Ally McCoist agrees with Graham Wallace that it may take five years

[Bothwellbear 1,392]

Rangers boss Ally McCoist agrees with Graham Wallace that it may take five years to start challenging Celtic

31 Jan 2014 13:28

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Wallace has outlined his five-year plan which is aimed at reining in the Parkhead club as well as targeting a return to European action.

Ally McCoist with Rangers chief executive Graham Wallace

Craig Williamson/SNS Group

RANGERS boss Ally McCoist has backed Graham Wallace's claim that it might take the Ibrox outfit another five years to start challenging Celtic's dominance of the Scottish game.

On Thursday, Gers chief executive Wallace told delegates from the club's three main fan groups - the Rangers Supporters Assembly, the Rangers Supporters Trust and the Rangers Supporters Association - that he wants to draw up a five-year plan aimed at reining in the Hoops as well as targeting a return to European action.

The former Manchester City chief operating officer's comments come just two weeks after the Light Blues squad knocked back his suggestion of a 15 per cent pay cut.

That sparked fears of an Ibrox fire sale but former oldco director Dave King has urged the club - understood to be losing around £1million a month - to find new investment now so McCoist's side can launch an immediate fight for the title as soon as they return to the Scottish Premiership.

The manager, however, has given his approval to the Wallace timetable, saying: "I would have thought that was about fair, yeah. I would agree with Graham there.

"He has been completely honest with everybody and if he said a five-year plan has been put in operation then I think we should respect that."

And McCoist - whose side take on Brechin at Ibrox on Saturday looking to consolidate their 23-point lead at the top of League One - claims his side may even struggle to gain promotion back to the top-flight at the first attempt.

"I don't have us down as any guarantees to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year," he said.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."

Wallace also told the fans groups he hoped to set up a "supporter committee" to represent their views in discussions with the Ibrox hierarchy, another idea which McCoist gave the thumbs up to.

"Without doubt, the greatest thing that has come out of this sad saga at the club of the last couple of years has been the support of the fans," he said.

"The very least they deserve is a voice to be heard from the board and from within the club, so I'd be all for that."

Wallace is currently undertaking a 120-day study of the club as he seeks to solve the financial woes dragging it down.

And the manager claimed the early signs of the 52-year-old's leadership were encouraging.

McCoist said: "The chief executive has been nothing but completely honest and up front with me. I really am enjoying the early stages of the working relationship with Graham.

"We meet at least one or twice a week and speak a couple of times on the phone daily, which I think is very important.

"We both firmly believe the most important relationship at the club is between the chief executive and the manager. I have to say, like the vast majority of people in the media and the fans, we have been impressed with the early dealings Graham has done with the club."

[simplythebest 11,453]

Certainly won't happen overnight

[kaiser1041 9,088]

Certainly won't happen overnight

especially with a season lasting so long.

[simplythebest 11,453]

especially with a season lasting so long.

Agreed

[cushynumber 25,178]

"I don't have us down as any guarantees to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year," he said.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."

anybody else have alarm bells ringing?

[TravelingWilBEARy 4,319]

I think it's a futile exercise trying to predict what will happen in Scottish football 18 months down the line.

[skullery 240]

in a nut shell will be no money to invest in the team when we get to the SPL

on a positive hopefully a bit of harmony and stability with the Board and the fans and management we all pull together in the same direction

[skullery 240]

"I don't have us down as any guarantees to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year," he said.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."

anybody else have alarm bells ringing?

respect my man ...respect

[simplythebest 11,453]

"I don't have us down as any guarantees to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year," he said.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."

anybody else have alarm bells ringing?

Ally hater!

[kaiser1041 9,088]

"I don't have us down as any guarantees to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year," he said.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."

anybody else have alarm bells ringing?

to be honest yes.

[Inigo 32,534]

"I don't have us down as any guarantees to be back in the Premiership next year, assuming we win promotion this year," he said.

"Hearts are a good side and if we look at the top of the Championship now, there are Dundee, Falkirk and Hamilton doing very well.

"So if we are lucky enough to go up this year, there are no guarantees - absolutely no guarantees - that we will do the same next season. We will just have to take it one step at a time."

anybody else have alarm bells ringing?

No. Unless you want to be negative or a panic merchant, the most important part of the interview is the bottom part.

[StevieMac90 65]

Division 1 as we've seen over the years is very unpredictable but I feel we can defo go up

[CoopsLaud 4,186]

Nice bit of realism.

Could take 2 or 3 though.

5 at an outside bet aint too bad.

[bawsburst 1,381]

Get your excuses in early, 5 years is a bit much though for any excuse...

[kaiser1041 9,088]

I feel we need we need to plan a few steps ahead as the quality of player has to drastically improve to compete.obviously we need financial investment for this to happen. I'm sure we will win the championship but it won't be a stroll.

[teneriferanger 26]

I think the present squad will just about take us into the top division at the first attempt.However they would struggle in the top league and without investment we would do well to make the top six.

[Shuggy 1,308]

Championship will be won no problem.

I also expect Lennon to be gone in 2/3 years, so Celtic maybe going downhill under a new Tony Mowbray type when we are back challenging.

[skullery 240]

I feel we need we need to plan a few steps ahead as the quality of player has to drastically improve to compete.obviously we need financial investment for this to happen. I'm sure we will win the championship nut it won't be a stroll.

I think this is the problem , we are limited financially ,untill we get investment we are not going to compete

[theiconicman 2,991]

What alarm bell? Completely realistic if you ask me.

Ask through this saga fans have asked for unvarnished truth. Don't moan when you get it

[elephants stoned 2,994]

At least we have a fucking plan that's more than we have had for many years now. Still expect us to comfortably win the "Championship" although its never going to be as easy as this and last season.

[Leeds_Bear 8,110]

I don't agree with this point that we might not be promoted next season, its defeatism. If we aren't promoted next season, then I'm sorry, that is an out and out disaster.

I also don't understand Ally's comments "So if we are lucky enough to go up this year," - it should have nothing to do with luck.

[cushynumber 25,178]

No. Unless you want to be negative or a panic merchant, the most important part of the interview is the bottom part.

aye "me and Graham are pals" - thats more important than promotion.

Well, right enough, thats important to Ally.

[grfc1872 56]

Realistic with no funds were in for the long haul beore we take top spot again.

[theiconicman 2,991]

Championship will be won no problem.

I also expect Lennon to be gone in 2/3 years, so Celtic maybe going downhill under a new Tony Mowbray type when we are back challenging.

Lennon will stay until 10IAR or we take the title from him

[cushynumber 25,178]

Ally hater!

I dont have the energy to hate him mate - even if I wanted to.