MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 04:39:22| >> :600:194270:194270:

Walter Smith: 'Rangers exit heartbreaking'

Smith: 'Rangers exit heartbreaking'
© PA Photos
Outgoing Rangers chairman Walter Smith describes his exit from the club as "heartbreaking", but insists tensions at boardroom level left him no choice but to resign.

Walter Smith has described walking away from Rangers as "heartbreaking", after the former manager decided to stand down as chairman at Ibrox on Monday.

Smith resigned from the non-executive post yesterday amid increased tensions at boardroom level of the Glasgow giants, following the return of Charles Green as a consultant last week.

In a statement released last night Smith admitted that in-fighting at the club left him with little choice but to step down, while urging Gers fans to support proposed boardroom resolutions and long-suffering manager Ally McCoist.

His statement read: "It is with the greatest of regret that I have to announce to Rangers supporters that I have decided to step down as chairman of Rangers Football Club. It is, I am convinced the correct thing to do under the circumstances.

"Unfortunately, recent events have led me to the conclusion that the only option left open is for me to submit my resignation and to leave the board of directors with immediate effect. Working with a board which could rarely find consensus and agreement has created a highly-dysfunctional environment which has not been good for the club.

"On top of that, there has been recent further disruption which again has rendered the board less effective and efficient than it ought to have been. It is clear that boardroom change is required and I would urge Rangers fans to get fully behind the resolutions which last week were presented to the board and shareholders. Stepping away from this club is heart breaking but I will always be grateful for the support Rangers fans have given me down through the years."

Three separate Rangers supporters groups released their own joint statement last night following Smith's exit, expressing "extreme concern" over the turmoil at Ibrox and requesting an urgent meeting with chief executive Craig Mather.

ID:97027: cacheID:97027:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3117:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Walter Smith
Read Next:
Smith considers quitting Rangers?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic30225371234871
2RangersRangers29231564164870
3Hearts3017493930955
4Kilmarnock30111183933644
5St Mirren30126123637-142
6Hibernian30911104145-438
7Dundee2999114050-1036
8Motherwell30711124147-632
9Aberdeen3079143348-1530
10St Johnstone30610142141-2028
11Ross County3069152851-2327
12Livingston3038192052-3217

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!