Rangers blast youth coach sex abuse 'cover up' allegations as 'sensationalist and disgraceful'

Rangers have consistently said they also reported Neely to the police, but new evidence uncovered by the BBC from a club newspaper suggests they took a different public position.

An alleged victim of Neely also said a report to police was never made, despite the club stating otherwise.

Neely, who also coached at Hutchison Vale and Hibernian, was reportedly dismissed following a confrontation with manager Graeme Souness, during which he confessed to the allegations.

But the BBC’s Disclosure programme has since obtained an article in the club’s newspaper that makes no mention of the circumstances surrounding his departure, wishing him “every success in the future”.

READ MORE: Rangers fans call for investigation into abuse claims

However, in a statement released on Thursday evening, a Rangers spokesperson attacked the BBC's coverage, branding it "shameful nonsense," arguing a "short filler piece" published in the newspaper was written by "someone who clearly had no knowledge of the events".

The man who made the complaint against the Gers coach has broken his silence to the programme, alleging the club’s claim they made a police report is “total lies”.

The man, referred to as ‘John,’ said he was targeted by Neely in 1991 when he was 14.

He said one night before training, he was ordered into Neely’s office for an alleged breach of discipline.

He alleges Neely told him: “There’s two ways we can deal with this…I can go and tell your parents and you'll never play for Rangers again. Or we can do it my way which is that I'll take you in this office, pull your trousers down, and spank your bum.”

The victim said he would do it Neely’s way, adding: “He went and snibbed the door… took down my pants and he bent me over his knee and I can always remember his hand going up.

"I shut my eyes expecting the thud. But just at that he said: 'That's enough…go and get changed and go for your training.'

“So I don't know whether something's spooked him… but that's what he done.'

"I was… confused, a bit 'what just happened there? What have I done?' I've not done anything wrong. I was just, I couldn't believe it.”

John said he told his parents, who then phoned Ibrox and were invited to a meeting with then manager and assistant manager, Graeme Souness and Walter Smith.

The initial meeting took place in Souness’ car opposite the stadium, before they went inside to confront Neely.

John said: “His face just fell when he saw me. Mr Souness said: 'This boys says you had him over your knee.' He said: 'No I didn't boss, no, no.' I broke down and said: 'You did so.'”

Neely later confessed to John’s allegations and Souness sacked him on the spot.

Since 2016, Rangers has insisted it also reported Neely to the police.

But John branded that “total lies,” adding: “When I made my statement to the police [in 2016] they said they couldn't find any trace of any record at all going back to what Rangers are saying.”

"Nobody came to speak to me either when I was that age. That's how I know nothing was reported to the police."

In an edition of the in-house weekly newspaper Rangers News on 20 March 1991, a story titled "Neely Moves On" appears on page two.

It reads: “Rangers youth coach Gordon Neely resigned last week after spending four years at Ibrox".

It continues: "Neely, who was previously with Dundee United and Hibernian, has decided to go into business.

"The club wishes him every success in the future."

John went on to say another coach barged into the dressing room shortly after Neely was sacked to speak to the team.

He recalled : “The coach came in and said ‘Right, there's somebody in here, and you know who you are, that's been telling lies about my best friend."

John said: "I knew straight away it was me they were referring to…I just put my head down.

"I didn't go back. How could I?

"It affected me. I came back to football, to Dundee United, but on maybe my second training session there was something missing. I didn't want it.

"It takes something away from you - trust. I decided to stop. I just lost interest, I suppose."

John, who is now in his 40s, is pursuing a legal claim against the club.

READ MORE: Legal action planned over historical abuse claims in Scottish football

His lawyer, Daniel Canning from Thompsons, told the BBC: "Our client has shown great courage in coming forward and speaking about his experience as a child at Rangers. It was not an easy thing for him to do.

"Secrecy, misinformation and a failure to take decisive action have always been the circumstances that have allowed child abuse to take place and abusers to continue abusing."

Rangers told the BBC in 2017 that Neely was sacked and reported to the police and later told The Sun: "It was important Rangers took both steps without delay to address this matter."

A spokesperson for the club blasted the reports as "sensationalist," adding: "BBC Scotland’s reporting on these horrific incidents and, in particular, its sensationalist and unfair accusation of a cover up by Rangers is disgraceful."

"Rangers based its prior description as to what occurred on trusted first-hand accounts from those with personal knowledge of what took place and the appropriate steps taken at that time.

"To suggest, as BBC Scotland has done, that these are invalidated by a short, filler piece in the Rangers News written almost 30 years ago by someone who clearly had no knowledge of the events, or the reasons for Neely’s sacking is nonsense. Indeed, it is shameful."

The spokesperson added: "The important people here are the victims of abuse and we owe it to them to deal sensitively and supportively with the issues they raise."

"Rangers will do all it can to assist in offering support and counselling to anyone affected. Their wellbeing should be at the centre of every right thinking person’s concern."