RANGERS MANAGER ALLY MCCOIST FIGHTS TO RETAIN PLAYERSBY CHRIS MCLAUGHLIN

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Rangers manager Ally McCoist fights to retain playersBy Chris McLaughlin
Senior Football Reporter, BBC Scotland

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is fighting to save his players’ jobs after meeting with the club’s administrators.

McCoist was told that up to 11 players could be made redundant but he wants to cut that figure by further cost-cutting across the business.

If 11 players do go, it is understood that there would also be a 50% pay cut deferred until the end of the season.

The alternative is fewer job losses but larger salary cuts across the club.

Another option discussed by administrators Duff and Phelps involves a total of eight players being made redundant and other players taking an immediate 50% pay cut.


Discussions are ongoing regarding potential cost saving measures

Rangers

A third option of a 75% wage cut across the board with no redundancies was discussed but that scenario is highly unlikely.

The situation is extremely fluid, though, and a mixture of these options appears likely.

BBC Scotland has learned that the club’s running costs between now and the end of the season are about £10m.

After income from various sources including match days, it is thought the shortfall is about the £4.5m mark.

One source said: “This is not going to be a pain-free experience.

“There is no magic wand to be waved here, that is just wishful thinking.”

Another potential source of income would be to sell players to countries that still have their transfer windows open and discussions are ongoing with several clubs.

Talks between the players, PFA Scotland union and the administrators are also continuing. Rangers’ administrators have delayed an announcement on player and staff job cuts until Friday.

“Discussions are ongoing regarding potential cost saving measures and announcements will be made at the earliest opportunity, most likely tomorrow,” the club said.

Meanwhile, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has denied media reports that his club had agreed to pay Rangers for tickets in advance of the upcoming Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

In an open letter to the Daily Record published on Celtic’s website, Lawwell said: “There was no agreement for Celtic to pay in advance for these match tickets. Therefore, the accusation that Celtic ‘reneged’ on an agreement is wrong.

“The actions of Celtic Football Club have not threatened jobs at Rangers. Any suggestion to the contrary is also wrong.

“There is no ‘bust up’. Indeed we are pleased that yesterday (Wednesday) we received our allocation of tickets for the match from the Administrators of Rangers Football Club.

“We will sell these in the normal manner and will abide by the rules of the Scottish Premier League.

“While we have no desire to become involved in the business of any other football club, we felt it very important that we set the record straight and in doing so protect the reputation of Celtic Football Club.”

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