Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston admits 'it's possible' SPL could welcome Rangers back into SPL

JOHN YORKSTON believes the Rangers saga will take yet another twist on Monday – and refused to rule out the possibility of them being invited back into the SPL.

The Dunfermline chairman hopes it will be the Pars who take the Ibrox outfit’s place in the top flight after SFL sides voted resoundingly to place Charles Green’s newco in the Irn Bru Third Division.

But as he left Hampden yesterday after the SFL meeting, the East End Park chief admitted he wasn’t convinced Rangers would kick off the upcoming campaign in Scotland’s bottom tier.

And at the SPL’s AGM on Monday, when the decision is supposed to be taken on whether the Fifers or Dundee replace Rangers in the top-flight, Yorkston expects a strong reaction to the SFL’s vote.

The Pars chairman hinted that he doesn’t expect to know in 48 hours where his side will be playing and admitted he wouldn’t be surprised if the SPL clubs who rejected the newco now perform a stunning U-turn.

He also revealed that, after SFA chief executive Stewart Regan made his plea to SFL chairmen to place the Glasgow giants in the First Division, he received a less than favourable response.

Yorkston said: “A 25-5 vote is conclusive but I still don’t know where I expect to see Rangers playing because we’ll have to wait and see what develops on Monday.

“I’m not sure this is over. I’m sure there will be a twist in the tale and that will come on Monday when the SPL meet.

“There is still no clarity on our own situation – they will probably let us know the day before the season starts.

“Stewart Regan went on about the SFA’s position and more or less told us to go for Division One. The reaction he got certainly couldn’t be shown on telly.

“There is a lot of folk unhappy with certain individuals and that will all come out in the next few weeks.

“Is there any possibility of the SPL doing a U-turn and inviting Rangers back in? I think everything is possible.”

Dundee are Dunfermline’s rivals for ‘promotion’ to the SPL following Rangers’ demise and Dens Park chief executive Scott Gardiner was one of the few SFL representatives who left Hampden shocked by yesterday’s decision.

Having previously worked at the Ibrox club, he can’t quite believe Ally McCoist and his players will be plying their trade in Scottish football’s bottom rung.

He’s just praying the predictions that Rangers playing in the Third Division will bring about ‘doomsday’ don’t come true.

Gardiner said: “I think it’s a big surprise to everyone.

“At the end of the meeting, everyone sat quietly, looked around the tables at one another – and I think we’re all unsure of where Scottish football now sits.

“I’m not being vague, but no-one knows. A lot of people are surprised by this decision and the meeting ebbed and flowed. But it was a secret ballot and a decision was made.

“Do I expect Rangers to be in the Third Division? I don’t think you can discount anything. The SPL have voted, the SFL has voted and Ally McCoist made a passionate speech in there.

“So unless the SFA step in and do something, that’s what’s going to happen.

“Ally argued for Rangers to be in the Third Division. I worked at the club for a number of years and it’s a big shock.

“Now we move on to the next stage, and no-one really knows what it is.

“The talk of ‘Armageddon’ for Scottish football is dependant on whether the financial predictions are correct.

“There has to be a reaction now from the SFA and SPL. We’re hoping there is a quick resolution, especially as Dundee are a candidate club for the SPL.

“So whatever they decide to do I hope they do it quickly and do it for the good of the game.”

One club to benefit from Rangers in SFL3 is Stranraer, who will now move to up to the Second Division after losing out in the play-offs last season.

But director Iain Dougan revealed they could have made as much money staying in the bottom tier – with guaranteed fixtures against Gers to look forward to.

And contrary to what the SFA and SPL believe, the Stair Park representative is adamant the SFL’s monumental decision could be the start of a bright new future for the whole of Scottish football.

REPERCUSSIONS

Dougan said: “This is nothing against Rangers. It’s customary practice that a new club should start at the bottom and that’s why we voted the way we did.

“We wouldn’t have been having this meeting if it was Aberdeen or Motherwell, it would have been automatic. So the decision is right for football in general.

“There will be financial repercussions but fans have to be listened to.

“Supporters all over the country told us this had to be done – Rangers had to be in the Third Division. Our fans certainly relayed that to us and it was the same with other clubs.

“This could be the start of a new dawn in Scottish football, I really hope so. Hopefully it will bring a new openness and clarity to the game.

“Maybe the fans will now be better appreciated in the game. They might get their 3pm kick-offs back again, which they’re all calling for.

“Stranraer will benefit by going to the Second Division but some would say we’d have benefited from staying in the Third Division and having games against Rangers next season.

“That wasn’t why our decision was taken. It was about the integrity of the game.

“The SFL have sent out a message to the SFA, saying we’re our own body and we’ll decide what we think is right and proper.

“I don’t buy the talk of financial meltdown for Scottish football, these statements have been over-elaborated.

“There will be new money that comes into Scottish football and obviously old money will go out. But I think the game will survive. In fact, it’s needed a fillip that this decision might just give it.”

Incredibly, Rangers’ first home game of the new campaign could be against minnows East Stirling at Ibrox in the second weekend of the season.

And Shire chairman Tony Ford last night insisted he can’t wait to welcome McCoist and Co to Ochilview later in the season.

He said: “At this moment in time, I expect to be playing Rangers in Division Three.

“That’s what we’ve voted for and I’m looking forward to it.

“We’ll be delighted to welcome Ally and his team to East Stirling. I haven’t even looked at the fixtures yet – I just want to be playing football in two weeks from now.”