Ally McCoist sees a partnership as Rangers’ cure

Ally McCoist: 'There definitely seems to be an affinity towards Dave [King] because he is a Rangers supporter'. Picture: SNS

McCoist was effectively forced into supporting Charles Green following his consortium’s takeover in May 2012 to ensure season ticket sales and the success of the IPO and listing on the AIM market later that year which brought millions into Ibrox which quickly evaporated.

Equally, the Rangers manager gave his backing to Craig Mather in his brief role as chief executive when he was surprisingly appointed after Rangers had apparently “gone to market” for the best man for the job.

Since Graham Wallace replaced Mather last year, McCoist has enjoyed a good working relationship with the former chief executive of Manchester City whose own position is now under threat.

Mike Ashley wants to remove Wallace and finance director Philip Nash and will seek to carry this out at an emergency meeting of shareholders which he is entitled to call due to a stake of just under 10 per cent.

While McCoist is not about to embrace that prospect, he has been generous in his praise of the Sports Direct owner and now believes a partnership with Dave King can cure the considerable ills of his club.

It might take some selling to the Rangers supporters, many of whom view Ashley with suspicion at best and most champion King even if the former director paid £44 million to the South African Revenue Service last year after a long battle over unpaid tax.

McCoist said: “There definitely seems to be an affinity towards Dave because he is a Rangers supporter.

“I think obviously with Dave, he’s been around the club for years, he’s been on the board, so I think the Rangers supporters naturally can relate to Dave better than anyone else.

“But that’s a natural thing, that’s not for a minute saying Dave is going to be better than anyone else…than Mike or anyone else for that matter.

“But I think you can naturally see the reason why the Rangers supporters would be comfortable with Dave because he’s been at the club and he knows the club.

“However, you have arguably one of the greatest businessmen in Britain over the last ten, 15, 20 years in Mike Ashley.

“If Mike was to become involved, look at it as a business proposition and move it forward then that would obviously be a good thing.

“I think an awful lot of the fans have felt, rightly so, let down by previous people within the club. People who, let’s just say, didn’t really know what Rangers was all about or who potentially didn’t care what Rangers was all about.

“So you can understand a lot of supporters leaning towards someone they have 100 per cent faith in, with the knowledge that they do care about the club. I can totally understand that given what’s happened before.

“But I certainly think it would be wrong to prejudge anybody in that situation. I can totally understand the fans, though.

“It’s very, very difficult, after the last three years, to be convinced by anybody. But I am happy in the knowledge that both parties that are involved now have got serious potential investment and I don’t think for a minute that either of them would be scared to use their money to take the club forward.

“The pressure now on people coming in is absolutely immense because of the previous people who have come in – and that can only be a good thing.

“You’d have to say, taking the Rangers thing out of it, both men are extremely talented individuals in terms of business.

“So they are obviously, I’d imagine, looking at it as a business proposition as well as anything else because that’s how they’ve made their success and made their money.

“But you’d have to be encouraged by good proper businessmen coming into the club to see a business opportunity for themselves but also one which will benefit the club.”

McCoist, however, is uncomfortable with Ashley’s plans to get rid of Wallace, feeling that maybe he could survive in the spirt of compromise

He said: “Of course it’s a concern, because we’ve had more chief executives and potential owners in the last three years than we have done in the previous 20 or 30 years.

“What would be concerning would obviously be that it would create uncertainty and instability again within the club with more changes at boardroom level. That wouldn’t be ideal.

“But that’s totally and 100 per cent outwith my control. I can only continue my very good working relationship with Graham.

“I had two hours with Graham on Tuesday morning and he’s as positive as he’s always been in terms of moving the club forward.

McCoist is certain of one thing. If new funding is not forthcoming, Rangers would be in serious trouble.

He added: “It’s safe to say investment is required. In the discussions I’ve had with Graham he’s never hidden the fact somewhere down the line we’ll need and require investment.”

It is anticipated that discussions between the King camp and the Rangers board will continue in the early part of next week when a decision will be made.