Andrew Ellis emerges to hit out at criticism of Rangers bid

The London-based property developer, pictured, emerged to make a rare public pronouncement in response to comments from Johnston which poured scorn on his bid to buy Rangers.

Ellis, who remains the only party to have formally declared an interest in the club since it was put up for sale last year, was especially irked by Johnston's claim that he had cancelled a proposed meeting between the pair and then failed to respond to a subsequent request for another meeting.

"I'm surprised to be honest, very surprised," Ellis said. "I wasn't very happy when I learned of his (Johnston's] comments and I think he is being unfair. I don't understand where he is coming from. I've never had a meeting arranged with Alastair Johnston and he has never requested a meeting with me. The club have my number but he has never phoned me.

"If I have offended him then I apologise, and I apologise if it is taking longer than normal. It is taking time because there are an awful lot of things to go through. What you have to remember is that Rangers is a massive club, it is an institution. But the next time he (Johnston] is back in the United Kingdom then I will be happy to have a meeting with him."

Earlier yesterday, a source close to Ellis told The Scotsman that he 43-year-old "hopes to give an indication in the next few days" whether he will go ahead with his plans to buy out Sir David Murray's controlling interest in the Scottish champions. Rangers supporters may be excused if they refrain from holding their collective breath.

Ellis, through his specifically formed company RFC Holdings (Guernsey) Ltd, first lodged his proposal to purchase Rangers with the Takeover Panel in London on 8 March. More than two months later, Ellis has still to emerge from a period of due diligence to say if the 33 million offer will be made. One issue which will certainly have featured in his deliberations is the possible tax bill of 24 million facing the club following an investigation by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs into offshore payments made to players.

The delay from Ellis has been a source of considerable frustration for many at Rangers, including manager Walter Smith who earlier this month effectively invited the former Northampton Town chairman to put up or shut up when he briefly broke cover to inform Sky Sports News he would offer the club's existing coaching staff new contracts in the event of taking over.

Now Rangers chairman Johnston, back at his Ohio base following a week in Glasgow, has added his own criticism of Ellis. In Johnston's view, it is now likely Rangers will go into next season without a new owner.

"I don't see any imminent resolution of a new owner for Rangers, so I believe we are going to have to plan and budget on a 'no change in ownership' basis going into next season," he said. "The situation regarding Mr Elliss proposed buying of Rangers has gone on way too long, so let's just say I am sceptical about it.

"Not only that, but when Ellis first made his intimations about being interested in buying Rangers back in March, I set up a meeting and was all set to fly out to meet him, when that meeting was abruptly cancelled. I find it surprising and perplexing that, for someone supposedly keen to buy the club, Mr Ellis has had no direct contact at all with anyone at Rangers Football Club. On this point, two weeks ago, I made another request to hold a meeting with him, knowing that I was going to be in Britain, but I heard nothing back. So I find all of this conduct pretty surprising."

According to the source close to Ellis, there has been dialogue between him and Rangers, although they would not specify which representative of the Ibrox club he had been in contact with. Johnston, meanwhile, appeared to confirm a split among the club's board regarding Ellis' credibility. Donald Muir, the business troubleshooter appointed as a Rangers director last year to oversee Lloyds TSB's interest in the club, continues to regard Ellis as a serious option according to Johnston.

"Donald Muir believes that there might be something productive in this (Ellis] deal, but I have to say, I reserve my judgment on that," he added. "Am I cynical about it? Let's just say, once again, that I am sceptical. If there is any imminent development on the Ellis front, I will be very surprised."

Manager Smith still requires to be convinced he will have the resources necessary to persuade him to carry on in charge of Rangers. Johnston revealed that Smith held his own meeting with Lloyds TSB last week as he ponders his position.

"Id heard Mr Ellis state this and that about Walter through the media," added Johnston. "Well, Walter is actually at Rangers, and he will decide. But, in meeting with the bank, I hope Walter was at least able to talk directly about the type of investment he believes the team will need, and maybe take some reassurance from that meeting. We will give Walter time. At the moment he has both club and personal issues to resolve."