Scottish Championship side Rangers interim Manager Kenny McDowall admitted he is "duty-bound" on boardroom orders to play five loanees from EPL side Newcastle United, according to Ewan Murray of the London GUARDIAN. The extent to which shareholder Mike Ashley "controls affairs at Ibrox and St James' Park was once again highlighted close to the transfer deadline," as the batch of Newcastle fringe players -- Haris Vuckic, Remie Streete, Gaël Bigirimana, Kevin Mbabu and Shane Ferguson -- headed north "on loan until the end of the season." The Scottish FA, which has charged both Ashley and Rangers over "alleged breaches of dual club influence rules, is likely to take a dim view of those temporary transfers." Despite owning only 8.92% of Rangers, Ashley has a "firm grip on commercial affairs." McDowall revealed he had been informed about the transfers by Rangers CEO Derek Llambias, a former Newcastle managing director. McDowall twice replied "yes" when asked if he had been "told the quintet had to play in his team when available, an order which he added had arrived from Llambias and the Rangers board member Sandy Easdale" (GUARDIAN, 2/5). The BBC reported McDowall "recently handed in his notice to resign." He is working a "12-month notice period." McDowall: "I will carry out the instructions that they give me and do my best. I have a job to do and I am happy to do it. The boys have come up to play and they will play. That's just how it is" (BBC, 2/5).
