In full: Charles Green statement on Whittaker and Naismith depatures

“IT IS a great pity that certain players have chosen this time to attempt to tear up their contracts and walk away from the club.

The club is facing massive challenges in terms of its league status and the last thing the fans want to see is a dispute between the club and players.

However, it appears that is the route several players are choosing. I can assure those players and clubs who may be interested in signing them that Rangers will seek damages for breach of contract and for inducement to break contracts.

The SFA has been considering the issue and has issued a preliminary guidance note on registration issues. That note has made it clear that it is open to the club to challenge the actions of the players. Our lawyers have written to the SFA today intimating that we do challenge the actions of the players and explaining why that is. They have also asked that the SFA confirm how it proposes to resolve the dispute between the players and club.

We have no wish to go to court on these matters but the players involved, their agents and clubs who may be pursuing these players should be in no doubt that we will do whatever it takes to protect the club’s interests.

As Ally McCoist said yesterday, the players should be honest about their intentions. When the players agreed to take wage cuts earlier this year they renegotiated their contracts to allow them to leave for reduced values. That was a sensible quid pro quo and meant that the club would still get some transfer value for them should they leave.

What is happening now is that the players want to leave for nothing, thereby denying the club any transfer value at all. At the same time, players who are ready to breach their contracts want to secure handsome signing on fees for other clubs, while Rangers get nothing.

I have heard criticism from one of the players today that I had not been in contact. That is surprising since his agent was in my office on Friday for a meeting with both me and the manager.

I have spoken to the Rangers staff now on a number of occasions and at staff meetings. No players were present at these meetings and they have all been on holiday.

The players’ actions are all the more breathtaking given that virtually everyone else employed at the club has got on with the job since the CVA was refused and a new company had to be formed. Of course they had concerns, but after asking all the relevant questions it was business as usual. That applies to the groundsmen, the tea ladies, the office staff and everyone else who makes Rangers tick. Rangers is still Rangers and players, above all, should know that.”