Craig Whyte comes out fighting and says 'I've paid off debt'

Craig Whtye has issued a stern response to sacked Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston's criticisms on Tuesday, accusing some former board members at Ibrox of being reluctant to embrace change.

The new Rangers owner had his credibility again questioned by Johnston after it emerged Whtye had sacked the chairman and fellow director Paul Murray when they refused to resign from their positions. Johnston challenged Whyte to "walk the walk and not just talk the talk".

The owner has responded by reminding the sceptics that he has already wiped out the club's debt to Lloyds Banking Group and has held initial discussions with new manager Ally McCoist about the acquisition of new signings ahead of next season. "I have been disappointed by some comments regarding the takeover made by former board members who are clearly reluctant to embrace change," said Whyte.

"I believe most Rangers supporters understand that, as a result of the takeover, the club's debt to the Lloyds Banking Group has been cleared and I have repeatedly stated to the board my intentions to invest in the team. I have had discussions with Ally McCoist regarding his ambition to secure players already playing for the club and also to bring new faces to the squad. These discussions will resume when Ally returns to Ibrox this week."

These comments followed the most explosive day of Whyte's short time in charge on Monday. The owner wielded the axe at a board meeting at Ibrox. Not only were Johnston and Murray relieved of their positions but chief executive Martin Bain and finance director Donald McIntyre were suspended, pending an internal investigation. It is understood that the allegations concern a contractual matter and while Bain, who is in the United States on club charity work, listened in via a conference call, McIntyre was present to receive the news that both he and Bain were to stay away from Ibrox while the investigations continued. Another director, Dave King, is also understood to be on borrowed time at Ibrox.

New appointments are set to be made imminently in order to bolster the board as Whyte continues to sever links with the previous regime, while also dispensing with dissenting voices.

Just hours after Whyte's takeover was completed on 6 May the independent board committee released a statement which questioned the new owner's ability to fund his financial pledges.

This was described as "utter nonsense" by Whyte, who even then stated that it was obvious that certain board members were opposed to change. The board meeting on Monday saw Whyte impose his will as he prepared the way for new directors to join him at Ibrox.

"It is not uncommon to bring fresh thinking to an organisation in an effort to deliver greater success and that is the fundamental reason that changes have been made to the composition of the board," said Whyte.

"Further board appointments will be announced in due course. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the suspensions of the chief executive and finance director at this time.

"These are exciting times for Rangers and the club's supporters," he added.

"This past season's achievements were truly great and I am determined to continue that success for Rangers and our supporters around the world.

"It is a huge privilege and honour to have become the majority shareholder at Rangers Football Club.

"My commitment to take the club forward is unwavering and like all Rangers supporters I want to build on the tremendous success achieved by the team in recent years."