Charles Green: Overthrow Malcolm Murray or I leave

THE future of Malcolm Murray as Rangers chairman has been cast into serious doubt after the emergence of boardroom friction between the Ayrshire businessman and chief executive Charles Green.

Murray was appointed as non-executive chairman of the Rangers plc board last June, two months after Green led the purchase of the administration-stricken club’s business and assets.

The 57-year-old, who has spent the bulk of his business career in investment and pension fund management, was seen as an ideal figurehead for the board with his background as a lifelong Rangers supporter. But it is understood a clear rift has now appeared between Murray and other directors, including Green, with his position raised at two recent board meetings. At the most recent meeting, it is believed Murray was asked to consider his position before the summer.

Rangers are due to publish their interim accounts in the next few weeks, the first set of figures since the club was reconstituted in the wake of liquidation.

Green led Rangers’ share issue which raised £22 million, over £17 million of which came from institutional investors, and listing on the stock market. The Yorkshire businessman has been the public face and driving force of Rangers’ bid to recover from their traumatic financial collapse and relocation to the bottom tier of Scottish league football. Green has won the approval of the vast majority of Rangers supporters following widespread initial scepticism of the former Sheffield United chief executive.