No Rangers SPL reprieve for the Pars
Ally McRoberts • Published 15 Jun 2012 09:10
1 Comment
THE PARS are NOT expecting to be reinstated to the SPL if a 'newco' Rangers is refused entry to the top league.
And they don't expect to have a say on the stricken Glasgow club's application when the other SPL sides get together to vote.
There is confusion surrounding Rangers going into liquidation, what happens if they are refused entry to the SPL and if they'll start again in the Third Division.
It's thought that Dundee, runners-up in the First Division, would be promoted rather than Dunfermline being reinstated after relegation last season.
But with next season's fixtures due out on Monday, no-one can be certain which league the three clubs are set to play in.
A Pars source said, "No-one really knows yet as the rules don't cover the circumstances we have now.
"It's felt that the SPL clubs will probably vote to keep Rangers in the SPL but if they don't it's not clear what's ahead.
"The club doesn't expect to have a say as it's no longer in the SPL, it should be Ross County, although, again, that's not very clear.
"It would be hard for Dundee to step up as, like Dunfermline, they'll have budgeted and brought players in for the First Division."
The Pars are relying on youth to get them out of the First Division, through football rather than board decisions, and added three more players to the squad on Friday.
The anticipated signings of 21-year-olds Ryan Wallace, from East Fife, and Josh Falkingham, from Arbroath, were completed with nominal fees changing hands as compensation to their clubs.
And Athletic added to that with the signature of Andy Geggan (25), from Ayr United.
With Pars boss Jim Jefferies on holiday, director of football Jim Leishman said, "Ryan scored a lot of goals last season, he's quick and a real penalty box player, while we knew about Josh from two seasons ago.
"We played Arbroath in the League Cup and Challenge Cup and he played in midfield then and was impressive.
"He's another small guy but he's very busy and was a real fans' favourite at Arbroath and spent over a decade at Leeds as a kid so he's got a good grounding.
"Andy is another midfielder who did well at Ayr last season and one that Jim (Jefferies) was very keen on."
Geggan started out at Livingston and played for Dumbarton - when Gerry McCabe was boss - before moving to Ayr last summer, where he scored six times in 43 appearances.
The club also signed five youngsters on Tuesday (see page 71) and chairman John Yorkston said, "There's a good feeling among the supporters for the new season, they want to see change and a youthful, attacking side and that's reflected in the season ticket sales.
"It's well over 1200 which is way ahead of last time.
"You may get a bit of inconsistency with young players, so you need the fans to be patient, but we've got a good, experienced manager who knows what he's doing.
"We thought it best if Jim Jefferies communicated directly with the fans and his letter in the Press last week was inspirational.
"It's a smaller squad and a younger team but he wants the spine of the team to be made up of experienced pros."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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james57
4 posts
Jun 20, 13:38
Report commentWe all know and expect that Glasgow Rangers will be starting they new season in the premier league. As per usual rules apply only to teams outside of Ibrox. If it was good enough for Livingston to follow the rules after been relrgated to div 3 and Gretna to be thrown out the league, why should Rangers be given preferential treatment. I am not saying this as an upset pars fan, we are where we are because we were not good enough last season. I say it as a football fan that is fed up with the league always bending over backwards to help the might Glasgow taxmen eleven.
Recommend?
Yes 11
No 7
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