Andrew Ellis joins Rangers board
Ellis has previous experience as a director of Queens Park Rangers and Northampton and was involved in a bid to buy out Sir David Murray before Whyte bought Rangers for £1 in May 2011.
Announcing the appointment tonight Whyte stated: “On behalf of the board I am pleased to welcome Andrew Ellis as a non-executive director of the Club.
“Andrew is already a director of the Rangers FC Group and his previous experience in football will be a benefit to the Club as we look to the future.”
Commenting on reports that Ellis was going to offer him a directorship as part of takeover former Rangers boss Walter Smith said: “I don’t know because in the end I’ve never spoken to the chap who has mentioned that, I don’t know.
“He can say what he likes about me but I would be obliged if he would speak to me before he mentions anything else in the newspapers again.
“I agree with Sir David Murray, if somebody is going to come in and take over the club then do so instead of talking about it in newspapers.”
Former Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston was even more blunt in his assessment of Ellis.
Johnston said: “The situation regarding Andrew Ellis and Rangers has gone on way too long- so let’s just say I am sceptical about it.
“I find it surprising and perplexing that, for someone supposedly keen to buy the club, Mr Ellis has had no contact at all with anyone from Rangers Football Club.”
Meanwhile it’s believed that West Ham United have opened negotiations to sign Nikica Jelavic.
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