Frankie

Reasonably fair I guess but I don't like the suggestion administration is inevitable. Without the author knowing the result of the tax case, admin is no more or less than 50/50.

dB: Again much of what you write is fair and I agree people need to try and be objective and sensible about the whole issue. However, just because people are asking questions and offering criticism doesn't mean they'll need to eat humble pie if he comes good. The fact is, Whyte has misled us on a few key issues - such as the Ticketus arrangement and his disqualification as a director. Fair enough, both issues can be explained and I'm happy to continue to give Whyte the benefit of the doubt. In saying that, he'd have known before we took over that some kind of overdraft facility would have to be put in place so why not be open about it from the start. For example, how long is the agreement for; are the terms better than previous similar facilities; what happens if we default; what if Ticketus decide to pull out? There are a long list of questions and while I appreciate the fact an AGM/EGM may not achieve answers (and I also understand why Whyte may prefer privacy on some issues - personal or business); I think an open meeting would be beneficial for his reputation amongst the support. At the end of the day though there is no alternative so we can moan, complain or back him all we like but nothing will change. I just hope he's not taking advantage of that situation. And it can only be hope as I have literally nothing to cling to in terms of evidence of his successful previous examples of turning around big business. Finally, again, just to be completely clear; there is a big difference between offering constructive criticism and suggesting Whyte is some sort of con-man. I think, generally speaking, most people on this forum anyway are definitely calm enough but just want some comfort moving forward. I don't think that's unreasonable.

Going to close and unstick this thread now. It's been, erm, fun...?

I think that's all very fair TB... I understand the former board's concerns but to bleat about them in the press instead of working with supporters privately is incredibly arrogant and instead of delivering sympathy it merely alienates them further.

More interesting comments and it's good to see Whyte attempting to explain the situation from the other side of the fence. Unfortunately, without in-depth examination of the accounts and knowing how the HMRC verdict will affect his plans, we're really none-the-wiser. I'd still like to see an EGM where the club board have to give on-the-record answers to the questions we have.

So he can call for the EGM then?

What %age of the shares does Dave King own?

Craig, I'll email Rab and tell him to put a PayPal donate button on the new club website... Seriously, I think your suggestion has merit but obviously there would have to be some accountability about who and when the funds could be accessed. That's when arguments start and we're back to square one. I'm disappointed in the likes of Murray and Johnston. While I understand their concerns, they've not offered any alternative despite the insight and contacts they could provide.

Protests or boycotts would be unhelpful but, like you say, a formal minuted meeting would be agreeable in the first instance - an AGM preferably. At the end of the day the fan organisations wouldn't need to call for anything if the club starts to drift or people's money is not accounted for. People (rightly or wrongly) will just stop going.

If it hasn't been spent why couldn't we pay the £9.5million tranche Ticketus wanted? Obviously I'm making the mistake of taking Keith Jackson's accusations at face value but £24.4million (plus £6million for Jelavic) is a lot of money.

I think the Assembly and the Trust have made good points over the last 24hours. It's now up to Whyte to answer them and, if not, the fan organisations must put plans in place to apply pressure.

I don't disagree dB but like I say his performance is unconvincing and the HMRC issues shouldn't necessarily preclude him from showing us why he's the right man for the job. If he's so successful why not point to his successes - that would show us what kind of quality we can expect. I don't think that's an unreasonable request. Generally I think I've been quite fair to him - especially given he has misled us on some issues and that is hardly confidence boosting either. As for taking the good with the bad, of course we should. Again, as I highlighted there have been many bad periods in our history and moaning while winning 3 titles in a row would make some fans from the 60s weep at our spoiltness. However, what I'm asking Whyte to do is to be open and honest which will help us buy into his tenure. If they're are to be a few years of no titles, European football or big money signings - fine, I can deal with that. But how does he see our future and what plans does he have to secure it. I'm not asking for every intricate detail - just some genuine leadership along with an indication of what he's made of. As yet we've seen neither. That's the truth and we shouldn't hide from it.

Recently, I've been redesigning the history archive section of the Gersnet website (re-launching very soon). While data entry is never the most exciting of jobs, working through every season of the club since 1872 wasn't the laborious task it could have been given the amount of fascinating facts surrounding Rangers. From dozens of legendary club figures to last day title successes and triumphs in Europe, the club has it all. Of course, it has had many, many challenges along the way. From its very inception where four young lads knocked a borrowed ball about the banks of the Clyde, to tragic stadium disasters which will haunt us forever. And we're facing such a challenge now - one that threatens the very existence of Scotland's most successful football club. First of all, I think it's important to note that believing everything said in muck-raking tabloids and other less than impartial media sources is a foolhardy business. There are always two sides to every story and you don't always get that when people are vilified in the papers. As such, the obvious ejaculation every time a negative story arises about our club (or its owner) must be dodged when viewing the bigger picture. Unfortunately for Craig Whyte, it's now getting to the stage where said picture isn't all that big at all. Of course, the historic HMRC issues he is facing were not of his making so those attempting to suggest he is culpable for them just because he took the challenge on are not being wholly fair. Similarly, former directors questioning where he obtains his funds are not just ironic but distasteful given their own part in the club's perilous state. Paul Murray and Alistair Johnston may think they're enlightening the support when talking to the Daily Record and BBC Scotland but where was their own 'vigilance' when their former board collectively contributed to the situation we're in now? Instead of pointing the figure at the present incumbent and asking the ordinary Copland Joe to act (and do what exactly?), why not offer alternatives which the support can buy into (literally if necessary)? Moving onto the current board and while they're correct to defend themselves from unfair (or hypocritical) criticism; open letters and shareholder circulars may say a lot but actions speak louder than words. The Whyte era is in its infancy but, bad press or not, the lack of forward progress is worrying. I sympathise with the new owner in that he is clearly restricted with regard to the HMRC noose ever-tightening round his neck. However, he knew the situation before he bought the club so there must be plans to deal with whatever outcome the tribunal judges decide. The main question Rangers fans have is what are those plans? With no AGM in sight, audited accounts still not published and shareholder letters that are open to interpretation; Whyte has to do a lot more to show he's the man to put our trust in. Obviously, until the tax judgement is known, he may want to keep his powder dry but it is becoming more and more difficult for our fans to take the man on his word - when his word has been shown to be less than reputable so far. For example, while removing the Lloyds effect was always going to mean a different cash flow source, what what are the terms of the Ticketus arrangement, why are we several years down the line in advance payments and what happens if we do default? Is this the case of going from the frying pan to the fire or utilising a more efficient borrowing facility? Whyte's lack of transparency doesn't inspire confidence in the latter. There are many more questions needing answered and not everything can be blamed on the previous owner. Now, I don't think many Rangers fans are asking for tens of millions to be pumped into the club. The lie of the land has changed and the excesses of the 1990s are long gone. We cannot and should not attempt to compete financially with other leagues. In that respect, Whyte is correct to highlight the fiscal vacuum that appears when we fail in Europe. We must cut our cloth accordingly. Thus, selling key assets such as Jelavic when we do fail isn't a surprise but an absolute necessity to avoid increasing debt again (not that we know what debt we carry). However, just because we may be unable to spend the millions of before, doesn't mean our ambitions should change. No-one is saying it is easy to achieve the holy grail of being successful while making the club a profitable business. That takes investment, innovation, hard work and commitment - virtues that have been missing on and off the field at times this season. Ally McCoist may well be be unhappy that Jelavic hasn't been replaced but his (and his players) poor performance so far contributed to the shortfall. What is important now is the reaction to the situation we find ourselves in. What the club has missed most this century is genuine leadership. Rangers Football Club didn't get to 2012 through accident but by great men playing their part in delivering and maintaining success. I sincerely hope Craig Whyte will be one such person. To his credit he has stepped forward to address the unforgivable risks of Sir David Murray and the previous regime. His background may not be perfect and he will make mistakes. However, if he's honest with the fans and involves them then the future can be a positive one. Guiding Rangers away from the precipice is easier said than done but it can and should be possible with a great man And, that's the crux of the debate. No matter what Sir David Murray said or did; no matter what Craig Whyte says or does; the long term security of the club should be paramount. This year Rangers celebrates 140 years since it was founded by our gallant pioneers. This could also be the year it ends and it's up to Craig Whyte to ensure the unthinkable doesn't happen. Yet, so far his performance has been unconvincing and misleading. He needs to do more to show us he is capable of being another great Rangers man. Our fans should not apologise for expecting more. That's the truth, the whole truth, of the matter.

I don't think many fans expect money to be thrown about. Most supporters appreciate the fiscal reality of the situation & don't want to see crazy boom&bust strategies. Putting our club back on an even keel is a difficult job and squaring that with the often unrealistic (and fickle) demands of our fans makes it even harder. But it can be done and the right investment and tactics could make us successful for another 140 years. Show us how Craig. Let us buy into it.

I'm not saying Whyte is any better or any worse than past owners. I am saying I don't know who to trust as his performance is inconsistent and difficult to judge. He was supposed to be suing the BBC for lying about him. He hasn't. Now he's accusing the Record of lying and his reaction is to say he's not reading it any more. If all these stories are untrue and merely smear campaigns then he can easily counter them. Not by investing £100million into the club to throw good money after bad but by holding an open AGM, publishing accounts, detailing his plans and showing us exactly why he will be a great Rangers man. Easier said than done but that's what I expect and I won't apologise for it.

A strong statement but we're none the wiser really. I trust Whyte about as much as I trust Sir David Murray. Where have all the great Rangers men gone?

Sorry mate I'm no businessman - in laymen's terms what happens if we default on the loan?

Craig Whyte Open Letter: http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/football-news/article/2594589

I'd like to know what the security terms of the alleged loan are.

Personally I'd have the lot of them (current and past) in front of a court tomorrow. They're all chancers - to a man. Until there is an open EGM with the supporters, I won't be renewing my season ticket. It's as simple as that.

Ortiz is away back to Almeria on loan according the STV...

Sorry mate but loving that bizarre metaphor...

Brill video. Best part is Craig Thomson's double-take at 'Walter Smith' when Naismith is celebrating the 2nd goal... :D

I've already said that Davis has been poor for the better part of 2 months. Indeed, I've been critical of him more than any other player because he's our captain and such an important influence. From November until the start of January he was awful - no doubt about it. However, to say he (or Edu for that matter) have been awful for the majority of the season isn't correct.

Davis' form was acceptable enough up until mid November and he's been a bit better this year so I'd contend he's been better than awful for the majority of the season. Similarly, Edu has done well enough for more than the last three games. Some fans are definitely fickle and overly critical/negative. No doubt about that.