Scottish Second Division Rangers Manager Ally McCoist has said that "he would consider taking a wage cut as concerns continue to surround the financial future of Rangers," according to Andrew Smith of the SCOTSMAN. The Ibrox manager is "understood to draw" a salary of £760,000 ($1.2M). It is an "eye-catching sum for a team playing in the third tier of the Scottish game, particularly as worries are growing over Rangers’ cost base and the rapid reduction in cash reserves." Despite taking in £22M ($34.1M) from a share issue, and £13M ($20M) in season ticket sales over the past year, Rangers Finance Dir Brian Stockbridge admitted on Thursday that only £10M ($15.5M) remained in the bank. When "asked if any Rangers executives had ever said his wages were too high, or asked him to take a drop," McCoist said, "No." When then "asked if he would consider a pay cut," McCoist said, "Yes." McCoist insisted that "administration had never been mentioned by board members or in board meetings he had attended." McCoist: "I certainly believe Craig Mather would tell me if we were heading down a road we didn't want to be going down" (SCOTSMAN, 8/11).
GREEN WANTS DEBATE: In Glasgow, Derek Alexander reported former Rangers CEO Charles Green "challenged rivals for Rangers to a TV debate in front of fans to reveal who should run Ibrox." Green "insists a US presidential-style showdown would torpedo bidders vying to oust directors and take charge." Green "threw down the gauntlet" to former Dir Paul Murray, former Chair Malcolm Murry and minority shareholder Jim McColl. Green also "invited financial expert Frank Blin to attend the TV debate." Green said, "I think we need a televised debate and get myself, Paul Murray, Jim McColl and Frank Blin to ask each other questions in front of fans and give their vision for the club. I'll be London next week to meet investors and institutions to see what their mood is. Next week is going to be huge. By a week on Monday, the lines will be clearly drawn and everyone will know who's supporting who" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 8/11).
FANS PROTEST: Also in Glasgow, Wilson & Harrison reported Rangers supporters "staged a series of protests against Charles Green and the club's board" during Saturday's victory over Brechin City at Ibrox. Chanting songs and "waving banners throughout the game, they made clear their anger at the former chief executive and the directors." Three banners "were unfurled before kick-off at Ibrox. There were two in the Govan Stand, one reading 'Green & co it's time to go,' and the other saying, 'In Walter we trust, this board is the worst in our history.'" Just before the final whistle, "the same group of fans yelled at the director's box, 'You greedy b******s, get out of our club'" (HERALD SCOTLAND, 8/11).
