Partick Thistle oppose plans for Rangers newco to enter first division

Jul 4 2012

PARTICK THISTLE chiefs say they won't support a proposal to admit newco Rangers in the First Division in its current form.

The Firhill club today called on the SFA to assume control of the crisis engulfing the game and said placing the newco in the first division is "clearly unacceptable".

Thistle argue that radical and widespread change is needed and do not feel SFL clubs should be handed the burden of finding a solution to minimise the financial impact of the liquidation of Rangers while accommodating fans' demands for sporting justice.

Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster claimed this morning that relaunching the Ibrox club in the Third Division was not a "viable option".

Doncaster also dampened already decreasing expectations of the SPL clubs deciding on Rangers' newco application today and, as the top-flight clubs discussed their dilemma at Hampden, Thistle called on the SFA to stamp their authority.

A Thistle statement read: "Unquestionably there are major financial consequences, for all clubs in Scotland, should a newco Rangers club not take a place in next season's SPL and there has been a proposal put in front of the SFL clubs that would allow Rangers direct entry into SFL1, contrary to the current league rules.

"On its own this proposal is clearly unacceptable, on a number of levels, and is something the board of PTFC are not prepared to support.

"A more fundamental review of the entire Scottish football league(s) setup is clearly required.

"However, we feel that it is not the responsibility for making a decision, that will have huge ramifications throughout the game in this country, to fall on any individual member, or collection of clubs of the Scottish Football League.

"This is not a problem of the SFL's making and as a result it is not a decision which can be taken in isolation of the SPL clubs.

"It is the opinion of Partick Thistle that the Scottish Football Association, the game's governing body in Scotland, should now take ownership of this unprecedented situation.

"Our view, shared by the majority of supporters, is that a radical overhaul of our game is required. We are more than happy to be involved in any such process, however feel that the driving force for change has to be our national association."

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan attended yesterday's meeting of SFL clubs along with Doncaster.

Regan later denied telling SFL clubs the governing body would block the SPL newco bid following conflicting reports from delegates.

"For the avoidance of doubt, any decision regarding the future status of Rangers FC requires not only the transfer of the SPL share but the transfer of the Scottish FA's membership,"

Regan added. "The Scottish FA board will approve this only when all relevant information has been provided and the directors are satisfied that the solution presented is in the best interests of Scottish football."