Murray: Don't take Rangers titles away
Former owner Sir David Murray has hit out at the possibility of Rangers being stripped of league titles as part of an investigation into alleged undisclosed payments to players.
The Scottish Premier League last week appointed an independent commission to determine whether Rangers breached rules in relation to Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) payments and arrangements for players between 2001 and 2010.
One of the more severe sanctions the Ibrox side could face if found guilty is the stripping of championship titles, a punishment the club have said they would strenuously challenge.
In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Murray said: “During my stewardship of Rangers no rules were breached or circumvented and I reject and resent any suggestion that anything was done which amounted to cheating.
“As was required of a PLC, all accounts were fully audited and made available to all entitled parties. All football rules were complied with.
“All enquiries from entitled parties or organisations were answered.
“I cannot be anything other than angered at the suggestion Rangers should be stripped of titles or other competition victories.”
Ally McCoist has already declared he would never accept Rangers being stripped of titles and he believes the SPL are wasting their time with the investigation.
The manager said: “I’m under the impression there are absolutely no dual contracts.
“I’ve been told it’s probably a complete waste of time.
“But if people in places see fit to pursue this, that’s up to them.
“I’ve made my views clear, my opinion hasn’t changed.”
Rangers play their first game at Ibrox tonight since the club was consigned to liquidation and voted into the Irn-Bru Third Division.
Speaking ahead of the visit of East Fife in the Scottish Communities League Cup, McCoist said: “I just hope the atmosphere in the stadium will be electric again.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a big crowd and I believe the fans will come out and support, I really do.”
Meanwhile, McCoist believes Lee Wallace is still good enough to play for Scotland, despite Rangers‘ Third Division status, after he failed to make Craig Levein’s squad for the friendly against Australia.
Levein admitted it would be harder for Rangers players to stake a claim for a place in future squads, but did not rule it out completely.
McCoist said: “I’m not going to criticise Craig Levein or any other international manager for the squads they pick.
“That’s their job and it’s their duty to pick the best squads available to them.
“Having said that, do I think Lee Wallace is one of the best left-backs in the country? Absolutely, by a mile.
“Do I think playing in SFL3 will hinder him that much? I would say no.
“If any of my players came to me and wanted me to go to their international managers and ask them any questions, I would do that.
“Other than that, it’s none of my business.
“But if you’re asking me if Lee Wallace is good enough to play for Scotland - yes.”
