Rangers owner says worst is yet to come

GLASGOW - Agence France-Presse

Glasgow Rangers’ Kyle Lafferty reacts during a league match against Motherwell.

Rangers owner Craig Whyte fears the Scottish champion is set to face the most difficult period in the club’s history.

The Glasgow giant is awaiting the verdict of a tax tribunal which could leave the club with a bill of as much as 49 million pounds ($77.5 million) should its lose a dispute with HMRC.

Rangers was forced to sell star striker Nikica Jelavic to Everton on transfer deadline day in a bid to bring in some cash and boss Ally McCoist admitted on Friday that, because of its shaky finances, the welfare of the club is more important than results right now.

Speaking in an interview with Scotland yesterday, Whyte said: “I agree with him (McCoist). This has the potential to be the toughest few weeks in the club’s history.

“I wouldn’t say crisis is the right word. Not at the moment. But we’re certainly in the toughest time in the club’s history. The next few weeks. I’d definitely say that much.”

Whyte says he has a plan in place if the verdict goes against Rangers but declined to divulge the details.

“I play my cards close to my chest. Ally and I work closely together and if that situation arises he’ll be the first to know about it. We’re talking about hypotheticals here,” Whyte added.

“I’m not nervous at all. There’s a plan in place for any eventuality.

“I couldn’t go into it. If I publicized it then it would potentially jeopardize what we’re working on.
“But, remember, I bought the club with this thing hanging over it. I’ve been thinking about it since day one. The long-term interest of the club is what I think about every day.”