Rangers takeover: Words ‘may have antagonised fans’ says Eric Drysdale

ONE of the Scottish Football Association’s judicial panel members, Eric Drysdale, claimed yesterday that Ally McCoist helped encourage the adverse reaction from Rangers fans which led to the Raith Rovers director being given security advice by police.

Drysdale was on the three-man panel which hit the administration-hit Ibrox club with a £160,000 fine and a 12-month embargo on signing players, mainly for bringing the game into disrepute since Craig Whyte’s takeover last May.

Rangers manager McCoist claimed the punishment could kill off the club and demanded the trio be named and, after their identities were revealed on the internet, the SFA confirmed that the panel members were spoken to by Strathclyde Police.

McCoist yesterday defended his calls for transparency but insisted his comments were not a signal for fans to engage in threatening behaviour.

However, asked if McCoist had encouraged the level of reaction which led to police action, Drysdale told Sky Sports: “I think the answer to your question is yes, it may have antagonised some people.

“I have nothing whatsoever against Alistair, he’s a good guy, I have always respected him.

“If it had been my club, there would be people speaking out in an emotional manner, I completely understand that.

“But I wish he hadn’t said what he said, I must be honest.

“There were calls and emails to the club expressing disgust at the decision that was made by the judicial panel and a couple of silent phone calls on my mobile but apart from that there hasn’t been any direct threats to myself so far.

“The one thing I would say is that, when the statement of reasons does come out, I hope sensible people will understand that there was logic behind the decisions reached, both for Rangers and for Craig Whyte, and will see that the panel has been fair.”