Rangers chairman praises positive EBT talks with former club owner David Murray

Published on 27/09/2012 09:02

RANGERS chief executive Charles Green has revealed he held positive talks with Sir David Murray over co-operating on several issues.

Murray, who sold Rangers to Craig Whyte 13 months before the club was consigned to liquidation, was the instigator of the controversial tax scheme that remains the subject of both a tribunal and Scottish Premier League inquiry.

Green, who bought the assets and business of Rangers and re-launched the club as a new company, revealed Murray had agreed to help him deal with any fallout from the use of the Employee Benefit Trusts.

Green told RangersTV: “I met Sir David for the first time yesterday. Indeed I hadn’t even spoken with him before.

“We had a good chat and we talked about a number of subjects. Sir David is really keen to help the club. I welcome that and I appreciate the time we spent together.

“He has some clear views in terms of EBTs and there is no-one knows better than Sir David about that and he is prepared to do whatever is required to set the record straight.”

Green also revealed the club could acquire Edmiston House, a three-storey building behind the Copland Road stand, from Murray, who used it to base one of his companies.

Records show the building, which once housed the ticket office and a social club, was bought in 2002 for more than £1.1million.

“From a tangible point of view one of the things we went to discuss was trying to acquire Edmiston House because that would be very important to my plans,” Green said.

“I think we have agreed in principle a deal on that. So he has helped the club by coming to an acceptable deal on that and that is very much appreciated.

“We have some plans for the property and these will be unveiled in the future.”

Green added: “I am looking forward to seeing him and meeting with him again because he has a wealth of knowledge of Rangers Football Club. He was very important to this club over the last 20 years.

“He did sell the club to Craig Whyte and that’s history now. Sir David wouldn’t have been the first person that made a mistake with Mr Whyte but we all have to move on.

“Whilst there may be some fans who are unhappy with Sir David, there were lots of fans who were unhappy with Charles Green and I would like to think we have moved forward on that as well.”