Fans still behind Whyte, but doubts linger over club’s finances

Craig Whyte still has the backing of most Rangers supporters although there remain “genuine concerns” about the club’s future, according to the president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, Andy Kerr.

Trading on Rangers shares was suspended on Monday because of the failure to submit audited accounts, which has also delayed the club’s annual general meeting.

The Scottish champions also confirmed in a statement to the PLUS Stock Exchange that they were considering withdrawing their listing on the exchange in the long term.

Rangers claim the delayed agm is down to the ongoing dispute with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, which is due to come before a tax tribunal next week and could potentially cost the club £49million.

Chairman Whyte has refused to rule out the possibility of administration if Rangers lose the dispute, which centres on payments made before he bought out Sir David Murray last May.

Kerr said: “The rank and file of the Rangers support want to give Craig Whyte a chance.

“There is the feeling among many fans that ‘at least this guy took it on’.

“More informed supporters and people outside the club who are asking hard and serious questions are perhaps seen as stirring the pot but my personal view is that a lot of those questions are pertinent.

“There are genuine concerns about the mid to long-term future of the club, definitely. We are in limbo. We were prior to the takeover and certainly have been since then.

“When I spoke to him last week he was reasonably reassuring and it is encouraging that we are having regular meetings.

“He told us it would be a rough road and costs would have to be cut but we would get through it.

“He hopes to get the accounts signed off soon.

“He is committed to an agm and it will be within the first quarter, perhaps in March.

“I think the agm will be pivotal. That’s when shareholders will get the chance to put their questions to him.”

Kerr admits shares and stock markets were not discussed with Whyte but he is relaxed about the situation, believing there are more pressing worries for the club.

“He never mentioned it,” said Kerr.

“It was a little bit of a surprise when I heard about it yesterday but in reality it is not a major obstacle.

“Was it another wee negative with regards the club’s reputation that we could have done without? Yes.

“But the more pertinent question is ‘why aren’t the accounts signed off?’ and that’s what he was asked about when I spoke to him last week.

“And I’m sure it has nothing to do with the figures contained within the accounts.”