McCulloch demands clarity as Rangers probe Green

RANGERS captain Lee McCulloch has called for clarity over the club’s affairs after the board announced during Saturday’s Third Division match against Clyde that an investigation will take place into Charles Green’s takeover.

Club directors met before Saturday’s game after claims by former owner Craig Whyte that he was involved with Green’s consortium when they purchased the business and assets of the club last summer.

Whyte’s allegations were accompanied by taped recordings of conversations involving himself, Green and commercial director Imran Ahmad.

An independent probe commissioned by the Rangers board will now look into the claims by the former owner, whose non-payment of tax forced administration and subsequent liquidation.

Having endured months of turmoil last year, McCulloch is keen to avoid another summer of uncertainty. The skipper said: “A bit of clarity would be great. And just the truth. I think everybody deserves to know the truth.”

Rangers have yet to announce who will sit on the commission or when it will sit. The club’s statement released on Saturday said: “The independent report will be commissioned and completed as speedily as possible and presented directly to the non-executive directors of the company. The chief executive will not be involved in the conduct of the examination.

“The board wishes to make clear that it is not prejudging any of the issues involved and that the object of this exercise is to clarify the situation to the satisfaction of shareholders, supporters, staff and board members.”

Manager Ally McCoist, whose side have already wrapped up the Third Division title, welcomed the announcement. “I’m delighted with the statement because the board have said they are going to appoint an independent commission to look into matters, which is the very least our fans deserve,” he said.

“I was very well aware of the need and the urgency of the board to get results. Knowing one or two of the board members really well, they want an end to this whole scenario.

“I’m really confident in those board members and what they did today and I’m really confident in the future once the commission finds out the results.”

On the prospect of a quick resolution, McCoist added: “It’s more important that we get it right and the independent commission are given the time required.”

All the off-field drama on Saturday overshadowed a comfortable win for Rangers, with McCulloch and Kyle Hutton on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win. “We could have had another couple of goals. We had a couple of half-chances and shots from distance but we dominated possession and were deserved winners,” said McCulloch.

McCulloch’s strike was his 25th goal of the season. But he claims he will have no complaints if Andy Little – also on 25 – beats him in the scoring charts come the end of the season.

He said: “If I don’t get top goalscorer, it’s not the end of the world. I would rather Andy Little got it. As captain, sometimes you’ve got to put the team first. I know how much Andy wants it and it would be good for him to get it.”