ALLY McCOIST, the Rangers manager, will meet with the club's chief executive, Graham Wallace, next week to discuss his summer transfer strategy after once again electing to stay out of the latest round of off-field problems to engulf the SPFL League 1 leaders.
It has been another turbulent week at Ibrox as former director Dave King launched an attack on the board and was subsequently summoned to a meeting by chairman David Somers to discuss the club's future in the face of supporter unrest. King will arrive in Scotland in the coming days and has announced his intention to speak with investors and fans before holding talks with the Rangers board.
McCoist refused to be drawn on the prospects of the South Africa-based businessman returning to the club when he met the media last week and, speaking ahead of Rangers' William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against Albion Rovers this weekend, he confirmed he will maintain his silence as he prepares for his own talks with Wallace.
"Absolutely," McCoist said when asked if he was still maintaining his stance. "Even more so after reading Mr King being quoted as saying he thinks the manager should concentrate on football matters. I know Graham and the board are also happy for me to concentrate on football matters. So if all parties involved want me to do that then I am thrilled to concentrate on football matters. Those gentleman can discuss what they have to discuss and I will concentrate on getting a result on Sunday.
"I had a meeting with the chief executive on Wednesday, which was fine, and we are meeting a couple of times next week. The discussions will enlighten us in terms of strengthening the squad. These things have to be looked at for next season."
King will arrive seeking clarity over the true financial state of affairs at the club after two major shareholders in Rangers International Football Club plc - Laxey Partners Ltd and Sandy Easdale - agreed a combined £1.5m loan last week. McCoist and his players could do their bit to ease the club's money worries by winning the William Hill Scottish Cup and securing the prize money on offer, but the Rangers manager insists he is only focused on the on-field benefits of success. "I haven't personally [thought of the financial implications of a cup run], but I have been told it would be very beneficial to the club, particularly at this time," he said.
"I haven't thought about it myself. I don't know whether that is right or wrong but I'm just trying to concentrate on getting the team to the semi-final.
"I don't want to reach the
cup semi-final for the financial benefits, that would be an added bonus. I'd imagine [it wasn't part of the budget], but you'd need to ask those who did the budget at the start of the season."
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