Fans concerned over Smith exit

05 August 2013 22:34

Rangers supporters groups have expressed "extreme concern" over the struggle for power that is engulfing Ibrox after Walter Smith quit as chairman.

Rangers announced that the man who led Rangers to 10 titles had stepped down from the board with immediate effect - three days after the return of Charles Green as a consultant.

Smith's departure leaves manager Ally McCoist even more vulnerable following his stinging attack on the character of Green after his side's League Cup exit at Forfar on Saturday, which came hours after the former chief executive warned McCoist would have a "problem" if he did not win a cup this season.

And Rangers fans want the club to act quickly to facilitate a meeting of shareholders to discuss the latest request for boardroom change.

A joint statement read: "The Rangers Supporters Association, Rangers Supporters Assembly and the Rangers Supporters Trust are extremely concerned with current events at our club.

"Walter Smith's resignation is a matter of deep anxiety and we trust that Walter will give supporters a detailed statement outlining his reasons for leaving. The recent request for an EGM (Extraordinary general meeting) to replace key personnel would suggest our concerns are shared by other significant shareholders.

"We would therefore urge the board of Rangers Football Club to agree to allow the EGM to proceed as soon as possible to enable the thousands of fans who have invested in the club to hear all sides in an open forum.

"In the meantime, we have requested an urgent meeting with the chief executive in order to keep our members as informed as possible."

The chief executive, Craig Mather, soon released his own statement implying that he and Smith remained on good terms.

Mather, who replaced Green in April, said: "I am saddened that Walter felt he had to leave the board because his advice and common sense approach over the past few months have helped enormously. Walter has his own reasons for this decision but exactly when he discloses them to everyone is up to him.

Source: PA