Rangers newco: What SPL clubs have said so far

By ANDREW SMITH
Published on 04/07/2012 12:29

AS things stand, Charles Green’s newco Rangers look increasingly unlikely to be granted entry to Scotland’s top flight.

Many of the 11 SPL clubs who will ultimately determine whether Rangers are permitted to play in Scotland’s top flight have been unequivocal in their desire to block the newco from reentering, though a few other clubs, such as Kilmarnock, Motherwell, and most notably Celtic, have yet to put forth a firm position on the saga.

ABERDEEN - NO

“It is our intention to oppose readmission to the SPL for any Rangers newco” - chairman Stewart Milne (25 June).

CELTIC - ?

“Our guiding principle is that we will do what is in the best interests of Celtic Football Club and our supporters, consistent with upholding the interests and reputation of Scottish football” - Chief executive Peter Lawwell (10 May).

DUNDEE UNITED - NO

“The board are unequivocal in the belief that a form of sporting punishment must form part of the reasoning behind any decision made and cannot vote the newco into the SPL” - club statement (June 21).

HEARTS - NO

“Supporters deserve a new beginning and have to accept the fact that their club has to start from the lower league. They have lived beyond the law and all morals, and should now be declared beyond the pale” - Owner Vladimir Romanov (21 June).

HIBERNIAN - NO

“The club will vote against the transfer of the Rangers share in the SPL to a newco. This reaffirms the view of the board that the sporting integrity of the SPL is of paramount importance” - Club statement (24 June).

INVERNESS - NO

“The club will be voting ‘no’. We would be in a completely untenable position, financially and morally, if we defied the overwhelming demand of our own paying customerst” - chairman Kenny Cameron (25 June).

KILMARNOCK - ?

“Contrary to some media reports, I have not committed our club to supporting Rangers newco. I firmly believe that the success and prosperity of our club will always come first with our supporters” - Chairman Michael Johnston in letter to supporters (25 June).

MOTHERWELL - ?

Motherwell last night announced that 82 per cent of Well Society members and shareholders had voted against the Rangers bid in a ballot. The club had previously stated that the ballot would be “used to determine which way the club votes”.

ROSS COUNTY - ?

“As a club, we have to listen to our supporters and we’ll do that. We’ll consider all the views before July 4” - Chairman Roy MacGregor (27 June).

ST JOHNSTONE - NO

“For avoidance of doubt, the club’s position remains as per the statement which was issued on 25 June confirming that the club will not be supporting the application” - Club statement (3 July).

ST MIRREN - NO

“I made it perfectly clear that our directors’ view was that our club would not be voting for a newco entry to the SPL, directly to the officials of Rangers newco” - chairman Stewart Gilmour (29 June).