Contracts, loans, strips and Walter
YOU wondered what Giovanni van Bronckhorst made of it all as he sat through his first Rangers AGM as a spectator.
The Dutchman didn’t utter a word as he took it all in at the Clyde Auditorium.
Van Bronckhorst was roundly applauded as he was introduced and the same at the end as an exciting future was predicted by one fan.
It’s a measure of where Rangers are that a platform often used by supporters to get things off their chest about the team strictly concerned off-field issues.
Here’s seven key talking points from the AGM...
PLAYER CONTRACTS
Connor Goldson’s situation has dominated when it comes to out of contract players.
Sporting director Ross Wilson revealed three categories – players in the twilight of their careers who are dealt with towards the end of the season, those who will be allowed to leave then players they want to keep.
Wilson said: “We have a clear contract model and clear wage structure. Anybody that signs a contract with Rangers, I can assure you, will sign within that structure.
“We wouldn’t be prepared to break that structure at all because it’s important we have a prudent way of working.
“Players can take their own view and time. If they want a contract in excess of that model then that’s also okay for them to take that view.”
JANUARY SALES
Managing director Stewart Robertson reiterated no player sales are essential. He spoke about improving player trading and admits they need a financially stable model to avoid dipping into the pockets of directors.
He said: “There’s been a lot of chatter in the Press about how we need to sell a player but we don’t need to sell a player. What we need to do is get ourselves to a normalised position with a player trading model, selling a player at the right time and right value.”
LOAN RANGERS
The board were asked about conditions on loans with security over Edmiston House attached to some.
But vice chairman John Bennett insists the terms the current directors are offering are the best about and six per cent interest is the benchmark.
He said: “There is no new security on any of the club’s assets being given against the updated numbers.”
WATER SMITH TRIBUTE
Douglas Park said: “Rest assured, something will be done. There are three or four things we want to do.”
DISABLED FACILITIES
Park was told that disabled facilities are a “disgrace” and the view is terrible by one shareholder who choked back tears as he made his point.
Robertson said: “I apologise for the conditions you’re watching football in and give you word we will undertake to come back to you so that when we sit here next year, at the very least, we have got a plan in place to improve the disabled access.”
SAFE STANDING
When asked about a feasibility study Robertson stated it’s not been completed due to Covid and that it’s not top of the list of priorities.
Robertson said: “I don’t doubt it would improve the atmosphere but it’s where you put it, who has to be displaced to accommodate it.”
CASTORE KIT DEAL
Commercial chief James Bisgrove admitted there had been teething problems with Castore but said: “We have a really strong foundation, for the first time in a long time.”