No Whyte Christmas over Ibrox

There was no Whyte Christmas over Ibrox this morning with hopes that a new era was about to dawn cruelly dashed.

The hysteria and joy that broke 37 days ago with news of Craig Whyte’s takeover has fallen eerily silent with no wise men coming forward to explain the sad tidings.

Warchests, windfalls and spending sprees have been put on ice as the chilly silence of the Whyte Knight has slipped off the radar.

‘Talks are at an advanced stage,’ the Daily Record told it’s readers on November 18 adding that: ‘Walter Smith will be handed a massive January cheque book.’

Whyte immediately moved to dampen down expectations of a quick deal, issuing a statement saying: ‘Mr Whyte confirms that he is considering making an offer for RFC and is in talks with MIH but that these are at an early stage and there can be no certainty that an offer will ultimately be made.’

Despite the broken dreams of Graham Duffy and Andrew Ellis who had previously been on the brink of buying out David Murray the Record showed little sign of caution as they championed the Whyte bid.

Any story that involves the phrase ‘Motherwell born billionairre’ deserves some sort of investigation but despite his incredibly low profile, for a ‘billionairre’ and being a life-long supporter Whyte was without question the man to deliver a new era of prosperity to Rangers.

The next spanner in the works appeared when Rangers director Dave King questioned Whyte’s credentials and admitted that he’d never heard of the life long fan and billionaire.

Smith’s transfer spree was soon knocked on the head after Rangers lost to Manchester United in the Champions League.

“We were embarrassed by the lack of numbers and only had six on the bench,” the Rangers manager said.

“We only had teenagers and James Beattie, who has had two or three days’ training, on the bench. We need a hand in January.

“If we don’t get any help in the January transfer window, we could struggle again.

“It will always be difficult to judge how well we could do because we are in a situation where both injury and suspension could affect us badly.

“Will we get help? It doesn’t look like it – but we are pleased that we have managed to achieve European football after Christmas.”

Smith has stuck consistently to that line and hasn’t said a single word about Whyte’s takeover.

Undeterred the Record has stuck firmly to the good news claiming that Whyte would offer Smith a Director of Football post at the end of the season when he steps down as manager.

That story lasted less than 24 hours with Smith repeating his ‘I’m off’ stance at the pre-match conference for Rangers Champions League match with Bursanspor.

On December 3 Whyte was finally spotted in public in a carefully orchestrated meeting with Rangers US-based chairman Al Johnston at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel.

Johnston had previously been sceptical of Ellis’ sound bite negotiating technique and has been noticeably silent since his talks with Whyte three weeks ago.

With a week to go until the January transfer window opens it looks like Smith can forget about his massive cheque book with ‘billionairre’ Whyte looking about to disappear with the turkey trimmings and Christmas decorations.

Whyte was initially portrayed as a young David Murray, how the original David Murray explains another failed buy-out is anyone’s guess.

Artur Boruc Q and A

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