Murray finally axed in Ibrox boardroom battle
After surviving two votes of no confidence and a request for an EGM Murray was finally removed from the chair at a board meeting held in London and replaced by Walter Smith.
Murray was credited with bringing in some investment from the city of London for the alleged £22m share issue but has been at odds with the Charles Green faction almost since the day that he was appointed.
By giving Smith the ceremonial role as chairman it’s expected that Green and his fellow investors will have free reign to do as they please without Murray attempting to bring some governance to the way the club goes about it’s business.
In a statement earlier today the Third Division champions said: “The Rangers International Football Club plc today announced that Walter Smith has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.
“Walter Smith is widely acknowledged as the club’s most successful manager. Under his leadership, the club enjoyed two immensely productive spells and he is one of the most highly regarded figures in British football.
“He succeeds Malcolm Murray, who agreed to step down as chairman, and Walter Smith’s appointment was a unanimous decision of the Board.
“The Board believes that the new chairman will bring stability, experience and a wealth of knowledge to the club.”
What experience Smith has of boardroom politics is open to question with the former Everton boss having previously given his support to the disastrous reigns of both Dave Murray and Green.
One of his first tasks will be to explain the role of Green and Whyte to the SFA but with former Rangers director Campbell Ogilvie involved that is expected to go through smoothly.