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Scottish football: Ally McCoist says Rangers' problems having no effect on players

Ally McCoist
Image: Ally McCoist, Rangers manager welcomes new investment in financially-troubled club

Ally McCoist insists Rangers' much-publicised off-field problems are having no effect on his team's displays on the park.

The Championship side raised vital funds through a share issue last week after the Ibrox board warned they may not be able to pay creditors should it fall short.

A target of £4m was set but the club reported £3.13m had been raised when the issue closed at 11.00am last Friday morning. 

This came shortly after Rangers admitted it had agreed an out-of-court settlement with former commercial director Imran Ahmad, who had been suing the club for breach of contract.

Ahmad had been keen to 'ring fence' £620,000 of Rangers' money ahead of his appeal but settled for 'substantially less' when coming to an agreement with his former employers.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Scottish League Cup tie against Inverness, McCoist, who admitted investing 'a few quid' in the share issue, said: "As a squad, we have tried to distance ourselves from it because we have to focus on things we can alter and that is performances and results.

"We are all aware of the things that go on within the club at higher levels but I must admit that I'm thrilled with the way the boys have shut it all off and concentrated on winning games.

"I spoke with the chief executive Graham Wallace on Friday at the Raith Rovers game and he was obviously pleased. I spoke to him again on Saturday and I'm very, very comfortable with the fact that if Graham needs to tell me anything, I will be reliably informed." 

The cash injection appears to have lessened fears of administration for the club and McCoist admits he is relieved to be able to concentrate on his job of overcoming the Premiership's joint leaders at Ibrox .

"Obviously I am pleased," he said. "Anything that brings funds into the club when they are required has to be a good thing.

"We continue to focus our attention to onfield matters but it goes without saying any news that comes into the club that is good news we are very pleased with."

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