Source: Team_Talk
Johnston: Gers need 'Plan B' in place
Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston insists keeping Walter Smith at Ibrox is vital, but says there needs to be a "Plan B" if the worst happens.[LNB] Smith this week declared he would consider continuing to work without a contract next season if the debt-ridden club - who are nevertheless on the brink of retaining the SPL - needed him to.[LNB]But he also reiterated his concern over a potential business plan that would deny him the chance to sign players this summer.[LNB]Johnston admits he cannot guarantee Smith will have money to spend, and while he welcomes the 62-year-old's commitment to the cause, he is also braced for the prospect of losing him and assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall.[LNB]Johnston told the Daily Record: "It's heartening to hear Walter say that but there's a lot of things that can happen between now and the end of the year that will influence his decision.[LNB]"For sure, the club would like to see Walter back again next year. But I'm not going to take everybody at their word at this point because, with the ever-changing situation, you have to be constantly taking the temperature of people.[LNB]"Keeping Walter, Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall is definitely a high priority. We must figure out if Walter will be there next season and what Plan B would be if he did decide to go. Obviously, that's one of the biggest issues that has to be addressed.[LNB]"We are on track to have a good year financially but there's a lot of things that can happen between now and June when the transfer window opens. So we have to have plan A, B and C for when we go back to the bank to negotiate for the new season.[LNB]"Plan A obviously involves income from the Champions League. But there are so many moving factors at the moment that I can't say yes or no to whether we will be able to bring in new signings in the summer.[LNB]"We are sensitive to the fact we have a squad that has done tremendously well this year with scarce resources. Hopefully, we hang on to our lead in the league and do the business."
