McCoist welcomes scrutiny
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has welcomed the increased scrutiny of the club's finances following a year of off-field turmoil.
The Glasgow giants this week vowed to defend any claim from finance firm Orlit after confirming they have been in dispute with the Singapore-based organisation over an "insignificant" debt.
Reports claimed the company could seek a winding-up petition over a #400,000 bill for services relating to investments made when Charles Green's consortium bought the oldco Rangers` business and assets in the summer.
The dispute has put Rangers' finances under the spotlight again almost a year after the club was placed in administration, and subsequently consigned to liquidation.
"I don't think that's a bad thing actually," said McCoist.
"Because of the recent history and going into administration just about a year ago next week, I'm actually delighted the finances of the club are being scrutinised.
"I don't have a problem with it at all.
"I'm aware that it's a natural thing, because of what's happened, for the finances of the club to be scrutinised even more.
"As manager and as a supporter, I'm all for it and I would hope the fans would think it's a good thing."
On the Orlit dispute, he added: "It's not my remit but, over the last year, I certainly know more about the financial situation within the club than most managers.
"What I've been told is, it's not a great issue.
"I don't really know what's normal in business transactions but I believe there was a dispute and the dispute is just about at an agreement.
"That's what I've been told. I'm not involved with it personally and I'm certainly not hands on in something like that.
"From what I've been told, it's maybe been completely blown out of proportion. I certainly hope that would be the case."
The true extent of Rangers' financial problems under the Craig Whyte regime became apparent when they were forced to call in the administrators on February 14 last year.
The fall-out saw the Light Blues lose their status as a Clydesdale Bank Premier League club and voted into the Irn-Bru Third Division.
McCoist said: "We're on the pathway but we're just at the start of the pathway.
"The support we've had has been nothing short of sensational and I think there has been a level of understanding shown by the support.
"We're going to get disappointments, like last week's cup game at Dundee United, but the most important thing is getting out of the division we're in.
"That will not change until we get back to the top league.
"To get back to where we want to be, it ain't going to be one giant leap, it's going be lots of small steps."
McCoist could be without as many as seven players against nearest rivals Queen's Park at Ibrox.
Skipper Lee McCulloch is still a doubt with an ankle injury, while Kal Naismith is suspended for two games and Ross Perry is out with the knock that forced him out of last week's William Hill Scottish Cup defeat at Dundee United.
Francisco Sandaza is sidelined with a hamstring strain, while Lewis Macleod, Kevin Kyle and Darren Cole remain in the treatment room.
McCoist is well aware of the challenge his league-leaders face.
He said: "They have given us two really, really tough games. We won both of them but in the last one, in particular, at Hampden we scored late on. They are second in the league for a reason.
"I've known Gardner Speirs for a long time and he's a good coach.
"I don't particularly go along with this part-time philosophy - I think Gardner has a full-time train of thought and his players have a full-time train of thought.
"They are fit boys, they are young and athletic and they are organised.
"It's a great game for us tomorrow and it will be another tough one."
Second-placed Queen's Park look set to be without defender Paul Gallacher (hamstring) when they head across Glasgow.
Gallacher is the only absentee from the Hampden pool with youngster Blair Spittal added to the squad that drew 2-2 with Annan last weekend.
Head coach Speirs said: "The two games with Rangers so far this season have been great occasions and I am sure this one will be as well.
"It will be really tough to get the win we are after as Rangers will be looking to bounce back after losing to Dundee United. They have good players and good players bounce back after setbacks but we will look to do ourselves justice for a third time against them."
Source: PA
