Scottish Football: Easdale Brothers Hit Back At Paul Murray Over His 'Ratner' Claim

Source: thewillnigeria.com

James and Sandy Easdale have hit back at Paul Murray after the former Rangers director compared the current Ibrox board to Gerald Ratner.

Ratner, head of the famous jewellery firm, wiped almost £500m off the company's value 24 years ago when he claimed he could sell his stock at such low prices – 'for the cost of a prawn sandwich' – because they were 'total rubbish'.

Murray, a director of oldco Rangers which was placed in administration in February 2012 and consigned to liquidation four months later, has joined forces with South Africa-based businessman Dave King in calling for a general meeting to vote out the current board of the Scottish Championship side.

But a spokesman for Sandy and James Easdale – the football board chairman and a director respectively – said: “Like an episode of The Living Dead, Paul Murray emerges from his borders lair having vowed never to return.

“He says he expects a smear campaign against himself and Dave King and in the same breath compares the Rangers board to Gerald Ratner. Hypocritical? You decide.

'Investigation'
“If Mr Murray and Mr King ever do get anywhere near the club, they are welcome to carry out a robust financial investigation. The Easdale brothers have never taken a penny from the club and nor have they claimed any expenses.

“One begins to wonder if we are not dealing with Paul McKenna as opposed to Paul Murray, who appears to have hypnotised himself and his cohorts into obliterating the memory fact that they sold their beloved club for £1. Rangers men? You decide.”

On Tuesday, Murray issued a statement claiming he had taken out life membership of supporters groups Rangers First and Rangers Supporters Trust to help in their quest to gain fan ownership and representation at the club.

He also used the statement to hit out at the current Ibrox regime, adding: “There is now a demand for a general meeting and our fans can make a difference in that process, which hopefully will bring about the changes necessary. We have seen what happens when directors with no feel, no understanding and no real concern for Rangers are in control.

“In the lead up to the general meeting the usual suspects will attempt to undermine our cause because they realise their days could be numbered. The truth is that for the first time in years there is a group of people capable of rebuilding and repairing our club and malicious speculation will not deflect us.”

SKYSPORTS