McCoist voices concerns over ‘historic’ AGM

Rangers manager prays for an end to the strife that has engulfed the club for months.

Ally McCoist will be hoping that yesterday’s stormy weather is not a sign of things to come.

The Rangers manager would have loved his side’s game against Stenhousemuir to go ahead yesterday. Instead, it was a victim of the high winds which were battering the country.

He’d have then managed at least 90 minutes when his mind wasn’t pre-occupied by the Ibrox club’s long-awaited AGM.

McCoist is praying the meeting will bring an end to the strife that has engulfed the club for months. But his greatest fear is that nothing changes and relations between the boardroom and the supporters continue to worsen. If there is no change in the composition of the current board, that seems certain to happen.

The Ibrox legend hates the thought of the troubles that have dogged the club since way back in February, 2012 continuing.

He said: “That’s a concern for me. My major hope is that a line is drawn in the sand after the AGM. Whoever wins and whoever loses will do what they feel they have to do.

“Maybe it’s pie in the sky but I’d hope everyone could sing from the same hymn sheet and we could all be united in taking the club forward. We haven’t had that.

“But I completely back the fans in voicing their opinions and making their opinions heard.”

Protests have become commonplace before and during Rangers matches in recent times. McCoist hopes the AGM will not be marred by any ugly scenes.

He said: “Emotions will be running high. Our supporters deserve this AGM more than any other AGM. I hope it’s very well attended and very, very well behaved.

“But we’re kidding ourselves on if we don’t think it’s going to be very emotional.”

McCoist has denied he will abstain from voting at the AGM. The Ibrox boss owns more than a million shares, giving him approximately a 3% stake in the club.

Fans have called for change in the Rangers Boardroom and shareholders will voice their opinion and cast their votes on Thursday. But McCoist claims he has not yet decided how he will use his vote.

He said: “My vote will 100% be used. You could argue it’s unfair to ask me to vote but I wouldn’t shirk it. It’s really vitally important, the most important AGM in the club’s history.

“The reason I haven’t said anything regarding my own vote is because I realise how important it is and how delicate the situation is.

“I don’t know if I’ll go public. I’m not saying I won’t but I’m not saying I will. I’ll have to give it serious consideration.

“I’d be lying if I said people hadn’t had discussions with me but they haven’t been bending my arm. It wouldn’t work, anyway, because I’ll make my own mind up.”

McCoist will address shareholders to give a report on the football side of the club.

While that is of interest to fans, their main aim is remove Finance Director Brian Stockbridge and James Easdale.

Former chairman Malcolm Murray, former director Paul Murray, Scott Murdoch and Alex Wilson are aiming to join the Board.

Their only chance of success appears to be a massive turn-out of rank-and-file shareholders.

n IT emerged last night the Rangers Supporters Trust has suspended its spokesman Mark Dingwall.

He has denied the allegations and will have his future decided at a meeting this week.

Dingwall said: “It would not be appropriate to comment at this time. The matter will be discussed at the Rangers Supporters Trust’s next meeting.”