comment on him if you know him?

 

Where did I say that? The point I'm making is people don't know anything about him yet feel that slurring with with Jack Irvine association is warranted. Comment away but at least save him from a kangaroo court this early.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

John will look after us.