McCoist planning different outcomes

28 April 2011 17:30

Rangers manager-in-waiting Ally McCoist admits he has no other option but to plan for two very different scenarios when he takes over the helm.

With Craig Whyte's proposed takeover of the Scottish champions yet to be completed, the Ibrox number two still has no idea whether he will be making cuts or have a bumper budget at his disposal for next season.

Whyte's buy-out bid moved closer to completion this week after it emerged he had taken a step forward in winning over the independent committee of the Rangers board. McCoist said: "There is no use worrying about things you can't have an effect on. That's the way we have to look at it."

He added: "As we keep saying, hopefully it will happen in the near future, which would be terrific for everybody. We've got to make two sets of plans - a budget where you have to make cuts and another plan if you do get a few bob to spend.

"Effectively, you are looking at two plans. One which we hope happens and one which we hope doesn't happen, but we will be ready for if it comes around."

McCoist - who has only met Scots tycoon Whyte "very, very briefly" - was asked whether a takeover in the coming days would boost Rangers' hopes of retaining the title.

He said: "Possibly. I'm not sure. I'm not really sure it's required to be honest because the boys know what they've got to do and they are very, very focused on it. We've attempted to keep them away from this whole thing as much as possible. Obviously they know, through reading things and listening to radio and watching television, as much as we do.

"The most important thing from our team's point of view is that they remain totally focused, as they have been for the entire season. They have been great. It would maybe give them a boost, I certainly don't think it would do them any harm."

The independent committee is keen for any potential new owner to provide assurances that cash will be invested in new players. McCoist added: "We've got a very, very small squad as it is.

"We did say we were going to go with a small squad and you would have to say we have been unlucky in terms of injury to our personnel. In terms of next season, we definitely need players. You don't need me to tell you that. When boys go back to their clubs after being out on loan, we've got an outrageously small squad of players that certainly needs strengthened."

Source: PA