Time stands still for Andrew Ellis and Rangers bid

Whatever happened to the Andrew Ellis bid to buy Rangers?

Roll the clock back to May 3, the night before losing 2-1 to Celtic, and the reclusive Ellis decided to speak out to Sky Sports.

“I’m optimistic there will be serious developments in the next three to four weeks,” the property developer claimed.

Now into the month of June there has been no takeover, no bid and not even a serious development.

True, Walter Smith has signed a new one year contract since then but even Smith cast doubts over Ellis’ bid requesting that contract talks be kept out of newspapers.

Since Ellis put a timescale on ‘serious developments’ DaMarcus Beasley has left on a free transfer to showcase himself at the World Cup with full-back Steven Smith also leaving without a transfer fee.

With his book rocketing to the top of the best sellers list Nacho Novo said no thanks to a new Rangers deal in favour of a move to Sporting Gijon.

Today Kris Boyd explains why he will be leaving Rangers, a few days after Walter Smith announced Boyd’s departure to the Daily Record.

Captain Davie Weir and Kirk Broadfoot are both out of contract at the end of the month with no signs of acceptable offers being tabled for either player to remain at Ibrox.

Chief Scout Ewan Chester, almost two years on from the club last paid a transfer fee for a player, has decided to leave, opting for Norwich City rather than continue with the man that he describes as Rangers greatest ever manager.

The Ellis deal seems to be limping along, news of his interest first surfaced on March 6 with nothing since then emerging about his own wealth or business interests with conflicting stories emerging over whether he is acting alone or  working with others.

Current Rangers Chairman Alastair Johnston certainly has his doubts about the Ellis bid, a damning verdict considering that it’s Johnston’s task to find a buyer for the club.

Speaking two weeks ago Johnston said: “The situation regarding Mr Ellis’ proposed buying of Rangers has gone on way too long, so let’s just say I am sceptical about it.

“Not only that, but when Ellis first made his intimations about being interested in buying Rangers back in March, I set up a meeting and was all set to fly out to meet him, when that meeting was abruptly cancelled.

“I find it surprising and perplexing that, for someone supposedly keen to buy the club, Mr Ellis has had no direct contact at all with anyone at Rangers Football Club.

“On this point, two weeks ago, I made another request to hold a meeting with him, knowing that I was going to be in Britain, but I heard nothing back. So I find all of this conduct pretty surprising.

“I don’t see any imminent resolution of a new owner for Rangers, so I believe we are going to have to plan and budget on a ‘no change in ownership’ basis going into next season.”

Those comments brought a response from Ellis which basically suggested that his dealings were through Sir David Murray whose shareholding is effectively Rangers.

With uncertainty hanging over Rangers, Celtic have an opportunity that is unlikely for a club that has lost back-to-back titles.

That scenario usually puts the crisis signs over the runners up but with the only certainty at Ibrox being that Smith is entering his final season as manager a new look management team being unveiled by Celtic alongwith new signings would give the supporters a much needed lift.

A managerial announcement is expected any day now from Celtic with a number of signings in the pipeline.

The confirmation of Team Lennon with three or four experienced signings would provide Celtic with a great lift as Andrew Ellis continues to pour over further due diligence and stock market regulations before announcing serious developments in his protracted takeover negotiations at Rangers.

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