McCoist: Up to the board to engage with fans

Ally McCoist insists it will be up to the Rangers Board to convince supporters to buy season tickets.

The Ibrox manager endorsed the previous Board last season along with Walter Smith which convinced the Light Blue legions to invest in the club.

But rather than put his own neck on the line, McCoist believes Chief Executive Graham Wallace is the man to gain the confidence of fans by engaging with them and setting out clear guidelines to take the club forward.

With the financial position of the club still uncertain, Rangers are relying on the income from season-ticket sales to remain in business.

When asked if it is now up to others to sell the club to fans, McCoist said: “I think so and that suits me. In the last two seasons, it has not been the norm for a football manager to do that.

“I have to say, since Graham has come in he has attended fans’ forums and spoken to supporters. So you would have to say that in these early stages Graham and the Board are attempting to do the right thing.

“But at the same time, I would be very hopeful that the openness of Graham and the Board will mean that the supporters will have a far better idea of how to make their minds up.”

McCoist is well aware the majority of the Rangers supporters will be looking towards him for guidance on whether or not to back the current Board.

Having done so in the past, and possibly not had all the information at hand, he insists he will provide fans with all the information open to him but wants them to make up their own minds.

He said: “The most important thing is we do get season tickets. We have had 70,000 in the last two years which is a quite phenomenal figure.

“Graham still has his 120-day review. When that is completed, I would imagine it would enable us to find out a lot more.

“I don’t have all the knowledge. All I can continue to do is pass on the knowledge that’s given to me.

“I think I am absolutely 100% duty bound to paint the picture that I’m given to the supporters.

“But I am aware more than ever of my responsibility. I think the supporters know. But, just to confirm, anything I tell them will be 100% of the knowledge that I know.

“There will be things I don’t know which is the norm at most clubs. The vast majority of managers don’t know about business decisions over sporting contracts and jersey sponsorships and that kind of stuff.

“All I can do is pass on the information and that’s what I will continue to do.”