Mr Allan wants to make it very clear – as does Channel 4 News – that we are talking of a minority criminal underclass connected to Ibrox. He feels nothing but sympathy for the vast majority of magnificent and law-abiding fans of the club. But he is also seriously concerned about the conduct of Rangers manager Ally McCoist in this matter. Mr McCoist – infamously – demanded to know the names of the men sitting on the SFA Tribunal in judgement of Rangers earlier this year. Gary Allan QC specifically said after our interview that he wished to address the McCoist issue. We turned on the camera again and framed up. It is worth quoting at length his side of the story which has never been made public. GA: “I was astonished when I saw a recording of Mr McCoist demanding that the names be disclosed and declaring he did not know who they were, and felt he ought to know and Rangers fans ought to know.” AT: “Astonished because he was lying?” GA: “I don’t know whether Mr McCoist was lying. That is, of course, a possibility, but I’m happy to consider other possibilities, that he was simply completely misinformed.” “I’m also prepared to consider that he overlooked the opportunity to ask his director of football administration, who was at the tribunal. Because that gentleman sat across the table from me for five days; engaged in discussions with me for five days; introduced himself to me with a hand shake for five days. As did his solicitor. And as did the representative for Duff & Phelps (the Rangers administrators), who was in attendance each and every day for every session. “Now, it may just be that Mr McCoist didn’t think about his first port of call to find out who the tribunal members were – he just didn’t think he could ask his director of football administration, or the club’s solicitor, or the representative of Duff & Phelps. Maybe he just doesn’t know how to go about doing these things. “But I think there is room to think that Mr McCoist’s behaviour wasn’t through oversight, that there was an agenda he worked to. But if there were to be any suggestion that Rangers did not know who was sitting in judgement of them – that would be a completely misleading and groundless suggestion.” His views are put more succinctly by the chairman of Raith Rovers, who suffered a variety of threats from Rangers “fans” this year, up to and including the alleged payment of two men to burn down the club stadium. “Rangers actually knew who was on that panel, and Ally McCoist demanding to know who these people were actually inflamed a situation that didn’t need inflaming.” The issue with Ally McCoist has now been dealt with by the Scottish Football Association, and Mr Allan merely wished to put his side of the story on the record. Channel 4 News sought an interview with Rangers and Mr McCoist over the issue of threats. The club declined that invitation but issued a brief statement saying: “..Rangers Football Club, like every other responsible club, does not condone any form of anti-social behaviour.”
I was angry(beelin) about this at the time as it was obvious what was going to happen. McCoist knew full well what he was doing. And you are correct he did not apologise. His "apology" reiterated his desire for transparency.... **** sake. If he didn't know who was on the panel on the date he said it (doubtful) he certainly did when he "apoligised". Allan phrased his response perfectly. Nothing categorical.... But we know.
At the time of mcoist's rant, my beel was also off the radar. It was out of order, he semi apologised, but when it was put to him that he apologised for what he said, he said he didn't regret it. He is an utter ****, he knew what he was doing.
