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Ally McCoist may have managed Rangers for the last time in the Livingston game on Saturday
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And the Newcastle United owner could be painted as the stricken club’s saviour if loans of up to £3m already handed to Rangers by him were to be written off.
All of which could mean yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Livingston becoming one of Ally McCoist’s last, if not his final game, in charge of Rangers.
Following a midweek meeting with football board chairman Sandy Easdale and Llambias, McCoist remained as manager for the Championship game at Ibrox. But, if bolstered by a guarantee of cash, Rangers can tackle negotiations over the terms of McCoist’s notice period within the next fortnight in a bid to reach a settlement.
Attention would then turn to his backroom staff, including assistant manager Kenny McDowall, first-team coach Ian Durrant and goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart, as work begins on establishing a new football structure.
That would be preferable to the new men in charge than prolonging the agony of McCoist remaining in control of the squad until as long as next December. Billy Davies remains a prominent contender to replace McCoist in the hotseat.
Insiders believe Ashley is keen to impress his stamp upon Rangers as soon as possible
Those manoeuvres will raise the stakes in Rangers’ imminent disciplinary clash with the SFA.
Last Monday, the governing body issued Ashley and the club notices of complaint for allegedly breaching rules related to his increasing influence in Rangers’ day-to-day running.
Ashley steered clear three months ago when then chief executive Graham Wallace went to the market and raised an emergency £3million.
Instead, the Newcastle supremo struck a deal with Hargreave Hale for their investment in order to strengthen his shareholding to 8.92 per cent.
However, he will ensure his shareholding is no more than 29.9 per cent following any flotation, otherwise he would be legally-bound to make a bid to buy the entire company.
KJ