Walter Smith, Rangers Legend, Announces He Is Leading New Bid To Buy Scottish Premier League Club

Smith Leads Bid To Buy Back Gers

Walter Smith, the former Rangers manager, is leading a bid to buy the Scottish Premier League club and save them from liquidation.

Smith confirmed his plans in a lengthy statement released on Thursday, just days after the club's CVA proposal was rejected.

Gers hero Smith said: "I can today confirm that following talks over the last few weeks I am leading a new bid for Rangers Football Club.

"I have been assisted by Jim McColl, Douglas Park and other prominent Scottish businessmen with a shared objective - that Rangers Football Club should be in the hands of Rangers people who will stabilise the club and protect it from future situations like we find ourselves in today.

"With this in mind, representatives have, on behalf of my group, made representations to BDO, Duff and Phelps and indeed Charles Green, notifying them of our willingness to offer on the 'Newco' basis on which Mr Green is proceeding.

Smith, 64, managed Rangers between 1991 and 1998, winning seven successive titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups, before he returned in 2007 to guide the club to three more consecutive league wins. He departed after a world record 54th championship in 2011.

The Lanark-born former coach added the group had no desire to own Rangers, but the deal was put "in place to save the club".

"Let's be clear, this is an acquisition designed to stabilise the club and ensure history does not repeat itself," Smith added.

"We are not in this to take money out of the club but more so to do whatever it takes in a turnaround plan to ensure within a few years the Club can be passed on intact and to the right people.

Rangers were placed into administration in February, as players and staff were made redundant whilst other squad members agreed to significant pay cuts.

Close

What's Hot