The latest illustration of the dysfunctional set-up at Rangers has been provided by the club’s caretaker manager Kenny McDowall, with the admission he is duty-bound to play five loanees from Newcastle United on boardroom orders.The extent to which 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. Hearings for both parties will be heard by a judicial panel next month.
Despite only owning 8.92% of Rangers, Ashley has a firm grip on commercial affairs, his Sports Direct business has loaned the Scottish outfit £10m and, now, there is an undeniable on-field alliance. Rangers supporters had already been vehement in their opposition to the boardroom regime at their club before McDowall’s comments came to light.
Speaking at his weekly media conference on Thursday morning, McDowall revealed he had been informed about the deals by Derek Llambias, the former Newcastle managing director who is now chief executive at Rangers. McDowall twice replied “yes” when asked if he had been told the quintet had to play in his team when fit, an order which he added arrived from Llambias and the Rangers board member Sandy Easdale. Suffice to say, McDowall’s revelation won’t have been a slip of the tongue.
“On Monday night I got a call from Derek to say he had secured five players on loan from Newcastle,” McDowall said. “They came up the following day. Three of them have arrived and two will be coming in the next three or four weeks [the delay is because of injury].
“To be honest, I was delighted that we didn’t lose any player during the window. Any addition to the squad is welcome. We are obviously looking to get promotion and they add competition to the squad. We met the boys yesterday, made them welcome and we go from there. They have come to Glasgow to play football.
Rangers’ loan of five Newcastle players raises more questions about Ashley
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“When I was given the job I was told players incoming and outgoing wouldn’t be my responsibility. So I knew that was the case, anyway. I take the team, coach the team and I am more than happy to do that and get on with it.”
Pressed on how he could possibly be comfortable with this scenario, McDowall said: “They are obviously good players the boys, they play for Newcastle. I will carry on and do what I am told to do. I would like to think, I have substitutes, that I can make a change. That’s where we are at.”
Still, it is inconceivable that existing Rangers players will be happy with the news that in the not-so distant future virtually half the team will be picked regardless of events on the training pitch. ““That’s the nature of being at a big club,” McDowall insisted. “There is always new players arrive at a big club. It’s something the players will have to deal with. There is competition there now, the players will have to work hard in training and look after their own standards. I would like to think the boys would be professional and focus on doing their jobs.”
Bigirimana, Vuckic and Streete are fit and eligible to start in Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie with Raith Rovers at Ibrox.
McDowall is working a 12-month notice period, having stepped up to replace Ally McCoist. The latter is also working notice but has been placed on gardening leave. Rangers currently trail Hearts in the Scottish Championship by 16 points, albeit whilst holding two games in hand. Any condemnation of this loan scenario will inevitably be offset in part by the general understanding of no positive footballing legacy at Ibrox during the tenures of McCoist and his one-time assistant.
“I have handed in my notice and have told the guys I am happy to take the team,” McDowall said. “So I am not going to complain. 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. They are in the squad for Sunday.
“I would like the fans to give them their support, they are playing with Rangers after all. The lads are just here to play football. They are nice lads and look good players. It is not their doing. They are a welcome addition to our squad.”
By Ewan Murray, Guardian
