The prospect of launching newco Rangers outside the Scottish Premier League has not altered Charles Green's determination at Ibrox.
But plans for newco remain committed at Ibrox
The prospect of launching newco Rangers outside the Scottish Premier League has not altered Charles Green and his investors' determination behind the Ibrox project.
Green discovered his application to join the SPL was doomed to failure while having talks with PFA Scotland officials over the contentious issue of whether players are free to leave.
The prospect of more players following the example of Rhys McCabe, Sone Aluko, Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker in rejecting the transfer of their contracts to his new company increased when Inverness, Aberdeen and St Johnstone all confirmed on Monday they would oppose Green's bid.
They joined Dundee United, Hearts and Hibernian in making their intentions public, leaving Green with no chance of securing the 8-4 majority needed.
The former Sheffield United chief executive has faced consistent reports he has struggled to raise investment over and above the £5.5million needed to fund his purchase of the assets of Rangers, which is heading for liquidation.
However, Green's Sevco group rejected a bid from a consortium led by former Rangers manager Walter Smith days after completing their deal and he insisted he would continue his attempts to revive the Ibrox club.
Green told
Sky Sports News: "I'm obviously disappointed, but we have to deal with the cards we have been dealt.
"It's unfortunate people have come out and made these comments when my understanding was that there was going to be a vote next Wednesday, but I can't control other clubs.
"The consortium realised that if we went down the newco route it was a risk. It doesn't alter their resolve.
Obstacles
"Those guys invested knowing these were obstacles that were outside their control and the resolve is there to see this job finished.
"I said at Murray Park on 13th May that my job will be finished when we have got financial security, when the debts are paid, when it's floated on the stock market and the fans have got the right and the opportunity to buy shares. And nothing has changed since 13th May."
Green added: "We really need now to get behind the club because we can see both from what's been said by the SPL and what's been happening with the players that really, really you need to unify and unite behind Rangers.
"Let's now start moving this club forward, stop the fighting, stop the disagreements, get behind the club.
"Irrespective of whether I am CEO or whether I'm not CEO, this is about Rangers. It's much bigger than Charles Green."
Talks have taken place over a reconstruction package that would see the new Rangers start life in the First Division, but Falkirk have already made their opposition known and the fan power that swayed SPL chairmen could conceivably see Green forced to apply for entry to the Third Division.
"That's something we have got to work on over the next few days," he said. "First thing we have got to get is membership of the SFA and then start speaking to the football league."
Green remains at odds with the union over players' rights to join another club, but he adopted a less aggressive stance on Monday after threatening legal action over the weekend.
"I met the PFA group really for the first time today although my guys have been speaking to them over the last few days," Green said after arriving back at Ibrox.
'Constructive' talks
"It was a very constructive meeting and we look forward to seeing the players on Thursday when they report back for training.
"All players want to play at the highest level, but I look at what's behind me now and this is a huge club, irrespective of what league its in.
"And if someone wants to go and play in another league, they won't be playing at a bigger club than this."
The PFA revealed the topic of employment law was discussed only briefly in the 'constructive' talks with Green.
Chief executive Fraser Wishart said: "We both acknowledged that whilst we disagree upon the fundamental issues surrounding our members' rights to object to the transfer to the newco, we can at the same time respect the other parties' position and allow the process to flow without acrimony.
"I would like to make it clear that the players who have objected so far have had to make a decision which has been a footballing one. In recent days, SPL clubs have made their position clear and it is now increasingly unlikely that the newco will be playing in the SPL next season.
"This, added to the three-year ban from European competitions, the uncertainty over which league they will play in and what further sanctions the football authorities may impose, has left the players who have ambitions to play for their international team and in Europe with an extremely difficult decision.
"PFA Scotland will meet with the players who agree to the transfer on their return to pre-season training as our role is to ensure that all their contractual obligations are transferred with them.
"We will also continue to advise any member who wishes to take up the option of objecting as to his rights under employment law, a position which we have made clear previously and has not changed."
