McGregor and Davis reject Newco transfer deal
Rangers have been dealt a major blow with the news captain Steven Davis and goalkeeper Allan McGregor are the latest players to reject having their contracts transferred to Charles Green’s newco club.
The duo join a host of Gers stars in refusing to agree to the transfer, with Kyle Lafferty and Jamie Ness having made the same decision earlier on Tuesday.
Lawyers Bridge Litigation confirmed the stance of the quartet on Tuesday evening.
Steven Naismith, Steven Whittaker, Sone Aluko and Rhys McCabe registered their objections before the start of this week.
Rejection
A statement from lawyer Margaret Gribbon of Bridge Litigation read: “Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, Jamie Ness and Kyle Lafferty have instructed PFA lawyers’ Bridge Litigation UK to object to their transfer to the Rangers’ newco.”
Lee Wallace earlier pledged his future to the newco club, which is almost certain to start life outside the SPL.
But Wallace and Lee McCulloch are the only two players to have committed themselves publicly to staying at Ibrox and Green now faces the prospect of more players walking away, possibly without compensation.
The law firm’s statement added: “The union’s lawyers are already instructed in this matter for Rhys McCabe and Sone Aluko.
“Bridge Litigation UK has confirmed that letters of objection have been sent to the club along with requests to the SFA to release the players’ registrations.
“Bridge Litigation UK have shared with the players the contents of legal guidance issued by the SFA last week on the issue of TUPE and player registration and which they state supports their legal view that an objection under TUPE amounts to a lawful termination of contract giving the club no entitlement to a claim for compensation.”
Ms Gribbon added: “This has been an extremely difficult period for all the players and in the end their decisions were influenced largely by footballing considerations.
“SPL football appears highly unlikely and even First Division football cannot be guaranteed in light of comments made today by two First Division clubs.
“The players’ commitment and loyalty to oldco Rangers cannot be questioned; they voluntarily took significant wage cuts in a genuine act of solidarity which ensured that none of the playing squad or club staff would lose their jobs.
“But for their contribution, it’s likely that the club would not have survived until the end of the season.
“As professional footballers, the players’ careers are relatively short lived and they are entitled to exercise basic employment rights the law affords to all employees in this country under the TUPE Regulations.
“I now expect the SFA and FIFA to interpret their rules and regulations in accordance with the TUPE legislation so that the players’ registrations can be released without delay.”
The news strikes a big blow to the financially-stricken club, with Davis and McGregor both talismanic figures at Ibrox.
Long-serving custodian McGregor has been on the books at the Glasgow club since 2001 after coming through the youth ranks.
Skipper Davis, who has been a key player since arriving from Fulham in 2008, has been linked with a move south of the border to Premier League new-boys Southampton.
