Time To Look Ahead

01 March 2013 08:56
With a line being drawn under allegations of Rangers fielding ineligible players, it is time to look forward

Ally McCoist will have slept easier last night following the decision of the  independent commission set up by the SPL to investigate alleged fielding of ineligible players due to how payments were made. McCoist feels "totally vindicated" after the commission ruled no sporting advantage was gained. The oldco were fined £250,000 for administrative failures to alert the SPL to the payments which was described as a "serious" breach of Scottish Premier League rules from 2000 to 2011. The fine is unlikely ever to be paid as there are a number of oldco creditors ahead of the SPL hoping to receive their money. The oldco does not have any assets to realise funds to make any payments of this scale.  The panel also rejected accusations that Rangers had gained an unfair competitive advantage during their five title wins over the period in question.The Rangers manager said: "I think the result of the commission has totally vindicated the entire club and the playing staff throughout that period. We always felt and hoped it would be the case and it goes without saying that we are delighted with the outcome. We feel that common sense has prevailed thankfully. It's been niggling away at all our minds for a long time now - and it has been the same for players and ex-players and certainly supporters. It was worrying because we always hoped for the right outcome but you never know. It's great that we have some closure on it now. We were 100 per cent sure in our own minds that there had been no wrong-doing in terms of trying to seek an unfair advantage or to take it more bluntly cheat because that is the worst crime you can ever level at a sportsman. To have something like that levelled at you is pretty outrageous and I'm thrilled for all the fans, for the staff and all the players that a sensible outcome has been reached."McCoist was  assistant manager to Walter Smith for in three of the championship victories. He said: "These titles were won on the park. You set out at the start of every season to win the title and I think it was unanimous from every ex-player that I read in that they said there was no unfair advantage being sought during this period. I'm just hopeful we can out this saga behind us. We have come a long way but this cloud was hanging over us. Now it has gone and we can move forward. I have spoken to supporters who haven't sleep at night - that's how much it means to them. We take satisfaction with what we feel is the correct result but now it's time for us to move on as a club. The recovery has started and we want to continue our efforts to get the club back to where we want to get to."

Source: ScottishFitba

Source: FOOTYMAD